Humility and arrogance in Luke 18

There is a slew of teaching in Luke's 18th chapter concerning humility and arrogance. Let's take it question by question:

1. Was the widow in v. 3 a humble person or an arrogant person?
2. Why is it appropriate to use the figure of an unrighteous judge in a parable to compare to God? What was Jesus thinking about the Twelve at that moment?
3. What could cause a person to lose heart concerning God's righteousness?
4. How does it appear: did the widow trust the unrighteous judge?
5. Had the unrighteous judge promised anything to the widow?
6. How would Father Abraham have reacted to this parable? WOuld he have seen it as applying to himself?
7. What unrighteous method could the widow have used to defeat the unrighteous judge?
8. When you arrive at Sunday Mass, are you thinking like the Pharisee in v. 10 or like the tax collector?
9. Why were the Pharisee and the tax collector praying? Why do we pray?

The Holy Spirit can help us decide these question this morning. Be ready!

Continuing in Luke 17, lepers and Samaritans

Some of our questions for today include four from last time:

1. Do you recall: What was the problem with Samaria?
2. How do you react to God's grace? Like the one Samaritan leper who was healed? Or like the other nine who were healed?
3. Where did the lepers have to go to show themselves to the priests?
4. In this chapter, Jesus teaches us to "return" and NOT to return? What?! How does Jesus get that sorted out?
New this week...
5. What does it mean that the kingdom of God is in our midst, within your, among you? The Greek word εντοσ is related to the Greek word for intestines!
6. Was it heartless for the Lord Jesus to make it so that some of those present would not see Him, in v. 22?
7. After reading Scott Hahn's mini-essay, Jesus, the Son of Man, you might wonder why the victorious figure of the Son of Man could easily be mistaken: "Where, Lord?" asked the Twelve. But the name, "Son of Man," is also connected to the coming betrayal in Jerusalem at Passover. Was there any uncertainty in the Egyptians that the Passover was happening?

It is good to study over these topics, because the Passover of the Lord Jesus is the center of our salvation, which we celebrate at every Mass in the Eucharist. Let's look into it today.

Toward Jerusalem in Luke 17

In the 17th chapter of Luke, there is a short set of mini-lessons from Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. There is a lot to learn here, so let's dig in with a few questions:

1. Of all the people you have had to forgive, who is the person you have forgiven the greatest number of times?
2. Is it possible to lose your faith?
3. Faith that makes its power felt in love -- is it sacrificial?
4. When does Luke first mention that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem?
5. Do you recall: What was the problem with Samaria?
6. How do you react to God's grace? Like the one Samaritan leper who was healed? Or like the other nine who were healed?
7. Where did the lepers have to go to show themselves to the priests?
8. In this chapter, Jesus teaches us to "return" and NOT to return? What?! How does Jesus get that sorted out?

With God's grace, His message can penetrate our hard skulls, so we will pray and look for the Holy Spirit on the move today.