Faith Sharing
17th Sunday of Year A
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Just as Solomon sought wisdom to govern his kingdom, Rockefeller Plaza serves as a hub of intellectual and creative activity in the heart of New York City.
Rockefeller Plaza stands as a symbol of progress, where people from various backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, showcase their talents, and contribute to the growth of society. The verse from 1 Kings highlights the significance of wisdom and knowledge, which can be seen in the aspirations, achievements, and contributions of the individuals and institutions that surround Rockefeller Plaza.
Solomon’s Dream
What do most people want? What do they really pray for?
What spiritual gift do you pray for? How could wisdom help you in your growth to God?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Seek the Will of God
Do you pray to know God’s will? How have you become more sensitive to divine direction?
Where is God guiding you today?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Our Place In God’s Plans
Why did Christ come to earth and die? How does his appearance and death speak to our situation today?
How can the example of Christ show you God’s plans for your life? How does Christ inspire and empower you to do God’s will?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Risk and Reward
What is the greatest reward the world can offer you? What are you willing to sacrifice so you can own it?
What are the risks to being a Christian? Have you ever risked looking like a fool to practice your faith? What happened?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday Permission for use. All materials are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Bulletin Insert
OUR SUNDAY READINGS Discussion Questions
FIRST READING
Solomon is not simply having a ‘dream’. The last person to possibly take his kingship (Shimei see 1Kings 2, 8) has now died so Solomon is now truly King. He has also just married the King of Egypt’s (Pharoah’s) daughter! Solomon’s power and political responsibilities are immense. He makes a special journey to Gibeon, a very special ‘high place’ and altar. With him he presents 1000 burnt offerings on the altar! (1Kings 3,4). The intensity of his prayer and yet his humility is striking. You have made me. I am your servant. I have the responsibilities of a King. Yet I am young. I don’t know what to do. Give me an ‘understanding heart’. What would your deepest and most heartfelt prayer be to God as God asks you: ‘Ask something of me’.
SECOND READING
The journey of life involves ‘ups and downs’. It takes great faith to trust that ‘all things work for good for those who love God’. Consider a difficult life experience. How has it ‘worked for your good’? Have you allowed it to mould you closer ‘to the image of his Son’?
GOSPEL
Filled with joy, the person in the parable sells all that he owns to buy it. The treasure (the kingdom) has now possessed him! Have you ever had an experience where something you valued is now considered ‘worthless’. How did your heart change ‘attachment’? What do you truly ‘love’ and would be willing to ‘sell all that you have’ for its possession? Are the top ‘values’ that steer your life Kingdom values or Worldly values?
SOURCE: Living the Word resources are created by Fr Frank Bird a Marist priest and Mrs Bev McDonald, ACSD, distributed by Marist Laity Auckland, NZ
GOSPEL
1. Have you ever found yourself saying “that was worth it” after giving up something (time, pleasure, money, etc.)? What was the treasure that made the sacrifice worthwhile?
2. The “kingdom of heaven” is when God is really the ruler in our life. What treasures have you obtained when you allow God to be at the centre of your life?
3. In life, we gather a lot of things, some good and some bad. The wise person in the kingdom of heaven, knows how to sit down and make decisions on what to keep and what to discard. When have you undertaken that kind of discernment? What have you discarded? What have you retained?
SOURCE: Hearers of the Word
FIRST READING
Would anyone’s life change for the better if you had more of an understanding heart? How do you think you might improve your skills in this area?
SECOND READING
How have you experienced “all things work together for those who love God” in your own life?
GOSPEL
Did the pearl-finder and the merchant have to be shrewd about obtaining their tresures? What about you? Are you shrewd about recognizing the “treasure” of the kingdom of God in your life? Do you find, or at least look for God in all things in your life? Do you notice when God is “whispering,” or just when God is “shouting” in your life?
SOURCE: Sunday Web Site at Saint Louis University
FIRST READING
If God said to you what he said to Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you,” what gift would you ask for? What is the deepest desire of your heart?
SECOND READING
Paul says, “All things work for the good for those who love the Lord.” Is this your experience? Can you recall a bad experience out of which God brought some good?
GOSPEL
What are the priorities in your life? What do you value the most? What is most important to you? Does the way you spend your time, treasure and talent reflect these priorities?
What is the “pearl of great price” in your life?
Name one thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on.
SOURCE: Ascension Catholic Parish, Melbourne, FL
Sunday Scripture Study
On finding one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it…
FIRST READING
When God offers to give Solomon whatever he asks, what does the young king ask for? What is God’s response? Can you see yourself asking for the same thing of God? Why or why not?
SECOND READING
What does the 2nd Reading tell us about placing our trust in God? How does God reward that trust?
GOSPEL
What do the parables in Mt 13:44-50 teach about the value of the kingdom? With what emotion and energy should it be pursued?
What does the parable of the net teach about the kingdom of heaven? How does it compare with the parable of the weeds (Mt 13:24-30)?
Who are the teachers of the old Law who have been instructed in the new Gospel (Mt 13:52)?
Compared to the man and the merchant, how valuable is the kingdom to you and why: (a) It’sworth more than anything else. (b) I think I’d miss too much of the other things. (c) I’m notready to put all my eggs in one basket.
Examine how you spend your time, talent and treasure and ask yourself: “What would Isacrifice for the kingdom of heaven?”