Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

When do you call my name?

How can I be assured it is you?

Let the light be my guide.

May is shine brightly on my path.

Lead me Lord!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 58:7-10

• Share an example of how God is behind you doing good things for others.
• Isaiah is telling us in the scripture that in our works for others, God is there. In what other scripture passage do we hear this message?

 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

• Paul is saying there is nothing getting in the way of the word he is preaching. What kind of things can get in the way in some of our conversations with others?  What do we sometimes hide behind?
• Is there a situation in your life right now where you need be more like St Paul in this scripture and be honest?

 Matthew 5:13-16

• What gives your life flavor?
• Make a list of all of the things which produce light. What produces darkness?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Do you like to share? What is something you like to share?
• Are there things in your life that you don’t like to share? Why?
• When do you call out to God for help? What type of things do you want/need God’s help with?
• Why do you think there is so much value put on volunteering? Why is it important?
• When was the last time you volunteered? (gave your time and talent without expectation of compensation)
• Have you ever received something in return for volunteering? How did it make you feel?
• Do you volunteer often? Why or why not?
• Is volunteering easy or difficult?
• How do you think God wards off gloom in your life? Give examples.
• What does it look like to rely fully on God for your happiness?
• Have you ever claimed to know more than you really do? When?  What was the circumstance?  How did the situation turn out for you?
• How can you shine the spotlight on the good works of another?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Through compassion I give and receive;

ALL:  Your mercy endures forever!

Leader:  Through understanding, watching and waiting;

 ALL:  Your patience endures forever! 

Leader:  Through good works, for myself and others;

 ALL:  Your justice endures forever!

Leader:  Through forgiveness, I offer and accept;

ALL:  Your grace endures forever!

Leader:  Through eternal life given through death;

ALL:  Your love endures forever!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In science class, students often get to experience at least once in their life either witness or performing the litmus test.  This test, if you don’t remember uses a special type of paper to determine the acidity of a specific item.  The actual definition of a litmus test is a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive and produces a definitive result.  The Gospel uses salt and light to prove a point about.  The challenge is to perform your own litmus test to determine how “salty” you are and how much “light’ you produce.  Do you think you will be happy with your results?