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.