5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

At times the ways of this world consume our thoughts.

Help us so we may not become overwhelmed or weary

rather, let us follow you; for YOU alone can save.

Let us run to you when we are weak, restless and suffering.

We know your grace, mercy and love never ends;

but how we forget; let us cling to YOUR word to remind us!!!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Job 7:1-4, 6-7

• How can you identify with Job? Have you been in his shoes?  What were your circumstances and how were you able to come out of it?
• Compare Job’s description of his life on earth to how you describe your time on earth. How are the descriptions similar?  How do they differ?

1Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

• Saint Paul speaks of sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. What are you willing to give up or sacrifice?  How is this shown in your life?
• Saint Paul says it is our obligation as a follower of Jesus to speak the Gospel. How do you fulfil this obligation?

Mark 1:29-39

• Imagine yourself as Jesus in this Gospel. What are you thinking?  Feeling?  How do you process all that happens?
• Jesus asked the people to not talk about the miracles which occurred. Would you be able to keep quiet about a miracle you witnessed?  What do you think is the purpose of keeping quiet?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you respond when you hear, “How can you believe in God if He allows such suffering in the world?”
• Have you suffered through something recently which you have found fruitful in retrospect?
• What kind of hope can you offer someone who is in the midst of trials or suffering? What are some things you can say or do?
• How do you live your life as a “slave to the Gospel”? What can you do to live a life more in line with what the Gospel teaches?
• What are you passionate about? What drives your actions?  Do your actions follow your passions?  Why or why not?
• On a scale of 1-10 how much energy do you use to further the kingdom of God? How much energy do you use spreading the Gospel message?
• Is there some you need Jesus to heal? Write down what you are in need of healing and place it in your bible.  Let Jesus begin to heal you!

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Our humanness causes us to complain like Job;

ALL:  help us to show gratitude even in our suffering.

Leader:  Our humanness causes us to boast when we do good;

ALL:  help us to serve God out of obligation like St. Paul.

Leader:  Our humanness causes us to overpower others;

ALL:  help us to become companions to others like St. Paul.

Leader:  Our humanness causes us to be blind to God’s healing power.

ALL:  help us to make with God to be restored like Jesus!

Challenge for the Week:   Put yourself in the Gospel as Jesus.  Write down what you think Jesus prayed when he went away.  What do you imagine was the conversation between Jesus and God?  Spend time this week having this same conversation with God.  Remember to take time to listen to God’s response and consider how you may move forward with the mission which God has entrusted you with in your life.

AND

Jesus performed many miracles and healed many people in the Gospel, then went off to pray and restored himself.  Imagine yourself as a “fuel tank” or a “bank account”…how often do you run on empty?  What can you do to be more like Jesus?  Be intentional about scheduling time to revive yourself!