20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Spirit

Awaken my soul,

Let me guard my heart no more!

Open my eyes,

Let me be filled from head to toe!

Bring me your fire,

Let it radiate through me…

FOREVERMORE!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Proverbs 9:1-6

• Wisdom is preparing for the Lord. How do you prepare for God to come spend time with you?
• What does this scripture tell you about the things you can learn from wisdom? How is wisdom different than knowledge or understanding?

 Ephesians 5:15-20

• How would you define living a “wise life”? What does the scripture say you should do to live a life that is wise?
• What are examples of foolishness described in the scripture? Do you believe there are others?

 John 6:51-58

• Can you survive on bread alone? What does this scripture tell you about the importance of this relationship between body and blood?
• If you didn’t get the message in last week’s Gospel, Jesus is continuing to speak to the crowds about how He is the source of life, the bread from heaven. What specifically have you learned or come to understand more deeply about communion?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• If you were to prepare a meal for God, what would you make? Would you make it or order in or take him out?
• What was the most extravagant meal you’ve ever had? Where was it and who where you with?
• How was the extravagant meal you had similar and different than say what you had for dinner last night?
• What is the difference between being “full” and being “nourished”?
• Is ignorance the opposite of understanding? What can you offer a person who is ignorant to God’s ways?
• What advice would you give a person who is struggling? How can you help them find a reason to give thanks, even in the hard times?
• What is the importance of giving thanks to God in our struggles?
• Is music an important part of your life? What does music offer you?  How do you share it with others?
• Share a song that speaks to you. What does it say?  How does it make you feel?
• How do you use music to relate to others? How do you use it to relate to God?
• What can you share with others after your experience of communion with God? What does God want you to do because of your experience?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father, I come to you…

 ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

Leader:  I sit with you at the feast…

ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

Leader:  Lord, you are what I desire…

 ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

Leader:  I give thanks for all that is before me…

ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

Leader:  I open up to your Spirit…

ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

Leader:  Jesus, you are my source of life…

ALL:  nourish me to the fill!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In the First Reading, Wisdom builds a house and sets seven columns.  Spend time this week thinking about these seven columns as the seven most important things about your, your relationships and your life in general.  How would you label the seven columns?  What would you put inside each of them?  What would they look like, all the same or different styles, colors and sizes?  In your reflection, imagine if you could live without any of the seven columns; how would it affect your life to only have six?  Make sure to consult with God as you work through this challenge and listen to God’s advice as He understands you better than you understand yourself!