12^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

My Lord and My God

Your love washes over me;

it fills my entire being.

My heart overflows with your mercy.

There is nothing to fear;

for you are with me always.

The intimacy of your love remains.

I surrender to your grace;

you make me whole.

A new life lies ahead of me.

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 20:10-13

• Where do you see God prevail as “mighty champion”?
• What role do you play in this scripture? How does this scripture make you feel?

 Romans 5:12-15

• How have you trespassed against God this week? How is it/can it be resolved?
• How have you trespassed against your neighbor this week? How is it/can it be resolved?
• How have you trespassed against yourself this week? How is it/can it be resolved?

 Matthew 10:26-33

• What has God whispered to you? Did you proclaim what you heard?  Why or why not?
• Do you believe what this scripture tells you about the love of God? What is easy and/or hard for you to believe is true?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever felt trapped by “evil” or “sin”?
• When have you stumbled in the face of adversity?
• Describe suffering. What does it look like, sound like, smell like, feel like?
• Is there a recipe to get rid of negative thoughts?
• Can good come from resentment?
• What are you afraid of and how do you deal with/calm the fear?
• Make a list of ten people in your life whom you trust. Is this list easy or difficult to make?
• How do you cultivate trust in a relationship? What actions are required for trust to exist?
• Have you ever suffered for being a Christian?
• Do you receive ridicule because you go to Church? How do you respond?
• How do you share the Gospel (Good News) with others? Be specific.
• In what ways is your faith still in the darkness? How can you bring light to it?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I have obstacles in my path

 ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader:  When I am the target of slander

ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader:  When I feel buried in doubt

 ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader:  When I am drowning in sorrow

ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader:  When I have a mountain to climb

ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader: When I feel walls caving in

ALL:  I praise the Lord!

Leader:  When I call out to my Lord,

ALL:  I am ready for anything!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Why do we allow others to give us worth and to hurt us so badly?  We allow hurtful words in the form of put downs and criticisms to penetrate us.  We give worth to the opinions of others, even when the words are untrue.  The challenge is to follow Jesus’ example, to know who we are and what we stand for when faced with adversity.  This can only be done when we really know who we are in Christ.  Spend time this week identifying times when Jesus was put down and criticized, how did he respond?  Jesus models for us how to deal with opposition, rely on HIM!