Sixth Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Praise and honor to YOU!

You understand what it feels like to be lonely;

so you promise to never leave us alone!

You bring us strength, knowledge and courage;

so we can fight temptation and self-doubt!

You leave with us and advocate and protector;

who is full of gifts we need to fulfill our mission!

We are made whole through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 8:5-8,14-17

• What do you think drew people to come and listen to Phillip?
• Meditate on a time when you were “filled with great joy”. What were the circumstances? How can you duplicate joyful moments in your life on a daily basis?

 1Peter 3:15-18

• What do these words from Peter stir up within you? What is he pleading with you to do?
• Jesus suffered death for you so you might not have to suffer. How can you let go of the suffering in your life and live in the joy of Jesus died for?

 John 14:15-21

• Do you believe that following the commandments shows your love for God? Are there commandments that are easier to keep? Which ones? Which are the ones that are more difficult to keep? Share.
• How is the example of love shown in the Gospel reading evident in your daily life?
• Is there an example from your life where you have needed an “advocate”? Have you sought counsel, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, right judgment, wonder & awe and piety of the Holy Spirit? Explain.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How does God catch your attention?
• What topics of conversation get your full attention? (Watch your body language when something of interest comes up, you sit up and lean in)
• Share an example of how you live out your baptism and share the joy of Christ with others?
• Where do you go to learn more about your faith? How do you learn more about God?
• What does the Holy Trinity mean to you?
• What inspires you? Be Specific. What do you hope for? Share. Who inspires you? How?
• How do you put sin to death? What do you need in order for this to happen?
• Share an example of a time when it was better for you to “suffer for doing good, that for doing evil”. What was the situation and what was the outcome?
• Share an example of an “everyday miracle” in your life.
• Where is there evidence of the presence of God in your life right now?
• What evidence do you see of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the world?
• Would you say you seek the Holy Spirit or that the Holy Spirit comes in search of you? Explain.
• When you see Jesus, you see the Father. When you love Jesus, you love the Father. How do others see the Father’s love when they see you? What ways of Jesus do you need to work on so others see the Father more clearly when they see you? (What words and/or actions do you think might need to change?)

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father…

ALL:  I love you for the breath you give me.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  I love you for the example you give me.

Leader:  Spirit…

ALL:  I love you for the guidance you give me.

Leader:  Father…

ALL:  in your creation, I see your love for me.

Leader:  Jesus…

ALL:  in your sacrifice, I see your love for me.

Leader:  Spirit…

ALL:  in your presence, I see your love for me.

 

Challenge for the Week:  How do you explain the Holy Spirit in relation to your life?  How does the Holy Spirit fin in?  How have you accepted the Holy Spirit into your life?  Take time this week to identify moments, or THE moment when you consciously accepted the Holy Spirit into your life.  Where were you?  Who was there?  Was it influenced by a person or an experience?  How have you continued to carry the Holy Spirit with you?  Share an example of the Holy Spirit at work in your life either in the past or right now.  How do you show gratitude to the Holy Spirit for this work?  Write your own prayer to the Holy Spirit to give thanks and praise for the gifts and presence in your life!