Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

Give me the eyes to see you!

I want to choose you,

I want to run to you,

I want to love you,

but I find it difficult at times

to embrace what I cannot see.

Fill me with the faith to choose you,

even when I cannot see!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 15:15-20

• Is it enough to simply say we choose God? Why or why not?
• How have your words and actions show you choose God?

 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 

• Describe what it is within you that confirms for you God exists? How do you see God?  How do you hear God?  What does God smell like, taste like, feel like?
• What does your heart tell you about God?

 Matthew 5:17-37

• Can you love God and others without the law? Are the commandments necessary?  Why or why not?
• Is there a difference between what others see on the outside vs what is true on the inside? Is your true faith lived out in your everyday words and actions?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• When you are faced with a choice, do you consult God before making your decision?
• Are there decisions you need to make each day which you don’t need to consult with God? What are they?
• If you believe God sees all things, why do you still sin?
• Is it easy or difficult to choose between good and evil? How can you tell the difference?
• Identify the ways in which the commandments help you.
• Do you follow God’s commandments out of fear of going to hell?
• What does fear of God look like to you?
• How is wisdom different than knowledge or understanding?
• How do you live out the law?
• Is it possible to live beyond the law? What would that look like?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You give your love

ALL:  in all of creation.

Leader:  You give your love

 ALL:  with a rainbow.

Leader:  You give your love

 ALL:  in the commandments.

Leader:  You give your love

ALL:  on a cross.

Leader:  You give your love

ALL:  in the Word & Eucharist.

Leader:  You give your love

ALL:  through US!

 

Challenge for the Week:  How does God influence your decisions?  Do you turn to God to help you discern your life choices or are there others in your life who help you?  Allow yourself to consider the decisions you make and process in which you make them.  Do the people whom you ask for help have your best interests at heart or do they have something to lose or gain?  How do the commandments play a role in the decisions you make?  Reflect on the 10 commandments this week and come up with questions you can ask yourself when you are faced with a decision.  Allow these questions to help you make a choice which falls in line with your beliefs and follows God’s plan for you in your life.  Give God room in your life and in your decisions to guide you.