Epiphany of our Lord

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

You shine like a star for all to see

You bring light to the dark places

You pour out your goodness

You fill us until we overflow

Help us to radiate in this world, like YOU!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 60:1-6

• Would you say you are able to see God’s Glory even through the dark times of your life? Reflect on a specific time.
• Can you see God working in your life right now or only when you look back do see God at work? How does God show up in your life?

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

• What is the “commission” God has called you to? How are you living it out?  What can you do to better complete the mission you are called to?
• How can you treat others as “co-heirs” of the promises of Christ? What is Saint Paul trying to remind us of in this reading?

Matthew 2:2-12

• What caused the magi to drop everything and travel from foreign lands? What is important enough for you to stop everything and travel a great distance?
• What lesson(s) can you learn from the magi? What do they receive in return for the gifts they bring?
• What can you learn about Jesus and the entire Holy Family from their choices and actions in this scripture?
• Spend time role playing. Imagine yourself as each of the characters in the Gospel reading.  What are you thinking, feeling?  What motivates you?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Would you describe yourself as a “star” which shines light onto others? How does the light of Christ shine through you to draw people to Christ?
• Name some of the people you are drawn to. What draws you to them?  What characteristics or qualities make them appealing?
• Who are people in this world who are worth following? What makes them worth following?  Are there people whom you follow who are not worth following?  How can you tell the difference?
• Reflect on the shape of the star. Describe how it is important to you and your beliefs; why is it a symbol of your faith?
• Is there something in your life which brings joy to others but you are hurt, disgusted or jealous by it or of it? What is it and what can you do to act out in love instead of in rage?
• Would you say you are the “star” of your own life or do you let others take the lead? How does God appear in your life story?  Do you allow God to shine through you or are you eclipsed by God?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we get discouraged and feel we have lost our way…

ALL:  May we rejoice greatly in Your splendor Lord!

Leader:  When we become jealous and blind to what is right…

ALL:  May we rejoice greatly in Your splendor Lord!

Leader:  When we find ourselves in darkness and only see a glimmer of light…

ALL:  May we rejoice greatly in Your splendor Lord!

Leader:  When evil turns us from what is good and pure…

ALL:  May we rejoice greatly in Your splendor Lord!

Leader:  We KNOW the King of Glory WILL save us…

ALL:  May we rejoice greatly in Your splendor Lord!

Challenge for the Week:   Innocence.  This seems to get lost in the news stories we hear on a daily basis.  Consider the innocence lost when you hear about abortions or human trafficking or elementary aged children buying, selling and doing drugs.  When do we get to focus on the innocence, where is it in the world?  Spend time this week defining what innocence means to you and what you can do to preserve it in yourself and in those you love.  Try to seek innocence out and shine light on it, bring it to the forefront so others can be reminded of the need for innocence.

The Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph

 

Opening Prayer

Rejoice in the Lord, Rejoice!

Give thanks to God in all things!

His wondrous deeds never cease!

Sing shouts of JOY throughout the earth!

God’s love reigns forever!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

• What does this scripture say about the love of a mother and a father?
• Take time to imagine what this scripture looks like and draw a picture to express your interpretation of it.

Colossians 3:12-21

• Saint Paul says to “let the peace of God control your heart”. This is a beautiful image but how is this possible?  How can you learn to allow God’s peace into your heart?
• Just as you would put on your Sunday best, Saint Paul tells us to “put on…heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”. How can you wear these?  Is there a greater need for you to wear some of these with specific people?  Write a prayer to God asking Him to grow these gifts in you this Christmas.

Luke 2:22, 39-40 (full reading Luke 2:22-40)

• Even as a baby, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Describe how you feel when you see and especially get to hold a new born baby.
• List 3-5 qualities of Joseph. List 3-5 qualities of Mary.  Do you share any of these qualities?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Reflect on your relationship with your father and mother, each individually. Consider the ways in which they showed love to you.
• Reflect on your role as a mother or father. What qualities of God do you express to your children?
• What season are you in with your parents or as a parent? What are some of the lessons God might want to teach through these different seasons?
• What is different about the Christmas holiday season compared to other holidays?
• Make a list of all of the holiday decorations, ie. lights, wreath and reflect on how each item is a reminder of Jesus.
• What is so appealing about Christmas music? Is it the words of the songs?  The feeling you feel?  The memories?  How can you make that peaceful, joyful feeling last longer than the Christmas season?
• Imagine the kind of parents Mary and Joseph were. Did Jesus ever need to be disciplined?  Do you think Mary scolded Jesus?  Consider what their everyday life looked like.  Write down your thoughts.

Closing Prayer – inspired by Psalm 105

Leader:  A holy promise for all ages…

ALL:  God’s covenant is faithful;

Leader:  Faithful through the fire and through the rain…

ALL:  God’s covenant is true;

Leader:  True as the morning sun and the stars at night…

ALL:  God’s covenant is strong;

Leader:  Strong and precious like silver and gold…

ALL:  God’s covenant is unbroken;

Leader:  Unbroken for generations, binding in everlasting love

ALL:  God’s covenant is forever!

Challenge for the Week:   A thing called the Baltimore Catechism was the old way of teaching the Catholic faith for everyone to know the “rules”.  Teaching the faith was about memorization instead of being an example…more about knowing the right answer than living it out.  There may or may not have been a person who modelled for you a strong faith but somehow you “caught” the faith otherwise you would not be reading this right now.  Matthew Kelly, a Catholic evangelist believes each faith-filled family requires a “prayer warrior”; someone who is a good model of a faithful person.  There are Christians who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk; it’s like memorizing the Baltimore Catechism but not putting what you know into action.  Your family and friends may not attend Sunday Services each week or spend time in prayer each day but when they think of you do they think of you as someone who is strong in their faith like Abraham?  Someone who is not wavered in what they believe and lives a life of virtue, committed to God and the promise of His love?  Instead of trying to “teach” the faith, model it for others by praying that God will make you a better example of a disciple so others can “catch” the faith from YOU!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

O Divine Master, You have taken notice of every detail

How beautiful are the changing of the seasons,

The way the night awakens into day; then fades into night again.

We are in awe of life and how we come to be in this world.

May we not take for granted the gift which you have given us;

The gift of your Son, JESUS!

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 16

• What can you learn from David about what God wants for you? What mistake does David make which you can learn from?
• Look back on this past year; did God speak to you through another person like Nathan spoke to David? What was the scenario?  How did you respond to God?

Romans 16:25-27

• What is Saint Paul saying about God’s Plan? How do you see this at work?  Do you see evidence of it not working?
• How would you describe the “mystery of faith” to a non-Christian person or to a child?

Luke 1:26-38

• Mary’s life changed when she said “yes” to God. How has your life changed?  Have you truly said “yes” to God?
• What if there was no evidence of Jesus until he came on the scene at the age of 30. Why do you think God sent Jesus to earth through Mary?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What gift did God give you this year? What gift has He promised you this Advent/Christmas?
• Reflect on a time when you gave more than you received in return. What did you feel?  How did you react?
• Reflect on a time when you received more than you gave. What did you feel?  How did you react?
• What does God reveal about Himself through the prophets of the Old Testament? What do you learn about God’s character through Jesus?
• What is your definition of love? What is your definition of forgiveness?  Can you have one without the other?
• What are the sounds you hear during this time of year? What images or memories come to mind when you hear them?  Where is God?
• What are some of the smells which come with the season? How do they make you feel?  Where is God?

Closing Prayer – Glory to God Prayer

Leader:  Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.

ALL:  We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory,

Leader:  Lord God, Heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

ALL:  Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Leader:  Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

ALL:  You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;

Leader:  You take away the sin of the world, receive our prayer;

ALL:  You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Leader:  For you alone are the Holy One; you alone are the Lord.

ALL:  You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

          with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the Father.  Amen

Challenge for the Week:   The story of Mary visiting Elizabeth is known by each of us but there is one who is sometimes overlooked when we remember the story…Zachariah.  He is Elizabeth’s husband and became mute soon after Elizabeth became pregnant.  The challenge this week as we come into the final days of Advent and enter into Christmas is to take some time to be quiet.  Perhaps this looks like setting aside a specific amount of time to be silent, maybe you turn off the radio in the car or refrain from turning on the TV.  This could also take the shape of NOT saying something negative or judgmental to a friend or relative when you are at a holiday gathering…to keep your mouth shut.  Then while being quiet, try to take in what you witness; like Zachariah, you might be a part of a miracle!

Third Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Jesus,

YOU come to bring good tidings to all

…so the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

…so those who are hurting can be healed.

…so those in the wilderness hear the message.

…so sinners can know forgiveness.

…so the brokenhearted can become whole.

May we see YOU in the light and in the darkness

May we feel YOUR embrace when we are troubled

And also when we are filled with joy!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

• As an anointed child of God, how do you live out bringing good tidings to others or setting captives free?
• Imagine and describe what it feels like to be clothed in salvation and robed in justice.

1Thessalonians 5:16-24

• Is it possible “pray without ceasing”? What does that look like?
• How can your body, soul and spirit work together? Share an example a time when this happened or an example of how it would look.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

• You are called to testify to the light. How do you do this?  How often?  Where?
• John says, “there is one among you whom you do not recognize”; reflect on a time when you didn’t recognize someone you know. Make a list of things which would make someone “unrecognizable” (focus on the non-physical traits).

General Questions for Journaling

• How are you bearing witness to Christ this Advent season?
• How have you grown in faith over the past year? Reflect on the past year, how has God been working?
• Reflect on the things which “break your heart”. Is there something you can do to help heal that hurt?
• What “good tidings” did you hear in the past week, month or year? Why is it “good”?
• Describe how someone can find joy in suffering.
• Are you open to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you? How do you know?
• How do you acknowledge God in your life? Do you allow God to make decisions for you or do you leave God out of the decision making process?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we encounter the lost and forgotten;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR love!

Leader:  When we see the hurting and oppressed;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR mercy!

Leader:  When we act out against injustice;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR forgiveness!

Leader:  When we let your light shine through;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR presence!

Challenge for the Week:   The holiday season is not always filled with JOY.  There are many whom have a hard time with the holidays because of the added stress of shopping or social gatherings.  Others struggle with the financial difficulty the holidays can bring.  While there are those who are grieving loved ones whom they shared many holiday memories and traditions.  When a person experiences any of these, the JOY of the season can be very hard to find.  Consider what you can do to help alleviate some of the stressors this holiday either for yourself or for others.  Are there people within your reach who are affected by any of the stressors of the holiday season?  What can you do to give them some relief? It might be someone in your immediate family or someone on another continent, either way make a plan to bring someone JOY this week!

Second Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU are always near; YOU never leave us.

YOU promise us grace and peace all the days of our lives.

May we seek YOU in the wilderness and in the harvest.

We will find YOU waiting!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

• What does it mean to make a highway for God? What would this look like?
• What does God do to smooth out the mountains in your path? What has God done to smooth out the mountains in your path?

2Peter 3:8-14

• Saint Paul says to conduct ourselves in holiness and devotion. What does this look like?
• Is it possible to be holy AND devoted? How can you be holy AND devoted?  What do your words and actions or your time say you are devoted to?

Mark 1:1-8

• How do you compare to John the Baptist? Name similarities and differences.  Are there qualities of John the Baptist which you would like you have?
• What is the significance of baptism to you? Do you live as if you have been baptized?  Or do you live as if you are baptized?

General Questions for Journaling

• How would you describe the road of life? What are some of the things which make the road rough?  What helps make the road smooth?
• How can you be a voice in the wilderness? Where are you called to share the Good News?
• If God makes our pathways straight, then what creates the obstacles we encounter or stumble over? How can we avoid these obstacles or how can we be better equipped to overcome them?
• What is one thing you know about God’s timing? How do you know this?
• What or who causes you to lose patience?
• What can you learn from God about patience? Is God the one whom you need to have patience with?
• Is there need for repentance in your life? In your community?  In your church?  What can you do to make things right?
• What makes us unblemished in the eyes of God? What keeps you from seeing yourself as God sees you?
• Are you filled with fear or joy when you reflect on “the coming of the Lord”?
• How do you “prepare the way” for the coming of Jesus? What preparations do you make for Christmas?  What preparations do you make for Advent?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lead US Lord…

ALL:  like a shepherd leads His sheep!

Leader:  Lead US Lord…

ALL:  like a teacher leads His pupils!

Leader:  Lead US Lord…

ALL:  like a King leads His people!

Leader:  Find US ready Lord…

ALL:  to follow where YOU lead!

Challenge for the Week:   John the Baptist is a wonderful example of someone who knows who he is in God.  He points to Jesus and understands that Jesus is God.  John knows that it is God who gives him the power and ability to baptize AND he knows that Jesus has the power to baptize with the Holy Spirit.  When we are baptized we are given the same power through the Holy Spirit to be like John and point to Jesus.  Many of us get caught up in thinking we are not good enough or smart enough to be like John.  We forget John was sort of a rebel living in the desert, eating locusts and honey, wearing camel hair for clothing…but people were drawn to him.  They were drawn to him because of his genuine love for God and his humility; he used his gifts to serve God.  Reflect this week on the reasons and excuses we don’t point to Jesus.  What gifts and talents has God given to you which you are not using to point to God?  This Advent season, be a voice in the wilderness and point to Jesus!