21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU call out to us and gather us together

YOU give us hearts of flesh to love

YOU give us hands to reach out to help

YOU give us the will to choose to follow

May we never lose sight of ALL you give

And always be grateful…you are always there!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 66:18-21

• How are the Israelite’s set apart/chosen? Does God love you in the same way?  How do you know?
• When you see the unity described in this scripture? Have you ever felt it?  When?  Where?

 Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

• How does God use discipline to help us become the person we were created to be?
• What does the word discipline mean? Is it hard?  Does it hurt?  Is discipline negative?  Do you think we all receive the same discipline from God?

 Luke 13:22-30

• How do you image the narrow gate? Do you image an actual gate or that Jesus is using symbolism for something else?
• Where do you see mercy in this scripture?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Are there people in your life whom you feel united? What is the connection?
• Do you feel closer to people who are not your relatives? Why or why not?  What does this have to do with the scripture readings?
• What do you offer God? What does He offer you?  Is it even?
• What does your physical body/presence say about your spiritual health? Do you think they are related?  How?  Why?
• How do you practice spiritual discipline? What does it mean?
• What makes faith stronger? How strong is your relationship with God?  Jesus?  Holy Spirit?
• How do you exercise your faith? What areas do you need to work on?
• Do you ever feel you give and give and give with nothing in return? What makes you continue to give?
• Are there times when you don’t thing you give enough? Whom are you trying to please or satisfy?  Is satisfaction achievable?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my relationship

ALL:  in the prayers I pray.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my understanding

 ALL:  through the scriptures.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my focus

 ALL:  as I follow the path.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my witness

ALL:  as I speak truth.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my commitment

ALL:  in acts of justice and mercy.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen me…

ALL:  make me your disciple!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Have you ever gone along with something because it was the popular choice but you didn’t agree?  This is one of the challenges in life…how do we become strong in our beliefs, strong enough to speak up and go in a different direction?  Since we all face this dilemma at some point, either reflect back to a time or focus on a potential situation (perhaps even the one in the Gospel reading) and consider how you will stand up with faith.  Sometimes acting out in faith and truth is not the popular decision…is your faith strong enough to withstand?  Living your life as a disciple is radical…BE RADICAL!