14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Father
You knew life would be hard.
You knew there would be challenges.
You knew the choices would be difficult.
But you sent Jesus to model how to show
mercy, give forgiveness and be obedient to You.
Through Jesus’ example,
you taught me that your grace is enough
to carry me through anything hard,
challenging or difficult that might come my way.
Thank you for your grace, mercy, forgiveness
and especially your love.
I know you are with me
in the valleys and on the mountain tops,
Lord, I trust you will carry me!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 66:10-14c

• Where do you see God rejoicing today?
• How does the imagery of a mother’s love hold true for you? Where might it fall short? Is there a better image for God to use to describe His love?

Galatians 6:14-18

• Where do you see God’s grace in the world?
• What does it mean to be a new creation?
• In addition to your faith, what else do you value greatly?

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9

• How are humans like lambs? How are they like the wolves?
• Where do you see examples of lambs and wolves in the world?
• What is the harvest Jesus is speaking of in this scripture? Why are the laborers few?
• How do you see yourself in this scripture?

General Questions for Journaling

• Describe your connection to your church, parish or place of worship. What is your connection to the community? What need(s) does the community meet in your life?
• Do you believe the church holds the same purpose it did when they first began to form? Why or why not? What is the same or different?
• Has God’s love for His people changed over time or does it remain the same? Does God love you as He did Adam & Eve? King David? Mary, Mother of Jesus? Jesus?
• What laws of the world are non-negotiable? Why are they so?
• Where do you see influences of the world and the laws of people in your household?
• Where do you see influences of Jesus in your household?
• How is peace achieved in your life? How often do you achieve resting in peace?
• Where do you see mercy shown? What can you do show mercy to others more regularly? Are there opportunities which you sidestep?
• How do you welcome others? Share a specific situation.
• Where do you share peace? To whom do you give peace? From whom do you receive peace? How can you have it more abundantly?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might bring comfort to a child.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might see where my help is needed.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might trust you more.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might show love more deeply.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might open my arms to others.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I know I am enough!

Challenge for the Week: Saint Paul in the second reading notes how the people are arguing over the laws of circumcision. He is telling them it doesn’t matter because Jesus came to save all people, circumcised or not. People are still taking sides on issues today. Make a list of some of the things people are arguing about today. Are any of them keeping you from seeing your neighbor as Christ calls you to see them? Have you treated another with neglect, disregard or judged them based on the stand they take on a specific issue or law? Paul is not saying, don’t have an opinion. He is telling the Galatians that these differences should not distract from the fact that the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus should be what really matters. How will you live out this scripture passage in the coming days, weeks, months? Make a commitment for a specific change to see how it affects you and those around you.

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