25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father,

When you look at me,

what do you see?

You do not see me

the way the world does.

You do not see me

the way I see myself.

You see me

as I was created to be.

Help me to be

the me you see!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 55:6-9

• When have you felt God’s mercy? Be specific.
• How does God help you let go of wicked thoughts?
• How do you know God is near?

 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

• How do you live your life according to the Gospel? What does this mean?
• What specifically can you do to live the according to the Gospel?
• What does St. Paul mean that “death is gain”?

 Matthew 20:1-16a

• Where do you see yourself in the parable? Take time to reflect on each person’s perspective.  Include the workers, the landowner and those who were not chosen to work.
• How does this parable show justice/injustice?
• What insight do you gain about God’s thoughts?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you find God throughout the day?
• When you find God during the day, do you keep Him to yourself or share Him with others?
• Is it possible to know what God thinks? Why or why not?
• How do you seek forgiveness from God? What does it look like?
• How do you seek forgiveness from others? Make a list of ways.
• How do you give forgiveness? Make a list of ways.
• Jesus lived on earth in the flesh, how does his example teach us to live? What one thing can you work on to be more like Jesus?
• Do you know someone who “magnifies” Christ?
• How do you “magnify” Christ?
• Where do see injustice today?
• How do you respond when you feel something is unfair?
• How do you respond when you feel something is in your favor?
• Who makes the rules of fair and unfair?
• How can you teach a child to understand God’s definition of fair?
• Are you standing idle or working?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

 ALL:  let me show others mercy!

Leader: I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

ALL:  let me show others generosity!

Leader:  I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

 ALL:  let me show others forgiveness!

Leader:  I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

ALL:  let me show others love!

Leader:  I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

ALL:  let me show others justice!

Leader:  I am a laborer in God’s vineyard…

ALL:   let me show others CHRIST!

 

Challenge for the Week:  How you live your life today matters.  The decisions you make sometimes may seem simple but those are the decisions that form and shape your life.  What is the message that you want to leave when your life if over?  What do you want people to remember?  God created you for a purpose and called you to love Him and love others.  When your decisions each day are made through the focus of loving God and loving others, then that love will shine through and be what people remember when you are gone.  Is this the legacy you are leaving behind?  God is right there, waiting to take the lead, soften your heart and let Him.