24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord of immense patience

        How can I learn from you?

Where can I go to find patience?

        Is it within my reach?

What can I do to cultivate more?

        Why can’t I seem to wait?

Be with me Lord,

        I cannot do it on my own!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 32: 7-11, 13-14

• What does this scripture say about human nature? Is it still true today? Where do you see an example?
• What does this reading tell you about God’s mercy?
• How does the covenant with God work with the Israelites? Is there a give and take agreement? How does this covenant work in our own relationship with God?

1 Timothy 1:12-17

• St Paul’s conversion is one of the most powerful examples in the Bible of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Where do you see God’s patience working in today’s world? Where in your life do you need to show mercy and forgiveness?
• Identify how God has shown mercy to Paul.
• Identify how others showed mercy to Paul.

Luke 15: 1-32

• How do you rejoice when you have been forgiven?
• Describe what it feels like to be filled with compassion.

General Questions for Journaling

• Are there things in your life which you value more than God? Imagine how God reacts to this knowledge.
• Would you consider yourself a persuasive person? Who do you identify as a persuasive person?
• Could a persuasive person get you to do something you know is wrong or that you shouldn’t do? Has this ever happened?
• How do you use persuasion in your life? Do you use it to get what you want or what God wants?
• Do you try to talk God into things? If so, what? And how did/does He respond?
• How do you feel when you make a deal with someone, and they don’t keep up their part?
• Have you ever reneged on a deal? What was the situation?
• Do threats work? Why or why not? When are threats necessary?
• Have you ever cried out to God to help you? Did He come to your aid? Explain what the circumstances were and how God helped you.
• Does God ever give up on you? Why then, do you give up on yourself? 
• When have you given up on yourself? Did you reach out to God or to others? Were you shown mercy?
• You don’t only experience grief when someone close to you dies. You also can experience grief when you lose things of which you value such as your health, your job, a relationship, or a goal. Is there something which you grieve right now?
• How have you dealt with loss? Did you feel angry? Fearful? Lonely? Did you feel God? Explain.
• In a time of loss, who was there to help support you? Who offered comfort?
• Did you learn anything about yourself through an experience of loss? Be specific.
• Have you ever lost something of value and then got it back? How did it feel? What did you do?
• Have you ever been lost? What did it feel like? Who found you? How did you feel when you were found?
• Do you think God has favorites? Does He love the one who got away more than the 99 faithful?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never give up on me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never leave me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never lose patience with me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never for me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never forsake me, a sinner!

Challenge for the Week:  On the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon, each person over the age of 20 can tell you a story about where they were and how they felt when they heard the terrible news.  If you reflect back to your story, it may be filled with sadness, anger, surprise, but at the time you probably didn’t have much mercy or forgiveness about the event.  Spend some time this week and examine what has changed in your life, in the world and see how time has perhaps changed your perspective or understanding.  Have you seen mercy and forgiveness happen in the world?  What examples can you come up with as ones to share with others so they can learn to be able to forgive and show mercy to others.  

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