Theme:
A prophet is one who speaks for God. Since God is the truth, the prophet speaks the truth. Sadly though, not everyone wants to hear the truth, even if it sets them free. A Christian's duty is to speak the truth and when doing so, one should expect a lot of difficulties and persecution. But this has to be done – for the good of the other person.
Questions:
Day 1: The first reading is addressed to the prophet Ezekiel. God was telling him to speak to the wicked so that they can turn from their ways.
God told Ezekiel that he is a guard for Israel. How can a prophet be a guard for God's people?
According to God, what was the role of the prophet?
If the prophet remained silent and the wicked one dies because of their sin, why is the prophet held accountable for it?
Day 2: God continues speaking his word to the prophet.
In this passage, we see that God does speak. How can you recognize the voice of God.
God told Ezekiel that if he spoke and the wicked repented, the prophet would also have saved his own life. What did he mean by that?
When should you speak the truth or keep quiet when confronted with evil?
Day 3: The psalm begins with an invitation to praise God. It ends with a plea from God to listen to his voice.
The psalm tells us to come to the presence of God with thanksgiving. How can you do that even if you are not at Church?
Verses 6 invites us to kneel before the Lord. What does kneeling before the Lord show?
The psalm ends with a plea to listen to the voice of God. Meribah and Massah are different names for the same place. This was where the children of Israel quarreled with God and tested God and asked him to prove himself. What does it mean to test God and prove himself?
Day 4: The second reading sums up the commandments to love.
When St. Paul says owe no one anything what did he mean? Did he mean that we should not borrow money from other people?
What did he mean when he said that the only debt we should have is to love one another?
How can love fulfill the laws of God?
Day 5: St. Paul continues to speak of the fulfillment of the law through love.
How can you express your love for your neighbor?
What does it mean to love your neighbor? If you are angry with someone, does it mean that you do not love them?
How can you show your love to someone who has hurt you?
Does love mean speaking the truth even if it hurts the other person?
Day 6: The gospel reading shows Jesus teaching his disciples on how to correct those within the church.
What are the three stages in correcting those within the church? How can you apply that now?
Why is it necessary to point out the fault first privately?
Why do you need to bring a witness if there is no repentance?
Day 7: Jesus continues speaking about correcting errors within a community.
The last stage in correcting a person is to bring the issue to the church or community. By treating the person as a Gentile or tax collector, Jesus meant that the person is to be excluded from the community. How can excluding a person from the Church be an act of love?
How is the issue of binding and loosening on earth related to correcting those within the Church? What does that say about the authority of the Catholic Church?
Jesus ends with saying that God is in the midst of two or three who gather in his name. What does this mean? Do you believe this? What does this say about prayer in a community?
