Sunday, November 28th Readings

First Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Father

You created me to love,

so I can give Your love.

You showed me how to love,

So I can spread Your love.

Please continue to teach me, mold me, and open me

until Your love is spread throughout the world!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 33 :14-16

How do the promises of Christ live out/on in your life?
What has God risen up in your life? How do you show gratitude for it?

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

How can you strengthen your heart? What exercises are needed to build up your heart?
Do you know the instructions God has given to you? If so, what are they? If not, what can you do to learn what instructions God has for you?

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

How do you see/imagine Jesus coming?
How does Jesus return each day of your life?

General Questions for Journaling

What is the difference between full of mercy and full of grace?
How does God bring justice to the world?
Where does your security come from?
When do you feel the safest?
What can you rely on? What is consistent in your life?
How has your life been blessed because of your faith in God?
Do you believe in God because you fear Him? Why or why not?
What do you need to do to be more holy?
Identify a synonym for holy?
What good has come from a recent struggle you experienced?
Are there things which cause your stress? What is it about these things that make you anxious?
Is there something you are anticipating right now?
Write a prayer asking God for strength.

Closing Prayer

Leader: Find me seeking You in my daily schedule…

ALL: I am ready!

Leader: Find me seeking You in the highs and lows…

ALL: I am ready!

Leader: Find me seeking You in the decisions I make…

ALL: I am ready!

Leader: Find me seeking You in the joys and sorrows…

ALL: I am ready!

Leader: Find me seeking You every minute of the day…

ALL: I am ready!

Challenge for the Week: The holiday season brings added expectations. It’s a time when schedules fill up with extra activities with the kids at school, planning and attending gatherings of family and friends and as a Christian, you have the extra stress of trying to keep Jesus as the reason for the season. It appears the scriptures this week with their warning about not getting drowsy is extremely timely! The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is ideally supposed to be spent reflecting on the people and things for which you are grateful and sharing in memorable moments giving gifts everyone loves. In an attempt for people to meet this ideal season, many people can find themselves overwhelmed and stressed out. The Catholic Church provides a solution, Advent. Instead of looking at the long road ahead full of crowded shopping centers and depleting bank accounts, embrace the gift of the Advent Season. When the world is screaming Christmas, look at the red everywhere as a clue to STOP. And open yourself up to the colors of Advent, purple and pink, calling you to slow down and seek refuge from the chaos. When your calendar is so filled with holiday expectations, you risk getting weary and becoming drowsy. This is what the scripture warns you against. Take advantage of the Advent Season to prepare yourself and your family for the coming of Jesus. Look at your holiday calendar and determine what you MUST say YES to and then say NO to anything else that comes up along the way. Be sure to put on your calendar time to participate in Advent activities such as gathering around the Advent wreath daily for prayer. It’s a gift you will be glad you gave yourself and your family.

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Sunday, November 21st Readings

Solemnity of Christ the King

Opening Prayer

Christ the King

Let me come to you in the morning;

at the beginning of my day,

so I can consciously take you with me.

Let me come to you in the daytime;

in the middle of the day,

so I can stay connected to you.

Let me come to you in the evening;

at the end of the day,

so I can review the day together.

Jesus, help me to be mindful of you throughout the day!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Daniel 7 :13-14

What does this scripture tell you about the majesty of God? How is this description similar or different than how you define the majesty of God?
How does God have dominion over you in your life? It is something that comes naturally or do you have to work to allow God to move, guide and direct you? Explain.

Revelations 1:5-8

Jesus is a faithful witness. What would you say Jesus is a faithful witness of?
Are you a faithful witness to Jesus? How? Be specific.
How does it make you feel being told in scripture that Jesus will come again for the sake of everyone? Identify what Jesus means by everyone.
How does this understanding affect your words and actions in the world right now? Is it reflected in the decisions you make and how you live your life? Share examples.

John 18:33b-37

Pilate is listening to the crowd and following the majority. When have you listened to the majority and followed the crowd?
What kept those who loved Jesus from standing up for him?
Share a time when you stood up for Jesus.

General Questions for Journaling

Describe the kingdom of God. Are these hopes of what you expect it to be or understanding from someplace else that this is what the kingdom of God really is?
How is God’s kingdom similar or different than the kingdoms of the old centuries? How is it similar or different from those who govern the countries of the world today?
When can you first remember thinking about Jesus?
What was the last “project” you started and finished? How long did it take? Were feelings of accomplishments associated with the completion? Did you experience any setbacks? Will you do it again?
Are there areas in your life which you are proud of? Would Jesus also be proud of those things?
How do you know when someone is lying to you? Is it subjective or objective? What do you do about it?
Could you describe Jesus’ voice? Do you think it is the same all the time? Do you think Jesus’ voice sounds different to different people?
Does your home reflect your faith? Share an example.
How do the things you post (or like) on social media fall in line with what you say you believe in?

Closing Prayer

Leader: The injustice that happens each day…

ALL: You are called to see.

Leader: The cries of those in need and hurting…

ALL: You are called to listen.

Leader: The forgotten, the lost and the forsaken…

ALL: You are called to love.

Leader: The stranger and the neighbor…

ALL: You are called to help.

Leader: Broken but mended by the power of faith…

ALL: You are called children of God.

Challenge for the Week: Jesus was consistent in faith throughout his time on earth. Stories of Jesus as a child reflect how he was faithful to his studies and loved being among the elders of the church to learn. Jesus modeled for all how to live faithfully, by accepting everyone and teaching the faith through works of service to others. Even up to death, Jesus stood strong in faith and wasn’t going to back down or blasphemy to save himself. In the Catholic Church, a new liturgical year begins which means, as believers there is yet another opportunity to reflect, repent and renew our faithfulness. No matter how dedicated or committed to faith a person is, one can always benefit from a self-evaluation of faithfulness to stay focused on the journey to the Kingdom of God!

Sunday, November 14th Readings

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do I search in all the wrong places to find you?

When I look in the darkness,

You are not there.

When I look behind, above and below,

You are not there.

You are in all things at all times,

yet I struggle to find you!

Thank you for not turning away;

Thank you for your grace, love and mercy;

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Daniel 12 :1-3

What qualities do you learn are important to have as a witness of Christ through this scripture? Do you possess any of them? If so, which ones? If not, what can you do to build up these qualities within?
Who are “stars” who shine brightly? Are there people in your life who let God’s light shine and worked toward justice? Can you name some people in history who have been examples of “stars”?
How might your life be different if you followed the stars?

Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

Why is sacrifice needed? What sacrifice(s) do you make for your relationship with God?
How does one become perfect in Christ? Is this even possible? Why or why not?
Consider, through the words of this scripture, the importance of the sacrifice of Mass. What is happening at Mass and do we understand the meaning as it is happening?

Mark 13:24-32

What is Jesus telling you about what you can take with you when you die? How does this change how you think of material things? How does this change how you might spend the rest of your life?
Does this scripture cause you fear or another emotion? What emotion do you think Jesus wants you to feel?

General Questions for Journaling

In the past week, where did you see God’s light shine? Who did it shine through?
Where do you turn for comfort when you are in distress? Is God there?
Would you consider yourself a leader or a follower? Why?
What was the last thing you took the lead on? Who was it for? What was the task? How did it turn out?
What kind of leader are you or would you be? Why?
How can you make your sins go away? What do you do to ensure you don’t ever sin again?
What does God do or can God do to help you defeat sin?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Though I am a sinner;

ALL: You made one sacrifice for my sins.

Leader: Though I are ignorant;

ALL: You continue to teach me your ways.

Leader: Though I often lose direction;

ALL: You continue to guide me on the right path.

Leader: Though I waste much;

ALL: You continue to give me what we need.

Leader: Though I continue to fall short;

ALL: You continue to build me up.

ALL: Thank you Lord, for your constant love!

Challenge for the Week: Attend Mass. It really doesn’t matter if you do it on the weekend or during the week, the outcome is the same…you have witnessed a living sacrifice. What does this even mean? Well, when you go to Mass, it shouldn’t be just out of obligation so you can get it checked off your “to do list” or because you get to see friends or enjoy coffee and donuts afterwards. Nor should you attend Mass and not be an active participant. Mass is the “shortened” version of what is actually called the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” where Catholics come together to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for all. This act of love is monumental and deserves a response from each person who gathers to remember it. Jesus died for everyone and in return believers should sacrifice something each time they take the Eucharist. Those who receive the Eucharist, receives a piece of Jesus, this is how you become more like Him! So, go and make a sacrifice this week. Leave behind the grumpy, negative, judgmental part of you and let the joyful, positive and accepting light of Jesus shine through!

Sunday, November 7th Readings

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father in heaven,

Each day I work hard to please you

but this is not what you ask of me.

You ask for me to love you with all my heart.

You ask me to find you in others.

and want me to share your love.

Love you and share your love…this is what you ask;

Help me to stay focused on the goals you have for me.

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Kings 17:10-16

What does the widow do to receive the generosity of another?
Are there only a few people whom you would sacrifice the last of something for or would you sacrifice the same for a stranger/anybody?
What is God saying to you in this scripture about being ready to accept Him into your life?

Hebrews 9:24-28

What is the significance of one sacrifice?
How does one find salvation according to this scripture?
What is the core message you hear in this scripture? Each person will hear something differently according to their experience…share!

Mark 12:38-44

What is Jesus telling you about giving? Is He only talking about money to the church? Be specific.
What are the two types of people Jesus is referring to in this scripture? What characteristics are being highlighted as good and bad? Where would you rate yourself on the scale?
How are you like the widow? In what ways do you want to be more like the widow?

General Questions for Journaling

What do you have that never runs empty?
What do you have that limits you?
Is there anything you wouldn’t give away? What would it be and why?
Define generous spirit. Would you say you have a generous spirit? Why or why not?
Share a time when you recently did something for another person. Did they ask you to do it or did you do it because you saw a need.
What is the difference between doing something you are asked to do and doing something because you saw a need?
What is needed to create a habit of giving? Do you have these qualities? Who do you know has them?
What good comes from helping others?
Are there always rewards for doing good things?
When you think of what God brings to your relationship and what you bring, do you think God is measuring like you do? Why or why not?
What do you think God is saying about what you bring to your relationship?
Is generosity about how much you give or how you give? What is the difference?
Make a list of the things God love most about you.
How do you define a “leap of faith”, share some examples.

Closing Prayer

Leader: When I am held up at a red light…