33^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

We humbly pray…

May we boldly give our lives in service to others

so your love will be shown through our actions.

May we meet the needs of others with love and compassion

just as you have modeled for us with your life.

May we not be afraid of the gifts we have been given

and share them unselfishly with everyone we encounter.

We ask all of this through Christ our Lord.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

• How might this woman be judged by the standards in today’s society? How was she judged during her time?  How do they compare and contrast?
• What is the woman’s return investment? What is it worth?

1Thessalonians 5:1-6

• What emotions are conjured up within you when you hear this reading?
• Describe the behaviors which indicate a person who lives in the light vs one who lives in the darkness. What about someone who lives in the shadows?  Is the shadow light or dark?

Matthew 25:14-30

• Imagine yourself in this scripture. Where do you see yourself?  As the landowner?  One of the servants?  What examples can you give to support your answer?
• Are there talents you still have hidden? Do you have talents you no longer use but used at a different time in your life?  How did you discover the talents you have?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• List ways a person can show “fear of the Lord” or “wonder and awe” of God. Are any of these ways woven into your daily routine?
• How does one become holy? Is it through word?  Is it through action?  Is there a recipe to follow for someone to become holy?
• Are you fearful God will come to take you before you are ready? How does someone prepare to die?
• What are some reasons you might bury your talents?
• Are you a risk-taker? On a 1-10 scale how would you rate yourself?
• Name some of the places in your life where risks might be necessary for growth? (identify specific places where you took a risk to grow in faith, grow in love or grow in trust)
• God takes a risk on us by giving us all of His love, grace and mercy. What do we risk for God in return?
• Which voice inside do you listen to when determining decisions? Do you respond out of obligation or fear?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You gave us the gift of life, created in your image.

ALL:  All we have is because you loved us first.

Leader:  You gave us the gift of grace, to wipe away our sin.

ALL:  All we have is because you gave us your Son.

Leader:  You gave us the gift of salvation, promise of eternal life.

ALL:  All we have is because Jesus died for us.

Leader:  You gave us the gift of humility, so we may serve you.

ALL:  All we have is because you served us first.

Challenge for the Week:  Imagine you hear your doorbell ring as you are preparing to sit down for dinner with your family.  You are at a climatic point in the preparation and you hesitate answering the door.  Despite your desire to ignore the doorbell, you go to answer it.  When you open the door, you see Jesus standing there, looking just as you had always imagined.  He calls you by name, extends his hand and says, “Are you ready to go?”  How would you respond to Jesus if he came to your door?  Would you tell him to wait?  What things would you need to do before you would be ready to go?  Are there things you would want to take with you?  People you would need to forgive?  Others you need to apologize to?  We do not know the day, we do not know the hour but like a thief in the night we can be gone.  Are you ready?