18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Lord
Your measure of time is different than ours.
We over schedule and try to fit too much into a day,
while you have eternity to accomplish your tasks.
We spend our time, fill our time and waste our time
and forget it is not OUR time to begin with!
Often we think there isn’t enough time
but you created the world and all that is in it in only 7 days.
Help us to slow down and accept the time you give,
living each experience of sorrow and joy, knowing you are there.
Thank you Lord, for the gift of precious time!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
• How does one labor over wisdom and knowledge?
• What do you allow to rule your life? Does work have control? The quest for acceptance or acknowledgement? A desire for wealth or status? What worries keep you awake at night?

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
• Share an example of how you seek what is above on a regular basis? What does it look like?
• How did you learn to seek life in Christ? How do you share what you have learned?

Luke 12:13-21
• Are there things which you guard and do not share? What are they and why do you keep them for yourself?
• What does this scripture tell you of what God values?

General Questions for Journaling
• What causes you anxiety? How do you know it is anxiety? What happens to you physically, emotionally? How do you control it? Can you control it?
• Have you ever allowed grief to consume you? What do you risk when you allow grief and sorrow to take over?
• When was the last time your mind was at rest? Describe the feeling?
• Do the things you invest our time in tell an accurate story about what you value? What is in need of change?
• What is your image of Christ? What are the qualities of God which you emulate? Which ones do you need to work on more?
• Are there times when you hide your belief in God? Why or why not?
• What is your definition of treasure or riches?
• Where do you go to seek treasure or riches?
• Do you consider yourself to be rich? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the cool gentle breeze.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the sound of the ocean waves.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the smell of the pine tree.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the comfort of an embrace.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the warmth of laughter.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the intimacy of prayer.

Challenge for the Week: Where do you see God’s love? Make a list of the places you see God today. Do you think when we make a point to seek God, He appears more abundantly? How many times do you think we miss out on God’s goodness each day when we are consumed with our own agenda and worry? Consider what God wants you to do for HIM today to share HIS LOVE!!!

17^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do you love us?

What causes you to stay with us?

You love us and never leave

even though we neglect you and persecute you.

May we acknowledge your persistence in love

and come to know you enough

to love others as you love us!!!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:20-32

• What do you take from the conversation between God and Abraham? What does it say of God’s character?
• How might you be more like Abraham? What characteristic do you want to emulate?  How will you do this?

 Colossians 2:12-14   

• What are the things that keep you from having the relationship you want with Jesus?
• Are there people you can’t forgive? What stands in the way? Is there something God is calling you to do about it?

 Luke 11:1-13

• Who taught you to pray? How so?
• Do you ask God for what you need? How does He respond?
• Where do you find the answer to your prayers?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there something which you feel guilty about right now? What is it?  Why?
• Who do you turn to as a moral compass? Is it a person?  What do those conversations sound like?
• Do you believe in hell? Why or why not?
• In light of the hatred and violence in the world right now, where do you see God at work?
• Do you ever think God gets mad at us? Why or why not?
• If God gets mad at us, what do you think he is mad about? Our actions?  Lack of action?  Words or lack of words?
• Are there things you are afraid to talk to God about? Is it because you are afraid to ask?
• What is the definition of oppression? Where do you see oppression happening today?  In the world, your community, your church, your family?
• Do you answer the door when God knocks?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Sarah and Abraham to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

 ALL:  as you showed Job and Jonah to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

 ALL:  as you showed Elijah and David to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed James and John to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Mary YOUR mother to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  in our daily prayers in word and action!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In the parable Jesus shares, He continues to talk to us about how to treat our neighbor.  The scriptures over the past few weeks give us examples of hospitality, what we should do to take care of one another.  Jesus is reminding us to think of the needs of others first before our own, to share what we have without holding back.  This message is counter-cultural, even at the time of Jesus.  Spend time meditating on how you might be hording your “goods” (materials, time, talent)…what do you hold back?  Is there a specific relationship which you don’t give enough time or effort to but you know God is calling you to give more, be more?  Do you serve on a committee or participate in a group which you simply show up physically but aren’t giving of yourself to help move a project forward?  When asked to lend a hand, do your thoughts move to your “to do list” or do you jump at the opportunity to help and help with a positive attitude?  These are tough to consider but Jesus is showing us the path…are we following?

16^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Creator of all that is good,

YOU made each of us

with eyes to see

with ears to hear

with arms to reach out

with legs to go out

Let us see, hear, reach out and go to

all who feel YOU invisible.

Don’t let our to do list,

keep us from yours!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:1-10a

• What do you take from the hospitality of Abraham?
• How is Abraham like Jesus in this scripture?

 Colossians 1:24-28

• Where do you see faith being passed on to generations to come? What is your role?  What is the role of the church?  How would Saint Paul respond to your answer?
• How does suffering and sins of the flesh keep you from or draw you to the church?

 Luke 10:38-42

• Identify when you are Martha and when you are Mary; are you able to relate to both or are you drawn more to one over the other? Why? Are you happy with your answer?
• What do you believe is Jesus’ real message here?
• Have you demanded God tell someone else to help you out? How did He respond?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Does good always come from good? Why or why not?
• How do you see God blessing others in the world today? How do you know it is God and not simply good fortune?
• What is your definition of hospitality? Are you stingy or lavish with your hospitality?
• Who sees the best version of you? Are you at your best 100% of the time?  If no, what % of the time are you your best self?
• Does the fear of treating others equally keep you from doing nice things for just one person?
• Does suffering draw people together or rip them apart? How?  Where and when have you seen this happen?
• Do you say “yes” to too many things? Why or why not?
• When you say “no” do you feel guilty for not helping out or participating? Why or why not?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might show you love through service and in prayer.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

 ALL:  so I might complete the tasks you lay before me.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

 ALL:  so I might work to provide for my neighbor.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might welcome you into my home.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might follow you wherever you lead.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might rest at your feet at the end of the busy day.

 

Challenge for the Week:  Sometimes when we are going good things for others, we can get resentful for having to do them or get mad at others for not helping us or upset they aren’t seeing the good we are doing.  We can get wrapped up in the blame game and make up an excuse or harbor bad feelings towards others without ever acknowledging where our negative feelings are coming from in the first place.  Spend time this week in prayer and pray for the insight to determine if you are holding onto any ill will against someone without them even knowing you are upset; then determine if you are blaming them for a choice you have made and if you really should be upset with yourself instead.  Consider the Gospel story and use it as your guide as you meditate on how you feel and what you might do to find a peaceful solution.

15^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Dear God

YOU created a complex world

and in it YOU give us beauty beyond words.

YOU told the sun when to rise

and provide all creatures with their needs.

YOU wrote on our hearts

the desire to love and care for one another.

Let the material things and the lies which surround us

be tossed away and take up space, no more.

Let YOUR Word fill our hearts

until they overflow from our lips.

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

• What do you do with all of your heart and soul? Are there a lot of things?  A few?
• How do know God has a plan for you?

Colassians 1:15-20

• What do you learn about Jesus in this scripture?
• What does it encourage you to do to be more like Jesus?

 Luke 10:25-37

• Identify your neighbors. What are their needs?  How can you show them the love of God?
• Have you seen this parable lived out in your life? When have you been robbed and left for dead?  When have you been the one who passed by?  When have you been the one who helped?  When have you been like the innkeeper?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you hear the voice of God? When?
• How often do you follow God’s voice/words when you hear them?
• Where do you go to find purpose or meaning in your life?
• What does it mean to have something “written on your heart”?
• Who are your confidants? What qualities do they have that you go to them for advice?
• Do you live your life so others know God is first? Or is someone else put first in your life?  Spouse?  Greed?  Children?  Self?
• Does peace come to you or is it something you work for?
• What does reconciliation feel like? Is it easy or difficult to achieve reconciliation?
• Is there a limit to how much you can help another? Have you ever hit the limit?
• When you are in need, are you open to others helping you? Why or why not?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I’ve hit a dead end and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to create a new path!

Leader:  When I am left with nothing and don’t know what to do…

 ALL:  YOU have the power to share what I need!

Leader:  When I feel lost and don’t know what to do…

 ALL:  YOU have the power to welcome with open arms!

Leader:  When I am blinded by fear/money/arrogance…

ALL:  YOU have the power to forgive my wrongs!

Leader:  When I feel I am on empty and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to fill me up!

Leader:  Father, giver all good things…

ALL:  may I live my life in these truths!

 

Challenge for the Week:  How are the commandments relevant today?  Where do you see them lived out?  Spend time this week re-writing the commandments to make them specific to you.  Highlight the ones your struggle with so you can pay more attention to them.