Mystery of Light: Baptism in the Jordan (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11)

Questions for Discussion:

1. In what ways and/or by whom have you been affirmed since you were baptized?

2. Recall a time when you felt that your life began anew.

3. Recall a time when you were chosen to do something special. What effect did it have in your life?

4. How have you been able to help this new world come about this last week?

—Diocese of Cleveland
    Cleveland, Ohio

Mystery of Light: Cana Wedding (Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12)

Questions for Discussion:

1. Who helped bring your faith to life? How do you do this for others?

2. What blessings have come to you beyond what you asked or expected?

3. When were you able to talk to those close to you about who you are and what you believe?

4. Where has the wine run out in your life?

5. Describe a recent "ordinary" event that ended up having extraordinary meaning for you.

—Diocese of Worcester
    St. Augustine Community
    Worcester, Massachusetts

Mystery of Light: Proclamation of the Kingdom (Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 18:15-20; Matthew 5:1-12)

Questions for Discussion:

1. Which of the Beatitudes had the most impact on you as they were read? Why?

2. Who or what experience has helped you to value what money can't buy?

3. What does society say makes people happy? What really makes people happy? What makes you happy?

4. In Matthew, Jesus' recipe for happiness differs from the world's. Share a time when you tried to live according to one of the Beatitudes. How did it affect you?

—Diocese of San Diego
    Our Lady of Perpetual Help
    Lakeside, California

Mystery of Light: Transfiguration (Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 9:28-36)

Questions for Discussion:

1. Describe a time when you stopped to listen closely to another person.

2. What are some "mountaintop" experiences in your life?

3. What experience these past two weeks helped you see God working in your life?

—Archdiocese of Vancouver
    St. Joseph the Worker Parish
    Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Mystery of Light: First Eucharist (Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58)

Questions for Discussion:

1. Recall a celebration of the Mass that meant a lot to you.

2. People quarreled over Jesus and what he expected of them. What does he expect of you in your life?

3. Christ gave us fullness of life. Describe that fullness of life is for you.

4. Although receiving the body and blood of Christ is personal, it is not private. Christ gave us himself for "the life of the world." What commitments does the Eucharist call you to?

5. The Body of Christ on the altar, the Body of Christ around the altar: How are they the same? How different? How do they affect one another?

—Archdiocese of Philadelphia
    St. William Catholic Church
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

—from the book
Faith Sharing for Small Church Communities:
Questions and Commentaries on the Sunday Readings
Edited by Rev. Arthur Baranowski and the National Alliance for Parishes Restructuring into Communities