Month: June 2021

Sunday, July 4th Readings

14th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Generous Lord,

YOU love me even when I turn away from YOU;

        YOU give me abundant chances to turn to YOU.

YOU make YOUR presence known in my life;

        even though I often don’t recognize YOU.

YOU gather me close to YOU accepting me for who I am;

        wrapped in YOUR mercy, made whole in YOU!!!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 2:2-5

  • Consider what Ezekiel means by “they shall know a prophet has been among them”; how might they know?
  • How would you feel if you were sent to face “rebels” who are “hard to face” and “obstinate of heart”? Can you think of a time when you were truly put into that kind of situation? Where was God in the situation?

2Corinthians 12:7-10

  • Can you see God in your weakness? How?
  • How would you explain “power is made perfect in weakness”? Share an example from your life or from someone you know.

Mark 6:1-6

  • Can you relate to Jesus, being rejected in your “native place”, “among kin”, “his own house”? How?
  • Jesus is “amazed at their lack of faith”, what words or actions caused Him to believe this to be true? How would you fair?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever rejected the advice of a close confidant? What was their advice? What did you do instead? What was the outcome?
  • Do you ever find yourself closed off to God’s message? Share a time when you were rebellious to God’s Word.
  • Would you describe yourself as stubborn? A loved one? What makes you so and about what are you stubborn?
  • Have you ever experienced a time when you felt your ideas and suggestions were completely ignored? What did you do? Were you eventually able to give your input or were you completely rejected?
  • Are there places in your life where you avoid spending time? Do you keep things from God?
  • Has God shown power through your weakness? When? What was the circumstance?
  • Name some of those who are rejected for their current ideas. What do people say about them? What is the message they are trying to covey?
  • How would you define a prophet? Who are some of the prophets of the Old and New Testament? According to your definition, what current day prophets have impacted your life? (they could be alive or dead)

Closing Prayer

Leader:  For the victims born and unborn…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see.

Leader:  For the neglected and unloved…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see.

Leader:  For inhumanity and injustice…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see.

Leader:  For the prideful and arrogant…

ALL:  Let me see as YOU see.

Leader:  Change our view so I may

ALL:  See as YOU see.

Challenge for the Week:  This week as you go about your daily routines, dwell on the words, “my grace is sufficient”.  Meditate on what these words mean to you, not just your initial reaction but to the point where you feel the meaning.  Write down what comes to mind when you think about those words; when they apply to situations throughout your week.  It may be in a conversation which seems to go nowhere.  It could be when you find something doesn’t work out the way you expected. It is possible it is at the beginning of each day and at the end of each day in reflection of what lies ahead and what you leave behind. Let these words become a part of your attitude and so allowing God to fill you with the grace you need…it is always sufficient!

Written weekly by Heather Neds, faith blogger. For more see https://makingscripturerelevant.com or Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunday, June 27th Readings

13th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

You are the beginning and the end.

You are the alpha and the omega.

You are the day and the night.

You are life and death.

Let me seek you in all things and at all times!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24

  • The scripture says, “by the envy of the devil”, for what does the devil need to be envious?
  • What clarity do you find in this scripture about your purpose to live and the reason God created you?

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15

  • Explain, “whoever had much did not have more, and whoever has little did not have less.”
  • How does this scripture explain the feeling of empathy? Does it inspire you to help other? What can you do right away?
  • How does the abundance of God make you feel?

Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

  • Jesus simply needed to be present to heal. Are there situations in your life where all you really need to do is be there for another person?
  • This woman “encounters” Jesus. What does that mean to you? Do you remember your first encounter with Jesus?
  • When have you touched Jesus? Describe the experience.

General Questions for Journaling

  • Share an experience when you knew God was on your side.
  • Share an experience when you knew the devil was envious of your words or actions.
  • If God created man to be imperishable, how do you explain feelings of being defeated or broken down? Where do you see abundance in your life? How can you share it?
  • What are the qualities of humankind?
  • Are any of the qualities of humankind the same as the qualities of God?
  • What qualities of God do you wish you had?  What keeps you from having those qualities?
  • Draw a picture of yourself in God’s image. 
  • How does knowing God made all things change how you look at a person? An animal? An insect? A spider? A landscape?
  • Have you ever been on the receiving end of abundance given freely?
  • How does God’s presence impact you? Be specific.
  • How many times do you think a person must encounter God before they are a believer and follower?
  • Is there something that always lifts your spirits? Maybe a song or a special treat or hearing someone speak with voice full of helium?
  • How come people say God provides? How does God pay my rent?
  • Describe how you’d act in a room with extremely wealthy people. How is it different from the question below?
  • Describe how you’d act in a room full of people in deep poverty. How is it different from the question above?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could find you!

Leader:  Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could see you!

Leader: Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could touch you!

Leader:  Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could hear you!

Leader:  Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could know you!

Leader:  Lord, you created me…

ALL:  so I could share you!

Challenge for the Week:  Have you ever gone to serve a meal or sat down for a meal at a shelter? Reflect this week on that experience (or those experiences). Think about how you felt, what you saw, whom you met and the circumstances which brought you to that place. Society would say you were in a place of poverty, is that what you saw? Perhaps. If your experience is anything like the ones I have had, you may have seen the world’s definition of poverty but not God’s. Some of the most generous and grateful people I have ever met are ones I have met by working in a soup kitchen, food pantry or shelter. When we reach out to others with our abundance of time, talent or treasure, we don’t expect to be touched in return by God’s grace but believe me it happens!

Sunday, June 20th Readings

12th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

You are the maker of all things;

You do not make junk.

Change my mind;

rid me of all worry and stress.

Allow me to let go;

and let you direct my life.

Guide me through your Word;

so I may live more for others than myself.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Job 38:1, 8-11

  • What is God trying to teach Job in this scripture? What lesson does God want you to learn?
  • Are you going through a storm in your life right now? Identify the source of the storm; was it self-made, man-made or created by God?

2Corinthians 5:14-17

  • How has the love of God called you into action? 
  • Define what it means to you to be a “new creation”?

Mark 4:35-41

  • What in your life causes you to be paralyzed with fear? How do you overcome fear?
  • The disciples were there together; who do you turn to when you see a storm coming? 

General Questions for Journaling

  • What do you do when you see a storm coming? How do you feel?
  • When you see a storm coming how do you react? Push on? Pull back? Simply hold on?
  • Do you believe God sets limits? What do you believe God limits?
  • Have you experienced a storm where you know God was with you?
  • Have you experienced a storm where you questioned God’s presence?
  • Reflect on who or what you live for; is it in honor of someone or something, it is for your own good, is it for Christ’s glory, or something else?
  • Are there things in your life which you missed out on experiencing because of fear? Do you have any regrets? What do you think God wants you to do about the things you regret?
  • Where do fears come from? How do they start? Do you believe fears are something each person is born with or are they something a person develops?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Be the calm in the storm when I am going down…

ALL:  Come to me!

Leader:  Be the gentle water washing away my selfish thoughts…

ALL:  Wash over me!

Leader:  Be the filter which keeps my thoughts and actions pure…

ALL:  Cleanse me!

Leader:  Be my floodgate to hold me back from temptation…

ALL:  Surround me!

Leader: Be the waves which drive my actions…

ALL:  Consume me!

Leader:  When I pursue you…

ALL:  I am overwhelmed by your loving presence!

Challenge for the Week:  Make the decision to let go of control of ONE THING in your life and allow God to take over.  Focus on that ONE THING in prayer, not asking God to do what you want Him to do in the situation but to truly hand it over to him.  Imagine that ONE THING as an onion; as you start let go of your control over the situation, allowing God to take charge, think about each layer of the onion being peeled away.  As you pray to allow yourself to let God take over, you might also imagine yourself as that onion; allowing God to shed the weight of the worry, anxiety, stress you carry because of that situation.  This process takes time; it takes attention and lots of practice!  If you aren’t patient, you can end up with a smelly onion which only makes the situation worse; however if you allow God to take over your situation the onion will become nothing and the situation won’t seem as daunting.

Sunday, June 13th Readings

11th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God,

You created me from the dirt

        with the Holy Spirit.

I become a new creation

        through the Sacraments.

You gave me eternal life

        by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

May I stay rooted in these truths,

        bearing good fruit for others.

Help me to grow in you,

        following the path you set out for me.

Be my guide, my comfort and omy peace.

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 17:22-24

  • How are you able to provide “shade” or “shelter” to others through your connection to God?
  • If God can make a tree bigger or smaller or make one bloom or wither; what does this say about what He can do for you?

2Corinthians 5:6-10

  • What does it mean to “walk by faith and not by sight”? What does it look like?
  • Share an example of someone you know or of a personal experience of living by faith and not by sight.

Mark 4:26-34

  • How is God like the farmer in the parable? Where do you see yourself?
  • Do you give the same attention to detail as the farmer did to his crop as you do to your own spiritual life?
  • Do you tend to the work of your job the way the farmer tends to the crop?  If so how does it feel?  If not, what does it mean?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Share an example when you were able to live out the “least become great and the great become the least”.
  • When did Jesus model the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
  • Who other than Jesus in the bible practice the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
  • Where do you go for “shade”? What are some examples of when you need it? How does it feel when you find it?
  • Are there people whom you “shade” or offer protection? Do you do it naturally or did they ask for your help?
  • When would you say you “lose” your courage? Where does it go?
  • What helps you gain or re-gain courage when you need it?
  • Share an example or two of people whom you look up to who show or have shown great courage and how they inspire you.
  • When do you feel the most courageous? Be specific.
  • When do you feel the least courageous? Be specific.
  • What pleases God? How do you know?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Life begins as a seed,

ALL:  in the darkness.

Leader:  It is nourished and fed,

ALL:  and begins to sprout growth.

Leader: It soaks up the rain and the sun,

ALL:  which is given freely.

Leader:  Branches bend and sway,

ALL:  but the roots are strong.

Leader:  Over time it becomes a new creation,

ALL:  offering shade, shelter and support.

Leader:  Feed me Lord,

ALL:  plant and sow seeds of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness in my life.

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus used parables to help the disciples and other followers understand faith, love and the Kingdom of God.  In each parable, there is deep symbolism to explore.  This week, try to find a symbol which richly describes your faith and spirituality.  It might be something that has been passed on for generations in your family, it might be a gift you recently received, it might be something you or someone you know made especially for you.  Whatever it might be, there is deeper meaning to it than others can see.  As you search, remember the celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ…the bread and wine are simply food and drink to some but the Catholic faith teaches and believes them to be the body and blood of Jesus, Savior and Lord.  Also, the mustard seed, so small and meek but within it there is the predisposition to become a giant tree.  After seeking out your symbol, try to write out a parable/story/reflection about it.

Sunday, June 6th Readings)

Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ

Opening Prayer

Jesus,

You are the promise of salvation.

You are the blood shed for sin.

There is no one who loves more;

        who would sacrifice for the sake of all.

Make me your tabernacle, Lord!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 24:3-8

  • What is the significance of signing in blood/sealing the covenant in blood? What meaning does it have today?
  • What covenant do you have with God? Is it the same one as the Israelites? How well do you keep your side of the promise?
  • How is this gathering like people gathering in church on Sunday?  What are the similarities?  Can you list at least three?

Hebrews 9:11-15

  • Imagine yourself in this scripture? Where are you?
  • What are the dead works in your life? How can you begin to cleanse yourself of these obstacles?

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

  • What significance is there that the man the disciples found was carrying a jar of water? Is there any at all?
  • What do you know of Passover?  What preparations are needed?
  • When Jesus took the bread, He said the blessing AND when He took the cup, He gave thanks. What should you do to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? What was the last thing you thanked God for?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What does the blood signify in these scriptures? 
  • What does blood have to do with life? With death? How is this also true in your spiritual life?
  • How do you celebrate the “new covenant” Jesus gave; eternal salvation? How do live it out at home? At work? In church? 
  • What if your dead works were as visible as the dead heads on a rose bush? Are you sure they aren’t? 
  • Jesus shed His blood for you; have you shed anything for Him?
  • Does the consumption of Jesus’ body and blood have conditions or expectations?
  • Do you feel differently when you receive communion? 
  • How does receiving Jesus in the Eucharist change you? Share a specific example.
  • Do you believe it is Jesus’ body and blood you receive when you go to communion? 
  • How do you show reverence to Jesus in the Eucharist?  (Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and means thanksgiving)
  • Define tabernacle.
  • What is the definition of a sacrifice? Is it a true sacrifice when there is not blood? What about when you sacrifice your time for the sake of another or sacrifice your “at bat” for the good of the team?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When one life begins and another one ends…

ALL:  Lord, may I always be open to all you have to give.

Leader:  When a door is closed and another is cracked open…

ALL:  Lord, may I always be open to all you have to give.

Leader:  When each season ends to welcome the next one in…

ALL:  Lord, may I always be open to all you have to give.

Leader: When the darkness of night is overcome by the light of a new day…

ALL:  Lord, may I always be open to all you have to give.

Leader:  When you give yourself as an offering…

ALL:  Lord, may I always be open to all you have to give.

Challenge for the Week:  When you receive Jesus in Holy Communion, how do you live your life knowing Jesus is a part of you?  Do you acknowledge that as a fact and set your mind to live with the understanding that Jesus is within you?  Or do you nonchalantly consume Jesus without paying any mind to the great gift you have just been given.  Even starting from before you receive communion, what is your mindset about what you are about to do?  Are you in the moment or simply going through the motions?  Father Ron Rolheiser says that to receive the Eucharist is to receive a kiss from God.  Take some time this week to read through the second reading again and reflect on it.  Then pray a prayer of thanks for all God has given to you.