August 3, 2008: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF Print E-mail
Readings:
1st Reading Isaiah 55:1-3
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18
2nd Reading Romans 8:35-39
Gospel Matthew 14:13-21
 

Theme:

This Sunday's reading speak of how God provides for everyone.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading is taken from the book of Isaiah. It speaks of the extravagance of God's generosity.

  • In the first reading, where is God inviting the thirsty? How can God tell someone with no money to buy and eat? What did he mean by that?

  • Wine and milk without money and without price means that God is giving these for free. Do you believe that God provides for all your needs but not your wants?

  • What is the difference between needs and wants?

Day 2: God continues to invite the listeners. This time, calling them to himself.

  • God tells his listeners to listen diligently to him and eat what is good. What did he mean by that?

  • God commands his listeners to turn their ear and come to him so that their souls can live. What does it mean to turn your ear to God and to come to him?

  • How can you listen diligently to God?

Day 3: The psalm repeats the theme of the first reading. It speaks of God's goodness and mercy.

  • The psalm says “the Lord is good to all”. It means that there is no one excluded from his goodness – even those who do not know him. What does this say about God?

  • The psalm says that God gives food in due season. What does this say about God?

  • How can you call on God in truth?

  • Can you tell of an instance when God provided for your needs at the right time?

Day 4: St. Paul now speaks of the love of God.

  • According to St. Paul, what can separate you from the love of Jesus?

  • St. Paul enumerated a list of sufferings. What do each of these mean?

  • According to St. Paul, what is the purpose of these sufferings?

  • If you suffering right now, how are your sufferings relevant to the second reading? What do you want to tell Jesus?

Day 5: St. Paul continues to discuss about sufferings.

  • Notice that St. Paul said that we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. You are not only a conqueror, but more than a conqueror through Jesus. What did he mean when he said that you are more than a conqueror?

  • According to St. Paul, does suffering mean that one is away from the love of God?

  • What are the things the St. Paul enumerated that could not separate us from the love of God?

  • How would you relate sufferings to God's providence?

Day 6: The gospel happened right after Jesus heard the news of John the Baptist's death. He withdrew to a deserted place by himself. The people heard of this and they followed him.

  • How did Jesus feel when he saw the multitude? What did he do?

  • What did the disciples ask Jesus to do when evening came? Do you think this request was reasonable?

  • What can you say about the response of Jesus to them?

  • What did the disciples respond to Jesus?

Day 7: The gospel continues to narrate about the miracle of the loaves.

  • When the disciples presented the five loaves and two fish, what did Jesus do with the food?

  • Who gave the food to the multitudes to eat? How does this relate to what Jesus told the disciples to do when they told him to send the multitude away?

  • The gospel says that aside from being filled, there were still left overs. What does this tell about God's generosity and extravagance?

  • How is God's generosity relevant to your life?

 

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I have recently published my reflections on the Gospel According to St. John. The book is titled, Believe toLive. It is available at Amazon.com (ISBN: 1440410097) or at CreateSpace.