11^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

God,

You created us from the dirt

with the Holy Spirit.

We become a new creation

through the Sacraments.

You give us eternal life

by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Let us stay rooted in these truths,

bearing good fruit for others.

Help us to grow in you,

following the path you set out for us.

Be our guide, our comfort and our peace.

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 17:22-24

• How are you able to provide “shade” or “shelter” to others through your connection to God?
• If God is able to make a tree bigger or smaller or make one bloom or wither; what does this say about what He can do for you?

 2Corinthians 5:6-10

• What does it mean to “walk by faith and not by sight”? What does it look like?
• Share an example of someone you know or of a personal experience of living by faith and not by sight.

 Mark 4:26-34

• How is God like the farmer in the parable? Where do you see yourself?
• Do you give the same attention to detail as the farmer did to his crop as you do to your own spiritual life?
• Do you tend to the work of your job the way the farmer tends to the crop? If so how does it feel?  If not, what does it mean?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Share an example when you were able to live out the “least become great and the great become the least”.
• When did Jesus model the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
• Who other than Jesus in the bible practice the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
• Where do you go for “shade”? What are some examples of when you need it?  How does it feel when you find it?
• Are there people whom you “shade” or offer protection? Do you do it naturally or did they ask for your help?
• When would you say you “lose” your courage? Where does it go?
• What helps you gain or re-gain courage when you need it?
• Share an example or two of people whom you look up to who show or have shown great courage and how they inspire you.
• When do you feel the most courageous? When do you feel the least?
• What pleases God? How do you know?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  We begin as a seed,

 ALL:  in the darkness.

Leader:  We are nourished and fed,

ALL:  and begin to sprout growth.

Leader: We soak up the rain and the sun,

 ALL:  which is given freely.

Leader:  Our branches bend and sway,

ALL:  but we stay rooted.

Leader:  We become a new creation,

ALL:  offering shade, shelter and support.

Leader:  Feed us Lord,

ALL:  plant and sow seeds of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness in our lives.

 

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus used a lot of parables to help us understand faith, love and the Kingdom of God.  In each parable, there is deep symbolism for us to explore.  This week, try to find a symbol which richly describes your faith and spirituality.  It might be something that has been passed on for generations in your family, it might be a gift you recently received, it might be something you or someone you know made especially for you.  Whatever it might be, there is deeper meaning to it than others can see.  As you search, remember our celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ…the bread and wine are simply food and drink to some but our faith helps us understand and believe them to be the body and blood of our Savior and Lord.  Also, like the mustard seed, so small and meek but within it there is the predisposition to become a giant tree.  After seeking out your symbol, try to write out a parable/story/reflection about it.