Sunday, August 30th readings

The Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Let us be grateful in knowing you are with us…

When we stumble and fall, you are there.

When we celebrate good news, you are there.

May we remember always your presence…

And reach out for you when we are lonely.

And hold you close when we are overcome with joy.

Lord, you want to be one with us, let us be open to you!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

Moses tells the people the laws are simple; observe the commandments and God will be with you. What causes them to trip up? Can you relate?
Which of the laws God has set before you do you have trouble accepting? What makes them so difficult to abide?

James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

If God is speaking about you in this reading (and He is…) what might be some of the fruits that have come from your faith?
Saint James says to let the Word give us birth. What does this mean? How can this happen? Share from experience if you can.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

What point is Jesus making by referencing Isaiah? How have politics changed or not changed?
Are there laws that go against your faith? What are they and what do you do about them?

General Questions for Journaling

Are there laws or rules which cause you to scratch your head in bewilderment? What might have caused that law or rule to exist?
In society do you have the choice to follow or not follow a law? What would be the consequence if you disobeyed the law? What consequence is there if you disobey God’s law?
What characteristics would a “doer of faith” have? How would you be able to identify a “doer of faith”?
Is there a difference between faith that is in your mind and faith that is in your heart?
How much of what you do outside of church supports what you do inside? Where are there contradictions?
Do you agree or disagree with “garbage in, garbage out”? Why?
What makes people think all Christians are hypocrites? Could your actions cause someone to call you a hypocrite?

Closing Prayer

Leader: We are taught to observe your decrees…

ALL: May we hear your Word and act on it!

Leader: to live in your love and love one another…

ALL: May we hear your Word and act on it!

Leader: to walk humbly and live justly…

ALL: May we hear your Word and act on it!

Leader: to be rooted in you and bear good fruit…

ALL: May we hear your Word and act on it!

Leader: to follow your ways; not the ways of the world…

ALL: May we hear your Word and act on it!

Challenge for the Week: Consider this challenge one you can do each day for the rest of your life. Listen for God throughout the day, perhaps in an action, feeling or word. It can come from anywhere or anyone but listen for it. Once you’ve heard it, let it rest inside of you until it becomes a part of you. Listening for these words, feelings and actions help you see, hear and feel God more closely. It is a conversation. God calls you each day but are you listening to what He is saying? When you are listening and truly hear God speak then you begin to hear what He says more clearly, day after day. The more you hear, the more your faith grows and you are filled with what you need to go out and DO whatever it is God called you to do. Don’t just listen and let the Word go in one ear and out the other…don’t let God’s plan for you go undone…put your faith into action!

Sunday, August 23rd readings

The Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Good and Gracious Father,

Each day YOU give us life,

we are faced with choices to make.

YOUR Word gives us guidance,

to teach us how to live, love and pray.

May we continue to seek YOUR ways,

so we may please YOU with our choices.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

When have you experienced good fortune when choosing to serve the Lord? Have you ever been punished for serving the Lord?
Did you, like the Israelites free choose your faith/religion? Why or why not? How do you take ownership of it today?

Ephesians 5:21-32 (or Ephesians 2a, 25-32)

In what ways do you see the relationship of the Church & Jesus similar to the marriage relationship? How has it been similar or different in your personal experience?
What do you think Saint Paul would tell us to do about the current discussions about marriage today?
What do you think he would say about picking and choosing what one believes or doesn’t believe about the Church? What point is he trying to make to us?

John 6:60-69

What about the church is hard for you to accept?
What do you have difficulty accepting or agreeing with…a belief of the church or church law?

General Questions for Journaling

How do you feel when you come out of a church service? What emotions are present? Be honest.
What can you do to sustain the “joy of the Lord” throughout the week?
On a scale of 1-10 would you say you are a good decision maker?
Is it easy or difficult for you to make choices?
Do you make a choice and live with it, despite the consequences or outcome or do you change your mind often? How does this affect your spirituality/relationship with Jesus?
How does choosing God affect your other decisions in relationship with your spouse, your job, your hobbies, etc.
When entering into a relationship with a friend or potential spouse, how much emphasis did you, do you put onto faith compatibility?
Have you ever wanted to leave the church, give up faith? What caused you to want to leave it behind?
How would your life be different if you left your faith behind?

Closing Prayer

Leader: How can we forget how you created us from nothing?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Leader: How can we forget how you provide for all of our needs?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Leader: How can we forget how you wipe away our iniquities?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Leader: How can we forget how you heal us and make us whole?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Leader: How can we forget how you died so we might have eternal live?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Leader: How can we forget how you love us and choose us each day?

ALL: Lead us Lord, we choose YOU!

Challenge for the Week: We can get bogged down with daily responsibilities or consumed with the negative news we hear about around the world. This week seek out places where you see good things happening. Create a list of news stories or positive things you witness in your daily routine. Open your eyes to others around you who are “serving the Lord” with their kind words or generous actions. Sometimes we get caught up in what someone looks like or external circumstances and we don’t really see the goodness within them. Good things are happening all around us…take notice and celebrate them!

Sunday, August 16th readings

The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Let us give thanks

for the feast you have laid before us.

We are filled

with your generosity and love.

Lord, you provide for our every need

every moment of everyday.

May we be open to accepting

all you have to offer.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Proverbs 9:1-6

What do you learn about hospitality from this reading?
How might you advance in the way of understanding?

Ephesians 5:15-20

Do you know a wise person? Does wisdom come naturally or is it something learned?
How can you address others with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs without being thought of as a bit crazy?

John 6:51-58

What can you do to remain in God?
What does Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood”? How do you “feed” on Jesus?

General Questions for Journaling

God created us with a hunger. How do you fill your hunger?
What is your favorite meal? How often do you eat it? Who makes it? Why is it your favorite?
What emotions do you have when you gather for a meal with family and friends? How does it compare to the feast you have when you come to communion?
Describe a time when you acted foolish. What were the circumstances?
When was the last time you prepared a meal/feast for someone? What were the circumstances? How did you feel? Did you take your time and pay attention to detail?
What does it mean to you to have “fullness of life”?
Make a list of as many ways as you can think of to “eat the bread” which Jesus provides.

Closing Prayer

Leader: When we are baptized in water and Spirit…

ALL: You call us to the FEAST!

Leader: When we gather as community…

ALL: You call us to the FEAST!

Leader: When we share a meal…

ALL: You call us to the FEAST!

Leader: When we come together to celebrate…

ALL: You call us to the FEAST!

Leader: Jesus, YOUR death is our invitation;

ALL: to the eternal FEAST!

Leader: Praise to YOU, Lord Jesus Christ!

ALL: AMEN!

Challenge for the Week: God says to give thanks always, in all ways and in everything give thanks. However, there are so many bad things that happen in our lives and we sometimes find ourselves blaming God for those things. When we start blaming God for things that make us mad, irritate us or cause us pain, we distance ourselves from Him. We separate ourselves from accepting the nourishment God lays out in front of us…we push it aside, stomp on it and let it rot…but He continues to provide. This week, acknowledge God in everything…good and bad, comfortable and uncomfortable…let Him know you are grateful for what He gives to you in your life, even the tough stuff. Tell God THANK YOU!!!

Sunday, August 9th readings

The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Even when we are weary; YOU give us strength.

YOU are there to care for us and give us what we need to go on.

We are blessed because YOU love us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

1Kings 19:4-8

Is there a time in your life when you were like Elijah…tired of walking around in the desert seeking rest?
Share a time when you sought refuge and God came to your aid.

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Saint Paul says we must remove all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling and malice from our lives; how do these emotions change you?
Does your live have an aroma? What fragrance would you say you project?

John 6:41-51

What caused the crowd to doubt Jesus? What causes us to doubt others?
What does Jesus mean when He says “I will give my flesh for the life of the world”? How is this fulfilled in His life? How do we do the same with our lives since we are called to be imitators of Christ?

General Questions for Journaling

Are there people in your life who are in need of a shade tree? How can you give them strength to continue on?
When have you cried out to God? What were you feeling? What did you want God to do? How were your feelings changed? Did God answer your plea?
Reflect on a time when you simply had “enough”. How did you overcome? Where was God?
How would the world be different if we all acted as imitators of God?
What causes people to doubt who Jesus/God/Holy Spirit is today? Where do they find validation? Where do you find validation for what you believe?
Are there people in your life whom you doubt or have a hard time believing? Politicians? Boss? Co-worker? Family member? How do you deal with it? What do you think Jesus need for you to do?

Closing Prayer

Leader: YOU are there in the quiet of the morning as we prepare for the day ahead…