20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

It is my nature to love you,

        but there are so many distractions.

Help me fight off the distractions,

        and be persistent in my commitment. 

Let me not be limited by love of things which don’t last,

        but seek Your love which is limitless.

Keep me open to Your everlasting love,

        so I can love without limits too!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

• When have you interceded for another, like the Court Official in this scripture? Who was it? What were the circumstances?
• Have you stood up against the crowd? How did the crowd react to your opposition? Have you ever not spoken out and kept your opposition within?  What did that feel like? What would happen if you did stand up? Would you be treated like Jeremiah? Would God be there with you too?
• Jeremiah proves to be someone you can rely on. Who else in this reading could you rely on? Who in your life can you rely on? What qualities do these people have that make them good friends?

Hebrews 12:1-4

• Describe “cloud of witnesses.” Is it the same for everyone? What is the specific purpose of a “cloud of witnesses?”
• What does this scripture say about suffering, specifically about Jesus’ suffering on the cross?
• Do you believe God wants you to suffer? Why or why not? Is this belief because of faith or experience?

Luke 12:49-53

• How does God set the world on fire? What is consumed? What needs to be consumed? What is role in keeping the fire alive?
• Have you ever been filled with “fire” or passion for something? Jesus came to rekindle the “fire” of faith and left the Holy Spirit to light up the world.  How do your actions show that you have been baptized?  Do you live as if you WERE baptized or ARE baptized?

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever felt like you were sinking in the mud? What did it feel like? How were you able to get “un-stuck”?
• Are there people who offend you? Who? Why? How does it affect how you act around them or how you treat them?
• Are there laws which you don’t agree with but follow?
• Have you ever worked to change a law which you found to be unjust?  Share. What did you do? What did you learn from the experience?
• How does your faith/hope/love in Jesus affect how you deal with loss/struggles/suffering?
• What would you say to someone who is struggling who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus? How would you show them support or give comfort?
• What do you focus your eyes on?  Jesus or something else?  What can you do to keep your focus on Jesus?
• What divides you from others?
• What is the definition of division? What is the opposite?
• Where do you see divisions in the world, your community, your church, your family, your own heart? Is there a common thread in these divisions?
• What are some of these things that divide the church today? Is there anything you can do to help the division dissipate? What ideas, concepts or theologies are you resistant to that cause division in the church, community, or family?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I never lose sight of the faith which fills me…

ALL:  Pray for me, Father Abraham!

Leader:  May I always find hope in the promise of heaven…

ALL:  Pray for me, Prophets of the Old Testament!

Leader:  May I always be waiting and listening for God…

ALL:  Pray for me, Mother Mary!

Leader:  May I never forget the sacrifice made on the cross…

ALL:  Pray for me, Jesus our Savior!

Leader:  May I always keep the Holy Spirit close and follow…

ALL:  Pray for me, Prophets of the New Testament!

Leader:  May I never turn away from the love which created me…

ALL:  Pray for me, Saints of today and yesterday!

Challenge for the Week:  Sometimes one little thing can cause a tornado of stress and worry in life. It could be something as simple as a paper cut that can flip your day upside-down.  If you look to the Prophets and Saints, you learn quickly that they know how it feels because they were human too.  They were also distracted by things (maybe even a paper cut) but persevered in learning to keep Christ centered in their lives.  Take time this week to seek out a Prophet or Saint (dead or alive) and consider how you might be able to learn a tip from them to fend off distractions in your life.

Examples: (1) Moses was “crippled” by his speech impediment but was able to put it aside to serve God and save the Israelites from slavery (2) Oscar Romero loved God and serving the Church so much he lived out his call as a priest despite the opposition…even to death.

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