Discussion Questions

First Reading

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

F1. The word used by the ancient Romans, “humus,” had a lot of meanings, among which were ground, earth and soil. Using this meaning as a springboard, make up your own definition of the word humility.

F2. Name someone you think is a truly a great person. Is that person humble? What does humility look like in him/her? The Gospel mentions the lame, poor, crippled and blind. From your experience with these people would you say most of them are humble?

Second Reading

Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

S1.  What do you feel when you read the words from the old covenant (“blazing fire,” “gloomy darkness,” “storm,” “trumpet”)? What mood do the words from the new covenant bring to you (“heavenly Jerusalem,” “countless angels in festal gathering”)?

S2. What is a covenant? What does it mean to say that Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant? Why does the sprinkled blood of the new covenant speak more eloquently than that of Abel, as this reading asserts?

Gospel

Luke 14:1, 7-14

G1. Does anything cripple you, sometimes make you blind? Discuss the fact that Jesus experienced our human pain along with us in order to help us get to the banquet. Do you feel any responsibility as a member of the body of Christ to help other people get to the banquet?

G2. “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind … ” In Evangelii Gaudium [The Joy of the Gospel], Chapter 4, p. 198, Pope Francis offers an explanation of one way “you will be blessed” if and when you do this. Have you experienced this blessing?

… I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. They have much to teach us. Not only do they share in the sensus fidei,* but in their difficulties they know the suffering Christ. We need to let ourselves be evangelized by them. The new evangelization is an invitation to acknowledge the saving power at work in their lives and to put them at the center of the Church’s pilgrim way. We are called to find Christ in them, to lend our voice to their causes, but also to be their friends, to listen to them, to speak for them and to embrace the mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them.

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium
Of the Holy Father Francis

Chapter 4, p. 198

Anne Osdieck
 

**From Saint Louis University