18^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

My God

Even in the desert places of my life

YOU can hear me.

When I am grumbling and uncomfortable

YOU can see me.

On those days when I look for solace

YOU can touch me.

In my joy and in my sorrow

YOU are there to fill me.

YOU are the aroma of my soul…

may I always give thanks for your presence!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15

• Do you think God still sends down bread from heaven? Why or why not?  Do you believe God sends things down from heaven?
• Share some examples of grumblings you have for God. What fuels these grumblings?  How does God respond?  How do you want God to respond?

 Ephesians 4:17, 20-24

• What does it mean to “put away your old self”?
• Make a list of ways you “renew your spirit”. When was the last time you did one of these things?  Does your spirit need renewed now?

 John 6:24-35

• Do you pursue God? What is it you are seeking when you do so?  What is the end result when you reach God?
• Share examples of “bread from heaven” in your life. What are the things that fill you up?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you fill your time? Is it filled by things you are proud of?
• What does how you spend your time reflect your values?
• Are there people in your life whom always complain to you? Do you enjoy listening to them complain?  Why do you think they complain to you?
• Share a time when you didn’t think something was fair. What did you do?  How did you feel?  What was the outcome of the situation?
• Have you ever skipped a meal? Gone a day without eating?  Describe what hunger feels like?
• Do you believe hunger is physical or mental?
• Are humans naturally greedy? If not, where is greed learned?  Is there anything you can do to reverse it?
• Share a time when you made a significant change in your life. What happened, what was the purpose, was it your choice or something you were forced to do?
• If God doesn’t make junk, how come we can feel that way sometimes?
• Can you clean up your “act” like you clean up your house? Make some specific analogies of how.
• Define the word “perish”. How does this apply to your life?  Does good or bad come from things that perish?  Do you allow things to perish or does God have control over that?
• How does Eucharist give life to people today? Share some examples.
• What are some of the things that sustain you in your life? Have these things always been the same or do they change as you deal with different situation and obstacles in your life?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me seek and find

 ALL:  the path before me and follow!

Leader:  Lord, let me seek and find

ALL:  comfort in the uncomfortable!

Leader: Lord, let me seek and find

 ALL:  a new way of thinking…more like you!

Leader:  Lord, let me seek and find

ALL:  your infinite love and share it!

Leader:  Lord, let me seek and find

ALL:  friendship that gives me joy!

Leader:  Lord, let me seek and find

ALL:  hearts hungry for you!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Everyone has been to a potluck or some kind of buffet meal where there are various options of things.  This is a favorite among many because we can have a variety of things, maybe try something new and there are generally some old favorites.  Probably the hardest thing about a buffet is only taking what you will eat.  We can get so excited when we see the items we can choose from and then fill our plates only to look at another person’s plate and then see something else we would have wanted more.  It is hard for us to only take what we need.  Too often we take more, only to let it go to waste.  God gives everything in abundance.   There is nothing of God that you can ever get enough of and once you get your fill, you are turning around and sharing it with others.  Spend time this week thinking about the things you take too much of or use too much or spend too much time doing?  Is there a way you can turn these things back to Christ?