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Weekly Reflection Videos & Discussions

Week of April 21, 2025 (Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/j1zxu1GdyAw
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fM8-YfIRug

Questions for discussion:

  1. The Resurrection of Christ is central to our faith. Consider what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14–19 about the significance of Christ’s resurrection: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
  2. Can you share a time in your life when you experienced a period of darkness which then eventually transitioned into a period of light?
    1. What were your feelings toward God during the darkness and then again coming into the light?
    2. Are there any similarities between your experience and what you believe the Apostles experienced on Good Friday and then again on Easter?
  3. In many ways Easter is stepping across boundaries. Jesus stepped across the barrier of death into life.  Our Elect stepped across the boundary of not belonging to belonging as they were baptized, confirmed and received first holy communion.
    1. What boundaries do we need to step across to continue a more meaningful relationship with the risen Christ? or…
    2. What boundaries have we imposed on ourselves that keeps us from having a deeper more meaningful relationship with Christ?

Lectio Divina – Colossians 3:1-4

1If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Week of April 7, 2025 (Fifth Sunday of Lent)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/qevQT1h12po
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/POzYbAiRD6U

Questions for discussion:

  1. As we reflect on this week’s homily and readings, maybe we can reflect on the life that the Lord gives us. Maybe we can talk about some times where the Lord has called us to life. Where we might have helped in situations that could not ever get better or worse. We might be stuck in certain ways of living or certain patterns of sin and the Lord has called us forward. Talk about your experience of Christ giving you life.
  2. Also, think about some areas in your life, as you are comfortable, talk about those areas that you might have today where you need the life giving power of our Lord Jesus. Reflect on His ability to bring life even out of the darkness; the tomb of death. He can bring us all to eternal life. And that promise for eternal life can start for us today.

Lectio Divina – Romans 8:8-11

8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Week of March 24, 2025 (Third Sunday of Lent)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/Q4BmAL0izvk
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iijDa6MLg18

Questions for discussion:

  1. Reflect on your conversations with the Lord. What are they like? Are we having them? Are they Fruitful? Are they comfortable? Do they sometimes make us uncomfortable? Do they lead us away from places in our lives where we are just kind of comfortable into something challenging for us just like it was for the Samaritan woman? Talk about having that conversation with the Lord.
  2. If you’re not having that conversation, talk about that. Talk about the difficulties that you have in prayer and in reading scripture—whatever it is, however you encounter the Lord. Talk about the difficulties that you are having and see how the Lord can break down some walls for you, just like he did for the Samaritan woman.

Lectio Divina – John 4:1-42 (omitting verses 27-38)

The Samaritan Woman

1Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself was not baptizing, just his disciples), 3he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4He had to pass through Samaria. 5So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.

7A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11[The woman] said to him, Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the well is deep; where then can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” 13Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 14but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” 17The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ 18For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.  20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. 24God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” 26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you.”

39Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” 40When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 42and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

Week of March 10, 2025 (First Sunday of Lent)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/C4eXp8UvCXU
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tklpPtsFz8g

Questions for discussion:

  1. Today I would like you to discuss some areas where you feel tempted, as you are comfortable discussing those things. Talk about ways that you are frequently tempted. Have you developed some strategies for dealing with temptation? Or maybe you could share your own thoughts and maybe come up with some new ways of avoiding or overcoming temptation.
  2. It would be helpful to do your Lectio Divina by reading the gospel that we read on Sunday. Jesus shows us a very specific way of avoiding temptation and that is to use the word of God, not to struggle, not to fight, but to simply rely on the strength of God when you are tempted.

Lectio Divina – Luke 4:1-13

The Temptation of Jesus.

1 Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” 5Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7All this will be yours, if you worship me.” 8Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” 9Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” 13When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Week of February 24, 2025 (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u66nJBYD7E
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Cry9e7pbA

Questions for discussion:

  1. In this past Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his followers many things which I’m sure were difficult for them to hear. Of all the things Jesus says in this past Sunday’s Gospel, which do you feel is the most difficult to hear and why?
    • Love your enemies
    • Do good to those who hate you
    • Bless those who curse you
    • Pray for those who mistreat you
    • To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other one as well
    • From the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic
    • Stop judging and you will not be judged
    • Stop condemning and you will not be condemned
    • Forgive and you will be forgiven
  2. Identify one practice that will help you become more merciful and forgiving. How can you incorporate that practice into your upcoming Lenten journey?
  3. Can you share an example of a time when someone treated you unfairly, mistreated you, took something from you or took advantage of you. How did you respond, how would you respond today or how could you have responded  to reflect the words of the Gospel.

Lectio Divina – Luke 6:27-38

Love of Enemies.

27“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. 35But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.

Judging Others.

37“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Week of February 10, 2025 (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/FAQXSb4ASyg
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xbjXO95kd-E

Questions for discussion:

Encounter — Identity — Mission

  1. For this week’s reflection, it might be helpful to look at how encounter has functioned in your spiritual life. How have you encountered the Lord Jesus? What are some of the various ways that you have had profound encounters with the Lord?
  2. Did that encounter shape your identity? If so, how do you say that it does shape your identity?
  3. Do you have a mission? Are you on your mission? What might your mission be? The Lord has sent each of us to proclaim Him to others. Is that something that we are doing actively in our life now?
  4. Take some time and think about that. Maybe talk about if there were any extraordinary encounters or experiences of the Lord that you have had. Maybe go into some detail about that. It might be helpful for you and for others in your cell group. Think about these three things — Encounter, Identity and Mission.

Lectio Divina – Luke 5:1-11

For your Lectio Divina, read again this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 5:1-11) where Peter has an amazing encounter with the Lord in the midst of his work as a fisherman, a simple fisherman who has a life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus. 

1While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Week of January 26, 2025 (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/HP8N4ETCa0U
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/evFS4cb457o

Questions for discussion:

  1. How is the Word alive in your life? How do you receive the Word when you hear it, see it, or reflect on it? Does it have an effect on your life?

Lectio Divina – Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Try to imagine that you are in the presence of Jesus for the very first time and you are hearing these words for the very first time. How do you experience this, how does it affect you? What does it do to your mind, your heart, how you see the world?

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Week of January 13, 2025 (Baptism of the Lord)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/fkK2-A9sKjY
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Vhksus8NskI

Questions for discussion:

Think about the words that God said about Jesus, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.”

  1. First, think about what it means to have God as our Father. What does this mean?
  2. What does it mean to be a son, daughter or child of God? What does this mean to you? What does it mean to be a child of God?
  3. What does it mean to be beloved in general, and what especially does it mean to be beloved of God? That is our true identity—to be a true beloved child of God, with whom God is well pleased.

Lectio Divina – Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased.

Upon him I have put my spirit;

he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry out, nor shout,

nor make his voice heard in the street.

A bruised reed he will not break,

and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.

He will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow dim or be bruised

until he establishes justice on the earth;

the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant for the people,

a light for the nations,

To open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Week of December 10, 2024 (Second Sunday of Advent)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/lfZixWw6S4c
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NuFeF0Rytx0

Questions for discussion:

  1. Describe some times when you have experienced—or do experience—obstacles, mountains, valleys, rough roads, in your spirituality.
  2. How has God prepared the way for you?
  3. How do you prepare the way for the Lord?

Lectio Divina – Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;

put on forever the splendor of glory from God:

Wrapped in the mantle of justice from God,

place on your head the diadem

of the glory of the Eternal One.

For God will show your splendor to all under the heavens;

you will be named by God forever:

the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Rise up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;

look to the east and see your children

Gathered from east to west

at the word of the Holy One,

rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:

but God will bring them back to you

carried high in glory as on royal thrones.

For God has commanded

that every lofty mountain

and the age-old hills be made low,

That the valleys be filled to make level ground,

that Israel may advance securely in the glory of God.

The forests and every kind of fragrant tree

have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;

For God is leading Israel in joy

by the light of his glory,

with the mercy and justice that are his.

Week of November 10, 2024 (Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_dWTRgZykIc

Questions for discussion:

  1. How do you understand yourself as entrusted to God?
  2. What are some areas where you might be resisting or neglecting entrustment?
  3. How might you entrust yourself to God in specific situations, relationships, etc.?

Lectio Divina – Hebrews 9:24-28

For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own;

if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Week of October 22, 2024 (Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9tpCtBc4yc

Questions for discussion:

  1. Discuss times or situations in which the Lord has called you to serve persons or situations that are unpleasant, difficult, or seemingly impossible.
  2. What are some ways/strategies that we can use to serve when it would be more comfortable not to serve?
  3. Think about how we can better follow the way of Jesus as disciples.

Lectio Divina – Mark 10:42-45

“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Week of September 23, 2024 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/mGNwBa_qruU
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1J1KawvZ6s

Questions for discussion:

  1. Describe a time when you put someone else’s needs above your own or someone put your needs above theirs. How did that make you feel?
  2. How does the scripture from last week’s Gospel “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34&35), relate or tie in with this week’s Gospel “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)?
  3. Two questions:
    1. Why do you think the disciples found the teaching of Jesus difficult to understand? Why do you think they were afraid to ask him about it? “He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:32)
    2. Has God ever spoken something in your heart and you didn’t understand and were afraid to ask?

Week of September 9, 2024 (Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/lfZixWw6S4c
  2. Watch Father George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3HuQRKm7Xw

Questions for discussion:

Jesus said the miraculous word, “Ephphatha!” —that is “Be opened!”

Today is a good time to think of those areas in our lives when maybe we are closed off; maybe we are closed off to God, to others, maybe we are closed off to our own experience in life. Maybe there’s a lot of pain and difficulty that we are struggling with. Maybe we have gotten so caught up in our daily lives that we are not fully open to the miracle that is waiting for us.

This week I’d like you to reflect on those areas where maybe you are closed off, maybe you’re not hearing what you need to hear or seeing what you need to see or saying what you need to say. Look at those areas and ask the Lord to open you ; to open your heart; your mind; your soul, your ears, your eyes, your mouth. Everything that puts you in contact with this world, with others, with God, with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lectio Divina – Isaiah 35:4-7a

Say to the fearful of heart:

Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God,

he comes with vindication;

With divine recompense

he comes to save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall see,

and the ears of the deaf be opened;

Then the lame shall leap like a stag,

and the mute tongue sing for joy.

For waters will burst forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the Arabah.

The burning sands will become pools,

and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

Week of August 26, 2024 (Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/S9esLKFAT5s
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSTbJl0EAHU

Questions for discussion:

  1. If you look and the entire Bread of Life discourse—that would be John 6:24-69—what were the specific teachings that Jesus offered to his followers that cause them to leave?
    • Was there one specific teaching that bothered them the most or do you think it was the whole message together that created this discomfort?
    • A sub-question to that is, why do you think that Jesus didn’t try to stop these people from leaving?
    • Why did he just let them go without offering some type of words that would have them continue to stay? What do you think happened to the people who left?
  2. What type of choices do we make every day that help us follow Christ more closely?
    • Or what type of choices can we make every day the at will help us follow Christ more closely or deepen our relationship with him?
    • Sometimes we fail to make good choices with regards to our walk with Christ and what can we do to minimize those occasions?
  3. In the Gospel message this weekend, there were two groups of people; there were followers and these were people who decided to leave, and there was a group that decided to stay and we call this group the believers. We have both followers and believers in our Church today. What can we do today to help a follower become a believer?

Lectio Divina – John 6:60-69

The Words of Eternal Life.

60Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

61Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you?

62What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

63It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh* is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

64But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him.

65And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

66As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.

67Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

68Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

69We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Week of August 12, 2024 (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDt3Vhhw84
  2. Watch Fr. George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDn0fZWVvg

Questions for discussion:

  1. Reflect on the areas of your life where you feel that you are hanging around in the material realm; you are focused more on what I need to today; what I want today; what’s happening today. Begin thinking about some areas where maybe God is calling you forward into a more spiritual, eternal frame of mind.
  2. Are there certain ways that God is calling you today? How do you think that you might be able to answer that call, by going deeper into your spiritual life and go forward towards the Lord?

Lectio Divina – Ephesians 4:30-5:2

And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.

[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children,

and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Week of July 22, 2024 (Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/1sQXCiwQqCs
  2. Watch Fr. George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOdUSs1995Y

Question for discussion:

  1. What are the things that you feel that you need from your shepherds? From the Church? From your parish? From your Pastor at St. Stephen? Reflect on the things that you feel you need to live your Christian faith. To live your baptismal promises.
  2. We also talked about how those qualities of the Pastor are not only for the actual Pastor, but for all of us, from our baptism are given some sort of role of pastoring or shepherding others. What is it that you feel like you need to be doing; what qualities do you need to employ in your life in the parish, in your family, at work, within your sphere of influence?
  3. Think about how you need to be a good shepherd and how you need to shepherd others. This can help us all to grow in our vocations. Remember what I said in the homily, before we can be shepherds, we have to be sheep. So we have to know what it is that we need and then we have to know what it is that we need to give to others.

Lectio Divina – Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd;

there is nothing I lack.

In green pastures he makes me lie down;

to still waters he leads me;

he restores my soul.

He guides me along right paths

for the sake of his name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff comfort me.

 

You set a table before me

in front of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me

all the days of my life;

I will dwell in the house of the LORD

for endless days.

Week of July 8, 2024 (Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/VzcAjPNN45Q
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBH26wD5wzM

Question for discussion:

  1. Fr. Bob mentioned in his homily that we have the choice of being a cynic or of being more hopeful. Can someone who has chosen to be a cynic still be a good Catholic? If so, how? If not, why not?1A Follow up. Think of a time in your life when you have been more cynical and of a time in your life when you have been filled with more hope? What was it that triggered you to go down either one of these paths?
  2. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul says, “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” What do think that Paul means when he says, “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”2A Follow up. Have you ever had a time in your life when for whatever the reason you found yourself being weak, but yet you were still strong? Can you share that experience with the group?
  3. Looking at all three of the readings, we learn of somebody dealing with tragedy or personal difficulties. When you have dealt with adversity in the past, how have you responded to that adversity? Here’s the important piece of the question. If you were to face that same type of adversity today, would you respond differently that you did previously? If so, why? Is it because of faith has grown, or is it because your faith has become less strong?

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Lectio Divina – Mark 6:1-6 (See the verses above)

Week of June 24, 2024 (Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/Mz-aViAPT7k
  2. Watch Deacon Jim’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otIzfvAxujY

Question for reflection:

  1. Share a time in your life when God calmed a storm in your life or helped you to get through the storm. How did this experience impact your faith?
  2. From the second reading, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17.                                                                                                                                                            Brothers and sisters:The love of Christ impels us,
    once we have come to the conviction that one died for all;
    therefore, all have died.
    He indeed died for all,
    so that those who live might no longer live for themselves
    but for him who for their sake died and was raised.Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh;
    even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh,
    yet now we know him so no longer.
    So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
    the old things have passed away;
    behold, new things have come.What does it mean to you to no longer live for yourself, but to live for Christ?
  3. Looking back on your faith development over your life, who was the person, the catalyst, who planted the first seeds of faith in you that have grown to the point of your current faith?

Lectio Divina – 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (See the verses above)

Week of June 10, 2024 (Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/zCVXfRRZ95g
  2. Watch Fr. George’s video: https://youtu.be/TNBXI5xQMzw

Question for reflection:

Reflect on your experiences of being bound with something.  Not necessarily a great big experience of possession. But just being bound by experiences of sin, or hard feelings or bad experiences or hurtful memories. Things that keep us bound and away from our Lord. We need to look at these and ask the Lord to come in and unbind us and to bind Satan in our lives. We can pray for this. We can ask to come in and remove the influences of evil in our lives.

 

  • This week I want to ask you to think about the power of Satan in our lives and think about the even greater power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Think of those times when you have experienced liberation from times when you felt oppressed by the evil one.
  • Think about those times where Jesus has come into your life and changed you for the better and brought you closer to him.

 

Lectio Divina: 

2 Corinthians 4:13-16

 Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

 

Week of May 27, 2024 (Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/live/eA96govit1M
  2. Watch Fr. George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP2FjsApxSk

Question for reflection:

We need to look for times in our lives where we can give that Self giving, self forgetting, self emptying love to others. This week I’d like for you to reflect on that love in your life.

  • Where have you done acts of forgiveness?
  • Where have you done acts of self-forgetting love and give your love to another?
  • What are some struggles that you might have in this area?
  • Where are some opportunities that present themselves to you on a pretty regular basis?

If we learn to love the way that Jesus taught us to love, we are entering into the love of the Holy Trinity. Let’s reflect on that love today and let’s put it into action in our lives

Lectio Divina: Romans 8:14-17

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Week of May 13, 2024 (Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)

  1. Watch the homily video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJjoX1_MdtM
  2. Watch Fr. George’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjLyOiO5fFk
  3. Lectio Divina: Ephesians 4:1-13

Unity in the Body.

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Diversity of Gifts.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says: “He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Question for reflection:

  • How are we making present our Lord Jesus Christ on this earth and how are we preparing ourselves for the gift of eternal life?

Week of April 22, 2024 (4th Sunday of Easter)

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4hmeruhhzI

Question for discussion:

  1. Discuss how, during Jesus’ ministry, he demonstrated the three characteristics of leading from the front, leading from within and leading from behind? What examples can you recite from Scripture that show these types of leadership?
  2. Which shepherd do you relate to the best? The shepherd that leads from the front, the shepherd that leads from within the group or the shepherd that leads from behind, who has your back if you are falling behind?

Lectio Divina: Psalm 23

Pray for vocations that we discussed this past weekend and for those making their first Communion this coming weekend.

Week of April 8, 2024 (2nd Sunday of Easter)

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsVdAYi9jVk

Question for discussion:

  • Are you seeing Jesus with that spiritual sense? Do you see him? Do you touch him? Do you speak to him spiritually?
  • Is it difficult for me to believe in him without seeing?
  • Can you open my mind and my heart to seeing the Lord without having him physically present?

Lectio Divina: 1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.

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