Theme:

This Sunday's readings lay down the basis for Christian living. The first reading shows us how to seek the Lord. In the gospel reading, we see Jesus, as the new Moses who lays down the perfected Law of God.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading begins with a call to seek the Lord, seek righteousness, seek humility.

• How can you search for the Lord?

• What is righteousness? How can you search for it?

• Humility is not looking lowly at ourselves. It is not being a doormat. The first reading defines the humble as those who seek refuge in the name of the Lord. What does it mean to seek refuge in the name of the Lord?

Day 2: The first reading mentions about the remnant of Israel. This refers to those who follow the Lord.

• What are the things expected from the remnant of Israel?

• What do these mean?

• Why did Zephaniah mean when he said that they will pasture and lie down? This is a promise by the Lord. Do you believe this?

• Why will they not be afraid? Are you afraid or troubled at this point in your life? The word of God says that if you follow the Lord, no one shall make you afraid. What do you want to say to the Lord?

Day 3: The psalm speaks about what God will do. It begins with a description of God.

• How did the psalmist describe God? How is his perspective of God relevant to you and your situation?

• According to the psalmist, what does God do? How is this relevant to you?

Day 4: The second reading is from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. He reminded them that before they came to know Jesus, they were not wise nor rich.

• He said that “God chose the foolish in the world to shame the wise”? This does not mean that we should not strive to be wise. What does this really mean?

• What was God's purpose for choosing the weak to shame the strong, choosing the low and despised to reduce to nothing things that are?

• How does this apply to you?

Day 5: The second reading continues to say that God is the source of life in Jesus.

• What did Paul mean by that?

• What does wisdom from God mean? How is Jesus the wisdom from God?

• What did Paul mean when he quoted, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord”?

Day 6: The gospel reading shows Jesus up the mountain and giving the perfected Law. It pictures him as the new Lawgiver, the new Moses.

• The dictionary defines poor as less than adequate, lacking material possession. What does poor in spirit mean?

• How can the poor in spirit possess the kingdom of heaven?

• Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek”. He also said later on in Matthew to “learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart”. Meekness is not being a doormat. Jesus showed this when he cleansed the temple. He also showed this in his confrontation with the Pharisees, even to the extent of calling them “snakes, brood of vipers”. Considering this, what did Jesus mean by meekness?

• How will these inherit the earth?

Day 7: The gospel continues with “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”

• God expects us to be merciful. Is there an area in your life where you have not shown mercy? What must you do to show mercy? Showing mercy is also a grace from God. What will you ask the Lord so that he can give you the grace to show mercy?

• What does “pure in heart” mean? How can the see God?

• As Christians, persecution is part of our lives. Are you being persecuted? Jesus said that you are blessed if you are persecuted – because your reward is great in heaven. Do you believe this? Why or why not?