Discussion Questions

First Reading

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24

F1. “For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.” (Wisdom 1:14). What in humankind’s nature is made in God’s own image? Is it true of all of humankind or just Christians?

F2. “For he fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome.” (Wisdom 1:14). Do you and I have any responsibility to respect the whole of creation and keep everything wholesome that is fashioned by God? What can you do to protect our environment?

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15

S1. To which do you think many people in the world respond better, a wealthy God or a poor God? Explain your answer. With which do you feel more comfortable? Why?

S2. This reading is about sharing your abundance. What do you have that you can share? How much time are you willing to give to another? How can you share some of your talents? How much of your treasure are you willing to share? When you share do you also receive?

Gospel

Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

G1. Did Jesus leave anything that you might touch if you had a problem and you just wanted to quietly touch/receive something that might help? What? The Eucharist? The woman with the hemorrhage was shunned. Are women in some cultures still oppressed? Is racial bias a type of shunning?

G2. What does Pope Francis say we can do to imitate Jesus in healing people?

The story of this nameless woman—let us call her this way, “the nameless woman”—in whom we can all see ourselves, is exemplary. … More than her health, her affections were compromised. Why? She had blood loss and therefore, according to the mindset of the time, she was deemed impure. She was a marginalized woman; she could not have stable relationships; … She lived alone, with a wounded heart. …

Sister, brother, you are here, let Jesus look at and heal your heart. I too have to do this: let Jesus look at my heart and heal it. And if you have already felt his tender gaze upon you, imitate him, and do as he does. Look around: you will see that many people who live beside you feel wounded and alone; they need to feel loved: take the step. Jesus asks you for a gaze that does not stop at the outward appearance, but that goes to the heart: a gaze that is not judgmental. Jesus asks us for a gaze that is non-judgmental, but rather welcoming. Let us open our hearts to welcome others. Because love alone heals life, love alone heals life.

Angelus for 13 Ord B
Pope Francis June 27, 2021

Anne Osdieck

**From Saint Louis University