Isaiah 41:17-20

There is a three fold movement in this passage: (1) The situation; (2) God’s response; and (3) the reason for God’s response. What are the specifics of these three movements? How does the fulfillment of the promise within this passage relate with the sayings of Jesus in Matthew 25?

1 Peter 3:8-18

The passage in 1 Peter begins with a plea/exhortation to a common life within and between local congregations, an affectional, rather than merely a mechanical unity. Vv. 8-9 are actually one sentence in the Greek, all of it joined together. But rather than “now”, the Greek uses the word, “telos” or “Finally – the culmination of all that’s been said before”. It is a remarkable emphasis on these words that follow. Why do you think it would so emphasize this? What is the Christian “vocation” or “calling”?

Vv. 10 first phrase is literally “for the one willing to love life” – how does this clarify the Christian vocation to not return evil for evil? Why is God is important in the difference between those who return evil and those who keep themselves from evil concretely in human lives?

Why the positive emphasis in vv. 13-18? Why do you think that the passage presupposes that “sanctifying Christ in your hearts as Lord” and doing good will lead to accusations of wrong-doing against these Christians? Why is it important to keep at the positive actions of doing good even in the face of accusations of wrong-being and doing? While doesn’t the writer exhort to active resistance and retaliation against those who desire to prevent the church from doing what is good in its submission to Christ as Lord?

John 15:1-8

What image does Jesus use for his self-description here? Why would he use grape imagery for himself? What is the fruit that is borne to make more fruit?

Abiding in Christ is language of participation in Him. How does one concretely participate in Christ? What happens if one does not? How does participation lead to asking in the alignment of our prayers with God’s will? Which comes first, participation in Christ or bearing fruit and becoming a disciple?

If one notices, it seems to me that the passages tell a story: (1) The situation of the world and God’s response; (2) the exhortation to local congregations on their life together to be the witness so that the world may know God; and (3) the call to participation of the believer and local congregations in “the vine”. How do you find this story relating to being part of a pilgrim people caring for a pilgrimage way-station vowed to works of mercy here at Mid-City? Why is the Gospel passage so important for us as the beginning and end of this story?

In the Rules of the Missionaries of Charity, the order of a pilgrim people to provide a pilgrimage way-station vowed to works of mercy began by Mother Theresa, the first point is:

1. The End
The General End of the Missionaries of Charity is to satiate the thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for love and souls . . .

2. To be able to do all these – the Sisters must learn first to live real interior lives of close union with God – and seek and see Him in all they do for the poor.

3. There will be no difference amongst the Sisters – they must all learn – farming, cooking, nursing and a little teaching – and be ready always to do any of these works if obedience requires.

How do these Rules relate to our readings and to our mission together?

Have a wonderful evening together!