RCIA: Gospel Themes 2018 - 2019
ORDINARY TIME: YEAR B
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
08/05 |
18 |
John 6:24-35 |
In Search of… Meaning & Purpose I am the Bread of Life |
Jesus invites transformation / conversion. We consider what we feed on for life. |
08/12 |
19 |
John 6:41-51 |
Jesus is the Nourishing Word The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world |
The self-offering of Jesus is the foundation for our communion with God & each other. |
08/19 |
20 |
John 6:51-58 |
Eat Drink, Live / Food for Life My flesh is true food |
Jesus is the source of life. The Word made flesh unites us with God & sustains us forever. |
08/26 |
21 |
John 6:60-69 |
Choose Today / Choose Life You have the words of eternal life |
We must choose freely and fully to participate in the death and life of Jesus. |
09/02 |
22 |
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 |
Revealing Who We Are 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 and reveal who we truly are. |
09/09 |
23 |
Mark 7:31-37 |
Be Open to a Healing Touch He makes the deaf hear, the mute speak |
Jesus uses words & touch to heal. We too must be open to healing and transformation. |
09/16 |
24 |
Mark 8:27-35 |
Trust the Lord Who do you say that I am? |
We intentionally choose to live a life of ever-deepening self-surrender in love, as Jesus did. |
09/23 |
25 |
Mark 9:30-37 |
Jesus Teaches to Embrace the Least The first shall be the servant of all |
The most vulnerable also seem to be the ones who have the most to teach us about God. What we do for them, we do for God. |
09/30 |
26 |
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 |
God’s Way Extends Boundaries Whoever is not against us is for us |
We don’t have exclusive rights to the power of God. Human boundaries don’t fence in the Holy Spirit. Judging divides and causes harm. |
10/07 |
27 |
Mark 10:2-16 |
Marriage: Created for Oneness The two shall become one flesh |
Marriage affirms mutuality, is life-giving: A community of love & life with God. |
10/14 |
28 |
Mark 10:17-30 |
Seeking Wisdom What must I do to inherit eternal life? |
We all seek something. Attachment to Jesus and not to other things that distract is key. |
10/21 |
29 |
Mark 10:35-45 |
Drinking from the Cup What do you wish to do for me? |
Followers of Jesus must be willing to suffer for others; Awareness of what we seek matters |
10/28 |
30 |
Mark 10:46-52 |
Discipleship: Blind Trust in Jesus What do you want me to do for you? |
Bartimaeus wants to see, he shouts for mercy; an example for all who want to follow Jesus. We all want to see! |
11/04 |
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. |
11/11 |
32 |
Mark 12:38-44 |
Acting in Simple Faith She contributed all she had |
The poor woman gives all that she had; total trust that embodies Jesus’ gift of his whole self. |
11/18 |
33 |
Mark 13:24-32 |
On the Gathering of the Elect My words will not pass away |
New life will arise through Him; hope & new beginnings follow times of trial & struggle. |
11/25 |
Christ The King |
John 18: 3b-37 |
Our King of the Universe Everlasting with cosmic dimensions |
Jesus’ mission is not of a conquering king. He came into the world to testify to the truth; we belong to him by listening to his voice. |
ADVENT: YEAR C
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
12/02 |
1 Adv |
Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36 |
On Waiting Eagerly Be Vigilant at all times |
Lifelong relationships take commitment. The second coming of Christ is not about fear. We renew our trust in God’s love. |
12/09 |
2 Adv |
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! The messenger had success & has prepared the way for the Lord. |
12/16 |
3 Adv |
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, honesty and justice. |
12/23 |
4 Adv |
Luke 1:39-45 |
Fidelity to God & Reliance on Others who 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
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. |
12/30 |
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. |
01/06 |
Epiphany |
Matt 2:1-12 |
Jesus is Present in the World With joy, we see & follow the star |
Epiphany means “manifestation.” Our faith is based on God who entered into human history. We celebrate Jesus in the world. |
01/13 |
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 as are we when we connect our lives to him. |
ORDINARY TIME
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
01/20 |
2 |
John 2 :1-11 |
The Wedding in Cana The Birthing of Jesus’ Public Ministry |
Strong connection between Cana & the Cross; Mary is the midwife to the birthing of Jesus’ public ministry AND a witness to the birthing of new life through his death on the cross. |
01/27 |
3 |
Luke 1: 1-4, 4:14-21 |
Jesus the Prophet The Spirit of the Lord is upon me Because he has anointed me |
The prophetic ministry of Jesus is to bring about liberation, healing, reconciliation. Followers of Jesus share in this prophetic ministry. |
02/03 |
4 |
Luke 4: 21-30 |
The Rejected Prophet Isn’t this the son of Joseph? |
Jesus knows he will be rejected; he reaches beyond the confines of his own people; His mission is continued by all who hear. |
02/10 |
5 |
Luke 5: 1-11 |
An Invitation to Transformation They left everything & followed him |
The decision to follow Jesus is never imposed; He shows us abundant grace when we trust Him. |
02/17 |
6 |
Luke 6: 17, 20-26 |
Sermon on the Plain Part I The Beatitudes |
The kingdom – through Jesus – is in our grasps now. The more we care for the poor and those in need, the more real the kingdom becomes now. |
02/24 |
7 |
Luke 6: 27-38 |
Sermon on the Plain Part II Practical Demands |
Being Christian is demanding; to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us takes faith and the grace of God. Jesus shows us how. |
03/03 |
8 |
Luke 6: 39-45 |
Sermon on the Plain Part III Building Character |
Every tree is known by its fruit. We have the seed of God hidden within us. Jesus, who feds, nurtures and sustains us, is the key to bearing good fruit. |
SEASON OF LENT
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
03/03 |
Ash Wednesday |
Matt 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. |
03/10 |
1 Lent |
Luke 4:1-13 |
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. |
03/17 |
2 Lent |
Luke 9: 28b-36 |
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. |
03/24 |
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. |
03/31 |
4 Lent |
John 9: 1-41 |
Jesus Completes Creation The Man Born Blind |
Jesus heals the blind man with mud & spittle. The light of the world continues to give sight to those who listened & believed. |
04/07 |
5 Lent |
John 11: 1-45 |
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. |
04/14 |
Palm Sunday |
Luke 22:14 to 23:56 |
Jesus’ Last Journey’s of Temptation and Obedience |
Luke highlights Jesus’ absolute faithfulness to God. Faith Saves! |
THE TRIDUUM
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
04/18 |
Holy Thursday |
John 13: 1-15 |
Jesus Loved to the End Jesus washes his disciples’ feet |
We learn to live in service for one another; we celebrate Jesus’ love for us with the Eucharist. |
04/19 |
Good Friday |
John 18:1 to 19:42 |
Jesus – Obedient to Death The New Lamb of God |
Jesus is faithful; freely chooses to lay down his life in order to draw all people to life in him. |
04/20 |
Easter Vigil |
Luke 24:1-12 |
The Reversal is Complete Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? |
We too are invited to open our eyes, in faith, & see the risen Christ in our midst; and be sent. |
EASTER SEASON
DATE |
WEEK |
GOSPEL |
THEMES |
COMMENTS |
04/28 |
2 Easter |
John 20:19-31 |
Jesus Offers the Gift of Peace Jesus stands in their midst |
The Disciples hid in fear. Yet, they are sent out by Jesus to tell others – so all might have life. |
05/05 |
3 Easter |
John 21: 1-19 |
Tremendous Possibilities With Jesus Healing & wholeness for Peter |
The fishers of men & women are evangelizing the world, w/ the presence & direction of Jesus. |
05/12 |
4 Easter |
John 10:27-30 |
Our Identity I: We Are God’s People Sheep of his Flock |
Jesus will not allow anyone to snatch away any who have been given to Him by the Father. |
05/19 |
5 Easter |
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 |
Our Identity II: We are known by our love Love one another |
God remains in us if we love one another as he loved us. God’s love is part of who we are. |
05/26 |
6 Easter |
John 14:23-29 |
Our Identity III: We have unity in Christ My peace I give to you |
The gifts of unity and peace: The Holy Spirit is at work in our desire to experience peace. |
06/02 |
Ascension |
Luke 24:46-53 |
Jesus’ Final Earthly Act: He Blesses the New Church |
Jesus assures us of the coming of the Spirit which will continue the work of Jesus. |
06/09 |
Ascension |
John 20:19-23 |
The Gifts of Pentecost Peace, Mission & the Holy Spirit |
The gift of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for the disciples-and us- to be Christ to the world. |
