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.
weeklyscripturejournal 