Discussion Questions

First Reading

Genesis 3:9-15

F1. It all started with Adam and Eve and their refusal to do the will of God. Who did Adam blame? Who did Eve blame? Can we ourselves blame them that we are not living in the garden of paradise?
 
F2. Adam and Eve sinned and because they had free will. We still sin. There is no garden of Eden anymore but did God the Father give us anything that makes our home on earth a holy place?

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

S1. In this reading Paul says, “As we look not what is seen, but what is unseen.”

• What is seen: Our outer self wasting away; affliction; earthly dwelling; a tent that will be destroyed.

• What is unseen: Grace in abundance; eternal weight of glory beyond comparison; overflowing thanksgiving; inner self renewed day by day; eternal life.

Which is the better place, the seen or the unseen? Can you get to the unseen from the seen?

S2. If Adam is responsible for the “seen” and Christ is responsible for the “unseen,” could Adam’s sin be a “happy fault”? It brought Christ into our world to bring us more of an abundance of grace than we would have had in the garden of Eden.

Gospel

Mark 3:20-35

1. Is the doing the will of God always easy? Do you think it was easy for Jesus when he figured out what God was asking him to do? Do you always know what the will of God is in a situation? What helps?

2. Jesus faces two misunderstandings in this Gospel, one with the scribes and one with his brethren. What do we learn from the one with his brethren?

Today’s Gospel also speaks to us about another, very different misunderstanding with regard to Jesus: that of his brethren. They were worried, because his new itinerant life seemed folly to them (cf Mark 3:21). In fact, he exhibited such openness toward the people, especially toward the sick and toward sinners, to the   extent that he did not even have time to eat. Jesus was like that:   people first; serving people; helping people; teaching people; healing people. He was for the people. Thus, his brethren decided  to take him back home to Nazareth. …

“Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.” And he replied: “Who are my mother and my brethren?.” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said ‘Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother’” (Mark 3:32-35).

Jesus formed a new family, no longer based on natural ties, but on faith in him, his love which welcomes us and unites us to each other, in the Holy Spirit. All those who welcome Jesus’ word are children of God and brothers and sisters among themselves.

Pope Francis
Angelus for 10 Ord Time B
June 10, 2018

Anne Osdieck
 

**From Saint Louis University