PONDER THIS: QUESTIONS FOR MORE THOUGHTFUL SUNDAYS GOSPEL OF MARK
()
About this ebook
Why prep for Mass? You probably prep for meetings, sports, presentations, and many other activities in your life. So why not the same for God?
Todd Kalesperis
Todd is a convert to Catholicism. He grew up attending both Methodist and Greek Orthodox churches with his parents, and became Catholic after meeting his wife Megan, but really didn’t immerse himself in the faith until several years later. He attends St Simon Catholic Church in Indianapolis with his wife and three children.
Read more from Todd Kalesperis
Ponder This: Questions for More Thoughtful Sundays - Gospel of Luke Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPonder This: Questions for More Thoughtful Sundays - Gospel of Matthew Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to PONDER THIS
Related ebooks
The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2024: Planning Sermons for Every Sunday of the Year Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Jolly Folly?: The Propriety of the Christian Endorsement of Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gridiron: Thoughts About the Christian Year and Other Things Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Good Friday Myth: And the Prophecy It Conceals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreparing Room: An Advent Companion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLearning from the Lord: The Gospels: Volume 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSundays on the Go: 90 Seconds with the Weekly Gospel, Year A Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWill Willimon's Lectionary Sermon Resource, Year C Part 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All I Want For Christmas Youth Study: Opening the Gifts of God's Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gift of New Creation [Large Print]: Scriptures for the Church Seasons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Spirituality for Sunday People Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFeasting on the Word Advent Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preaching and Worship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecondhand Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Characters of Easter: The Villains, Heroes, Cowards, and Crooks Who Witnessed History's Biggest Miracle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlessed Is She Who Believed: Faith For The Miraculous Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdvent for Everyone: A Journey with the Apostles: A Daily Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Celebrating Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdvent/Christmas Reading Reflections: For Individuals or Small Groups Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas in the Four Gospel Homes: An Advent Study Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Lenten Grace: Daily Gospel Reflections Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Extraordinary Journey with Jesus: A Forty-Day Guide to Experiencing the Lenten Season (Or Any Season) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGood News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of Pentecost, the Power in Hands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnjoying God’s Gifts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMerry Christmas Advent to Epiphany: A Devotional Inspired by Nature: Volume 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThey Saw Him First Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaily Bible Study Winter 2020-2021 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Easter Code: A 40-Day Journey to the Cross Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEchoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for PONDER THIS
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
PONDER THIS - Todd Kalesperis
Copyright © 2024 Todd Kalesperis.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
ISBN: 979-8-3850-1610-5 (sc)
ISBN: 979-8-3850-1611-2 (hc)
ISBN: 979-8-3850-1614-3 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2024900096
WestBow Press rev. date: 01/15/2024
CONTENTS
Introduction
Liturgical Years And How To Use This Book
First Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent
The Immaculate Conception of Mary
Third Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Nativity of the Lord
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Mary Mother of God
The Epiphany of the Lord
The Baptism of the Lord
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Sunday of Lent
Second Sunday of Lent
Third Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Palm Sunday
Easter Sunday
Second Sunday of Easter/
Divine Mercy Sunday
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The Ascension of the Lord
Pentecost Sunday
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
All Saints
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Solemnity of Christ the King
INTRODUCTION
Does your mind wander during church on Sunday? Do you ever find your Sunday Mass or Service hard to follow? Do you sometimes wonder what you are getting out of church? Perhaps you have asked these questions to yourself and answered yes.
If so, you’ve shown an interest in better understanding your faith! I believe that a lot of men (and women, and kids) disengage during church, and just go through the motions.
But, I also believe that once you are engaged in the Mass or the Service, you will find a greater connection to God and a greater depth of information to build your faith. So how do you start to get more engaged on Sunday? Take a few minutes on Thursday or Friday and prepare for it.
What follows on these pages is a collection of the Sunday Gospel readings we hear throughout the liturgical year, with short questions to ponder
after each of those readings. I originally wrote these questions once a week for members of the Men’s Club at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, and sent them out a couple of days before each Sunday Mass. My intent was to encourage the busy young men, husbands, and dads in the parish to read the Sunday Gospel passage, along with a question that they could ask themselves as a way to connect their current lives and the Gospel. Then, they could simply reflect on it until they heard the Gospel again on Sunday during Mass. It’s like practicing for a sport… you practice to improve your muscle memory so you can better compete. Practicing by pre-reading and pondering the Sunday Gospel works the same way, to improve your spiritual connection and relationship with God!
LITURGICAL YEARS AND
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Liturgical calendars have been around for a long, long time. There are slight differences in the structure of the liturgical calendar in each Christian denomination, but there is a similar pattern of seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter.) Each year