Defending Our Faith and Strengthened by It

Readings for Sunday, November 10, 2019 — 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38

Suggested Reflection Questions:

  • Second Maccabees chronicles the experiences of Judas Maccabeus. This historical book gives an account of a family imprisoned and tortured for their unwillingness to abandon God’s law. How can we support Christians throughout the world facing persecution and violence for practicing their faith? Do you have  a Christian martyr who inspires you on your journey of faith?
  • In his second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul prays that God will encourage and strengthen the hearts of the community in all of their good deeds and words. How does God use our good deeds and kind words to strengthen hearts — our own and those of others? How can we be like God and use good deeds and words with those around us?
  • Today’s reading from Luke involves the Sadducees — a group whose members were among Jerusalem’s priestly aristocracy who only accepted teachings written in the Pentateuch — questioning Jesus on his teaching about the resurrection. Jesus illuminates a passage from Exodus to illustrate his point, and the Sadducees are silenced. How does Jesus’ response to the Sadducees provide us with a template for conversations in which we are called to explain our faith? What are ways that you have explained your faith to others when they question it?