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Discussion Questions
Thirty-second Sunday
of Ordinary Time A
November 12, 2017
Anne Osdieck

First Reading

Wisdom 6:12-16

1. In this reading people are looking for Wisdom at the same time that Wisdom is searching for them. What does “wanting wisdom” do for your “receiving wisdom”? Explain this line from the reading. “… whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.”

2. How is wisdom different from knowledge? Does knowledge enable you to see beyond the surface of things into their depths? Does wisdom? Who sees like that? Do you want to see things the way God sees them?


Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
or 4:13-14

1. Would you live differently if you thought “the end time” was right around the corner—as the Thessalonians seemed to? If so, what would you change?

2. Those who are alive will be caught up together with Christ and with those who have died. “Caught up” as a people or as a community in Christ. Does this have any implications for you now?


Gospel

Matthew 25:1-13

1. Jesus’ parable is about being watchful and well prepared. Is the “stay awake” assignment just for people over a certain age, or people who have gotten bad news from their doctors? When you watch for God in your life do you sometimes “doze off”? What exactly were you waiting for?

2. In one of his General Audiences, Pope Francis discusses the parable of the ten virgins. He mentions keeping our hearts open to “goodness, beauty and truth.” How would that help us see signs of Christ’s presence in the world?

The Bridegroom is the Lord, and the time of waiting for his arrival is the time he gives to us, to all of us, before his Final Coming; … it is a time of watchfulness; a time in which we must keep alight the lamps of faith, hope and charity, a time in which to keep our heart open to goodness, beauty and truth. … What he asks of us is to be ready for the encounter—ready for an encounter, for a beautiful encounter, the encounter with Jesus, which means being able to see the signs of his presence, keeping our faith alive with prayer, with the sacraments, and taking care not to fall asleep so as to not forget about God. … Let us not fall asleep!

Holy Mass and Episcopal Ordination
9 November 2015

Anne Osdieck
Art by Martin Erspamer, OSB
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org