Month: February 2021

Sunday, February 28th Readings

Second Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

God of all creation,

You can turn the night into day;

        the darkness into light.

You can create something out of nothing;

        beauty from the ashes.

Shine your light into our dark places.

Transform our ashes into a new creation.

God you are with us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

  • How does this story speak to you about Abraham’s love for God? His love for his son, Isaac?
  • Can you imagine yourself as Abraham or Isaac in this story? Don’t listen to the scripture as though it is a story you are listening to or a movie you are watching, rather as a participant. How does this change your perspective?
  • Describe what you think God’s blessing means to Abraham.

Romans 8: 31b-34

  • God intercedes for you in your life. Is there someone who needs you to intercede for them? Make a plan to do so soon.
  • What is the difference between “God with us” and “God for us”?

Mark 9: 2-10

  • They were blinded by the light which shone on Jesus and were paralyzed. Share an experience when you felt God’s presence so intensely you were paralyzed.
  • What do you believe is the message of this scripture? Is there anything specific that strikes you as something requiring more personal reflection?
  • Again we read, God says, “This is my beloved Son”. When were these words spoken before? What are the similarities and differences from the two times these words were spoken and what is the significance?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever heard God’s voice and followed even though you questioned? 
  • What are the things you withhold from God? How can the season of Lent help you to open up?
  • What can you not live without?  How many of them tangible? If they are people, what specifically is it that you couldn’t live without?
  • How does your life reflect how much you blindly trust God? Is it something you can measure? Try.
  • Make a list of things you can truly turn over for God to control.
  • Make a list of things you have a hard time letting go of the control. What makes it hard for you to let go and allow God to be in charge of the actions required of you in your life?
  • Have you ever gone against what you believe is God’s will? What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Have you ever witnessed a heroic act? Explain.
  • Do you think God has favorites?  Do you think God treats each person the same?
  • The world controls what news stories you hear. They can shine light on a story to keep your gaze away from what is happening in the dark. What helps you find the truth in all the mess?
  • Are there things happening in your community or the world which need illuminated? What can you do to shine light on them?
  • In what events or activities do you experience or see the transfiguration happen in the world today?
  • Have you ever experienced something so amazing it is hard to explain to another person? What makes it hard to explain?
  • Share a time when you experienced something with someone and afterwards saw that person in a different light. (It could be for the positive or for the negative)
  • When was the last time you went away just to spend time alone with God?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we experience God’s presence

ALL:  We transform ourselves…

Leader:  When we live in God’s presence

ALL:  We transform others…

Leader:  When we share God’s presence

ALL:  We can transform the world…

ALL:  We are transforming agents of YOUR love!

Challenge for the Week:  The season of Lent calls you to be more disciplined with your prayer, your giving and your sacrifice but really what it is drawing you to, is to be in deeper relationship with Jesus.  Spend time this week considering what it would have been like to walk with Jesus when he travelled around.  What would you learn?  What would you feel?  Do you think you could have those same experiences right now?  What if I said, YES!  You can walk with Jesus in the present time.  He is already with you and through prayer, giving and sacrifice you can become more aware of the voice directing you.  What are you waiting for???

Sunday, February 21st Readings

First Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Empty me this Lent.

Take from me the things

which draw me from you.

Remove from my thoughts

all that causes me to sin.

I surrender myself to you.

I am YOURS!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 9:8-15

  • What does this scripture tell you about the things God loves?
  • What did the rainbow mean to Noah and his family? Does it have the same value to you today?
  • What is Noah’s role in making God’s promise complete? What is your role in it?

1Peter 3:18-22

  • During Lent we are to imagine ourselves living in the desert; without water. Have you ever felt parched or thirsty for Jesus, the living water?
  • The scripture says, “saved by water”. Reflect on the similarities of the flood of the First Reading and your own Baptism. Does this change your perspective or understanding of these events in anyway?
  • Look for the references to each person in the Holy Trinity in this scripture. What do these references reveal about each person and how can the characteristics help you through your experience of Lent?

Mark 1:12-15

  • What are the things which tempt you in the desert place? 
  • How have the angels of God ministered to you when you have been in the desert?
  • What does the scripture mean that this is a time of fulfillment?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What does the rainbow mean to you? How do you share this with others? 
  • What lesson can you learn from the story of Noah? What can you take away from the 40 days or of the dove and fig leave? How is this story relevant today?
  • What sign(s) of God’s love have been present in your life today?
  • How do you show signs of love to others? 
  • What confirms for you that God will keep his promise(s)? Be specific.
  • Can the suffering of Christ be a beacon of strength?
  • Do you believe God can be disobedient? Why or why not?
  • How have you been disobedient to God? How does this affect your relationship with Him? How does it affect your relationship with others?
  • How would you say your baptism has formed or changed you? Explain.
  • What can you do to get in touch with the waters of baptism washing you clean?
  • Where is God in the desert your experience?
  • Can you make time this Lent to spend uninterrupted time with God? What demons do you need to face?
  • Where does God want you to go to minister to others?
  • What does conversion mean to you? Why is conversion important? 
  • At Ash Wednesday services you will hear, “You are dust and to dust you shall return” and/or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” as ashes are placed on your forehead.  What do these words really mean and how can you take them to heart this Lent?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  A sign of covenant in a rainbow after a hard rain…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of courage in a slingshot facing a giant…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of hope in a star over Bethlehem…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of forgiveness on the cross at Calvary…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Challenge for the Week:  Lent is a time for us to make a promise to be a better person, a better friend, a better disciple.  God’s promise to love and protect us is symbolized with a rainbow and with a cross.  Spend time this week, as you enter into the Lenten season, thinking about a sign or symbol you can use to show God you are committed to fulfilling your Lenten promise of fasting, alms giving, and praying.  Find a sign or symbol which will help you stay focused on keeping your promise and to remind you God is always with you.

Ash Wednesday

Lent is more than a time when Catholics don’t eat meat and give up something like chocolate or cursing.
Lent is a season.
And like any season, ie spring, summer, fall, winter, there is (or rather should be) TRANSFORMATION.
This Lent, allow the scriptures to change you, transform you.
Let the Word fill you, awaken you and bring you to life.
When you do, then you’ll understand the full meaning of God saying, “return to me with your heart.”
Sometimes it is in letting go, that you find what you are seeking.

First Reading – Joel 2:-12-18

“Be Merciful O God, for we have sinned”

Psalm 51

On the surface this scripture is contradictory.
Jesus says, to go to your room and shut the door to pray in private, yet Ash Wednesday is the only time when you come to church and leave with a visual mark for everyone to see you believe in Jesus.
The ashes become the outward symbol that you are believer, thus shouting to everyone that you are Christian. However, the mark also is the acknowledgement that you are unclean, you are a sinner.
“Turn away from sin and be true to the Gospel”
So, YES, you are called to go to your room to pray in private to seek forgiveness, to become clean.
Think of Lent as you being “grounded.”
It’s time to work on yourself, your relationship with others and your relationship with God.
A time to change the wrong you’ve done and to make amends.
Lent begins with the Ashes on your forehead but through the six week of Lent you sacrifice, pray, and do the work.
Then at the end of Lent, the ashes are washed clean by the blood of the lamb. Washed away through the renewal of Baptismal Promises

Gospel Reading – Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Sunday, February 14th Readings

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Compassionate God

YOU silence every cry, YOU wipe away every tear.

Each of us are bound, bruised and broken,

        but throughout history Lord,

everything YOU touch is made whole.

You are the healer and perfector of all creation.

Comfort us, Almighty Father. 

Hold us in your arms…forever!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46

  • When have you acted like Moses and Aaron and forced another to be exposed or excommunicated?
  • Are there people in the world today which you dub as unclean? What are your criteria for determining they are unclean?
  • How do you relate to those who are labeled as a leper?

1Corinthians 10:31-11:1

  • Do you give thanks to God each time you eat and drink? Consider how many hands your food passed through to get to you and provide you with the nourishment you need.
  • When do you give thanks to God? How many times on average do you give thanks to God?

Mark 1:40-45

  • Jesus reached out in pity, when have you felt Jesus reach out to you with pity? What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Would you be able to contain yourself if you were healed and not tell anyone or would you be like the leper who shared with everyone the good that was done?
  • How is the leper in the first reading treated differently or the same as the leper in the Gospel reading? What lesson do you take from this?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do you know a leper? Is there someone in your workplace or community whom others have outcast or deemed “unclean”?
  • What if your sins showed on your skin like the sores of leprosy? 
  • Have you ever been outcast because of a physical ailment? 
  • How can you use your scars to bring healing to others?
  • Do you have a physical feature which you try to hide or cover? What is it?  How could God use it? How can you show God’s glory through this thing you try to hide?
  • Can the glory of God spread by touch like the disease of leprosy? Why or why not?
  • What does it mean to “do everything for the glory of God”? Share examples
  • Think back to yesterday and determine if you were aware of God’s presence all day. Were there gaps?
  • What times of the day or what activities are the most difficult for you to be aware of God’s presence in your life?
  • Do you have a hero? An idol? What characteristics draw you to them?
  • Who in your family do you take after? What traits do you have in common?
  • Did you “inherit” family traits which you are proud of or ones with which you struggle?
  • What traits do you have in common with Jesus? Do these come naturally or do you work at them?
  • Define “pity”. What is it, who has it and where does it come from?
  • Is there something or someone within your grasp that needs a healing touch? What can you do?
  • When have you experienced the healing touch of God in your life?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me see what you see!

ALL:  When I see illness,

Leader:  Lord, you see wellness.

ALL:  When I see something broken,

Leader: Lord, you see it whole.

ALL:  When I see poverty,

Leader:  Lord, you see richness.

ALL:  When I see sin,

Leader:  Lord, you see forgiveness.

ALL:  When I see death,

Leader:  Lord, you see life.

ALL:  Lord, let me see what you see!

Challenge for the Week:  How do you show God glory each day?  Is in your morning or evening prayer enough?  Is praying before your meals sufficient?  Consider all of the “everyday” things you do such as brushing your teeth, driving or doing the laundry.  Make a list of all of the “everyday” things you do and then think of a way to do that same task for the “GLORY OF GOD”.  Then do it!

Sunday, February 7th Readings

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

At times the ways of this world consume my thoughts.

Help me so I may not become overwhelmed or weary

                rather, let me follow you;

for YOU alone can save.

Let me run to you when I am weak, restless and suffering.

I know your grace, mercy and love never ends;

        but I can sometimes forget;

let me cling to YOUR word

to remind me of your promise!!!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Job 7:1-4,6-7

  • Share a time in your life when you could relate to Job. What feeling or emotion do you most relate to? Do you still feel this way?
  • Compare Job’s description of his life on earth to how you describe your time on earth. How are the descriptions similar? How do they differ?
  • Where is God in this scripture?  Be specific.

1Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23

  • Saint Paul speaks of sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. What are you willing to give up or sacrifice? How is this shown in your life?
  • Saint Paul says it is your obligation as a follower of Jesus to speak the Gospel. How do you fulfil this obligation?
  • What drives you to share the Gospel with others?  How does it relate to what St. Paul is telling the Corinthians in this scripture?

Mark 1:29-39

  • Imagine yourself as Jesus in this Gospel. What are you thinking? Feeling? How do you process all that happens? 
  • Jesus asked the people to not talk about the miracles which occurred. Would you be able to keep quiet about a miracle you witnessed? What do you think is the purpose of keeping quiet?
  • Jesus calls out many demons, describe some of the demons which possess people today.  Is there anything you can do to call out demons like Jesus?
  • Jesus goes off to pray after a long day of work.  What is the outcome of his time alone in prayer?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do your pursue God or expect God to come to you? What does each scenario look like?
  • What causes you to be restless? Stress? Money? Family or Relationship issues?
  • How does stress or worry affect your way of thinking? Can it change our attitude about things? Why or why not?
  • Where does happiness come from? Be specific or share an example. 
  • How do you respond when you hear, “How can you believe in God if He allows such suffering in the world?”
  • What kind of hope can you offer someone who is in the midst of suffering? What are some things you can say or do?
  • Are you better at sympathy or empathy? What is the difference and how can you show both to others better?
  • When do you pray? How much effort do you put into it? Does it depend on what else you have planned for the day or whether you are too tired or not?
  • What could happen if you put as much effort into Mass (going to church) as you do when you attend your child’s extra-curricular activity (basketball game or dance recital) or as you do attending a concert or professional sporting event?
  • Define weakness. Do you believe it is a positive or negative trait? Explain.
  • What motivates you each day to get out of bed? Be specific.
  • Do you have desires in life? Do you have a plan for those desires to be met? How do your desires match up with what God desires for you?
  • Is there something you need Jesus to heal? Write down what you are in need of healing and place it in your bible. Let Jesus begin to heal you!

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, may I speak your name

ALL:  and feel your presence!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and hear your voice!

Leader: May I speak your name

ALL:  and be healed of my hurt!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and be empowered to do your will!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and be filled with grace and mercy!

Leader:  May I speak your name

ALL:  and KNOW that I am loved!

Challenge for the Week:  Put yourself in the Gospel as Jesus.  Write down what you think Jesus prayed when he went away.  What do you imagine was the conversation between Jesus and God?  Spend time this week having this same conversation with God.  Remember to take time to listen to God’s response and consider how you may move forward with the mission which God has entrusted you with in your life.