Sunday, August 30th Readings

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Jesus,

You came to find the lost.

You came to rescue the imprisoned.

You came to save the sinner.

I am lost, imprisoned and a sinner.

May I allow myself to be found.

May I allow myself to be rescued.

May I allow myself to be saved.

I am found, rescued and saved.

Thank you Jesus, you are my Savior!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 20:7-9

Can you imagine being “duped” by God? What would (did) it look like? What was the purpose?
Do you believe God wants us to be “duped”?
Describe what it feels like to feel something in your bones? Have you ever felt something so deep? Share the experience.

Romans 12:1-2

How does the study of scripture help you to transform your mind? How does this transformation change your words and actions; be specific.
What does Saint Paul mean when he says, “don’t conform yourself to this age?” How does this specifically speak to you?

Matthew 16:21-27

What cross are you called to pick up today? Are you able to pick it up? Is your cross light or heavy? Explain.
If God does not think the way that humans do, how is it you are able to understand what God wants for you?

General Questions for Journaling

Does oppression happen in this world? Who do you know is oppressed? How do you know? What do you do about it? Do you suffer from oppression?
How do you know God is driving your actions or if you are following your own desire? How can you tell which way God is calling you to go?
How does it feel to lose something? Describe the process of letting go.
How do you feel when you find something? How would you describe the process of finding a place for the thing you found?
Are there injustices in the world which break your heart? Are there injustices which occur that cause your gut to ache? Is the Holy Spirit calling you to do something about it?
What was the last exciting news you shared and with whom did you share it? What was your purpose for sharing? Was it your news to share?
What was the last disappointing news you shared and with whom did you share it? What was your purpose for sharing? Was it your news to share?
Have you ever risked being made fun of to stand up for what you believe? Share the experience.
How can you give strength to another who is standing up for what they believe in, even if you don’t agree?
Have you ever been thankful for suffering? What was the circumstance? Why were you thankful?
What does it mean to “lose your life” according to God? What does it mean to “lose your life” according to the world?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Lord fill me…

ALL: with reckless desire for you!

Leader: Lord fill me…

ALL: with unending compassion for others!

Leader: Lord fill me…

ALL: with raging fire for justice!

Leader: Lord fill me

ALL: with determination to do your will!

Leader: Lord fill me

ALL: with the ability to surrender,

Leader: so I can be

ALL: more like you each day!

Challenge for the Week: In your life, you have positive and negative influences. How do you determine which are the good ones and which are the bad ones? They are not always clear. There are times when there is a positive influence that you ignore because you are not in a good place yourself and other times when you are too close to a situation to see you are being influenced in a negative way. How can you know? When you turn to God for help and clarity, He can bring to light what is good and what is evil but are you willing to listen? Spend time this week looking at the things which influence your life and prayerfully consider how the people and things you allow into our daily life affect you in a positive or negative way. Summer is about to end and with the change of the season; you too should take time to change.

Sunday, August 23rd Readings

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

Vast is your love for us,

let me see it each day!

Endless are the gifts you give,

let me show gratitude!

Abundant is the mercy you grant,

let me share it with others!

You surround me with what I need

and guide me through,

my ups and downs.

Forever you are with me;

You are my all in all!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 22:19-23

Imagine yourself as Eliakim. How does it feel to be called God’s servant? Can you see yourself being given a place of honor in God’ house?
How does God show His authority in this reading? How can you allow God to have authority over your life? Who has authority now?

Romans 11:33-36

Describe what “riches” Saint Paul is referring to in this scripture.
How might you seek to know what God is thinking? How does one “know God’s mind”?

Matthew 16:13-20

Explain why the disciples and others would compare Jesus to Jeremiah, Elijah and John the Baptist?
Who do you say Jesus is? Do you tell him? Do you tell others?

General Questions for Journaling

Where do God’s blessings come from? Are they given on purpose or by accident? How do you know?
How does God inhabit your life? Be specific.
What are the things you don’t understand about God? What are the things that you DO understand about God? How does the knowledge of these things affect your faith?
What experience(s) have taught you about the meaning of the words, eternal, everlasting, forever? What have you learned?
How can faith help you to let go of past hurts, worries or tragedy?
Do you see God’s plan for you? What makes you know for sure this is the path God intends for you?
Is the work you do or the job you have one you choose or one you “fell into”? Could this have any bearing on your attitude toward it?
Do you feel you are using the gifts God gave you to complete the tasks required of your job?
Are you fulfilling your vocation in the position you hold? Do you feel as though God choose you to do the work you do?
How does Jesus reveal himself to you? Where are you? What is the situation? How do you carry the experience with you?
How is it that Jesus makes Peter the “ROCK” on which to build His church but Peter denies knowing Jesus three times? How does this make you feel?
What qualities of Peter make him the perfect example of a disciple?

Closing Prayer

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: when I allow the silence to take over.

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: as I pause to give thanks before a meal.

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: when I look into the eyes of an innocent child.

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: as hear the rumble of thunder and crack of lightening.

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: when I see a couple holding hands.

Leader: I am humbly in your presence…

ALL: as I open my heart and mind to the wisdom of your Spirit!

Challenge for the Week: When making a large purchase such as a washer and dryer or a car or a house, how long to do you spend researching it, looking it over, weighing out the pros and cons of the purchase? Who are the people you might ask for advice or help in making such an important decision? When it comes to our faith, whom do you turn to about important decisions, to whom do you ask the important questions? Do you give it the same depth of attention, looking at where God is working in your life in every little detail? Do you seek counsel from God when making decisions about what is happening in your life and listen to His response? God doesn’t need to seek anyone’s counsel, but it would be wise for us to seek HIS!

Sunday, August 16th Readings

20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Holy Father,

May I walk in the house of Lord,

all of my days!

May I find a comfortable place

to lay my head!

May I hear your voice clearly,

despite the noise!

May I show gratitude to you,

for the gifts you give!

Praise your name forever!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 56:1,6-7

How do you show mercy in your life? To whom do you show mercy? How does it compare to God’s boundless mercy?
How might the world be different if we truly lived life knowing God’s grace and mercy were endless?
Is it possible to not give God enough praise or thanks? Can you give God too much? Explain.

Romans 11:13-15,29-32

What makes you feel accepted by God? What do you think makes you unworthy of God’s blessing?
In what ways do you disobey God? How does the Sacrament of Reconciliation help you feel accepted?

Matthew 15:2-28

What surprises you about this scripture passage? How does this fall in line with or go against who you know Jesus to be?
What does the phrase, “even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters” mean? What exactly was the woman saying?
When has Jesus shown you the same mercy as he shows the Canaanite woman?

General Questions for Journaling

Share examples of ways people honor God.
What feelings or emotions do you feel knowing God will never stop loving you?
Has there ever been an occasion when you felt excluded within your faith community? What was it that made you feel separated? How might the scriptures this week help you heal?
Describe the power of mercy. What does it offer? How do we receive it? Where does it come from? Who can have it?
How do you receive your messages from God? Do you have voicemail or do God’s messages get right through?
How would you judge a woman begging at the feet of Jesus? Have you ever done the same thing?
Where in your life should you be more persistent? In prayer? Good works? Self-discipline? Encouragement?
Does your love have limits? Explain. How can the scriptures help you overcome the things that limit your love? Be specific.
Where does mercy come from? What are some examples of mercy?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it show on my face!

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it be heard in my words!

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it be seen by my actions!

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it be felt through my compassion!

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it be acknowledged in my prayers!

Leader: Lord, I am blessed

ALL: Let it be shared with others!

Challenge for the Week: We can learn so much from this Canaanite woman. She doesn’t back down, she remains calm and she kneels before Jesus and asks for help. How often do we just nonchalantly ask Jesus to help us with something in prayer? Are the things you pray for simply a list of wants and needs or are they true desires? Do you pray with persistence and fervor? When you attend Mass or Sunday Worship listen intently to the prayers of the faithful, the petitions of the community. Set your mind to faithfully listen and put emotion and feeling into the prayer intentions so that you pray them with your whole being.

Sunday, August 9th Readings

19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Jesus

When you call to me…

Do I look up? How do I respond?

Can I recognize you immediately?

Am I cautious and question?

Bring me into a relationship

where I know YOU!

Allow me to surrender to your voice

and listen to your Word!

Journal/Reflection Questions

1Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

Identify a “great wind” or an “earthquake” in your life. How was God present in this moment?
When have you stood at the opening of a cave in your life? What kept you from going in? What motivated you to run into the darkness?
What causes you to want to hide your face from God?

Romans 9:1-5

Are there some in your family whom cause you “great sorrow” or “constant anguish” because of their belief or unbelief? What can you learn from St Paul in this scripture that might help?
Are there some people whom you need to separate or be “cut off” from in order to be a better follower of Christ? How can you relate to St Paul in this scripture?

Matthew 14:22-33

Is your faith on a solid rock or on sinking sand? What can you learn from Peter to help you stay steady? How does this look in your everyday life?
How does Jesus’ example motivate you to reach out to others?

General Questions for Journaling

How do you feel when you are cut off from someone? Do you try to re-connect? Do you let it go?
What keeps you connected to God? Is it a good connection? Have you ever been cut-off?
What causes you to sink in your faith? Name some of the weights that drag you down.
What obstacles hinder you from reaching out to God fully?
Can God calm your fears or worries like He calm’s the sea? When have you experienced God’s calming power?
Would you describe your faith as strong? Would you be able to stand back up like Peter?
Jesus went up the mountain to pray. Do you have a sacred place where you like to go to pray? What makes it sacred?
How does God invite you to step out of the boat?
Are you able to distinguish when God is in the wind, the fire and the earthquake and when He is not? How close do you think you need to be in order to know the difference?
What forces work against you in building your faith? What do you struggle with in order to keep the faith?
Share an example in your life which shows how you trust Jesus.
Are there times in your life when you find it easier to listen to God?
Are there times in your life when it is difficult to listen to God?
What happens to God’s promises when you walk away from worship? How can you carry the feeling of security with you?

Closing Prayer

Leader: When I am feeling lost and alone…