Opening Prayer – 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Creator God
You give us a hunger and a thirst
only YOU can satisfy.
May we come to understand
how YOUR Word is what we need.
Fill us with YOUR mercy and grace;
complete us and make us whole.
Our searching is over!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 55:1-3
• What picture does this scripture paint? What images show abundance?
• When have you felt satisfied? Describe the feeling.
Romans 8:35, 37-39
• What keeps you away from God? How do you support the relationship? How do you hurt the relationship?
• How do you remain close to those you love? Those on earth? Those in heaven?
Matthew 14:13-21
• Where is God in this scripture? In what ways?
• How are you called to be like the crowd? What do you have to share with others?

General Questions for Journaling
• What do you thirst for? What do you hunger for?
• What does your soul ache for? Have you ever felt so strongly about something or needed something so much you ached?
• God satisfies. How many ways can you list?
• What is your definition of riches? How does God provide you with riches in your life?
• How do you communicate with God? How does God communicate back?
• How does working on your relationship with God differ from your other relationships? How is it similar?
• What is your definition of the promises of Christ?

Closing Prayer – Words to the song, “Come to the Water” by John Foley S.J.
ALL: Oh let all who thirst,
let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord.
Without money, without price,
why should you pay the price?
Except for the Lord?

And let all who seek,
let them come, to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord.
without money, without strife,
why should you spend your life?
Except for the Lord?

And let all who toil,
let them come to the water;
and let all who are weary,
let them come to the Lord.
All the who labor without rest,
how can your soul find rest?
Except for the Lord?

And let all the poor,
let them come to the water.
Bring then ones who are laden
bring them all to the Lord.
Pray the children without might,
easy the load and light.
Come to the Lord, Come to the Lord
Come to the Lord, Come to the Lord

Challenge for the Week: In the summer, many of us are guests or host a potluck or picnic where everyone brings something to contribute to the meal. Part of the fun of a potluck is to see what others bring, make a favorite dish or to have the chance to try out a new recipe. Even if there are several types of salads or duplicate dishes, there is always plenty of food and no one is left hungry. There is also always plenty leftover. Imagine how this is similar to the feeding of the 5,000. They weren’t invited to a potluck but they attended one. We hear the story of the boy with some fish and bread who was generous enough to step forward with the little he had to share with the crowd but I believe it was because of his example others contributed what they had too. We must realize that even though we think what we have to give is not enough, when we allow God into our lives and have the courage to step out in faith, He satisfies and completes us. Show generosity in some way this week by sharing with someone what you have to give. Bring more than simply a food dish with you to the next potluck, bring a generous heart full of the love of Jesus and see what miracles happen!