33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Precious Jesus

When I find myself

overwhelmed or stressed by

the events of the day;

Let me just say Your name

and be comforted,

JESUS!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Malachi 3:19-20a

• How would you describe “fear of the Lord” to someone? What does “fear of the Lord” look like?
• Share an example of a time when justice healed. What hurts do you see in the world right now that need healing? Is there something you can do to bring justice?

2Thessalonians 3:7-12

• Saint Paul challenges the Thessalonians (and you) to be “models of faith” for others. Who can you look to for strength and encouragement as you strive to meet this challenge?
• Saint Paul struggled day and night to bring about the kingdom of God. How do you compare? What do you do? Is there more you can do or do you give all you can?
• What challenges did Saint Paul face? Are they similar or different than the challenges you face today?

Luke 21:5-19

• Is being persecuted because of your faith a thing of the past or does it happen still?
• Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith?
• What gifts have you been given to help you through your trials?
• What word or phrase from this scripture gives you hope during hard times?

General Questions for Journaling

• What does the name Jesus say to you?
• What do you feel when you hear the name Jesus?
• How do you feel about the day of God’s coming?
• Is God the only person whom you allow to have power over you? Who else holds power over you?
• Define justice.
• Share an example of when you saw healing at the hand of justice.
• Name the things you worry about. Why do you worry about these things? What can you do to let go of the worry? Why is it difficult to do this?
• Is there anything you fear?
• How do you know God exists? What does God do to let you know He is real?
• What most threatens the calm of your world?
• Are you quick to point out “evil doers”?
• Have you ever felt out of place for believing in God? When? Where? How did you deal with it?
• What about your character does God love? Is there anything He doesn’t love? Why or why not?
• How does God “renew the face of the earth” through suffering?
• Have you ever felt like things in your life were going to fall apart? When? What happened? How did you overcome the feeling?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me seek YOU Lord

ALL:  while I do my work.

Leader:  Let me seek YOU Lord

ALL:  as I spend time with family

Leader:  Let me seek YOU Lord

ALL: when I am running errands

Leader:  Let me seek YOU Lord

ALL:  in the good AND the bad

Leader:  May I not seek long

ALL:  before I feel You near!

Challenge for the Week:  Everyone suffers at one time or another.  It might be suffering through waiting for test results or suffering from the loss of a loved one or perhaps even a physical ailment.  Some joke about the things you might suffer through such as a child’s first band concert or all of the political ads for weeks before the election.  No matter what it is you suffer from or through, one thing remains the same, you can turn to God for comfort.  You can cling to God with all of your strength when you are suffering through the physical or emotional pain of a situation, and God can bring relief.  Your relief is found in the support you receive, the kind words you hear and the comfort of knowing you are not alone in the suffering.  You are not alone because God shows up as the friend that sits with you as you wait for test results.  God shows up in the words of comfort someone shares with you when you lose someone close to you.  God uses you to bring comfort to others too.  You are the one who can help ease the suffering of another who suffers from physical or emotional pain with empathy and support.  You can even give comfort to others who suffer through the child’s concert and political ads by sharing the experience and letting them know they are not alone.  God is there, though you, and through others.  This week, choose to be intentional about bringing comfort to someone you know who is suffering.

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