32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father in heaven,

Each day I work hard to please you

but this is not what you ask of me.

You ask for me to love you with all my heart.

You ask me to find you in others.

and want me to share your love.

Love you and share your love…this is what you ask!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Kings 17:10-16

• What is God saying to you in this scripture about being ready to accept Him into your life?
• Knowing what you know about God’s unconditional love, especially from this scripture, do you believe God sees you as inadequate?

 Hebrews 9:24-28

• What is the core message you hear in this scripture? Each person will hear something differently according to their experience…share!
• How can the sacrifice of people/the sacrifices you make for those you love compare to the sacrifice of Jesus? (God is NOT keeping score!  God does not think in small human terms so it really isn’t a comparison of physical act, rather the spiritual act)

 Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

• When you consider God is watching what you do like in this scripture, how does it make you feel? What is Jesus’ intention of sharing this story?
• How are you like the widow? In what ways do you want to be more like the widow?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Share a time when you recently did something for another person. Did they ask you to do it or did you do it because you saw a need.
• What is the difference between doing something you are asked to do and doing something because you saw a need?
• When was the last time someone showed you a kindness without expectation? What was it?  How did it feel?
• When you think of what God brings to your relationship and what you bring, do you think God is measuring like you do? Why or why not?
• What do you think God is saying about what you bring to your relationship?
• Is generosity about how much you give or how you give? What is the difference?
• How do you view sin? What is your definition?
• How does God redeem sin? What is your understanding of what happens to the sin?
• What are the things God most loves about you?
• How do you define a “leap of faith”, make a list of examples.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I am not good enough…

 ALL:  Lord, YOU complete me!

Leader:  When I believe I can’t contribute…

ALL:  Lord, YOU complete me!

Leader:  When I think I don’t fit in…

 ALL:  Lord, YOU complete me!

Leader:  When I reach a crossroads…

ALL:  Lord, YOU complete me!

Leader:  When I don’t feel complete…

ALL:  Lord, YOU complete me!

 

Challenge for the Week:  The scriptures this week have a very specific theme.  How do you interpret what is being taught?  What God asks?  What Jesus teaches?  Does it all make sense?  Does it make you feel good or bad?  Are you angry or confused?  Can these scriptures be misunderstood or twisted to mean something negative?  Spend time this week thinking about what you know about God, his nature, how he loves, and the patience Jesus showed when he was teaching and healing those who came to him for help…then read the scriptures again with new eyes seeking a different insight about what God really wants for you!  It is worth the time for self-reflection.