The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful ... to learn the 'surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,' by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. 'Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.' "
                                                                  Catechism of the Catholic Church §133

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Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

 

 

 

Read God's Book continually; never let the sacred volume be out of your hand. Learn, so that you may teach. --St. Jerome

 

 

 

 

 

Note: New studies are posted Wednesday evenings

   Printable format (Word)

Opening Prayer    

Psalm: Daniel 3:52-56

• Today’s gospel comes right after a conversation Jesus had with a certain Jew named Nicodemus (John 3:1-15). Nicodemus is described as a teacher, or rabbi (verse 10), and a Pharisee (verse 1), a member of a strict religious party of the time. He was probably also a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jews (verse 1).
• Jesus has just finished explaining to Nicodemus the necessity of being born again (or from above) by water and the Holy Spirit, i.e., by baptism (verse 5). Nicodemus has a hard time grasping the concept since he continues to think in earthly terms (verses 4 and 9). Jesus invites him to see God’s plan through heavenly eyes.
• In a veiled manner, Jesus further reveals to him that as part of that plan, Christ will be “lifted up” (on the Cross and into heaven) so that Nicodemus and all who believe in Jesus can have eternal life.

Questions:

·         Where do you see the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity in this Sunday’s readings? What is the effect of each Person of the Trinity?

·         Did God send his Son to judge or to save (John 3:17; Rom 5:8; CCC 734)? What kind of love is this (Ephesians 4:2-5; John 15:13; CCC 218-21, 604-5)? What is God (1 John 4:8)? How was this manifested to us (1 John 4:9-10; CCC 457-58)? What should be our response?

·         From this reading, what stands out to you about God? About what he wants you to do? About how a person is saved? About how a person is condemned? What does it mean to “believe” (verses 15-21, 36)?

·         What does Jesus mean when he talks about eternal life? What does it call to mind for you? What does eternal life mean to you in regards to duration? Quality? Activity?

·         What does it mean to be “saved? From what? For what? What is the alternative? When did you begin to see God as saving you, rather than condemning you?

Closing Prayer  

Our Lord does not come down from Heaven every day to lie in a golden ciborium. He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to Him - the heaven of our souls, created in His Image, the living temples of the Adorable Trinity.     

                                                                                        -St. Therese of Lisieux

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This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 14, 2008