Palm Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

When I call out in prayer,

what do I say?

Do my words express my trust in you?

When I live out each day,

what do I say?

Do my actions show I trust you?

Let me be more aware of how I hurt you.

May I work to let my words and my actions,

express my love and trust in YOU!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 50:4-7

• How can you identify with this scripture? Are you feeling weary as the season of Lent comes to a close?
• Does this scripture give you any encouragement to keep on with your Lenten disciplines?

 Philippians 2:6-11

• What qualities of Jesus do you admire the most? How do you relate to these traits?
• How do you show reverence to Jesus? How often?

 Matthew 26:14-27, 66

• Choose an action from the Gospel reading that reflects something going on in your life right now.
• How have you rejected Jesus today? Yesterday?  This week?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• If you don’t feel well, do you want others not to feel well along with you?
• What causes you to feel weary? Make a list of the things that drain you.
• How much of your prayer life is complaining or whining to God?
• Consider the conversations you’ve had in the last 24 hours…how many of them included a complaint by you or another person?
• When have you felt shame? Describe the feeling.
• How have you caused another person to feel shame? For what reason?  Was it done on purpose?
• How do you show Jesus you love him? How does he show you he loves you?
• How do you feel when you are accused of something you didn’t do?
• When have you felt rejected? Who rejected you?
• Share a time when you have changed your perspective, like those in Jerusalem.(one day they are praising Jesus and another they are condemning him)

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with humility.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

 ALL:  so I can be refilled with obedience.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

 ALL:  so I can be refilled with hospitality.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with forgiveness.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with acceptance.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with trust.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with faith.

 

Challenge for the Week:  This week make the commitment to sacrifice some of your time and do something uncomfortable.  It might be something simple like making small talk with the person in line with you at the store or offering to purchase the coffee of a stranger.  You might consider taking some of the “me time” you work to create and volunteer.  Perhaps you could make time for someone you have been avoiding or someone who has been sick or is alone.  Too often, we get wrapped up in ourselves and we begin to complain about things that we really shouldn’t complain about.  Look around this week and sacrifice yourself for the sake of another who is going through something much more difficult than you.  It will help you gain perspective and prepare your heart for Holy Week!