Discussion Questions

First Reading

Genesis 2:18-24

F1. In The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupèry has the fox say, “you become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” God allowed Adam, one of us, to give each creature its name. This is, in a way, a taming process. Do we feel responsible for the planet and all the life on it? Are there areas in our environment where we are not acting responsibly? Discuss what you can do in your home or place of work to make changes for the better.

F2. Are there cultures that don’t value women the same as men? What would you say to a person who thinks the superiority of men over women is divinely revealed in this text? What will you do if the women and men in your work place were not treated as equals? 

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:9-11

S1. In the initial line of the First Reading, the Lord says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Contrast this with the following line from the Second Reading: “He for a little while was made lower than the angels.” What ideas do you get from this contrast?

S2. Jesus consecrated himself to his Father and us along with him. He called us sisters and brothers. How does this create reverence toward our present-day brothers and sisters? Do you treat the bag lady with the same respect that you treat the CEO?

Gospel

Mark 10:2-16

G1. After being tested and questioned on the topic of divorce by the Pharisees and his disciples, do you think Jesus was ready for a pleasant distraction? (“He embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.”) How did he handle his disciples’ rebuking the people for bringing their children to him? Is there something that makes you “indignant”? What?

G2.The Gospel today says that “Jesus took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Why does Pope Francis say that with God frailty is not an obstacle but an opportunity?

Here is what is new: the disciple must not only serve the little ones, but also acknowledge himself as a little one. And does each of us recognize ourselves as being little before God? …

In life, recognizing oneself as little, is a starting point for growing. If we think about it, we grow, not so much on the basis of our successes and the things we have, but above all in difficult and fragile moments. There, in our need, we mature; there we open our hearts to God, to others, to the meaning of life.

Pope Francis Angelus
Oct 3, 2021

Anne Osdieck
 

**From Saint Louis University