Month: July 2021

Sunday, August 1st Readings

18th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

My God

Even in the desert places of my life

        YOU can hear me.

When I am grumbling and uncomfortable

        YOU can see me.

On those days when I look for solace

        YOU can touch me.

In my joy and in my sorrow

        YOU are there to fill me.

YOU are the aroma of my soul…

        may I always give thanks for your presence!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15

  • God provided each with their ‘daily bread’ and each was to take their ‘daily portion.’ How can you practice this in your life right now? 
  • Do you think God still sends down bread from heaven? Why or why not? Do you believe God sends things down from heaven?
  • Share some examples of grumblings you have for God. What fuels these grumblings? How does God respond? How do you want God to respond?

Ephesians 4:17, 20-24

  • What are practices of renewal? What are the things you must renew? How do you renew your mind? Your relationships? Your spirit? When was the last time you felt renewed in your faith?
  • What does it mean to ‘put away your old self?’
  • Make a list of ways you ‘renew your spirit.’ When was the last time you did one of these things? Does your spirit need renewed now?

John 6:24-35

  • How does the Eucharist feed you? How would you explain it to someone who has never received?
  • What is the bread from heaven which you receive today? How does it feed you in your life? Share specific examples of bread from heaven in your life. 
  • Do you pursue God? What is it you are seeking when you do so? What is the end result when you reach God?

General Questions for Journaling

  • When do you call on God? When you are afraid? When you are in need? When you are in trouble? Any other time?
  • If you were God, how would you feel about someone only coming to you when you need something?
  • Are there people in your life whom always complain to you? Do you enjoy listening to them complain? Why do you think they complain to you?
  • When was the last time you thanked God for giving you something you asked for or He met a need you had without you asking?
  • Do you think humans are naturally greedy? If yes, explain your answer. If not, where is greed learned? Is there anything you can do to reverse it?
  • Have you ever skipped a meal? Gone a day without eating? Describe what hunger feels like?
  • Do you believe hunger is physical or mental?
  • Have you ever made a change in your spiritual life so drastic that people took notice? What was it? What was the reaction of others?
  • Is change always difficult? Consider ways change can be good.
  • Consider a time when a painful transition in your life became helpful for another person. When was it, who was the person and how did it change or affect both of you?
  • Can you clean up your “act” like you clean up your house? Make some specific analogies of how.
  • Define the word “perish”. How does this apply to your life? Does good or bad come from things that perish? Do you allow things to perish or does God have control over that?
  • How does Eucharist give life to people today? Share some examples.
  • What are some of the things that sustain you in your life? Have these things always been the same or do they change as you deal with different situation and obstacles in your life?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When given the opportunity to help…

ALL:  Guide me on the path of goodness!

Leader:  When I can’t decide what is right or wrong…

ALL:  Guide me on the path of righteousness!

Leader:  When I feel restless and unsatisfied…

ALL:  Guide me on the path of fulfillment!

Leader:  When I search for meaning and validation…

ALL:  Guide me on the path of truth!

Leader:  When I let go of our plans and follow you…

ALL:  Guide me on the path of holiness!

Challenge for the Week:  Saint Paul is not just talking to the Ephesians; he is speaking to you.  He says you should not live and act and think out of your mind; rather to renew your minds and live, act and think out of the holiness of truth. 

Of course, this is easier said than done. 

When you were baptized, presuming you were baptized as children, you were not likely aware of the commitment through baptism of a ‘daily conversion.’  It is as though you are a snake which sheds its skin as it grows.  As a committed disciple of Christ, you must also shed old thoughts, habits and attitudes.  This is how you can overcome and defeat those things which hold you back from a perfect relationship with God.  When you seek the truth, you come to find yourself growing in holiness because when you seek the truth you find God. 

What can you do this week to grow?  Where in your daily, weekly routines have you not sought after the truth and you feel as though you are suffocating (because of deceit and corruption) and you need to shed the skin of your old self?  It is time to be renewed!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, July 25th Readings

17th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

YOU never cease to amaze;

        I am filled with wonder and awe at YOUR creation

YOU set the moon and the stars into motion;

        and breathed life into each of me.

YOU provide for my every need;

        sometimes through miraculous works of mercy or kindness.

Many are the gifts which YOU provide

        for all YOUR children.

YOU bless me, YOU love me, YOU provide for me

        YOU are the bread of life!

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Kings 4:42-44

  • Share a time when you didn’t think God provided enough? How was it like this scripture passage?
  • Why do you think there was enough for all to eat and still some leftover? 
  • Could you trust God like Elisha did and ignore logic to allow God to take care of it? Explain.

Ephesians 4:1-6

  • What does Saint Paul mean when he says to “preserve the unity of the spirit, through the bond of peace”?  How could you explain this to a new believer? How can you preserve unity?
  • How does your life show you believe that there is “one God…who is over all and through all and in all”? Give examples.

John 6:1-15

  • What would you tell a child about the distribution of food resources around the world? What do you believe God is teaching the world to do about it through this Gospel? Is there something specific you can do?
  • Imagine being there with Jesus, the disciples and the others. Would you expect Jesus to provide you with a meal if you traveled to the countryside to listen to him? Describe how you’d have felt if you were one of the disciples.

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever been without enough food to eat? What did you do? Did you trust you would have food again? 
  • Share a time when God provided you with what you needed at the time it was required. What did you have to do for it to happen? How do you know God was involved?
  • On a scale from 1-10, how much do you trust God to provide for your needs? How would you rate your willingness to take a leap of faith?
  • What does your faith tell you to hope for? Do you believe wholly this will happen? What evidence do you have that makes it true?
  • Reflect on a time when you had to give more than you had to give.  What was the situation? How did it work out? Where was God in the situation/outcome? What did you learn from the experience?
  • Can a person be a prisoner in their own life?  To what are they imprisoned?  Have you personally experienced this?
  • Define a blessing. Are there limits to it?
  • Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not? How would you define a miracle?
  • How is a blessing and a miracle similar?  How are they different?
  • What do the scriptures this week tell you about generosity? Trust? Unity? Kindness? Humility? Patience? Getting your fill? What lesson do you think God wants you to learn from them?
  • When God shows up in your life, how do you feel?
  • Do you ever regret the time you spend with God? Why or why not?
  • Describe how God “feeds” you. What can you compare the feeling to?
  • How is the “fullness” of God like or unlike being “full” after a meal?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Through the work of my hands…

ALL:  May I find fulfilment in YOU, Lord!

Leader:  Through the words I speak…

ALL:  May I find fulfilment in YOU, Lord!

Leader:  Through the prayers I pray…

ALL:  May I find fulfilment in YOU, Lord!

Leader:  Through my gratitude and humility…

ALL:  May I find fulfilment in YOU, Lord!

Leader:  Through the bread and wine…

ALL:  May I find fulfilment in YOU, Lord!

Challenge for the Week:  The Gospel message and the First Reading both talk about “leftovers”.  What do you think happens to the “leftovers”?  In today’s world, many of people plan meals for leftovers (especially on Thanksgiving) or enjoy taking a “doggie bag” when you go out for a meal.  There are some people who don’t like leftovers and won’t eat them, while others like to take leftovers and make them into something else altogether.  Still, many people will tell you that leftovers just aren’t the same or as good the second time around, while there are some foods that are just as good or better the next day!  Reflect on how this compares to God’s love. 

Some additional things to reflect on…

  • Do you give God love, only after you’ve shared with other? 
  • Does God devalue your time spent with Him when you do it out of obligation, instead of intentionally? 
  • Is there a quality of love God gives? 
  • How does it compare to the quality of love you give to him and others? 
  • Consider where you are giving ‘leftover’ love. 
  • Can you tell when someone giving love to you isn’t sincere or genuine?  How does that make you feel? 

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, July 18th Readings

16th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Savior,

I wander aimlessly

Let me hear your voice more clearly

Your deepest desire is for me to be with you

Allow me to empty space

So you can fill me

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 23:1-6

  • What do you believe makes a “bad shepherd”? What does God say will be done to those who mislead or do not care for the flock?
  • Where can you be a “good shepherd” to help aid and lead others to safety? Identify three things specifically you can do.

Ephesians 2:13-18

  • Reflect on some of the walls which divide people today. Which ones are evident in your life, your family, your community? What can be done to start to break down the walls that divide those around you?
  • Recall a story from the news or from your own life where you witnessed a dividing wall tumbling down. Share that story of restoration with three people this week.
  • What does this scripture offer in the form of advice?

Mark 6:30-34

  • Jesus was moved with pity for the crowds gathered…why? Can you think of an example from today where Jesus would also be moved with pity for those gathered?
  • How would you react if you were in this Gospel reading? Imagine having just come back from a long trip and you are taking a break to regain your energy. However, just as you are about to really relax, you are faced with having to go out again. What would you do? Could you show mercy for these people and give them what they need and sacrifice what you need?  Would you instead ask them for mercy to allow you to get the rest you need? How often are you asked to give more than you have for the benefit of others?
  • Jesus calls his disciples who work for him to take time for themselves. How do you take time for yourself?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How would you explain that God is just? What helps you to know God is just? Are there examples? 
  • Are there moments in your life when you look back and wonder where God was? Have you ever experienced a time when God wasn’t with you?
  • Where are modern day shepherds? Are they easy or hard to identify and find?
  • Who are the shepherds in your life?  What makes them voices you listen to and follow?
  • Can you be a shepherd and be a sheep as well? How is this possible? Identify situations where you are one or the other or both.
  • What is it about shepherds that God values? What are some of the characteristics needed to make a good shepherd?
  • Where do you see injustice happening in the world today? Who are the “shepherds” leading the flock? 
  • Where do you see an abundance of compassion in the world? What can you do to increase the work being done already?
  • Would you say fear is a major cause or contributor to injustice? Why or why not?
  • Is there someone in your life whom you feel sorry for? What is the situation? What do or can you do for them?
  • So many people live without purpose; what can you do to help lead them to the shepherd?
  • What does the symbol of the cross mean to you?  Has it changed over the years or does it remain the same as you always remember?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  Let me hear your voice over the noise.

Leader:  Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  Give me courage to follow.

Leader: Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  Even when the road is steep and narrow.

Leader:  Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  Allow your spirit to radiate in me.

Leader:  Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  My hands reach out for justice.

Leader:  Lord, Lead me to do what is right

ALL:  Bring peace to this world.

Challenge for the Week:  There are many “divides” among people.  It could be political, religious, racial, economical and the list goes on.  These divides can seem deep where many people fall in between the cracks, while others seem so high to climb that it is deemed impossible to meet in the middle.  To bridge the divide might even seem like a waste of time and energy especially if you don’t have an opinion putting you on one side or the other.  However, there are other walls which divide people that are not so commonly spoken about…the wall built to keep people out because of personal prejudices or walls that you put up to protect you from having to change the way you do things or the way you think.  Individuals build walls in relationships to keep others from causing hurt feelings.  And it’s a defensive tactic to build roadblocks at work in order to achieve success.  However, sometimes those roadblocks become stumbling blocks to trip over and land flat on your face!  These things apply to your relationship with your God and Savior too. 

Spend time this week thinking about the walls you have built up around you, the roadblocks you have secured which have caused you to detour and the stumbling blocks you have tripped over; many of which you may be blaming someone else for setting up, but really you need to accept responsibility for creating it.  If it helps get a pen/pencil and a piece of paper to draw a diagram of these things so you can get a visual of just how many obstacles there are and if there is a pathway around these things.  Make the decision to choose one of these things to “break down” and clear the path.  Remember to seek God, your Shepherd to help make the pathway straight!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, July 11th Readings

15th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

So many times a day

        I need you.

Together we travel

        through ups and downs.

You stay with me

        even when I turn from you.

Thank you for being my

        constant companion.

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Amos 7:12-15

  • When have you felt God calling you to something you are/were not qualified to do?  What did you do about it?  Did you make the right choice? How did you know it was God pulling you?
  • Through Baptism we are all called to be “priest, prophet and king”.  God has already called you to be a prophet like Amos if you are baptized…how are you living out your call as a prophet?

Ephesians 1:3-14

  • How does it make you feel to hear/read the words “God has known you for eternity”? What does this mean to you? How does it make sense?
  • How can you explain to a child or new believer that God has known you/them since the beginning of creation? What words or images would you use to explain?
  • What does it mean to you to be “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”?  How do you feel, see, know the Holy Spirit is in your life right now?

Mark 6:7-13

  • Jesus told to disciples to “dust off your feet”; are there hurts, regrets, ideals that need to be “dusted off your feet” for you to be stronger in your testimony to the Gospel?
  • The scripture says they were sent out with no food, no sack and no money. How would you fare in this situation? What was the purpose of doing this? Could you go on a journey with nothing? Are there things you are attached to which keep you from doing the work God has called you to do? 
  • The disciples were sent out two by two.  What is the purpose of this?  How is this relevant today? Who would you consider your “partner in crime” to spread the Gospel message?

General Questions for Journaling

  • People say “God only gives us what we can handle”, you find this true? Why or why not? What are other ways to say, “God only gives us what we can handle”? 
  • When was the last time you spoke out against an injustice? Or when did you last speak up for something you believe in? What was it? How did you feel?
  • What are your “hot topic” conversations, those which you feel strongly about and would happily debate your side against another?
  • Have you ever spoken out and been the only one with that idea or opinion? How did it feel? Did you regret sharing your input? What did you learn from the experience?
  • What are those “hot topic” conversations which you have been witness to but didn’t contribute to? How did you feel? What were those feelings or emotions? Why do you think you felt that way?
  • How do you know someone is “qualified”? What qualities do you look for in a friend, husband, co-worker, boss, President? How do your standards of qualifying compare to how God seeks out prophets and disciples?
  • How would you describe your ‘comfort zone’. What does it look like? Sound like? Smell like? Taste like? How does it feel?
  • How have you felt God’s love this past week? What does it feel like to receive God’s grace?
  • Describe what it is like to have the Holy Spirit active in your life. Name 3 times when the Holy Spirit has been active in your life this week.
  • What are some things you hope for?  Do you have a list? Are the things you hope for just for you or do they benefit others?
  • Describe hospitality?  How is it done well?
  • What can you do this week to help people feel welcome and comfortable?  How is this a reflection of God’s love and evangelization?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Your grace covers me like a warm blanket

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Leader:  Your mercy fills me like a river that overflows

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Leader: Your Word brightens my day like the sun

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Leader:  My sin is washed clean with the rain

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Leader:  Your Spirit guides me like the wind

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Leader:  Your love is welcoming like the shade tree

ALL:  Lord, I put my trust in YOU!

Challenge for the Week:  Many people would say their cell phone is their lifeline.  It has all their personal information, passwords to accounts, contact information with friends and families phone numbers and addresses and they even hold memories.  Could you go a day without your phone?  Would you know someone’s phone number to call if you needed help?  These questions are a real challenge. Ask yourself, how much importance do you put into this material thing?  Whatever degree you are connected to your cell phone and rely on the information it holds; it is simply your connection to the world.  What is your connection to the spiritual?  In church people are taught the words of the Bible, “Jesus is the way the truth and the life” which teaches Jesus is the lifeline to the eternal.  This week reflect on how dependent you are to things that are not eternal.  What do you cling to and what are the consequences or benefits of doing so?  Perhaps even test out your presumptions and leave your cell phone at home one day or turn it off except for when you need to make a call.  It could really help focus your thoughts on your true lifeline, JESUS!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com