Sunday, August 26th Readings

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father God,

You created me.

You know me.

And you still choose me!

What keeps me from doing the same for you?

I choose you!

Let me know you through all you’ve created.

Open my heart to the wonder!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Joshua calls the people to make a decision whether to choose God or not. When did you make the choice? Share the experience.
Joshua has a list of reasons to follow God. What does your list of reasons look like? Are they similar or different from the ones Joshua speaks of in this scripture?

Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32

What new insight about marriage do you hear in this scripture? What do you have trouble understanding?
Saint Paul is saying when a man and woman are joined in marriage; their relationship requires love, reverence, honor, respect and dignity. What would your recipe for a marriage be?

John 6:60-69

Simon Peter tells Jesus, “you have the words of everlasting life”, what words of scripture or what miracle or what action convinces you that Jesus has the words of everlasting life?
If there was no place to gather to worship, nowhere to celebrate Eucharist, what would happen to faith?

General Questions for Journaling

Have you ever been witness to God saving someone? What was this like? How did you feel? Where were you? Have you ever shared this experience with anyone before? Why or why not?
What would you classify as a modern miracle? How big or small does a miracle need to be for you to believe it was the work of God?
Where in your home does God dwell? Do guests in your home see, hear, feel the presence of God? Share examples.
How do you feel when you come out of a church service? What emotions are present? Be honest.
What can you do to sustain the “joy of the Lord” throughout the week?
Do you actively choose to follow God or is it something that you out of habit or because it appeases someone else?
What does it mean to actively choose God?
Do you think you could ever stop believing in God? Why or why not?
Have you ever wanted to leave the church, give up faith? What caused you to want to leave it behind?
How would your life be different if you left your faith behind?
How does choosing God affect your other decisions in relationship with your spouse, your job, your hobbies, etc.
When entering into a relationship with a friend or potential spouse, how much emphasis did you, do you put onto faith compatibility?

Closing Prayer