Sunday, November 1st Readings

Solemnity of All Saints

Opening Prayer

God of all,

You give me blessings so I may give you glory.

You share your wisdom so I can express thanksgiving.

I bow my head and kneel to show you honor.

I praise and worship you for your power and might.

For you are my God, forever and ever.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Revelations 7 :2-4,9-14

What emotions are stirred up by this scripture? Are you scared? Excited? Confused? Hopeful? Explain your emotions.
This passage from Revelation is of John’s dream of Jesus’ second coming. They thought Jesus was coming during their lifetime. What are your thoughts about the second coming of Jesus?

1John 3:1-3

What is your definition of a child of God. (write it down) Does your definition differ from God’s?
How do you make sense of the phrase, ‘the reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.’ Explain.

Matthew 5:1-12a

Which of the Beatitudes do you most relate to right now? How is it playing out in your life?
Identify a reward God has given you here on earth. How do you think it compares to the reward waiting for you in heaven?

General Questions for Journaling

Have you ever started to tear something apart, only to realize you still had need for it? What was it? How did you feel?
How do you define ‘servant of God’? What other words do you or could you interchange with it?
God has believers from every continent. How does your belief in God connect you? Share an example of a specific experience.
Do you believe in Angels? Why or why not?
How are Angels relevant or irrelevant today?
When you first heard of heaven, what did you imagine it as? Has your image of heaven changed? How?
What do you think you will do and/or say when you see Jesus? (Think of the song, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyME)
Do you think your love for someone who has died decreases, increases or stays the same? Why?
What do you want God to reveal to you after your death? What questions do you have that you wish you knew the answers to right now?
What gives you hope about death (in general)?
Are you afraid of death or dying? Why or why not?
How do you infuse the lives of the saints into your life?

Closing Prayer (Taken from the Litany of the Saints Prayer)

Leader: That You are continually taking care of me,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That not knowing the future invites me to lean on You,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That You are with me in my suffering,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life & the next

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That my life is a gift,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That You are my Lord and my God,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That I am Your beloved one,

ALL: Jesus, I trust in you

Challenge for the Week: In the First Reading, John says there will be a ‘seal on the foreheads of the servants of God.’ Consider the times when you have been ‘marked by God.’ Take a sheet of paper out and make a timeline, identifying the times when you have been ‘marked by God.’ Before the exercise, define what it means to be ‘marked by God’ and then write as much information as you remember about the event such as how old you were, where you were, who was there and how you felt for each. If you are inspired to do so, draw a picture or use a different color for each. You might even have some stickers on hand that will differentiate each event to describe with images how you felt. God doesn’t show up at the beginning of your life and then disappear until you die; God is present throughout your life. And there are special moments when His presence is the highlight of celebration. Share your timeline with someone and share the experiences with them, especially someone who wasn’t there or recently had a celebration where they were ‘marked by God.” It is through these experiences that you can draw closer to others and share God’s love!

Sunday, October 25th Readings

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Teach me to see like you see

Teach me to hear like you hear

Teach me to love like you love

Teach me to have a heart

which opens without fear or judgement.

I want YOUR love overflow onto everyone I meet.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 22:20-26

How are you called, like the Israelites to repay God’s love? Identify 1-3 ways you show God love throughout the week.
Does this scripture inspire you to reach out to someone? Perhaps God has placed it on your heart to help someone and you have been holding back. What specifically is God calling you to do?

1Thessalonians 1:5c-10

Have you felt the “joy” from the Holy Spirit which Saint Paul is taking about? How can you channel this joy more often in your life?
What does the Holy Spirit offer you?

Matthew 22:34-40

Jesus says the Greatest Commandment is LOVE. How do you show or express love to God? Your neighbors? Yourself?
Did Jesus answer the question he was being asked? Why or why not?

General Questions for Journaling

Where is compassion found? Is it something taught (you can learn) or something you have naturally? How is it different than love?
Consider how you respond to others. How do you treat people you know? How do you treat people you don’t know? How is it similar? How is it different?
How do you show love? How do you receive love?
Where do you see love in the world?
Reflect on a time when someone showed you love. Did you welcome their love or reject it? Why?
What are human expressions of love? What are examples of how God expresses His love?
Does God put expectations on love? If yes, what are the expectations? If no, why not?
Identify how you feel about putting forth your love for God to others. Is it something you are comfortable doing? Are you hesitant or afraid?
Where would you rate how you love your neighbor on a scale of 1-10? Explain why you would give yourself this rating.
Identify examples of how you can love God with all your heart. Mind. Soul. Are there different examples for each or are they all the same?
When have you recently felt God’s love for you? Explain the situation and how you know it was God.
Draw a picture of God’s love.
How does the Trinity help you to love your neighbor, even when they are difficult?

Closing Prayer – Poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Challenge for the Week: This week think about how God’s love has made your life better. What is it about how God loves you that makes this happen? Describe how God’s love feels and then write a prayer of thanksgiving or draw a picture to show appreciation for what God gives you. THEN, consider how you may be the only example of God’s love in a person’s life today and make a commitment to show other’s God’s love more freely!

Sunday, October 18th Readings

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Creator of all things good,

You made me out of nothing,

to live and be and breathe.

Oh, how can we repay you!

Make me blind to the promises of this world;

so I may more intentionally follow you Word.

Teach me to live from the inside out;

to give from the abundance you planted within me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 45 :1,4-6

Identify three ways God is showing His power in this scripture.
How do you make sense of the last line, “I am the Lord, there is no other,” how can you explain?

1Thessalonians 1:1-5b

St Paul is telling the Thessalonians that they have been chosen by God and so they must act in a way worthy. Share one way you acted worthy of the call this past week.
Explain the role of the Holy Spirit in this scripture passage.

Matthew 22:15-21

How do you think the Pharisees expected Jesus to respond to their question?
What were the Pharisees trying to get Jesus to say? What were they hoping would be the outcome?
What lesson is Jesus teaching here? How does His example speak to you?
Reflect on the Gospel message of giving to God what belongs to God and to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and identify parallels of what the world values still today.

General Questions for Journaling

What title do you give God?
Can you identify people who “breakdown” walls or free people from “bondage”? Who are these people?
What are characteristics of a person who is full of the conviction of the Holy Spirit?
What role does the scripture say the Holy Spirit has in your life? On a scale from 1-10, how do you think the Holy Spirit is doing?
On a scale of 1-10, rate your ability to think before you speak. How often do you check with Jesus before you say something? How would your words be the same or different if you consulted Jesus before you spoke?
Describe how it felt/feels or describe how you imagine it would feel like to be chosen by God. How does expectation compare to reality?
What has authority in your life? What rules your time? What dominates how your money is spent?
In what areas of your life do feel free? In what areas of your life do you feel oppressed?
How do you know when something is true? Where is truth learned?
Is it possible to believe something as truth that is not actually true? Explain.
Have you ever been used in a relationship?
Have you entered a relationship with someone to gain something? Explain.
How can you tell if flattery is true or if someone is buttering you up?
Name 10 ways you give to God what belongs to God.

Closing Prayer

Leader: You welcome the sinners, Jesus

ALL: as though they are Saints!

Leader: You walk with the angry and those full of doubt

ALL: as well as the patient and joyful!

Leader: You love us and forgive us

ALL: even though we neglect you!

Leader: May we know and understand

ALL: that it is through Christ we are redeemed!

Challenge for the Week: If we live our lives for Christ, then we become a new creation, not of this world. This task is not for the faint of heart! It requires us to learn how to balance the both/and of life. We can get caught up in only following what God teaches and neglect our obligations of this life and separate ourselves from the realities of this world or we can put God on a shelf and visit Him on Sunday or occasionally throughout the week. Finding balance helps us not become like the hypocrites who say one thing and do another. Strive to live from the inside out, work on building up the Jesus within you and then there shouldn’t be any effort needed for His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness to overflow from you. God wants us to live with mission and purpose, bringing Him into every aspect of our lives. Work this week on bringing God into one or more of your daily tasks whether it be mowing the lawn, driving kids to school or at a meeting for work. Focus on the Jesus within you and say a prayer to help you be aware of His presence within you…be open to listening to how He guides your thoughts and your words and allow HIM to come out!

Sunday, October 11th Readings

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Generous Lord,

I have received an invitation to a glorious banquet,

May grow to understand the value of this honor,

and reflect my gratitude through my words and actions.

It is you who wraps me in love, adorns me with grace,

and washes away all my sin; making me worthy.

All are welcome to the banquet of the Lord!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 25 :6-10a

How does the idea of a banquet translate into how God calls you to live out your daily life? How is your daily life lived out as a banquet?
What is the veil Isaiah speaks of in this scripture? What is it that veils you from seeing God clearly?
Does this scripture help you understand about the veil which separates people from God in times of sorrow, pain and loss? Does it reassure you or scare you? Explain.

Philippians 4:12-14,19-20

God gives without measure. Can you say you give without measure? When you give, do you do it with expectation or out of obligation?
What reassurance do you have that God will supply you with all you need?
What is the secret of living in abundance with nothing? Does St Paul give you any indications how he does it? What suggestions would you give?

Matthew 22:1-4

Where do you find the parallels in this scripture and the kingdom of God?
How does this scripture change your perspective, knowing you are invited to attend the banquet? What can you do to get ready for the banquet?
Imagine yourself as a guest at the banquet. How do you feel? How do you interact with the other guests?

General Questions for Journaling

How has God been a hero in your life? Share a time when God swooped in and saved the day, wiped away tears and all rejoiced.
Make a list of 20 things that are worth celebrating. What makes them worthy of celebration? Are they only important to you or to others as well?
Identify a struggle you face currently. Pray this scripture each day as you face the challenge; then write down your thoughts and feelings about this struggle each day.
Share examples of times when human strength is not enough; only God’s strength can persevere.
What feelings are associated with an invitation? How do you feel when you send out an invitation? How do you feel when you receive an invitation?
When have you ignored an invitation? What were your reasons for not accepting?
Are you open or closed to God’s invitation to join Him at the feast?
What is impressive about a banquet feast? Are there different rules for a banquet feast than for a typical meal? What would you wear to a banquet feast? How would act? What would be the topics of conversation?
How do you invite others to the feast God has prepared? Share a specific example.
What would you serve if Jesus came to your house for a meal?

Closing Prayer

Leader: You have prepared a feast for me;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have set the table with fine linen;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have killed the fatted calf;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have the finest wine;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have invited all to the feast;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have called me to be your beloved;

ALL: I am humbled by your presence!

Challenge for the Week: Whatever season of life you are in, there is “fasting” and “feasting” involved. For example, a newlywed couple might be in a “fasting” season of time spent with friends or family because they are “feasting” on the new married life relationship. They are focused on building their lives together as one and adjusting to the give and take of joining two households together. Through this season, there are “personal” things they give up such as their bottle cap or stuffed animal collection to make room for “their” things and in turn “feast” in the joy of new memories made together. Reflect this week on the things you “fast from” and “feast on” during the season of life you are currently in. What drives the things you fast or feast from? Do you have some kind of control over the things you fast from? Are the things you feast on helping to build the kingdom of God in your midst? Where is Christ in your fasting and feasting?