24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord of immense patience

How can I learn from you?

Where can I go to find patience?

Is it within my reach?

What can I do to cultivate more?

Why can’t I seem to wait?

Be with me Lord,

I cannot do it on my own!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 32: 7-11, 13-14

• What does this scripture say about human nature? Is it still true today?  Where do you see an example?
• What advantage do you have over Moses to get God’s message through to others? What disadvantage do you have over Moses?

 1 Timothy 1:12-17

• Identify how God has shown mercy to Paul.
• Identify how others showed mercy to Paul.

 Luke 15: 1-32

• How do you rejoice when you have been forgiven?
• Describe what it feels like to be filled with compassion.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Would you consider yourself a persuasive person? Who do you identify as a persuasive person?
• Could a persuasive person get you to do something you know is wrong or that you shouldn’t do? Has this ever happened?
• How do you use persuasion in your life? Do you use it to get what you want or what God wants?
• Do you try to talk God into things? If so, what?  And how did/does He respond?
• How do you feel when you make a deal with someone and they don’t keep up their part?
• Have you ever reneged on a deal? What was the situation?
• Do threats work? Why or why not?  When are threats necessary?
• Does God ever give up on you? Why then, do you give up on yourself?
• When have you given up on yourself? Did you reach out to God or to others?  Were you shown mercy?
• Have you ever been lost? What did it feel like?  Who found you?  How did you feel when you were found?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never give up on me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

 ALL:  For you never leave me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

 ALL:  For you never lose patience with me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never for me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never forsake me, a sinner!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Pope Francis declared the past year, the year of Mercy.  How have you seen mercy lived out in the world, your community, within yourself?  How can you take to heart living a more merciful life?  How can your prayer life show mercy?  How can you show mercy on your weekly grocery run?  Spend time this week with these scriptures to learn how God is merciful and make a decision to be more like God!