14^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Generous Lord,

YOU love us even when

we turn away from YOU;

YOU give us abundant chances

to turn to YOU.

YOU make YOUR presence

known in our lives;

even though we often

don’t recognize YOU.

YOU gather us close to YOU

accepting us for who we are;

wrapped in YOUR mercy,

we are made whole in YOU!!!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 2:2-5

• Consider on what Ezekiel means by “they shall know a prophet has been among them”; how might they know?
• How would you feel if you were sent to face “rebels” who are “hard to face” and “obstinate of heart”? Can you think of a time when you were truly put into that kind of situation?  Where was God in the situation?

 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

• Can you see God in your weakness? How?
• How would you explain “power is made perfect in weakness”? Share an example from your life or from someone you know.

 Mark 6:1-6

• Can you relate to Jesus, being rejected in his “native place”, “among kin”, “his own house”? Share the experience.
• Jesus is “amazed at their lack of faith”, what words or actions caused Him to believe this to be true? If you were there, how would Jesus find you?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever rejected the advice of a close confidant? What was their advice?  What did you do instead?  What was the outcome?
• Do you ever find yourself closed off to God’s message? Share a time when you were rebellious to God’s Word.
• Would you describe yourself as stubborn? A loved one?  What makes you so and about what are you stubborn?
• Have you ever experienced a time when you felt your ideas and suggestions were completely ignored? What did you do?  Were you eventually able to give your input or were you completely rejected?
• Are there places in your life where you avoid spending time? People you avoid or situations you hide from?  What would happen if you allowed Jesus into that part of your life?
• Has God shown power through your weakness? When?  What was the circumstance?
• Name some of those who are rejected for their current ideas. What do people say about them?  What is the message they are trying to covey?
• How would you define a prophet? Who are some of the prophets of the Old and New Testament?  According to your definition, what current day prophets have impacted your life? (they could be alive or dead)

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  For the victims born and unborn…

 ALL:  Let me see as YOU see!

Leader:  For the neglected and unloved…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see!

Leader: For inhumanity and injustice…

 ALL:  Let me see as YOU see!

Leader:  For the prideful and arrogant…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see!

Leader:  Change my view so I may

ALL:  see the world and others as YOU do!

 

Challenge for the Week:  This week as you go about your daily routines, dwell on the words, “my grace is sufficient”.  Meditate on what these words mean to you, not just your initial reaction but to the point where you feel the meaning.  Write down what comes to mind when you think about those words; when they apply to situations throughout your week.  It may be in a conversation which seems to go nowhere.  It could be when you find something doesn’t work out the way you expected. It is possible it is at the beginning of each day and at the end of each day in reflection of what lies ahead and what you leave behind. Let these words become a part of your attitude and so allowing God to fill you with the grace you need…it is always sufficient!