3rd Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Rid us of foolish thoughts.

Keep away the nonsense of the world.

May we follow the commands you give

May we show your love to all we meet.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 20:1-17

• Which commandment do you have the hardest time understanding? Is it because you don’t understand it or perhaps it doesn’t seem to be valid for society today?
• Spend time reflecting on the 10 commandments. Then make a list of some “common” ways you or others break them.

 

1Corinthians 1:22-25

• How do you still look for signs and seek wisdom to confirm your faith and what you believe?
• What does Saint Paul say about God’s foolishness and weakness? Have you ever been witness to this in your life?  How?

 

John 2:13-25

• Jesus indicated, HE was the temple to be torn down and built back up. When have you felt this way?  What broke you down and how were you rebuilt?
• Jesus drove out the “demons” from the temple…what “demons” does Jesus need to drive out of you? Do you not think Jesus gets just as angry about the things we barter and rationalize that keep us from spending sacred time with Him?
• How can you live with more ‘zeal’? What does it mean to live with zeal? Or to have more zeal?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• If you could re-write the commandments, how would you?
• Why did Jesus say there were only two commandments? What did He mean when He said, “Love God and Love your neighbor”?  Does this make the other eight commandments invalid?
• How would you explain the 10 commandments to a child?
• Share examples of foolishness or weakness you see in the world. What can be done about it?
• Are there “stumbling blocks” in your life and/or faith which keep you from being the kind of disciple you wish to be?
• What “trips you up” and makes you feel weak or foolish? What holds you back from overcoming these obstacles?
• Have you ever did something which you knew was the right thing to do but others around you questioned? Consider how Jesus in the Gospel.  Take time to consider what Jesus was thinking at this point in the Gospel readings.  Do you think He simply flew off the handle or do you believe He knew what He was doing and others just didn’t understand?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Give us sanctuary from worldly thoughts…

ALL:  give us wisdom!

Leader:  Give us sanctuary through the cross…

ALL:  give us power!

Leader:  Give us sanctuary in your commandments…

ALL:  Give us guidance!

Leader:  Give us sanctuary by your blood…

ALL:  Give us love!

Challenge for the Week:   When you come to receive communion, you come to receive Jesus.  In the Catholic Church, when you receive communion, you receive the Body and Blood of Christ. What is your disposition as you come to receive the Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords?  Then, once you receive Him, do you think about what a gift it is that you have Jesus within you?  Have you considered at that moment that you are the Tabernacle?  This week and from now on, work to show the reverence deserved as you come to receive Holy Communion; knowing you are a chosen vessel to bring Jesus’ message of love to others.