Sunday, January 30th Readings

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

You knew me before I was born

You know where my path leads

You continue to love and guide me

You open your arms to welcome me

Home!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 1 :4-5, 17-19

Jeremiah is trying to stir up the people to prepare for battle; what battles are you gearing up for which require you to be firm in your faith and understanding of who God is to you?
Who cries out for peace and justice today? What do they say? Do people believe and follow?
What are you willing to stand up to protect? Share an example.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

What does this scripture tell you about love? Have you seen love like this?
How do you learn of love? How is love taught? Where does it come from? Does love have limits? Is there a capacity for love?
What does hope bring to your life? What does faith bring? What does love bring? How do the three things work together?

Luke 4:21-30

What does it mean to be humble? How is humility shown in this scripture?
Are there people in your life whom you have a hard time believing? What is it that causes you not to trust their words or actions?

General Questions for Journaling

Are there things in your life which you are willing to die for?
What are things which require a fight? Are you fighting or simply a spectator?
Do you feel called to step up and step in to lessen an injustice? What holds you back?
Where does your strength to fight an injustice come from? Is it provoked from outside or stirred up from inside?
Share an example where dealing with conflict in a peaceful manner gave the desired result. Share an example where dealing with conflict with aggression gave the desired result. Which is the better way?
Does God ask too much of you? When? How?
Can good come from bad things? How does one grow through conflict?
Can you love too much? Why or why not?
Can you be loved too much? Why or why not?
Where have you seen love fail? What initiated the breakdown and what was the result of the failure?
Share an example of when love broke down hate, either a personal experience or one you witnessed.
Is it easy or difficult to change an attitude? What are some key factors in doing so?
How does the name of Jesus provoke you to love?

Closing Prayer

Leader: You created me out of love…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You breathed life into me…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You gave me a purpose…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You laid out the laws…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You cleared a path…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You surrendered and died…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You rose and gave me new life…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Challenge for the Week: Make a list of ways people can say and show love. How many can you come up with? Are there ways in which love can be expressed that you don’t feel comfortable sharing? When you give love, do you always get love in return? Sometimes we do and other times the love we give isn’t reciprocated…is that a requirement of love? Be mindful of the love you give this week, does it have limits, restrictions, requirements? Does the love you receive from others? Reflect on the second reading as you focus on love; what is your heart needing to hear?

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, January 23rd Readings

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Teach me to be holy

as you are holy!

Teach me to listen

as you listen!

Teach me to give

as you give!

I am ready

to do your will!
Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Nehemiah 8 :2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Why does Ezra say this day is holy? What makes it so?
Throughout this scripture, Nehemiah tries to make sure you understand Ezra did everything he could to help the people understand. What is the purpose of this?
What can the world learn from this scripture passage about being attentive to everyone’s needs while still moving towards a common goal?

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

What does this scripture say to you about yourself? Choose one thing you can do to live out this scripture today.
Where do you see division and suffering in the world today? In your family? Within yourself? Identify one for each.
What wisdom from this scripture can shine light on the division you see? Be specific.

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

How does Jesus fulfill the scripture he read in the synagogue, specifically how does He bring good tidings to the poor, set captives free and give sight to the blind?
Say out loud how the scripture was fulfilled and proclaim it like Jesus! When you proclaim it, how do you feel? Do you believe it about Jesus? Do you believe it about yourself?

General Questions for Journaling

How does the past affect your future? What value do you find in looking to the past?
What is the difference between living forward and living backward?
How does God share His hope for your future?
What gifts have been highlighted in you today?
What gifts have you seen in others today?
Have you ever intentionally kept gifts you keep to yourself? Explain the situation.
Share a time when you experienced working together with others to achieve a common goal. What did it feel like? Were there conflicts? What was the outcome?
What makes a day more special than another? What value do you put on a day such as your birthday or an anniversary?
How do you determine a day to be Holy? What do you think God’s criteria would be to describe a day as Holy?
Are there books you have read more than once? What are they? What is the purpose of reading them again?
Are there shows you have watched more than once? What are they are why do you watch them again? Explain the value of experiencing it again.
What is your most favorite thing about yourself? Explain.
What superpower would you most like to have and why?
What do you believe and know in your heart strongly enough to stand up and proclaim to others?

Closing Prayer

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you begin each day.

Leader:May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you struggle to focus.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you encounter giants.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you celebrate victories.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you embrace a loving God!

Challenge for the Week: Create a pie chart which represents how much time you spend thinking about past events, situations and experiences, how much time you spend planning and hoping for the future, and how much time you give to thinking about what you are doing right now in the present. Within each slice, write down the topics of conversation you have that contribute to the past, present or future. Also consider the things you pray about, where do they fit into the pie chart? You can do this with the books you read, the things you watch on TV, the hobbies you like to participate in because they all can be placed on one of the categories. When you’ve completed adding the activities to the pie chart, how does it look? Are you happy or satisfied with how you spend your time or where you focus your time, whether on the past, future or present? Are there things you’d like to change or not? Take it to prayer.

OR

Point out special gifts you see in ten people this week by either telling them you are grateful for the gift or talent they share or send a note.

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, January 16th Readings

2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

You are generous beyond compare.

The wellspring of your love never runs dry.

You are the giver of all that is good.

I want to overflow with praise for you,

And shout from the rooftop that You are God!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 62 :1-5

Jesus is the King of Kings, how does this scripture describe your relationship with him?
What does this scripture tell you about how God loves? Does it help you understand God’s love more or less?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Where do you see yourself in this scripture? How does the Spirit manifest within you?
When have you seen these gifts work together for good in your community or in your life?
Where have your gifts been called upon and gathered for a specific purpose or did they come together organically? Explain.

John 2:1-11

Compare your life to the wine which was served first and your future to the water which was turned into wine. Can you find hope in the comparison?
Put yourself in the scripture. Imagine yourself as the head waiter, the bride/groom, the guests, Mary. What are you thinking? How do you make sense of what happened? Whom do you share this occurrence with and how?
How do the words, “do whatever he tells you” change meaning when you hear them coming from Mary, speaking of Jesus?

General Questions for Journaling

How do you know God loves you? How would you explain this kind of love to someone who had never met God?
God calls you His delight and promises not to forsaken you; what other names does God give you? What other promises does He make?
What gift(s) do you have? How do you use it/them?
Are you jealous of a specific gift? Why? What would you do with it if you had it?
When have you seen a variety of gifts work together for good?
What specific gift is needed in your family right now? In your workplace? In your community?
There is a time to speak up and a time to be silent. Share examples of each and explain.
When you call on God, what name do you use? What name does God use to call on you?
Would you say you have experienced love to its greatest extent? Share the experience.
Do you feel favored by God? Why or why not?
What does it mean to you to be favored by God?
How do you compare God’s love for you and the love of a parent?
How do you compare God’s love for you and the love of a spouse?
Does comparing God’s love to the marriage union still hold value when people get divorced or don’t get married at all? Why or why not?
How does God know you love Him? Do you tell Him? Do you show Him? What do you do?
When have you seen the Spirit at work? Do you have to look hard to see it? How often do you experience this?
Are there gifts God has given to you which you are afraid to use?
Do you believe there are still gifts of God within you which haven’t been manifest yet? Why or why not?
Do you believe the phrase, “you get what you pay for”? What does it mean? How can you translate it to faith?
Is there anyone in your life whom you trust will provide for all of your needs? Do you think it is a rarity or surplus in life to have one or more people who take care of you to this extent?
Have you ever been asked to give more than you thought was expected? What was the situation? How did it affect your attitude? What was the outcome?
How does the saying “save the best for last” apply to your life? Share examples of when this is true.

Closing Prayer

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: turning water into wine.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: healing the sick and lame.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: providing for every need.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: making the ordinary, extraordinary.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: pouring mercy over sinners.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: giving eternal life through death.

Challenge for the Week: One name for God is King of Glory and Jesus is referred to as the King of Kings who reigns over the Kingdom of God. So when you read the First Reading which says you are “crowned” as children of the Most High King, how does that make you feel? Have you ever wished to have a crown? How does wearing a crown, potentially change your behavior? What words would you use to describe royalty; do any of these words describe you? Why or why not? This week during your prayer time, before you get out of bed or after you brush your teeth, make a point to crown yourself with an imaginary crown and remind yourself of your royal bloodline!

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, January 9th Readings

Baptism of the Lord

Opening Prayer

You meet me in the wilderness

You understand the rocky path

You hear my cry for help

You bring cleansing rain

You give me new perspective

You open my eyes to see

You clear the pathway before me

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 42 :1-4, 6-7

Use your own words to describe what it means for God to be pleased with you.
Do you want to God to be pleased with you? What do you want God to be pleased about?
Describe a real-life desert experience. Where do they exist and what positive things can come from wandering through the desert?

Acts 10:34-38

Why does God give salvation?
What does it mean that God has no partiality? How does that affect the way you accept others? How does that affect the way you accept yourself?

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The scripture says the people waited in anticipation for the Baptism; explain in your own words how baptism makes you feel. Must you have a personal connection to the one who is baptized to feel this anticipation? Why or why not?
John the Baptist brought many believers to follow Jesus. Who first introduced you to Jesus?
When did you last see someone whom you knew had Jesus within them? How did you know? What did you feel? What did you see?

General Questions for Journaling

Where do you see God’s love?
When did you last experience Baptism? What can you do to keep that experience real and close to you all the time?
How do you give thanks for the extravagant gift of eternal life God has given to you?
God is so generous with His gifts; what can you do to be more giving of love, mercy and understanding?
Where do you find value in your life? What validation do you seek?
Do you ever find faith hard to comprehend or figure out how it works?
Why does turning on the light in the middle of the night when it is dark hurt? Describe the feelings and thoughts you have in those seconds it takes to adjust to the light.
On the flip-side, how do you adjust to the darkness when you turn off the lights? How often is there complete darkness?
How do you proclaim your dedication to God?
Can you always see darkness coming? Is it possible to avoid darkness?
What can you do to get yourself out of darkness? Is it possible to do it alone? How can you help others out of darkness?
When do you feel strongest in spirit?
What does the power of God feel like?
What does the power of the devil feel like?
Do you see/feel God’s presence guiding you as this new calendar year begins? Be specific.
How do your “new year resolutions” pertain to your faith?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL: I have been CLEANED!

Leader:Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL: I have been made PURE!

Leader: Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL: I have been SATISFIED!

Leader: Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL: I have been made WHOLE!

Leader: Through the waters of Baptism…

ALL: I am LOVED and called BELOVED!

Challenge for the Week: There is not one person who has ever wanted to be the last one picked to be on a team. The anticipation of being the next person chosen can be agonizing, silently screaming “pick me, pick me” and then the feeling of defeat when your name is not the one called. This is not a feeling God EVER wants His children to experience. So when it comes to His choosing you, God chose you BEFORE you ever existed. This is one amazing thing to contemplate!

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