Opening Prayer – 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Gentle and Merciful Lord,
You call us to be meek and humble of Spirit
so you can dwell within us and make us complete.
May we lay down all we have,
without worry it is not enough
because YOU complete our gift and make us whole.
Let your Word bring us the strength to let go
so we might rest in YOU!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Zechariah 9:9-10
• Reflect on where you have seen this scripture passage come to be in the New Testament. What is the story? How was it fulfilled? Take time to think about each line of the first reading in relationship to the story of Jesus on Palm Sunday. What new insight is gained thought this meditation?
• How does Jesus, the King come to you? How does He show Himself to you? How does He speak to you?(ie. prayer? others? circumstance?)
Romans 8:9, 11-13
• What burdens come from being human vs divine? What benefits come from being human vs divine?
• If the Holy Spirit dwells in you, how does this change your perspective of yourself?
• If the Holy Spirit dwells in others, how does this change your perspective of them?
Matthew 11:25-30
• In what ways do you feel Jesus understands you? Your joys? Your worries?
• Describe what it feels like to “rest” in God. What does it look like?

General Questions for Journaling
• How did Jesus show humility? What are some specific examples?
• Can meekness and humility be good?
• Is humility a quality you want in a leader? Why or why not?
• How can you tell the Spirit dwells in you?
• How can you tell the Spirit dwells in others?
• In what way(s) did you give into desires of the Spirit today?
• How do you take steps to overcome desires of the flesh? What does scripture tell you is the reward?
• When do you feel most burdened? How do you deal with it? What helps to lighten your burden?
• Jesus said we need to learn to be meek and humble. What do having these qualities require us to do?
• Imagine a time when you were exhausted and didn’t have any strength to continue. Describe this feeling. Where did you find strength to carry on?
• What burdens do you carry? Are there burdens you allow others to carry for you? When will you take responsibility for the burdens you allow others to carry?

Closing Prayer – From a sermon by St. Augustine
ALL: O Jesus!
Yoke us to yourself
When we too hunger, give us food.
When we too thirst, or tire, or falsely witness,
just let us learn to fine you and to fine ourselves in YOU!

Challenge for the Week: Come to me, all who are burdened and worried, I will give them rest. Imagine a parent saying this to a child whose bedtime is quickly approaching and is showing signs of restlessness and weariness. These words call out to the child just like they call out to us in order to soothe our spirit. The restlessness melts away when the child is swept up into secure arms; they know they are safe, they are taken care of, they are loved. This is what Jesus wants for us…to let go and relinquish the stress and strain of the day…fall into his arms and let him minister to us. Identify the things in your life which keep you from experiencing this peace of resting in God. What can you do to move the obstacles which stand in the way of this rest?