Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

IS 49:3, 5-6 | 1 COR 1:1-3 | JN 1:29-34

No video today due to technical difficulties. However, you may read the Homily here.

Discussion Questions

1. 1. Name a moment in your life when you clearly felt God’s love for you. Tell somebody about that moment.
   2. Describe a time in your life that was a great trial for you – maybe it was an ache or hurt you couldn’t overcome on your own. What was something you had to let go of in order to follow Jesus? Tell somebody about your burden.
   3. Was there a time when Jesus took a pain or hurt from you? Tell somebody about this experience.
   4. How have you experienced Jesus renewing you? Tell somebody your story.
   5. How has the celebration of the Mass or Confession or the Anointing of the Sick made a difference in your life? What gift has the Holy Spirit uniquely given to you that helps you to bring others to Jesus? How have others experienced new life through you? Tell your story.

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Experience of Others Being “Bold for the Lord”

University of Wisconsin Madison, 1973

Remembering

When a pregnant Mary visited a pregnant Elizabeth, John “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb. His purpose for living was to point to Jesus. John was Jesus’ witness.

Testify

Every story we tell of our friendship with Jesus might include some thing about one of the five truth.

1. God loves me unconditionally and has created me for a relationship
   with Him.
2. I have broken my relationship with the Lord by my sin.
3. Jesus restores my relationship with God through his life, death and
   resurrection.
4. Jesus invites me to trust him, to turn from sin, and to give my life to him.
5. Jesus has poured the Holy Spirit in my heart to bring me to a new life in
   His Church and to send me on mission so others can experience that new life. Example of Mr. Rogers impact on those he encountered.
   Telling our love story with Jesus may have a similar effect upon the life and heart of another person longing for something or someone more.

Scripture Focus

“On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” (Jn 1:32-34)

Faith

Is so much more than knowledge about Jesus or giving assent to an ethical or moral framework of belief. Faith is an encounter with Jesus who is a real, living person.

Pope Francis: Anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. (Joy of the Gospel)
Saint Pope Paul the VI: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.