23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

How can I care for others

like you care for me?

Help me to see more like you,

so I might be more giving.

Give me a heart like you,

so I can love and show mercy.

Open my ears and my arms,

to hear the cry and give comfort.

You ask nothing more than for us

to love you and love others;

Let us pray together and heal the world!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 33:7-9

• Who has God appointed you watchman over?
• What are your responsibilities as watchman?
• Who watches over you? How do they watch over you?  Share an example.

 Romans 13:8-10

• God asks nothing but to love one another; how well do you show love to others?
• What obstacles hold you back from giving and showing love to your neighbor?
• How do you define neighbor? Is it the same way God defines neighbor?

 Matthew 18:15-20

• What does this scripture tell you about the power of prayer? What does it tell you about the power of community?  Share a personal experience when you saw this power first hand.
• How have you testified to the power of prayer? How can you testify to the power of prayer?
• When have you seen/heard someone testify to the power of prayer?

 

 General Questions for Journaling

• When do you feel safe? Where are you?  Who is with you?
• Share a time when you did not feel safe. What caused you to feel this way?  How did you overcome the feeling?
• Are there places, people or situations you avoid because you fear them?
• How do you think those who are put into the position of “watchman” in the community or world do in their role? Find a good example.
• Who do you see bringing justice to the world? How do they make a difference in the lives of others?
• Is there a situation in your life right now where you can stand up to bring to light an injustice?
• How are you an advocate of your faith? In your family?  In your workplace?
• Is it easy or difficult to take responsibility for your actions?
• Share a time when you refused to listen to the thoughts of another person. What was the circumstance?  Did you ever end up hearing their opinion?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I want to sing your praises all my days…

 ALL:  let it be done, O Lord!

Leader:  I want to kneel before you in awe…

ALL:  let it be done, my God!

Leader:  I want to give thanks for your sacrifice…

 ALL:  let it be done, my Savior!

Leader:  I want to spread your word to others…

ALL:  let it be done, Breath of Life!

Leader:  I want to give honor and glory to you…

ALL:  let it be done, my Creator!

Leader:  I want to hear your voice and listen…

ALL:   let it be done, God of all!

 

Challenge for the Week:  This week, look up the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  He has determined humans show love in five different ways.  Read through these and determine if you relate to one or more of them.  Do you agree with his assessment or do you think there are more or less ways to express love?  Which would you say is your preferred way to express love to others?  Which would you say is your preferred way to receive love from others?  How does God show love to you?  Does it fit into one of these five ways?  When you look at the way God loves and compare it to the way you love others, what can you do to love more like God?