Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

We begin and end with YOU!

How many times must you show us

Your love never fails?

How many times must you tell us

You have already forgiven?

Why do we doubt your

love and forgiveness?

Let us see you with our heart

and with our soul

and with our mind

We begin and end with YOU!

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 31:31-34

• What covenant do you have with God? Has God ever asked to renegotiate the terms of the covenant?  Have you?
• How do you allow God’s teachings to show through in your relationships with others? Are there times you hold back the “God within you”?

 Hebrews 5:7-9

• In this scripture, Jesus is telling you how to pray. What specific instructions do you read about praying?
• What is the definition of reverence? How is this relevant to you and your relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit?

 John 12:20-33

• In what way are you living for God? In what way are you living for yourself?  What % would you give to God?  What % would you give yourself?  Are you where you want to be?  Are you where God wants you to be?
• Do you have one specific thing you are struggling with which you have trouble letting go? How do the scriptures this week give your courage and strength to let it go?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Describe the “joy of the Lord”. Is joy easy to contain?
• Have you ever shared “good news” with a perfect stranger because you were so happy and excited about it? What was the news you shared?  What was the person’s reaction to your news?
• Can you contain God? God’s love?  God’s mercy?  God’s forgiveness?  Is it possible for you to save some up in a jar and use later?  Why or why not?
• What happens when you hear the name “God”? Be specific.
• Make a list of all of the things God has done for you in the past year. Have you thanked God for these things?
• God has forgiven you for your transgressions…have you forgiven yourself? Have you forgiven others?  How is this different?
• What saddens you in the world today? Do you share this information with God in prayer?
• Do you take what is troubling you to God? Whom else do you talk about your troubles?  Is there anything you can do to find peace?
• When you encounter someone who needs prayer, do you pray with them right away or wait?
• Is there such thing as praying too much or too much prayer? Why or why not?
• How does prayer bring salvation? What else does prayer bring?
• Describe how you can grow in faith. Share an example of someone you have witnessed growth in.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father, you call us out of the wilderness…

 ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader:  Father, you call for us in the depths of loneliness…

ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader: Father, you call for us through joy and sacrament…

 ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader:  Father, you call us to show compassion and mercy…

ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader:  Father, you call for us when we are stricken with guilt…

ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader:  Father, you call for us through our transgressions…

ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

Leader:  Father, you call us to come to you at all times…

ALL:  You call us to be Your Beloved!

 

Challenge for the Week:  The First Reading says, God wrote is name on our hearts.  Do you feel God’s name on your heart?  Why would God do this in the first place?  Have you ever put your name on something?  For what purpose?  Is this the same reason God did it?  If God is claiming you, why did He put his name on your heart where no one can see?  What if instead God had put his name on the bottom of your foot?  Would the purpose be the same?  Would you know then that you belonged to God because you could see God’s name on your foot?  Would you act differently if you were able to see God’s name on your body, instead of on your heart?  Reflect this week on why you think God placed a mark on your heart instead of someplace else and how it makes you feel.  How does knowing this change your perspective or attitude?  Decide how this knowledge can help you this next week be more loving, kind, merciful and forgiving.