RCIA: Gospel Themes 2021 - 2022
ORDINARY TIME: YEAR B
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
08/01 |
18 |
John 6:24-25 |
In Search of… Jesus I am the Bread of Life |
The crowd is searching. Through bread Jesus tells us that he wants to be with us and care for us. Jesus identifies himself with “I AM.” Our deepest needs are satisfied when we allow Him to sustain us. |
08/08 |
19 |
John 6:41-51 |
God’s Template: Liberation & Identity Again and Again Whoever eats of this bread will live forever The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world |
The text refers back to the Exodus story. After God liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, they grumbled (mistrust) in the desert. God provided for them & the Israelites claimed their identity as People of God. This template of liberation and identity happens again through Jesus - sent by God – to offer liberation, salvation, eternal life to all who believe in Him |
08/15 |
20 |
Luke 1:39-56 |
The Solemnity of The Assumption of Mary The Mighty One has done great things for me: He has raised up the lowly |
Mary went to Judah’s hills to share God’s great love with her cousin Elizabeth. And Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit… Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord. God works through those who trust -with humility! |
08/22 |
21 |
John 6:60-69 |
Choose Today / Choose Life The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life You have the words of eternal life |
We must choose freely and fully to participate in the death and life of Jesus. Passively receiving a sacrament is not enough. The grace we receive is directly related to the personal faith, spiritual expectancy, and hunger with which we approach the sacraments. Our resistance to God constantly needs to be overcome by God’s grace. |
08/29 |
22 |
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 |
Live From the Inside Out “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Things that come out from within defile |
Our innermost thoughts & feelings are always expressed outwardly. Created in the image of God, we cultivate God’s love in our hearts. We pray for the grace to allow this love from within to reveal who we truly are. |
09/05 |
23 |
Mark 7:31-37 |
Be Open to a Healing Touch He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak Be Opened! |
The triumph of God announced by Isaiah has arrived through Jesus. The word, the touch, the compassion of Jesus heals. Jesus’ miracles point to a hidden reality yet to come. We too must be open to healing & transformation on our journey of faith. |
09/12 |
24 |
Mark 8:27-35 |
The Servant of the Lord Who do you say that I am? Whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it |
The disciples are “on the way” with Jesus. We intentionally choose to live a life of ever-deepening self-surrender in love, a life for the sake of others, as Jesus did. He will show us how. |
09/19 |
25 |
Mark 9:30-37 |
Jesus Teaches to Embrace the Least Whoever receives on such child as this in my name, receives me |
The disciples continue to not understand Jesus’ teachings. Their egos get in the way. Jesus takes a child to represent someone of lowly status, the most vulnerable. Whoever receives the most vulnerable, receives Jesus and God. |
09/26 |
26 |
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-4 |
Our Aim: The Consistent Christian Life There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me |
Judging divides and causes harm. Sin is destructive and affects the entire community. The best way to prevent the spread of sin is to not sin and to pray and try to live a consistent Christian life. We need humility to ask for forgiveness when we have not been consistent. |
10/03 |
27 |
Mark 10:2-16 |
The Kingdom of God is a Relationship Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it The vulnerable humbly receive God’s grace as a gift |
Jesus roots his teachings in God. Marriage affirms mutuality, is life-giving: A community of love & life with God. The love that a husband and wife give to each other is a reflection of the love that God has given them. A Christian marriage can be a witness or a beacon of God’s love in the world. Gift and grace are key to holy & healthy relationships. |
10/10 |
28 |
Mark 10: 17-30 |
An Apprenticeship of Love We have given up everything and followed you All things are possible for God |
The man asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus looks at the man and loves him. He calls this man, and us, to discipleship. Attachment to Jesus and not to other things that distract is key. May Jesus free us from false cares. |
10/17 |
29 |
Mark 10: 35-45 |
Drinking from the Cup What do you wish me to do for you? |
The disciples again let the ego get in the way. Awareness of what we seek matters. Followers of Jesus must be willing to suffer for others; The Christian lives for the sake of others, not for one’s self interests. |
10/24 |
30 |
Mark 10:46-52 |
Blind Trust in Jesus to Heal What do you want me to do for you? Master, I want to see |
Bartimaeus wants to see, he shouts for mercy. Note the glaring contrast in the deeper blindness of Jesus’ disciples. We all need to see – to be healed - both physically and spiritually. We pray for mercy. Lord, help us to see! |
10/31 |
31 |
Mark 12: 28b-34 |
The Two Great Commandments: Love God & Love Neighbor |
Jesus connects the love of God to particular individuals we encounter each day. We are to love who God loves. And how we love others directly reflects how we love God. |
11/07 |
32 |
Mark 12:38-44 |
Trust & Act in Simple Faith This poor widow put in more than all the others She contributed all she had |
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11/14 |
33 |
Mark 13:24-32 |
On the Gathering of the Elect He will gather his elect from the four winds My words will not pass away |
We are to be vigilant now for what is already and not yet; the focus is on the joy of the elect. We claim this joy! Peace, security, fulfillment happen when we are caught up in the life of God - beginning now. |
11/21 |
Christ The King |
John 18: 3b-37 |
Our King of the Universe I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice |
The person of Jesus is always tied to what he gave his life for: the coming of the Reign of God. We are alert to the signs of the Reign of God in our world today and make the one who conquered sin and death, the center of our lives. Christ is our king. |
ADVENT: YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
11/28 |
Advent 1 |
Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36 |
On Waiting Eagerly Be Vigilant at all times |
The second coming of Christ is not about fear. We renew our trust in God’s love and wait for the coming of Jesus Christ. |
12/05 |
Advent 2 |
Luke 3:1-6 |
Hope Involves Real People in Real Times & Places All shall see the salvation of God |
The Good News is that the promise has happened! John proclaims salvation through baptism & the forgiveness of sins. |
12/12 |
Advent 3 |
Luke 3: 10-18 |
Joy in the Lord! What should we do? All were asking with their hearts |
We put our joy for the coming of the Kingdom into practice by sharing with those in need, with fairness and justice. |
12/19 |
Advent 4 |
Luke 1: 39-45 |
Fidelity to God: Reliance on Others Whom we Trust Blessed are you who believe |
Elizabeth has an intimate relationship with God and affirms the faithfulness of Mary. We rely on the companionship of others. |
CHRISTMAS SEASON - YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
12/25 |
Christmas |
John 1:1-18 |
The Word Becomes Flesh God’s own Son is the Message |
The Word continues to be born in us who by baptism have received a share of his fullness and become Children of God. |
12/26 |
Holy Family |
Luke 2: 41-52 |
Holy Families Belong to God Mary kept these things in her heart |
Jesus returns with his family to Nazareth, but Mary knows Jesus is no longer hers. We too choose our families in Christ. |
01/01 |
Mary Mother Of God |
Luke 2: 16-21 |
Contemplation from the Heart We ponder the “ALL” |
Mary responds to the shepherds and their message by reflecting – from the heart. Truth & peace come to us in the silence. |
01/02 |
Epiphany |
Matt 2: 1-12 |
Jesus is Present in the World With joy, we see and follow the star |
Our faith is based on God who entered into human history. We celebrate Jesus in the world and bring His presence to all by the manner in which we choose to live. |
01/09 |
Baptism Of The Lord |
Luke 3: 15-16,21-22 |
Baptized to Serve You are my Beloved Son; With you I am well pleased. |
Jesus is chosen, blessed, broken, and given to others. We are too when we connect our lives to him. Through Baptism, we are united to Christ. |
ORDINARY TIME - YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
SEASON OF LENT - YEAR A
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
THE TRIDUUM
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
04/14 |
Holy Thursday |
John 13: 1-15 |
Jesus Loved to the End Jesus washes his disciples’ feet |
We learn a new way of being: to live in service for one another. We celebrate Jesus’ love for us in this meal and offer selfless love in return. |
04/15 |
Good Friday |
John 18:1 to 19:42 |
Jesus Obedient to Death It is finished. And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. |
Jesus is faithful to the will of the Father and freely chooses to lay down his life. We have received God’s total and absolute gift of love in order to draw all people to life with God. |
04/16 |
The Great Vigil Of Easter |
Luke 24: 1-12 |
Jesus Raised from the Dead Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? |
The inadequate faith of Jesus’ followers underscores our need for deep belief & trust in Him. Death is not the end. Jesus brings us to new life. Nothing is impossible for God. |
THE SEASON OF EASTER - YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
