22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Where do I find humility?

What does it look like?

Why is it so hard to find?

Am I looking in the wrong places?

Show me how to be humble

through YOUR words and actions…

Let the examples I read in scripture

teach me to see

with more love and compassion!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

• What does the scripture say about who you are as a child of God? Would you describe yourself this way?  Why or why not?
• How does someone learn to be humble? What does this scripture say one should do?

 Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24A

• Does this scripture scare you or bring you comfort?
• Pick one of the metaphors and meditate on it. What does it look like?  How does it make you feel?  How does it apply to your life (now or in the past).

 Luke 14:1, 7-14

• What does it feel like to be the guest of honor?
• Do you need help getting to the banquet?
• What are you doing to help others get to the banquet?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What kinds of gifts does God give? Have you ever received a bad gift from God?
• Are there bad gifts? Have you ever received a bad gift?  Have you ever given one?
• How do you define humility? Where does it come from?  How is it achieved?
• Who do you consider a great person? Who might consider you a great person?
• Are there people in your life whom you need to attend to? Do they need a listening ear?  Words of comfort or advice?
• Have you ever been given a gift which you didn’t open or use? Are you using the gifts God has given?  Are there gifts you still haven’t opened?
• Do you like when someone acknowledges you with a note, card or gift? What about when they remember a special date or something important going on in your life?  How do you feel?
• Are you bound by anything? What binds you?  Why?  Is it good or bad?  Does it need to change?  What would happen if it did?

 

Closing Prayer – inspired by Colossians 3:12

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be compassionate!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

 ALL:  to be kind!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

 ALL:  to be humble!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be gentle!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be patient!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be LOVED!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In a world that puts so much focus on “I” and “ME” it’s no wonder humility is hard to find.  There are stories about people spending over their means only to impress others by their name brand clothes and the car they drive.  More stories of those who spend hours getting tummies tucked and plastic surgery to “fix” what they believe are flaws in how they were created.  The stories go on and on including people of all ages being bullied, shunned and some even killed because another person doesn’t think they live up to specific standards.  It is hard for us to push away insecurities brought on by media or the opinion of others.  We often forget we aren’t defined by what society says is “cool” or “acceptable”, rather by the one who created us.  God says we are chosen and loved, just the way we are and doesn’t ask for us to impress Him.  We are only asked to follow in His steps and accept and love one another, just as God created them.  It is when we stop worrying about impressing others with material things and embrace God’s opinion of us that we can find humility.  We can truly understand that life is “not all about me”, rather it is all about “we” and how we put God first in our lives.  Take time this week to consider what you do in order to impress others (words or actions) or how you change yourself (words or actions) in order to fit into a group of people at work/school.  AND then pray…see what God wants you to do about it!  Remember, God is the only one you should try to impress 😉