RCIA: Gospel Themes 2019 - 2020
ORDINARY TIME: YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
08/11 |
19 |
Luke 12:32-48 |
In Search of…Vigilance We must be prepared The Lord will come again |
The people of the Exodus prepared, trusted & kept courageous vigilance. By faith Abraham journeyed. We embrace these characteristics as prudent servants, watchful of the master’s return. |
08/18 |
20 |
Luke 12:49-53 |
Purifying & Refining The message of Jesus will cause a disturbance to which we respond |
Jesus came to enlighten the eyes of our hearts, for the fire of the Holy Spirit to be ignited in us. We share in His Baptism and the spread of the Gospel where struggle can lead to peace. |
08/25 |
21 |
Luke 13:22-30 |
On Being Saved God loves first Our response is to love in return |
Being faithful means to deliberately practice authentic spirituality: love, trust, patience, hope, forgiveness. We cultivate grateful hearts. |
09/01 |
22 |
Luke 14:1,7-14 |
Growing in Humility Invite those in need |
Jesus teaches in the context of a meal. Never assume places of honor. A key element to discipleship is humility before God and one another. |
09/08 |
23 |
Luke 14:25-33 |
The Cost of Discipleship Must love those who are different |
Discipleship involves accepting a different way of life. A total commitment to Jesus means that we reassess our relationships and reorder our priorities and become intentional disciples. |
09/15 |
24 |
Luke 15:1-32 |
The God Who Seeks Searches intently, finds and has great joy |
The gospel invites us to seek and retrieve what is lost; to be surprised by a loving & forgiving host. We are called to become like the Father. |
09/22 |
25 |
Luke 16:1-13 |
On Acting Decisively Must dedicate oneself to God |
We assess our strengths & weaknesses and waste no time to set things right with God and others. Cultivating relationships is key. |
09/29 |
26 |
Luke 16: 19-31 |
Lazarus and the Rich Man The privileged mistakenly think they can secure their future |
The poor are real people with real names who are often right in front of us. Those who are blind to the needs of the poor are also blind to the resurrection of Jesus. |
10/06 |
27 |
Luke 17:5-10 |
Mustard Seed & Reign of God Only Jesus can build up faith |
Mustard seeds spread quickly and are almost impossible to eradicate – just like the spreading of the gospel. Service is expected of disciples without complaint or a sense of entitlement. |
10/13 |
28 |
Luke 17:11-19 |
10 Lepers & Saving Gratitude Aim: Hearts shaped by gratitude |
Jesus heals and makes us whole. He does for us over and over again what he did for the 10 Lepers. We acknowledge God’s constant care. |
10/20 |
29 |
Luke 18:1-8 |
Persistent Pursuit of Justice Repeated action Never give up. Pray Always |
Reversals: A powerful judge yields to a powerless widow; persistency implies purpose. Purpose & prayer are keys to discipleship. |
10/27 |
30 |
Luke 18:9-14 |
The Pharisee vs The Tax Collector Be open to mercy & transformation |
Humility allows God to transform our own sinfulness. We don’t thank God that we are not like others. No, we have love and compassion for them. |
11/03 |
31 |
Luke 19:1-10 |
Zacchaeus out on a Limb Jesus will also respond to our desire to reach out to Him. Jesus sees and invites us too. |
Zacchaeus is not afraid to make a fool of himself for Jesus. He takes risks and welcomes Jesus with great joy. Like the Prodigal Son and the lost coin, Zacchaeus has been found. |
11/10 |
32 |
Luke 20:27-38 |
Resurrection & the Afterlife Our hope is now Our identity as children of God |
The afterlife is not simply a delayed reward. The Resurrection from the dead is complete transformation by the living God. |
11/17 |
33 |
Luke 21:5-19 |
The Lens of Jesus’ Resurrection A hopeful look forward |
When our focus is on Jesus and not on our trials, we are able to stand fearless. God is with us. |
11/24 |
Christ The King |
Luke 23:35-43 |
The Way of Jesus The power of Forgiveness & Love |
Jesus, the forgiving Savior, embraces sinners. For the good thief & us, paradise begins today. |
ADVENT: YEAR A
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
12/01 |
1 Adv |
Matthew 24:37-44 |
Something is Coming! Be Prepared / Live in Hope |
We start advent and prepare for the coming of our savior into our lives! Advent is our wake-up call. |
12/08 |
2 Adv |
Matthew 3:1-12 |
Repent! The Kingdom of God is at Hand |
Prophets announce to people who experience abandonment that God is with them. Justice! |
12/15 |
3 Adv |
Matthew 11:2-11 |
Jesus is the one who is to come! The Promise of Joy |
God wants us to have the fullness of life – it will come with the coming of the Lord. |
12/22 |
4 Adv |
Matthew 1:18-24 |
Living the Dream Commitment means a long journey |
God’s dream is that we live in the world as God’s adopted and saved children. |
CHRISTMAS SEASON
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. |
12/29 |
Holy Family |
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 |
Guided by God in all we do Act Immediately |
All of our relationships ought to bring the presence of Christ to the world as one holy family. |
01/01 |
Mary Mother of God |
Luke 2: 16-21 |
Restful Contemplation We ponder the “All” of our experiences. |
Mary responds to the shepherds and their message by reflecting – from the heart, with painful realities and delightful surprises. |
01/05 |
Epiphany |
Matthew 2:1-12 |
Celebrating Spiritual Growth The human race follows the star |
Epiphany means “manifestation.” Our faith is based on God who entered into human history. We celebrate Jesus in the world. |
01/12 |
Baptism Of The Lord |
Matthew 3: 13-17 |
Chosen to Serve This is my beloved Son |
Jesus is Chosen, blessed, broken, and given as are we when we connect our lives to him. |
ORDINARY TIME
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
01/19 |
2 |
John 1: 29-34 |
Consider Jesus The call to know Jesus as the Lamb of God The blood of the Lamb saved Israel, liberates, and gives us new life |
John invites us to look at Jesus, the lamb & source of life for others. Jesus’ identity is from God. Behold the Lamb of God is statement of faith that we assent to during Mass just before receiving Eucharist. |
01/26 |
3 |
Matthew 4: 12-23 |
The Call to Follow Jesus Discipleship |
Today we remember turning points in our lives and reflect on the fact that the call of Jesus can change the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary ways. |
02/02 |
4 |
Matthew 5:1-12a |
Sermon on the Mount, Week I: The Heart of Jesus’ Preaching To live as He has called us to live |
The Beatitudes speak of incredible reversals, of the blessed sustained in times of struggle by God’s love. For example, the poor stand without pretense before God as their only hope. |
02/09 |
5 |
Matthew 5:13-16 |
Sermon on the Mount, Week II: Salt and Light for the World Our mission is to change the world |
Jesus brings salt - something lacking in our lives. Light is hope and new ways to see. Disciples are to influence the world for good. |
02/16 |
6 |
Matthew 5: 17-37 |
Sermon on the Mount, Week III: Jesus as the new Torah Reconciliation, Simplicity, Integrity |
Our journey is a conversion experience which affects our commitments and relationships. Jesus teaches the way of transformation. |
02/23 |
7 |
Matthew 5: 38-48 |
Sermon on the Mount, Week IV: Guided by Jesus Compassion, Kindness, Love |
“Perfect” means to extend divine mercy that we have received to others – not just those we like. God does this; therefore, we must also. |
SEASON OF LENT
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
02/26 |
Ash Wednesday |
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18 |
For God’s Eyes Only Almsgiving, Fasting & Prayer |
These fundamental acts of piety ought to be done in a true spirit of worship from the heart. |
03/01 |
1 Lent |
Matthew 4: 1-11 |
Temptation in the Desert Trust God whatever the circumstance |
It’s risky to let ourselves be led by the Spirit, often it leads to the wilderness. We must trust. |
03/08 |
2 Lent |
Matthew 17: 1-9 |
On a Mountain with Jesus A Glimpse of Glory |
Our Task: to bring the mountain top experience of knowing Jesus with us on our daily journey. |
03/15 |
3 Lent |
John 4: 5-42 |
Jesus Offers Living Water Jesus & The Woman at the Well |
Jesus reveals Himself to a person who is an outcast, resistant to growth. She & we are called. |
03/22 |
4 Lent |
John 9: 1-41 |
Jesus Completes Creation The Man Born Blind |
Jesus Heals: The light of the world gave sight to the man born blind, who listened & believed. |
03/29 |
5 Lent |
John 11: 1-45 |
Jesus’ Love: The Source of our Hope The Raising of Lazarus |
Love allows for deep grief; love is stronger than darkness & death. God’s love fills us with hope. |
04/05 |
Palm Sunday |
Matthew 26: 14-22:66 |
Jesus’ Last Journey of Joy & Sorrow Into Jerusalem and to the hill of Calvary |
Jesus comes from the Father bringing life. Jesus’ death is a turning point in human history. We pray that we will follow Jesus faithfully and also rise one day to new life with him. |
THE TRIDUUM
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
04/09 |
Holy Thursday |
John 13: 1-15 |
Jesus Loved to the End Jesus washes his disciples’ feet |
The meal is tied to the Jewish Passover to emphasize the passage through death to new life. We follow Jesus’ example and learn to live in service for one another. We celebrate Jesus’ love for us with the Eucharist. |
04/10 |
Good Friday |
John 18:1 to 19:42 |
Jesus – Obedient to Death The New Lamb of God The Way of Nonviolence |
The key here is the life-giving faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. Jesus is faithful; freely chooses to lay down his life in order to draw all people to life in him. |
04/11 |
Easter Vigil |
Matthew 28:1-10 |
You Will See Him! He has been Raised |
The power of God changed Jesus – and human existence - forever. We are invited to open our eyes, in faith, and see the risen Christ in our midst - and be sent. |
THE SEASON OF EASTER
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
04/19 |
2 Easter |
John 20:19-31 |
Jesus Offers the Gift of Peace Jesus stands in their midst |
The disciples hide in fear and Jesus comes and gives them his peace. They are sent out by Jesus to tell others – so that all might have life. Thomas confirms the pattern: Receive. Be sent. Live life through Jesus. |
04/26 |
3 Easter |
Luke 24: 13-35 |
The Road from No Hope to Hope Hearts burning from within |
Jesus interprets scripture for the two walking away from Jerusalem devastated. And it was in the breaking of the bread that they recognized Jesus and immediately returned to the community with new hearts |
05/03 |
4 Easter |
John 10: 1-10 |
The Lord is My Shepherd One by one he calls his own sheep |
Jesus seeks to guide, guard and nurture so that all might have life and have it more abundantly. We hear and recognize his voice and follow him. |
05/10 |
5 Easter |
John 14: 1-12 |
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life Jesus seeks to strengthen us |
We experience God by involving ourselves in the work which Jesus has been doing. |
05/17 |
6 Easter |
John 14: 15-21 |
The Advocate will be with you forever The Spirit of Truth abides with you |
When we read the Gospels, we read our stories. Our stories are sacred; the Spirit of Jesus lives. |
05/24 |
Ascension |
Matthew 28: 16-20 |
The Work Goes On Our Mission: To make disciples |
Jesus commissions us to be his hands and feet in the world; Jesus will be with us always- forever. |
05/31 |
Ascension |
John 20: 19-23 |
The Gifts of Pentecost Peace, Mission, and the Holy Spirit |
The gift of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for the disciples-and us- to be Christ to the world. |
