26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Saving Lord

Each step I take

whether I walk towards you or away from you

You are always with me!

You never leave.

Even when I turn away, YOU are near!

We are tied together eternally.

I am grateful for your presence.

Help me to be more mindful of the Holy Spirit in my life.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 18 :25-28

• Reflect on a time this week when you turned away from wickedness. How did you recognize the wickedness? Did you turn to God instead?
• What do you believe is not fair about following God?

Philippians 2:1-11

• What encouragement do you hear in this scripture? What specifically is St Paul saying directly to you?
• God’s joy is complete when we are of one mind with him. What can you do to work towards making God’s joy complete?

Matthew 21:28-32

• Identify how this is a story about turning towards God. 
• Consider how BOTH sons might work toward conversion.  How can you relate to each of them? 
• How do the Elder’s change their ways because of Jesus’ words?  How are you called to change because of His words?

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there something wicked in your life? Does it linger? Does it fester? Are you comforted by it? 
• What helps you turn away from sin?
• Are there things which tempt you that you need to seek help from others/from God to conquer?
• Are there things you know are sins but you do them anyways? 
• Are good words or good deeds better? Explain. Are you better at good words or good deeds?  Share examples of both.
• Who are some of the people whose needs you put first, before your own? Reflect on these relationships, do you give too much? Too little? Are you able to meet your needs in addition?
• Are there people in your life who put your needs before their own?  Reflect on the examples of when then this has happened…what is the relationship between you and the person who puts your needs ahead of their needs?
• Consider some of the saints…reflect on one or two of them who put the needs of others before their own needs. What can you learn from their example and put into practice in your life?
• What does it mean to you to be a “slave” to Christ? Share an example.
• How would you say you resemble God? What qualities do you emulate? Which qualities do you wish to work on so you might be more like God?
• Can you tell the difference between people who are doing good for their own glory and those who are doing good for the glory of God?
• Is there an area in your life which needs conversion? Map out a plan on how you might achieve this, what you will do, who you will ask for assistance, be specific.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, change my heart

ALL:  help me reach out with compassion.

Leader: Lord, change my heart

ALL:  help me to be patient with others.

Leader:  Lord, change my heart

ALL:  help me care for my neighbor.

Leader:  Lord, change my heart

ALL:  help me to share my faith.

Leader:  Lord, change my heart

ALL:  help me to turn to you.

Leader:  Lord, change my heart

ALL:   and always follow your Word.

Challenge for the Week:  When was the last time you tried to something new?  Was it easy or difficult to learn the new skill?  What about learning a new way to do something?  How did it feel to do the task differently?  We can get stuck in our ways and routines and not really give a new way a chance.  God wants us to turn to him and we must change some of our ways to get closer to him.  We can get stubborn or find change too difficult and then give up, turning back to our own ways.  However, the scriptures this week clearly state that there is peace and joy waiting for us when we turn our lives over to God.  What steps are you willing to take to turn to God?