The Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU are the Creator of ALL things!

YOU call us into communion with YOU;

so we may know how to love others.

May our eyes, ears and hearts be open;

to see, hear and love those around us.

Allow us to see, hear and love YOU as we ought;

so we may live and spread YOUR WORD!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Amos 7:12-15

• When have you felt God calling you to something you are/were not qualified to do? What did you do about it?  Did you make the right choice? How did you know it was God pulling you?
• Through Baptism we are all called to be “priest, prophet and king”. God has already called you to be a prophet like Amos if you are baptized…how are you living out your call as a prophet?

 

Ephesians 1:3-14

• How can you explain to a child or new believer that God has known you/them since the beginning of creation? What words or images would you use to explain?
• What does it mean to you to be “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”? How do you feel, see, know the Holy Spirit is in your life right now?

 

Mark 6:7-13

• Jesus told to disciples to “dust off your feet”; are there hurts, regrets, ideals that need to be “dusted off your feet” in order for you to be able to be stronger in your testimony to the Gospel?
• Are there things you are attached to which keep you from doing the work God has called you to do?
• They were sent out two by two; who would you consider your “partner in crime” to spread the Gospel message?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• When was the last time you spoke out against an injustice? Or when did you last speak up for something you believe in?  What was it?  How did you feel?
• What are your “hot topic” conversations, those which you feel strongly about and would happily debate your side against another?
• Have you ever spoken out and been the only one with that idea or opinion? How did it feel?  Did you regret sharing your input?  What did you learn from the experience?
• What are those “hot topic” conversations which you have been witness to but didn’t contribute to? How did you feel?  What were those feelings or emotions?  Why do you think you felt that way?
• How do you know someone is “qualified”? What qualities do you look for in a friend, husband, co-worker, boss, President?  How do your standards of qualifying compare to how God seeks out prophets and disciples?
• How have you felt God’s love this past week? What does it feel like to receive God’s grace?  Describe what it is like to have the Holy Spirit active in your life.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  We are sent out

ALL:  to be Christ’s love.

Leader:  We are sent out

ALL:  to be Christ’s hands and feet.

Leader:  We are sent out

ALL:  to be Christ’s comforting word.

Leader:  We are sent out

ALL:  to be Christ’s healing touch.

Leader:  We are sent out

ALL:  to be Christ to others!

 

Challenge for the Week:   The disciples were instructed to “go” and their needs would be met along the way.  This takes an immense amount of trust.  To trust means you have reliance on the integrity of the other person; you know them to be reliable and honest. These things we would say about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, but how do our actions speak to our level of trust?  This week pay attention to the “extra” stuff you take with you when you leave the house to run an errand or go on a walk or even to pack for vacation.  What “baggage do you insist on bringing along with you everywhere you go?   These days, many people feel “lost” without their cell phone within reach.  Could you go on a walk without your phone?  Do you need to pack your entire shoe collection for a weekend trip?  It can also be looked on as your need to maintain your routine even when you are on vacation; are you able to just “go” without planning out each moment before it is going to happen.  This “letting go” can apply to each day before you even step out of bed.  Are you leaving room for God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to work in your life or are you too scheduled and focused on getting your needs met that you haven’t allowed God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to take care of you?