Discussion Questions

First Reading1
Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

F1.  Zechariah lived before Christ by about 500 years. Yet his writing in the First Reading speaks of “him whom they have pierced”! Explain. Another part of the reading says that God will pour out a spirit of grace and petition on the people. Is this related to the death of the pierced one?

F2. Do you forgive other people if they “repent,” or do you demand more? Are there people you have offended and from whom you need to ask forgiveness? Are there countries today that pierce individuals or groups of people? Do you live in one? Is there anything can you do about it?

Second Reading
Galatians 3:26-29

S1. Are we an equal opportunity church? What happens in the baptismal garment to traits like gender, color, race, social status, sexual orientation as well as allegiance to points of view different than our own? On a scale of 1 (not inclusive) to 10 (very exclusive), rate where you fall in accepting everyone in your daily life.

S2. There are some people who for one reason or another do not “put on Christ.” Does Christ redeem them too? Could some people decide not to be completely “clothed in Christ” just for a while? Do you think God sees you praying for them? Can you or we help them to catch hold? Discuss.

Gospel
Luke 9:18-24

G1.  If you know who Christ is and what his mission is about, what are the implications for you? If picking up your cross is a formidable task in general, do you have to think of all the years to come, or could you just pick up today’s cross?

G2. Jesus asked Peter, “But who do you say that I am?” He asks each of us the same question. According to Pope Francis, what is more important in trying to answer the question? A study, or a life of discipleship?

One only understands the question posed to Peter—Who am I for you?—within the context of a long journey, after having travelled a long path. …

… [W]hat is needed is not a study … but rather a life as a disciple. … In journeying with Jesus we learn who he is. … We come to know him in the daily encounter with the Lord, each day. Through our victories and through our weaknesses. [It is] through these encounters that we draw close to him and come to know him more deeply. For it is in these everyday encounters that we acquire what St. Paul calls the mind of Christ, the hermeneutic [interpretation] to judge all things. …

But this is not enough. In reality, this is a work of the Holy Spirit, who is a great worker: he is not a union organizer, he is a great worker. And he is always at work in us: and he carries out this great work of explaining the mystery of Jesus, and of giving us the mind of Christ.

Pope Francis, Morning meditation, Feb. 20, 2014

Anne Osdieck

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**From Saint Louis University