30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Creator God

You put in me a heart of flesh

so I could fill it with love for you!

My mind was created by you

so I could exercise your will!

My soul is the part of me

which is made in your image!

When I call for you,

You already know my desire!

Thank you for the path before me,

may I walk in your light forever!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 22:20-26

• Where is compassion found? Is it something taught (you can learn) or something you have naturally?
• What is the message of the scripture verse? HINT: It is not that God is mean.

 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10

• What does the Holy Spirit offer you?
• Identify how you feel about putting forth your love for God to others. Is it something you are comfortable doing?  Are you hesitant or afraid?

 Matthew 22:34-40

• Identify examples of how you can love God with all your heart.   Soul.  Are there different examples for each or are they all the same?
• Did Jesus answer the question he was being asked? Why or why not?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Can you identify things God has given you?
• When have you recently felt God’s love for you?
• What do you do with God’s love? What do you think God wants you to do?
• When you do something for another person, do you expect re-payment? Why or why not?
• Who do you feel called by God to help?
• Identify someone in need whom you can reach out to this week.
• Where do you find joy? Is it something you strive to find each day or occasionally?
• When have you encountered something that on the surface seemed simple but after closer examination was very difficult?
• If every good thing comes from God, how come there are people who are not very good?
• What can the Trinity offer you in order to love your neighbor, even when they are difficult?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  To you Lord, there is no stranger…

 ALL:  Fill me with your love!

Leader:  With you Lord, I have the power to heal…

ALL:  Fill me with your love!

Leader:  In you Lord, I am anointed…

 ALL:  Fill me with your love!

Leader:  To you Lord, I am your vessel…

ALL:  Fill me with your love!

Leader:  With you Lord, I overcome darkness and become light…

ALL:  Fill me with your love!

Leader:  In you Lord, rest my heart, mind and soul…

ALL:   Fill me with your love!

 

Challenge for the Week:  This week think about how God’s love has made your life better.  What is it about how God loves you that makes this happen?  Describe how God’s love feels and then write a prayer of thanksgiving or draw a picture to show appreciation for what God gives you.  THEN, consider how you may be the only example of God’s love in a person’s life today and make a commitment to show other’s God’s love more freely!

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

You know my every thought

and yet you still love me.

I fall short in many ways

but you never leave my side.

Teach me your ways

so I might see you better.

Help me to recognize you

in every person I meet.

Let the Word be my guide

to come to know you better!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

• What title do you give God?
• What has God armed you with to make you stronger?

 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

• Describe how it felt/feels or describe how you imagine it would feel like to be chosen by God. How does expectation compare to reality?
• What role does the scripture say the Holy Spirit has in your life? On a scale from 1-10, how do you think the Holy Spirit is doing?

 Matthew 22:15-21

• What lesson is Jesus teaching here? How does His example speak to you?
• What were the Pharisees trying to get Jesus to say? What were they hoping would be the outcome?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What has authority in your life?
• What rules your time?
• What dominates how your money is spent?
• In what areas of your life do feel free?
• In what areas of your life do you feel oppressed?
• Do you prefer sun rises or sun sets?
• What is the most impressive thing you have ever seen or heard about?
• Have you ever been used in a relationship?
• Have you ever entered a relationship with someone in order to gain something?
• Do you think God uses people?
• Do you think people use God?
• How does faith work for you? Do you work for your faith?
• Describe the power of the truth.
• How do you know when something is true?
• Where is truth learned?
• Is it possible to believe something as truth that is not really true?
• What is your definition of a hypocrite?
• Share an example of a time when you have been a hypocrite.
• Have you ever been in a situation where someone is trying to trap your words or catch you in a lie?
• How can you tell if flattery is true or if someone is buttering you up?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

ALL:  of my daily prayer!

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

ALL:  of my trust!

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

 ALL:  of my respect!

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

ALL:  of my time!

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

ALL:  of my friendship!

Leader:  The Lord is worthy

ALL:   of my sacrifice!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Do you think God cares if you pay your taxes?  Do you think He keeps a tally sheet of how many times a day you pray, go to church or serve a meal at the shelter?  There are not different rules for people of different sexes, different races or different financial brackets.  God doesn’t judge what car you drive or the price tag on your clothes.  What God expects of you is exactly what He expects of each person on earth since the beginning of time.  It’s simply to give God love.  We cannot earn a place in heaven, there is not an invisible punch card we need to fill by doing good deeds that will give us priority.  All we can do is love.  Reflect on how you give love to God and to others this week.

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You put me first in your thoughts;

and let your actions follow.

You bring love and comfort to me;

and never become depleted.

You wipe away my tears

and make me whole!

Let me step out of the way,

fill me with your strength!

Let your will be done!  I am yours!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 25:6-10

• How has God been a hero in your life? Share a time when God swooped in and saved the day, wiped away tears and all rejoiced.
• What is the veil Isaiah speaks of in this scripture? What is it that veils you from seeing God clearly?
• Does this scripture reassure you or scare you?

 Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

• What reassurance do you have that God will supply you with all you need?
• What is the secret of living in abundance with nothing? Does St Paul give you any indications how he does it?

 Matthew 22:1-14

• Where do you find the parallels in this scripture and the kingdom of God?
• When have you ignored an invitation? What were your reasons for not accepting?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What is impressive about a banquet feast?
• What would you wear to a banquet feast? How would act?  Are there different rules for a banquet feast than for a typical meal?
• How does God feed us still today? What is the choice wine and rich food?
• When have you turned to God asking for strength? Did He give it?
• Share examples of times when human strength is not enough; only God’s strength can persevere.
• Can God be found in every circumstance? Why or why not?  Consider some possibilities.
• Define abundance. What does it look like to live in abundance according to God?
• Have you ever been a host of a gathering when attendance was low? How did you feel?  What were some of your obstacles?
• Have you ever been a host of a gathering when attendance was high? How did you feel?  What were some of your obstacles?
• What do clothes have to do with acceptance?
• Who makes the rules about what is appropriate dress for specific tasks? Where do you learn these rules?
• What do you do to invite others to the feast God has prepared? Share a specific example.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You have prepared a feast for me;

 ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have set the table with fine linen;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have killed the fatted calf;

 ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have the finest wine;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have invited all to the feast;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have called me to be your beloved;

ALL:   I am humbled by your presence!

 

Challenge for the Week:  There is the saying, “you are what you eat” and when used in the context of faith, when we eat the body and blood of Christ, we become more like Jesus.  So, what do the clothes we wear, how we dress show others who we are?  If we dressed in a tunic and walked around in sandals would we be showing others that we are like Jesus?  Is this the only way?  Take time this week to think about how you dress speaks to others who you are.  What do you say with the things you wear?  Are you over dressed?  Are you under-dressed?  Do you dress differently for holidays or other special occasions?  How do you dress when you go to church?  What do these different outfits say about you?  Say about the event you are attending?  Is the message you send in line with who you are and what you believe?  Are you comfortable with the message you send out to the world?  How do these questions pertain to God?  What do you think God believes about what we wear?  Something to think about.

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Like the vineyard,

our lives need work.

We need to plant good things.

We need to be nourished.

We need to be tended to

when we are weary.

And there are times when

the weeds try to take over.

You are the ultimate Gardener,

help me produce good fruit!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 5:1-7

• What condition is your vineyard (spiritual life)? What are you doing to care for it?
• Can you prevent weeds? Sour grapes?  Infestations?  What kind of plan do you have to help these things from taking over?

 Philippians 4:6-9

• Does this scripture bring comfort or frustration?
• What does it mean to you when you hear words like, do what is honorable, just, lovely, pure, gracious; is it achievable?

 Matthew 21:33-43

• Where do you see messengers of God’s peace? God’s love?
• What is the message you receive from this scripture?
• Is God the cornerstone of your life? How are you sure?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever had a situation in your life that just went wild and out of control? What were you able to do about it?
• Do you recall a time when your friends or family said you were acting wild? What was happening in your life at the time they said this?
• What judgment do you put on others? Do you think they judge you in return?
• Is it hard or easy to find fault in yourself?
• Is it hard or easy to find fault in others?
• Are there things others believe are faults in you but you believe otherwise?
• Would you say you are a peacemaker? Share how you bring peace.
• Describe the peace God gives. When have you experienced God’s peace?
• Have you ever had a time when you felt you had done all you could but things still turned out badly?
• What advice can you give about letting go of anxiety?
• Is there such a thing as worrying too much? What does it look like?
• Can a person not worry enough? How does that look?
• Can you feel God guard your heart and mind?
• Share a time when you felt out-numbered, beaten or rejected. How did you overcome?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, Grant me PEACE…

 ALL:  when walls start to crumble.

Leader: Lord, Grant me PEACE…

ALL:  when confusion outweighs understanding.

Leader:  Lord, Grant me PEACE…

 ALL:  when the world seems untamed.

Leader:  Lord, Grant me PEACE…

ALL:  when we feel alone and un-sheltered.

Leader:  Lord, Grant me PEACE…

ALL:  when contempt and judgment take control.

Leader:  Lord, Grant me PEACE…

ALL:   and surround me with your love!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Draw a picture of either what you imagine anxiety looks like OR a picture of what you imagine your vineyard looks like.  Take out a blank piece of paper and with crayons, colored pencils/pens, or markers, set out to meditate and pray.  Don’t go into the activity anxious or telling yourself that it won’t turn out because you can’t draw.  Allow yourself at least 30 minutes and make it an act of prayer.