26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

Even when I make a mistake

YOU love me!

When I don’t follow your precepts

YOU forgive me!

Thank you for seeing the good in me

YOU fill my heart!

Let YOUR WORD give me

the ability to do this for others!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Numbers 11:25-29

• What does this scripture tell you about the ability to speak about God? Do you live this out?  Give an example.
• What do you learn about the power of the Holy Spirit in this scripture? How has this same power provoked you?  Be specific.

 James 5:1-6

• Do believe your faith can become corrupted? Why or why not?  What causes your faith to become distorted or off track?  What role does God play in all of this?
• Where do you see this scripture being played out in society? Where do you see yourself in the scenario?  Is there anything that can be done to change the outcome?

 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

• What is the message Jesus is trying to covey? Who do you know that needs to hear it?  How can you apply this message to your own life?
• Jesus again is saying it is better to die than to live without. How does this message apply to you?  How did it apply to Him?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What was the last piece of good news you heard? Where did you hear it from and who did you tell?
• Are you more likely to share good news with others than bad news? Does it make a difference if the news is about you or someone else?
• Would you say you ALWAYS follow the rules or do what you are told? Are there exceptions?  Do you follow the rules to avoid negative consequences or for another reason?
• What keeps you from speaking about your faith to everyone you meet?
• What happens to your faith if you do not share it?
• What are some of the things you feel strongly about that you would stand up and fight for? Can you list at least five things?
• Is it better to stand back and not get involved or to fight for what you believe, even if it is against an opposition stronger than you?
• What is your favorite accessory? How do you feel when you wear it?  Is it your favorite because others compliment you when you wear it or because of whom gave it to you?
• Do you have a favorite bible verse or Gospel story about Jesus? Who else knows what it is?
• What is the minimum and/or maximum you need to bring to Jesus?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I am in silent prayer…

 ALL:  Holy Spirit, come dwell in me!

Leader:  When I need the courage to speak…

ALL:  Holy Spirit, come dwell in me!

Leader:  When I stand up for what is right…

 ALL:  Holy Spirit, come dwell in me!

Leader:  When I bring comfort to a stranger…

ALL:  Holy Spirit, come dwell in me!

Leader:  I am your servant…

ALL:  Holy Spirit, come dwell in me!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Have you ever considered that as a believer and follower, dare you say as a disciple of Christ, you are capable of performing a miracle?  Many would say this is too boastful but consider how believing this to be true is actually humility in action.  Think about the everyday miracles that happen, often times unnoticed, aren’t these moments full of God’s grace, love and mercy?  Isn’t that what constitutes a miracle in the first place?  Spend time this week thinking of the miracles that have occurred over the past few weeks and months.  The Spirit is alive and well, working among us, are you allowing it to work through you to perform a miracle???

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Give me the ability to step out of the way;

to allow a pause and not be impatient.

Keep me from feeling I am the only one,

who is able to find an answer or complete a task.

Let my faith overcome my fear…

Let me allow you to complete the good work,

for you can bring beauty to the completion of all things!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

• Explain how this scripture is a model for bullying. What can you do in opposition?
• Have you ever been tested to see how you will perform a task or handle a dilemma?
• Have you ever tested someone else?

 James 3:16-4:3

• What obstacle had God helped you overcome? How does this scripture give you the words to explain the experience?
• Conflict can bring good outcomes and bad outcomes. Share examples from scripture of each AND/OR share examples from you own experience of both.

 Mark 9:30-37

• What are the qualities Jesus deems most important in a disciple? Identify at least five you can learn about in this scripture.
• Do you think the disciples knew arguing over who would be the greatest was the wrong thing to be arguing about? Share a time when you were arguing about something you knew you shouldn’t.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What characteristics of other just seem to “turn you off”? What do you want to do when you encounter someone who does it?
• Share examples of situations where you feel “tortured” or “trapped”. How can God or did God help you in this situation?
• What brings you comfort when you feel you have no control?
• Share a time when you broke the rules intentionally. What caused you to do so?  Were there consequences?
• Have you experienced God’s patience? Describe what it is like.  What specifically can you learn about patience from God?
• Do you have conflict with God? Why or why not?
• Can you have conflict within yourself? How can you wage war on yourself?  Does this affect others?  Is it influenced by others?
• How many things are you passionate about? Is there a limit?
• What do your words and actions say you are passionate about?
• Do you share your passion with others or keep it for yourself?
• How do you react when you hear that something will happen in a different way than you expected?
• What qualities of a child do you possess when it comes to your faith? Be specific.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, teach me to cultivate good fruits

 ALL:  through my words and actions.

Leader:  Lord, teach me to cultivate mercy

ALL:  and show compassion to all.

Leader:  Lord, teach me to cultivate peace

 ALL:  with honesty and just decisions.

Leader:  Lord, teach me to cultivate love

ALL:  through sacrifice for greater good.

Leader:  Lord, teach me to cultivate humility

ALL:  and give you honor and praise!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Borrowed from Ronald Rolheiser’s reflection on the scriptures; he shares thoughts in the words of Marilynne Robinson about our inability to genuinely love our neighbor.  Marilynne Robinson submits that, even in our failure to live up (to) what Jesus asks of us, if we are struggling honestly, there is some virtue. She argues this way: Freud said that we cannot love our neighbor as ourselves, and no doubt this is true. But since we accept the reality that lies behind the commandment, that our neighbor is as worthy of love as ourselves, then in our very attempt to act on Jesus’ demand we are acknowledging that our neighbor is worthy of love even if, at that this point in our lives, we are too weak to provide it. Spend time with this challenge and consider how this resonates with you.

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

All the times when you step in

to protect me,

to give me the things I need,

to show love,

to teach me,

to give me strength or understanding,

to show patience,

I KNOW I AM YOURS…Thank you, Father!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 50:5-9a

• This scripture gives birth to the phrase, if God is for me, who can be against me? Which line of scripture gives you the most strength and understanding of this fact?
• How does this scripture say to face turmoil or trouble? What attitude must you have when facing opposition?
• Is this attitude strictly for when people oppose your faith or believes or can it be true when facing any conflict?

 James 2:14-18

• What does this scripture say about how you should treat others? Is it easy to follow?  Why or why not?
• Look closely at yourself. Draw a diagram or chart to map out how your faith and works compare over the past week, month or year.  Are there trends?  Are there obstacles which deterred them from coming together?  Or on the positive side, are there situations which cultivated them to overlap?

 Mark 8:27-35

• The cross Jesus bore was made of wood, full of the sins of those He loved. What is your cross made of?  What do you carry?
• Have you, like Jesus in this scripture, ever been misunderstood by faithful companion(s)? What happened?  How was the misunderstanding resolved?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Consider a time when you lived out the first scripture. What was the situation?  How do you know God was on your side?
• Imagine the first scripture playing out in a movie or play. What emotions would you feel to witness someone turning the other cheek?  How are those feelings different if you were the one who turned your face for another blow?
• What in the first scripture lets you know you are not supposed to simply let people abuse you or trample you under foot? Is it a fine line or a wide divide between what the scripture teaches and physical, mental or emotional abuse?
• Are you listening to what God is saying to you? What is the difference between listening and hearing?
• Can you identify the “satan” in your life? What is it that consistently causes you to step backwards instead of leaping forward?
• What does it truly mean to “deny one’s self”? Is it like saying no to a fourth piece of pizza or skipping dessert?  Why or why not?
• The world teaches people to serve only themselves but Jesus says to serve others, on a scale from 1-10, how are you doing with this task?
• Jesus wants to know he is fully loved and fully known, the way He fully loves and fully knows you. Share examples of how you can do this.
• What specifically can you gain if you lose your life? What role does God play in this scenario?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May we not turn our backs on a person in need.

 ALL:  Open our hearts to YOUR love!

Leader:  May we not be quick to judge a person or situation.

ALL:  Open our hearts to YOUR love!

Leader:  May we not rely on what the world says is truth.

 ALL:  Open our hearts to YOUR love!

Leader:  May we not use words to strike out and cause harm.

ALL:  Open our hearts to YOUR love!

Leader:  Empty us Lord so we may be made new…

ALL:  Open our hearts to YOUR love!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Make of list of well-meaning phrases which mean nothing without love.  If you are paying attention, it is easy to see through body language or hear through tone of voice if someone truly wishes you to have a “good” morning or if they are just saying the words to fill the quiet.  It means much more to you that someone says Happy Birthday to you, even if it is a day late, than a “oh, it’s your birthday? Happy Birthday…”  This is not to say you can’t tell someone Happy Birthday without giving them a gift, but you should give them Christ’s joy.  You are God’s messenger, how are you getting the message of love across to your neighbor?  This goes for “have a nice day” or actually stopping to listen when you ask someone “how are you doing”.  Being Christ’s love in the world is a tough job…are you willing to work to put this into practice at least once a day each day this week?  Who knows it might catch on!

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

My God,

Let me seek the water

that is brings me life!

I want to reach the stream

that never runs dry!

You put a thirst in me

that only you can quench!

Come, bring healing to my weary soul

and fill until I overflow!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 35:4-7a

• Share an example of a personal experience when you felt God came to rescue you. What was the situation?  How are you assured it was God who came?
• Is there anything that causes you fear? Anything that God could not rescue you from?
• How does goodness, beauty and healing come from something evil, ugly and broken? Can you give an example?

 James 2:1-5

• How does your appearance change the reaction you get from others? Is this important?  Why or why not?  Is it a good representation of you or what you want others to believe you are?
• What are the benefits of being poor? What are the benefits of being rich?  How do they differ?

 Mark 7:31-37

• What do you see that astonishes you? Is it something God has created or man has created?
• What would you have felt if you saw Jesus walking away from the crowd? How does his action cause you to feel?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• When you are without one sense, how do your other senses work to “make up” for the missing sense?
• What is something you have seen or want to see that you would regret seeing if you were to become blind today?
• What is something you would miss hearing if you were to lose your sense of hearing today?
• If singing is praying twice, and God calls us to proclaim the WORD, would your prayers be less potent if you became mute?
• Can you still share God’s overwhelming love for others if you were unable to see, speak or hear? Share examples.
• How does water bring life and healing to those in the world?
• Do you know when God’s healing is coming or present?
• What exiles do you or have you suffered? Be specific.
• What makes a person rich or poor? Is it only economic?
• What are the things which you value? What value do you place on the things that don’t have a price tag?  Can you?
• Do you have favorites? Favorite stores?  Favorite restaurants?  Favorite place to stop while on a road trip?  This show partiality.  How does this affect others who are in the same business?  What do your actions change in the big picture?
• How do you relate to the cries for help from those in need?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Praise you Lord, all my days!

 ALL:  When I am weak and need strength…you rescue me;

Leader:  Praise you Lord, all my days!

ALL:  When I am oppressed and seek justice…you set me free;

Leader:  Praise you Lord, all my days!

 ALL:  When I am alone and need assurance…you send a friend;

Leader:  Praise you Lord, all my days!

ALL:  When I am guilty of sin and shame…you forgive me;

Leader:  Praise you Lord, all my days!

ALL:  When I am short on faith and hope…you fill me;

Leader:  Praise you Lord,

ALL:  all my days!!!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Imagine a day without clean water.  It is such a commodity in the world and many waste it.  It is difficult to understand this when we consider a human body is made up of 70% of it and 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water.  However, the oceans hold 96.5% of all the earths’ water which means there is only 3.5% left to be considered fresh water and only a fraction of that is immediately drinkable.  These are not statistics, rather facts about how important water is in our lives.  Consider all of the things you use water for on a daily basis and spend time in prayer with words of gratitude that you have the privilege to have access to clean, drinkable water AND for the 35% of the world’s population who do not have access to a clean water source or improved sanitation.  One more thing to add to the list of “gratefuls” each day!