Second Sunday of Advent

 

Opening Prayer

Come Holy Spirit…

Reshape us!

Embrace us!

Set us on fire with YOUR love!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 11:1-10

• Do you see the gifts of the Holy Spirit lived out in your life? Where?  How can you be more intentional about using those gifts?
• Share a present day example of the “wolf being the guest of the lamb”.

 Romans 15:4-9

• What walls do you have in front of you as obstacles of unity with others?
• Are there people in your life whom you find it easier to agree in order to keep peace? What good comes from this?

 Matthew 3:1-12

• What about John the Baptist would cause you to believe? What would draw you in to be baptized by him?
• John the Baptist was not worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals; what are things you do not think you are worthy of doing?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What good comes from you? Where did it come from?
• Where do you see justice prevail? Share an example.
• Do you have a sacred place where you feel at peace?
• Have you ever had such a peace come over you, you felt as though no harm could come to you?
• How do you achieve peace in your life? Is it achievable?
• How does the Christmas season bring harmony?
• How does the Christmas season hinder harmony?
• How does the coming of Jesus give you hope in the world today?
• How do you feel welcomed? Where do you feel welcomed?
• How does the Christmas season encourage your faith?
• How does the Christmas season discourage your faith?
• What warning(s) have you received of pending doom?
• Is it fear of a vengeful wrath or the love of God which keeps you on the straight path?
• Where do you produce good fruit in your life? What are some things you can change in order to produce more?
• What fans the flames within you to make you bigger, better and stronger in your faith?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  In the waters of baptism…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  Through works of mercy…

 ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  In the gift of peace…

 ALL: bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  As we welcome each other…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  While we sing your praise…

ALL:  bring the Spirit of God!

Leader:  Set our hearts on fire…

ALL:  Spirit of God!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In the Catholic Church we celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas in the season we call Advent.  We create an atmosphere of peace, hope, joy and anticipation with sacramentals such as the Advent Wreath, special Scriptures and traditional songs.  The church is decorated in deep purples and rose, the colors of Advent, instead of the Christmas colors of red, green and white.  For many of us, we take for granted this time of Advent, barely taking notice of how the Church on a greater scale is stepping out and pointing the way to Jesus.  The attributes of Advent; peace, hope, joy and anticipation, are in complete contrast of what is happening in the world during the “busy holiday season”.  Take time this week to reflect on what role you play in keeping these Advent attributes alive in your life.  What can you do to point toward Jesus, creating an atmosphere of peace, hope, joy and anticipation?  How can you be like John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness, keeping Advent alive!

First Sunday of Advent

 

Opening Prayer

Be still.

Wait.

Breathe.

Wait.

Relax.

Wait.

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 2:1-5

• Are there habits which need to beat out of you like plowshares to help you be better prepared for Jesus’ coming?
• How does this scripture move you to make the world a better place? How does it move you to be a better person?
• Describe walking in the “Light of the Lord”.

 Romans 13:11-14

• What specifically can you do to strengthen the light of Christ you carry with you?
• This scripture is reminding us that time is limited…what are you filling your time which that is not of God?
• What will you do this Advent to change how you spend your time, not just during Advent, but permanently?

 Matthew 24:37-44

• When do you welcome Jesus into your day?
• When do you close the door on Jesus and not invite Him in?
• What are some of the things that “keep you awake”? Is there anything God can do to help you let go of the stress and worry?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How high do you think the highest mountain is? What would it take to get to the top?
• Are there special skills you have which would help you survive a long journey? Are there any skills you wish you had?
• How does God instruct you? What makes you sure God is leading you down the right path?
• What do all churches have in common? Are these the things that make them the house(s) of the Lord?  Or is there something else?
• Have you ever felt as though God woke you up to tell you something? What did He say?  How did you listen?
• An angel of the Lord spoke to many people in the Bible in a dream, has God ever spoken to you in a dream? What did He say?  How did you listen?
• How will you prepare your home for Jesus’ coming this Advent/Christmas season?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us rejoice…

ALL:  with dancing!

Leader:  Let us rejoice…

 ALL:  with singing!

Leader:  Let us rejoice…

 ALL: with praise!

Leader:  Let us rejoice…

ALL:  with joyful noise!

Leader:  Let us rejoice…

ALL:  for Savior is coming!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  When setting out to climb a mountain, experienced hikers will tell you that you need to be prepared for anything.  They would suggest special tools for cooking, first aid supplies and of course plenty of food and water.  They would also tell you that you should study the trail, the terrain, the elevation chance and be sure you are prepared for any type of weather (rain gear, stocking cap, etc).  If you ever walk into a REI or Bass Pro Shop, you can spend hours looking at all of the items “experts” say you could need to take along on your trip up the mountain.  This Advent, we journey up the HOLY Mountain, seeking Jesus.  Spend time thinking about what you need to make the journey, compare what it is like to be on top of the mountain to what you imagine it will be like to see Jesus.  Make a plan to have a productive Advent, make room for Jesus!

Christ the King

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, Jesus

You are crowned the most high King

yet you humbled yourself for me.

Let me too humble myself

to do the work you call me to do.

Come dwell in me, so your love and mercy

shines through like a crown!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

2 Samuel 5:1-3

• What are the similarities between a shepherd and a king?
• What are and differences between a shepherd and a king?

 Colossians 1:12-20

• How do you know something has the fullness of Christ in it?
• Do you fully love anything or anyone? How do you express your love to the fullest?

 Luke 23:35-43

• Even in His pain, Jesus shows mercy to another. What can you learn from His example?
• The thief simply asks Jesus to remember him, what words do you use to ask Jesus to take you with Him to His Kingdom?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How does it feel to be wanted?
• When did you last reach out to someone you hadn’t spoken to for a while, just because? Do you always need a reason?
• What was the last compliment you received?
• What was the last real compliment you gave?
• It is easy to see God in the beauty of the earth but what about in destruction, war or the slums of poverty?
• Is there goodness in your life right now? What role does God play in that goodness?
• Is there turmoil in your life right now? What role does God play in that turmoil?
• When you see a happy person, what is your instinct?
• When you see a sad person, what is your instinct?
• How have you recently reached out to someone? Did you do it out of obligation?  Did you do it out of love?  What is the difference?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You call us Lord

ALL:  and we give thanks!

Leader:  You call us Lord

 ALL:  and we welcome the stranger!

Leader:  You call us Lord

 ALL: and we share what we have!

Leader:  You call us Lord

ALL:  and we offer prayers!

Leader:  You call us Lord

ALL:  and we surrender all!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  These scriptures call us to find unity…a common thread.  Sometimes the differences we have with others looks like a scorecard with tally marks so abundant we are unable to see beyond them.  Even though Jesus said He came to cause division, He also calls us into union with one another and with Him!  It is time to step out from behind the wall we have built and stand up for what your faith calls you to do.  This week try to think of all of the things you have in common with those you encounter and reflect on whether your attitude/opinion of them changed.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Precious Jesus

When we find ourselves

overwhelmed or stressed by

the events of the day;

Let us just say your name

and be comforted,

JESUS!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Malachi 3:19-20a

• Does this God who sets fire to people sound like the God whom you know, trust and love? What is happening here?
• Are you quick to point out “evil doers”?

 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

• How do you bring about God’s kingdom in your work?
• Who do you follow? Who do you model your life after?

 Luke 21:5-19

• How can you compare this scripture to what is happening in the world today? Does it cause fear?  Why or why not?
• What word or phrase from this scripture gives you hope during hard times?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What does the name Jesus say to you?
• What do you feel when you hear the name Jesus?
• Is God the only person whom you allow to have power over you? Who else holds power over you?
• Define justice.
• Share an example of when you saw healing at the hand of justice.
• How do you define work? Does the work you do lift you up or drag you down?
• Do you pay more attention to the work of others than you do of the work you do?
• Have you ever told someone to mind their own business? Why?  What was the situation?
• Have you ever been told by someone to mind your own business? Why?  What was the situation?
• How do you know God will take cares of you and not let you suffer harm?
• Have you ever felt out of place for believing in God? When?  Where?  How did you deal with it?
• Have you ever felt like things in your life were going to fall apart? When?  What happened?  How did you overcome the feeling?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us seek YOU Lord

ALL:  while we do our work.

Leader:  Let us seek YOU Lord

 ALL:  as we spend time with family

Leader:  Let us seek YOU Lord

ALL: when we are running errands

Leader:  Let us seek YOU Lord

ALL:  in the good AND the bad

Leader:  May we not seek long

ALL:  before we feel you near!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  We all suffer at one time or another.  It might be suffering through waiting for test results or suffering from the loss of a loved one or perhaps even a physical ailment.  We also sometimes joke about the things we need to suffer through such as our child’s first band concert or all of the political ads for weeks before the election.  No matter what it is we suffer from or through, one thing remains the same, we turn to God for comfort.  We’ve all been there suffering through the physical or emotional pain of a situation, sometimes clinging to God with all of our strength looking for relief.  Our relief is found in the support we receive, the kind words we hear and the comfort of knowing we are not alone in the suffering.  We are the comfort.  We are the ones who can sit with a friend as they wait for test results.  We are the ones who can share our words of comfort with someone who has lost a loved one.  We are the ones who can help ease the suffering of another who suffers from physical or emotional pain with empathy and support.  We can even give comfort to others who suffer through the child’s concert and political ads by sharing the experience and knowing we are not alone.  God is there, though you.  This week, choose to be intentional about bringing comfort to someone you know who is suffering.

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Resurrected Lord,

You gave your life

so we might know love.

Let us show you appreciation

through our good works.

Let our gratitude be expressed

in our prayers.

May we never cease to say

THANK YOU…

For the gift of life today and forever!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

2 Maccabees 7: 1-2, 9-14

• What in this scripture reminds you there is more to life that this world?
• Share an example of why you believe in the resurrection.

 2 Thessalonians 2:6-3:5

• What is Saint Paul’s prayer for us? How are we actively pursuing his request/desire for us?
• Would you say your words and actions show you are confident in the promises of Christ? Why or why not?

 Luke 20:27-38

• When faced with adversaries trying to trap Him in the law, Jesus always takes the tangled web and lays it straight, what is the bottom line in this scripture?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you feel about death?
• Write a list of 10 words which describe how you feel about death, then write a list of 10 words which describe how you feel about the resurrection.
• What reading(s) or song (s) bring you comfort when you think of losing a loved one?
• Is it possible to treat everyone equally? Loved ones vs Strangers?  Each of your children?  Your own siblings?
• What tips the balance and keeps you from treating each person the same?
• God loves us each the same, so why are we so quick to judge another?
• Who gives you encouragement? Whom do you encourage?
• Can you get the wrong kind of encouragement? Give examples.
• What makes you strong in the faith? How can you share this with others to strengthen their faith?
• Who was the last saint you read about in detail? Who is the next saint you will get to know?
• What image do you have of the Communion of Saints? How often to you carry the image with you?  Why is it good to remember?
• How do you remember those who have died? What traditions do you have in your faith?  In your family?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us come to understand

ALL:  that your love is enough

Leader:  to hold us up

 ALL:  when we feel abandoned.

Leader:  Let us come to understand

 ALL: that your grace is enough

Leader:  to bring comfort

ALL:  when we don’t feel worthy.

Leader:  Let us come to understand

ALL:  that your death and resurrection

Leader:  is the promise

ALL:  of everlasting life!

 

Challenge for the Week:  We all know someone who can be difficult to be around or is hard to talk to for some reason or another.  Sometimes there is a quirk they have that drives us crazy or perhaps you have a difference of opinion about a specific topic and you just can’t seem to avoid bringing up your differences.  However, Jesus is always urging us to break down the walls of difference and injustice and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Spend time this week to consider that Jesus died for that difficult person and that person whom we don’t like to spend time with and loved them just as much as He loves each of us.  Is this person blind to the grace and mercy promised by Christ?  Do they deserve…NEED a loving embrace and forgiveness?  Then in your thoughts about finding some common ground in this relationship, ask yourself, if this person where to die today, would you want to be there?  Whether yes or no, spend time in those thoughts and feelings and allow God to direct you to what you need to do next.