CatholicQuiz  of  the  Week™  Part  A  

Third  Sunday  of  Advent  

December  13,  2015  

1. What did the prophet, Zephaniah, anticipate when he proclaimed, "Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel!" a. David was to be crowned king b. the Temple was to be dedicated in Jerusalem

c. the day of the Lord was coming 2. For the prophet, Zephaniah, the day of the Lord will be a terrible time of judgment, destruction and fear. a. True b. False 3. According to Isaiah, "My strength and my courage is _____." a. the LORD b. the sword c. my youth 4. According to Paul's letter to the Philippians, what surpasses all understanding and will guard our hearts and minds?

a. God’s peace b. God’s wrath c. God judgment 5. According to St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, “Have no _____ at all, but in everything… make your requests known to God.”

a. expectations b. anxiety c. false idols

6. According to St. Luke, who taught that whoever had two cloaks should share with those who had none? a. Jesus b. John the Baptist c. Moses 7. The people were so impressed with John the Baptist that they wondered whether he was the Messiah? a. True

b. False © Copyright by CatholicQuiz.com 2015 Reproduce for educational use

 

 

 

 CatholicQuiz  of  the  Week™  Part  B  

Third  Sunday  of  Advent  

December  13,  2015  

Reflection and Discussion

In these times, there is a lot of discussion about how the rich should do more by giving a higher percentage of their wealth in taxes to relieve the rate of accumulating national debt. How might John the Baptist’s preaching address such a challenge if he were alive today? Isn’t the Gospel as relevant today as it was then in the first century of our Lord? The Baptist certainly challenged the rich of his day. When the people asked what should we do? He responded, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise." If we are to enter into the proper meaning of this season of Advent, we must look to the Baptist to understand how to recognize and receive the Lord through faith.

• John the Baptist told the people to repent and in this way assess their lives and count the many blessings and riches that were theirs to share. Have you taken time this year to count your many blessings and open your heart to ways in which you can be more giving to those who have less?

• In what ways do you acknowledge your wealth, opportunity and talent? How do you share what you have for the benefit of others?

• For many, they are challenged each day to make ends meet and may even come up short to pay the bills for everyday necessities. How do you measure up as one who has something to share even if your own livelihood is a daily struggle?

When there is great economic disparity, those who have less look to those who have more to alleviate the burden and help close the gap. As Christians, our faith informs our attitudes and choices we make everyday. The teachings of our faith may not make good public policy, but they are important for our spiritual growth and they shape our interior attitude. A disposition to share wealth is a basic Christian priority for making any personal or public decisions about strategies for living together in community. We are not entitled by need (no matter how severe) to get handouts from others, but we are challenged by faith to provide just access to the table of plenty for all who are our neighbor, especially the poor. Answers and References

1. c. the day of the Lord was coming (Zephaniah 3:14-15) 2. b. False (Zephaniah 3:14-18) 3. a. the LORD (Isaiah 12:2) 4. a. God’s peace (Philippians 4:7) 5. b. anxiety (Philippians 4:6) 6. b. John the Baptist (Luke 3:11) 7. a. True (Luke 3:15) © Copyright by CatholicQuiz.com 2015

Reproduce for educational use