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!