Sunday, September 5th Readings

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

My God,

Let me seek the water that is brings me life!

I want to reach the stream that never runs dry!

You put a thirst in me that only you can quench!

Come, bring healing to my weary soul and fill until I overflow!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 35:4-7a

What phrase from this scripture gives you hope?
Draw a picture of what this scripture looks like to you.

James 2:1-5

What does this scripture say about how we should treat others? Is it easy to follow? Why or why not?
Are there people or groups of people whom you have trouble treating with respect? What keeps you from doing so?
How does your appearance change the reaction you get from others? Is this important? Why or why not? Is it a good representation of you or what you want others to believe you are?
What are the benefits of being poor? What are the benefits of being rich? How do they differ?

Mark 7:31-37

What is the reaction of the people in this scripture? How do you think you would react if you had been there?
For what reason do you believe Jesus told the people to be quiet? Why do you think they disobeyed this order?
Why do you think Jesus “groaned” before he healed the deaf man?
What would you have felt if you saw Jesus walking away from the crowd? How does his action cause you to feel?

General Questions for Journaling

How do you celebrate the coming of Christ? What does it look like in your life?
What do you need from Jesus to heal? Are you in need of healing? In what way?
How do you prepare for Jesus to come into your life?
When you are without one sense, how do your other senses work to “make up” for the missing sense?
What is something you have seen or want to see that you would regret seeing if you were to become blind today?
What is something you would miss hearing if you were to lose your sense of hearing today?
Share an example of a personal experience when you felt God came to rescue you. What was the situation? How are you assured it was God who came?
Is there anything that causes you fear? Anything that God could not rescue you from?
How does goodness, beauty and healing come from something evil, ugly and broken? Can you give an example?
Is there something you need to be rescued from right now? How do you speak to God about it?
Has God rescued you from something in the past? How do you show gratitude?
Does God show favoritism? Why or why not? If so, to whom?
Do you think you treat everyone equally? Why or why not? Give an example.
Why does having money automatically demand respect in our society? Identify the poverty in your life. What has God already done in response to it?
Do you have favorites? Favorite stores? Favorite restaurants? Favorite place to stop while on a road trip? This show partiality. How does this affect others who are in the same business? What do your actions change in the big picture?
How do you relate to the cries for help from those in need?

Closing Prayer