22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU call out to me, and I come near.

YOU give me a heart of flesh to love.

YOU give me hands to reach out to help.

YOU give me the will to choose to follow.

May I never lose sight of ALL YOU give,

and always be grateful YOU are there

to give me what I need.  AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

• What does the scripture say about who you are as a child of God? Would you describe yourself this way? Why or why not?
• How does someone learn to be humble? What does this scripture say one should do?
• How does this definition of humility fit with people who are blind, crippled or poor?

Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

• St Paul uses many adjectives in this reading, write down some of your favorite and describe how these words make you feel.
• What is a covenant? What is the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant?
• Does this scripture scare you or bring you comfort? 
• Pick one of the metaphors and meditate on it. What does it look like? How does it make you feel? How does it apply to your life (now or in the past).

Luke 14:1, 7-14

• Jesus models how ALL are invited to the banquet. When was the last time you welcomed the stranger, the blind, the lame, the poor or the crippled to the banquet?
• Have you experienced a time in your life when you were blind, poor, lame or crippled? What caused this?

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you define humility? Where does it come from? How is it achieved?
• Write your own definition of the word Humility. Reflect on what the Bible says about the word. Consider the root of the word, “humus” in Latin has connection to “ground, earth and soil” and how this compares or contrasts with your definition.
• What does humility look like in our world/society today?
• Do you personally know someone who you would describe as humble? Who is that person and what other characteristics do they emulate? How do they show humility?
• Are there people in your life whom you need to attend to? Do they need a listening ear? Words of comfort or advice?
• What kinds of gifts does God give? Have you ever received a bad gift from God? Are there bad gifts? Have you ever received a bad gift? Have you ever given one?  
• Have you ever been given a gift which you didn’t open or use? Are you using the gifts God has given? Are there gifts you still haven’t opened?
• Do you like when someone acknowledges you with a note, card, or gift? What about when they remember a special date or something important going on in your life? How do you feel?
• The word covenant is rarely used in today’s language. Do people still make covenants? Do they still hold value in today’s society?
• What was the last covenant you entered? Does it still hold true? Has it changed or adapted in anyway?
• Are you bound by anything? What binds you? Why? Is it good or bad? Does it need to change? What would happen if it did?
• Do you treat everyone equally? Do you include everyone? Do you show favoritism towards people while ignoring others? 
• When was the last time you felt valued? What have you done lately to show others in your life that they are valued? What can you do to show the poor, the lame, the blind and the crippled that they are valued?
• Have you experienced a time when you didn’t feel worthy to be invited to the banquet? How did this feel? What would Jesus say to you if you said you didn’t feel worthy?
• What does it feel like to be the guest of honor? Do you need help getting to the banquet? What are you doing to help others get to the banquet?

Closing Prayer – inspired by Colossians 3:12

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be compassionate!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be kind!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be humble!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be gentle!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be patient!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be LOVED!

Challenge for the Week:  In a world that puts so much focus on “I” and “ME” it’s no wonder humility is hard to find.  There are stories about people spending over their means only to impress others with their name brand clothes and the car they drive.  More stories of those who spend hours getting tummies tucked and plastic surgery to “fix” what they believe are flaws in how they were created.  The stories go on and on including people of all ages being bullied, shunned and some even killed because another person doesn’t think they live up to specific standards.  It is hard to push away insecurities brought on by media or the opinion of others to be considered “cool” or “acceptable.”  It is easily forgotten that God doesn’t create junk and you are wonderfully made.  God says you are chosen and loved, just the way you are and doesn’t ask for you to do anything to impress Him.  You are only asked to follow in His steps and accept and love one another, just as God created them.  It is when you stop worrying about impressing others with material things and embrace God’s opinion of yourself that you can find humility.  You can truly understand that life is “not all about me”, rather it is all about “we” and how to put God first in your life.  Take time this week to consider what you do in order to impress others (words or actions) or how you change yourself (words or actions) in order to fit into a group of people at work/school.  AND then pray to see what God wants you to do about it!  Remember, God is the only one you should try to impress 😉

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