Sunday, July 26th readings

The Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

YOU never cease to amaze;

we are filled with wonder and awe at YOUR creation

YOU set the moon and the stars into motion;

and breathed life into each of us.

YOU provide for our every need;

sometimes through miraculous works of mercy or kindness.

Many are the gifts which YOU provide

for all of YOUR children.

YOU bless us, YOU love us, YOU provide for us

YOU are the bread of life!

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Kings 4:42-44

Why do you think there was enough for all to eat and still some leftover?
On a scale from 1-10, how much do you trust God to provide for your needs? How would you rate your willingness to take a leap of faith?

Ephesians 4:1-6

What does Saint Paul mean when he says to “preserve the unity of the spirit, through the bond of peace”? How could you explain this to a new believer?
How does your life show you believe that there is “one God…who is over all and through all and in all”?

John 6:1-15

What would you tell a child about the distribution of food resources around the world? What do you believe God tells us to do about it through this Gospel?
Reflect on a time when you had to give more than you had to give. What was the situation? How did it work out? Where was God in the situation/outcome?

General Questions for Journaling

Have you ever been without enough food to eat? What did you do? Did you trust you would have food again?
Share a time when God provided you with what you needed at the time it was required. What did you have to do for it to happen? How do you know God was involved?
How does ones attitude affect their faith?
Have you ever witnessed what can only be described as a miracle? What was it? How did it affect you?
What would you describe to be a miracle?
Can peace and unity exist at the same time? What is required for both to happen and for it to be maintained?
How would your actions say you act; do you work for peace or unity more? What is the difference?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Through the work of our hands…