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 Discussion Questions
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Year B
January 17, 2021
Anne Osdieck

First Reading
1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19

1. Does God always call at the perfect time? Is there sometimes confusion in your life when you have discerned that God has called? It took Samuel three times to get it. Do you always recognize God’s call right away? For example, could things like forest fires be calls from God to do something about climate change?

2. Who are called to do God’s work? Only “experienced sages”? What about the young boy Samuel? Even if you are not a “sage” (or a young boy), what is God calling you to do or be?


Second Reading

1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20

1. St. Paul asks, “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” Are you always aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit? Name some promptings from the Spirit about how you can show reverence for the people in your life.

2. Do you always call on the Holy Spirit for guidance when you need it? Do you get that guidance? Do you receive some peace along with the guidance? Do you think the Holy Spirit likes being called upon for help?


Gospel
John 1:35-42

1. Jesus asked, “What are you looking for?” How would you answer such a question? There is a second “loaded” question, this time from the disciples: “Where are you staying”? It could be restated, “where can we spend time with you?” When the disciples took time with Jesus, did they find what they were looking for, even if just by instinct? Would this work for you?

2. In the light of what Pope Francis says, discuss what the disciples might have experienced when they answered Jesus’ call to “come and see.” If such an encounter had taken place in 2021, might he have been talking to the disciples about encountering others’ sufferings due to the pandemic, bias, hunger and the climate crises?

This is why we tell everyone: “Come and see!” In every human situation, marked by frailty, sin and death, the Good News is no mere matter of words, but a testimony to unconditional and faithful love: it is about leaving ourselves behind and encountering others, being close to those crushed by life’s troubles, sharing with the needy, standing at the side of the sick, elderly and the outcast. … “Come and see”': Love is more powerful, love gives life, love makes hope blossom in the wilderness.

Urbi et Orbi Message of Pope Francis, Easter 2014
Paragraph 3

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