31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father God,

No matter our differences,

No matter our scars,

No matter what divides us…

YOU are what binds us together.

It is you, Lord,

Who made us in your image,

who heals our wounds

and unite us as one.

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

• Relate how this scripture sounds like a parent giving instruction to a disobedient child to the message God is sending you by hearing these words today.
• Do you think there is a greater responsibility for those who teach the faith to follow it according to the law more than there is for any of us? Why or why not?

 2 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13

• What are some obstacles of teaching faith to others? How does St Paul describe his struggles in this scripture?
• To what or whom do you show affection? What prompts you to show affection?
• How do you decipher God’s words vs. human words?

 Matthew 23:1-12

• What example do you follow? Give an example.
• What message is Jesus giving? What does this look like today’s society?  Does the world still live by the standards they did at Jesus’ time?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there someone whom you keep at a distance because of differences? Does this relationship cause you to turn from God?
• Who is the keeper of your faith? Who steals from it?  Who contributes to it?
• Does God punish you if you don’t pray? Why or why not?
• How do you regard your relationship with God? Is it the same or different than you regard your relationship with your spouse, parents, friends?
• Would you say you have ever stood up against God? What was the situation?
• How do you know when someone cares for you?
• How do you show you care for someone?
• Make a list of the people and things you care for
• Make a list of the people who care for you
• Can you see the work of God in people? Give an example.
• Where do you see humility in action?
• How do you show honor to others? What causes you to do so?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me find peace…

 ALL:  when I encounter indifference.

Leader:  Let me find peace…

ALL:  when I can’t find a common ground.

Leader:  Let me find peace…

 ALL:  when I’m called to share more than I have.

Leader:  Let me find peace…

ALL:  when I’m ask to do more than I think I am capable.

Leader:  Let me find peace…

ALL:  when I serve others and when I am served.

Leader:  Let me find peace…

ALL:   at the beginning, the end and throughout my day.

 

Challenge for the Week:  In last week’s Gospel, Jesus “simplified” the commandments.  Spend time this week looking at the 10 commandments and really study them.  How specifically do they relate to the shortened two commandments Jesus gave?  Is there a commandment which you really struggle obeying?  Which one(s) come easy?  Does it help you to look at them as 10 individual commandments in order to follow them more clearly? OR does it make more sense to you to follow the two and not mess with the specifics of the 10 individually?  In the end, the commandments have not changed and they will remain as a way for us to give love to God and others.