29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You humbled yourself; You sacrificed.

You carried our sin, our guilt and our shame.

Let us remember the pain and suffering.

Let us KNOW this was for our good,

so we might know you better.

Jesus, you understand what we need!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 53:10-11

• Share some examples of how a person gives their life as an offering for sin. What does this mean?
• Have you ever wanted to take the place of another person who was suffering? Share the experience.

 Hebrews 4:14-16

• What tests did Jesus have to go through? Share the times in scripture when Jesus was put to the test.  What was he tested for/about?
• Name the emotion you feel knowing Jesus knows how you feel when you are reluctant to spent time with him or go to confession or to help someone in need.

 Mark 10:35-45

• When have you been like the disciples and not understood what you were truly asking?
• How does Jesus deal with them? What does this say about how he will respond to our unknowing?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is it better suffer alone or with others? Explain your answer.
• Do you feel others suffering? What can you to for those who suffer?  Be specific.
• Have you seen how God’s message is spread through suffering? Share some examples in your personal experience and in the world.
• How does it feel to know God understands your joys and your sorrows? Reflect on EXACTLY what that means and how your can bring God to the forefront of those experiences instead of an afterthought.
• What is your definition of weakness? How can you redefine it in a positive way?
• What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? How can both of these affect suffering?
• Do you feel as though you are being tested? Who is testing you?
• What is it about power that is so alluring?
• How can you be a better servant to others? Share a specific example you will work on this week. (family, friend, community)
• Conflict in the world and in our lives is unavoidable. What things are worth fighting for?  What are you willing to sacrifice for?  What is worth suffering?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Moses an abandoned child and Leader of the Israelites.

 ALL:  Through suffering, YOU are light

Leader:  Joseph imprisoned and champion of dreams.

ALL:  Through suffering, YOU are light

Leader:  Jesus crucified and resurrected.

 ALL:  Through suffering, YOU are light

Leader:  Peter denied and head of the Church.

ALL:  Through suffering, YOU are light

Leader:  Destruction of the world and a brilliant sunrise.

ALL:  Through suffering, YOU are light

 

Challenge for the Week:  The corporate ladder coined the phrase to “one up” someone which meant to move up a rung of the ladder ahead of another.  This type of competition isn’t anything new to human nature, it happened with the disciples and even the sons of Adam and Eve!  There is always someone who thinks they are better or smarter or better looking; they believe they deserve the high praise and recognition but Jesus is saying the one who deserves to live in the kingdom is the one who suffers.  Since it is human nature for us to compare ourselves to one another, watch yourself this week.  When you think someone did a better job than you, tell them.  If there is someone who is having a good hair day, let them know.  Recognizing and acknowledging the good of others is a practice of humility and that can be pretty painful.  And remember, Jesus isn’t asking us to suffer alone…He knows how we feel, He has been there!