4th Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord

Help me to remember,

        my life will be muddy at times

        and I will not be able to see.

Let me turn to you,

        so you can wash me clean

        and I can live like you live!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

• Have you ever questioned how God handled something? What can you learn from Samuel’s doubt of God choosing David to be King about your own doubt?
• David was working in the field when God called upon him; where were you when you first felt God call you?
• How do you feel anointed by God this Lent?

Eph 5:8-14

• Saint Paul says to “live as children of light”, how can you do this?
• Share an example of how being rooted in Christ produces “good fruit”.
• Share an example of how being disconnected from Christ causes darkness.

Jn 9:1-41

• The Blind Man is thrown out of the synagogue for defending Jesus, have you ever been thrown out because of your belief? What caused this division? How did you react? Was it resolved?
• Reflect on how Jesus used clay to cover the blind man’s eyes and heal them. What has Jesus covered with clay or mud in your life that needs transformation?

General Questions for Journaling

Closing Prayer

Leader: May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a newborn baby.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a hungry child.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see flower in bloom.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see a woman on welfare.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you watch the sunset.

Leader:  May I see what you see

ALL:  when you see me.

Challenge for the Week:  In the Gospel you hear the story of a man born blind.  Take time this week to think about the life of this man.  Prior to meeting Jesus, what do you think a typical day looked like for him?  When he met Jesus, he listened to Jesus and followed what Jesus told him to do.  Then the people in the village saw that the blind man had changed, and the blind man told everyone about Jesus.  He even stood strong in his belief when faced with opposition from the Pharisees who criticized Jesus and doubted the blind man, trying to discredit his character publicly.  After being ridiculed and pushed aside, Jesus came to give comfort.  What lessons can you learn from the blind man?  Is there a particular area in which you have trouble meeting Jesus, listening to Jesus, following Jesus, telling others about Jesus, standing up for Jesus, allowing Jesus to comfort you?  Let the blind man’s story give you strength, guidance and wisdom as you continue your journey through Lent.

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