20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

It is our nature to love you,

but there are so many distractions.

Help us fight off the distractions,

and be persistent in our commitment.

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

but seek your love which is limitless.

Keep us open to your everlasting love,

so we can love without limits too!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

• Have you ever felt like you were sinking in the mud? What did it feel like?  How were you able to get “un-stuck”?
• When have you interceded for another, like the Court Official in this scripture? Who was it?  What were the circumstances?

 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?
• 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?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• 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?   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 divides you from others?
• What is the definition of division? What is the opposite?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May we never lose sight of the faith which fills us…

ALL:  Pray for us, Father Abraham!

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

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

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

 ALL:  Pray for us, Mother Mary!

Leader:  May we never forget the sacrifice made on the cross..

ALL:  Pray for us, Jesus our Savior!

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

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

Leader:  May we never turn away from the love which created us…

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

 

Challenge for the Week:  As humans, we can sometimes let one little thing cause a tornado of stress and worry in our lives; something as simple as a paper cut can turn our attitude around.  When we look to the Prophets and Saints, we often forget they are 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 your might be able to learn 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

19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do we doubt your love for us?

Let reach out to you

…and feel your embrace.

May we never lose hope in your presence!

What can we do to trust you more?

Let us call your Name

…and hear your response.

May we always know the sound of your voice!

Keep us close Lord, we cannot live without YOU!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 18:6-9

• Describe having “courage” to let God work in your life.
• Do you trust God will “take care of your adversaries”? Why or why not?  Give an example of what this might look like.

 Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12

• Have you ever felt lost in your faith?
• Explain how you show trust in God and His plan for you. Give an example of how you trust God.

 Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40

• Is there anything you’ve been waiting on God for which He has not delivered?
• Why would God want us to be watchful? How do you let down your guard?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there a common sacrifice all Christians’ value? What is it and how do you know it is valuable?
• Is it easy or difficult to let others have power over you? Why?  What would Jesus tell you to do?
• Have you ever sworn an oath? What was it for?  Did you keep it?
• Do you love and serve God out of fear or obedience? What is the difference?
• Have you ever felt as though there was no hope? What was the situation?  Was hope really gone or had you lost sight of it?
• Can someone you know be a stranger? Why or why not?
• Have you ever moved forward in faith, knowing God was calling but not knowing what was to come?
• Has God ever delivered a miracle to you? When?  What was it?
• What was the last decision you allowed God to make without your input?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we face adversity…

ALL:  May we have the courage, only faith can give!

Leader:  When we question…

 ALL:  May we have the wisdom, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all we see is despair…

 ALL:  May we have the hope, only faith can give!

Leader:  When we feel empty…

ALL:  May we have the fulfillment, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all we have to hold is the promise…

ALL:  May we have the trust, only faith can give!

Leader:  When we feel you in our soul…

ALL:  May we have the peace, only faith can give!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Trusting God, living a Christian life and following the path laid before us can be extremely difficult at times.  Often we are tempted to stray and fall into sin or to doubt or lose hope in the promise that God will take care of us and all of our needs.  However, over and over in the scripture we are reminded that what God has planned for us is so much better than what we can accomplish on our own.  The scripture tell us that even though it might be difficult and we might want to throw in the towel waiting on what we are looking for God to deliver, that we should NEVER lose hope!  Spend time thinking about how you have remained vigilant in the promises of Christ.  Have you been losing hope?  Are you holding on by a thread to the promise?  What can you do to refocus and get a clearer perspective on what God has been doing in your life…to see He is still there, just maybe not giving you what you expect.  God has a plan for you…are you trusting Him enough for it to come to fruition?

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Lord
Your measure of time is different than ours.
We over schedule and try to fit too much into a day,
while you have eternity to accomplish your tasks.
We spend our time, fill our time and waste our time
and forget it is not OUR time to begin with!
Often we think there isn’t enough time
but you created the world and all that is in it in only 7 days.
Help us to slow down and accept the time you give,
living each experience of sorrow and joy, knowing you are there.
Thank you Lord, for the gift of precious time!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
• How does one labor over wisdom and knowledge?
• What do you allow to rule your life? Does work have control? The quest for acceptance or acknowledgement? A desire for wealth or status? What worries keep you awake at night?

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
• Share an example of how you seek what is above on a regular basis? What does it look like?
• How did you learn to seek life in Christ? How do you share what you have learned?

Luke 12:13-21
• Are there things which you guard and do not share? What are they and why do you keep them for yourself?
• What does this scripture tell you of what God values?

General Questions for Journaling
• What causes you anxiety? How do you know it is anxiety? What happens to you physically, emotionally? How do you control it? Can you control it?
• Have you ever allowed grief to consume you? What do you risk when you allow grief and sorrow to take over?
• When was the last time your mind was at rest? Describe the feeling?
• Do the things you invest our time in tell an accurate story about what you value? What is in need of change?
• What is your image of Christ? What are the qualities of God which you emulate? Which ones do you need to work on more?
• Are there times when you hide your belief in God? Why or why not?
• What is your definition of treasure or riches?
• Where do you go to seek treasure or riches?
• Do you consider yourself to be rich? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the cool gentle breeze.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the sound of the ocean waves.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the smell of the pine tree.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the comfort of an embrace.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the warmth of laughter.
Leader: Let us know what you treasure…
ALL: in the intimacy of prayer.

Challenge for the Week: Where do you see God’s love? Make a list of the places you see God today. Do you think when we make a point to seek God, He appears more abundantly? How many times do you think we miss out on God’s goodness each day when we are consumed with our own agenda and worry? Consider what God wants you to do for HIM today to share HIS LOVE!!!

17^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do you love us?

What causes you to stay with us?

You love us and never leave

even though we neglect you and persecute you.

May we acknowledge your persistence in love

and come to know you enough

to love others as you love us!!!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:20-32

• What do you take from the conversation between God and Abraham? What does it say of God’s character?
• How might you be more like Abraham? What characteristic do you want to emulate?  How will you do this?

 Colossians 2:12-14   

• What are the things that keep you from having the relationship you want with Jesus?
• Are there people you can’t forgive? What stands in the way? Is there something God is calling you to do about it?

 Luke 11:1-13

• Who taught you to pray? How so?
• Do you ask God for what you need? How does He respond?
• Where do you find the answer to your prayers?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there something which you feel guilty about right now? What is it?  Why?
• Who do you turn to as a moral compass? Is it a person?  What do those conversations sound like?
• Do you believe in hell? Why or why not?
• In light of the hatred and violence in the world right now, where do you see God at work?
• Do you ever think God gets mad at us? Why or why not?
• If God gets mad at us, what do you think he is mad about? Our actions?  Lack of action?  Words or lack of words?
• Are there things you are afraid to talk to God about? Is it because you are afraid to ask?
• What is the definition of oppression? Where do you see oppression happening today?  In the world, your community, your church, your family?
• Do you answer the door when God knocks?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Sarah and Abraham to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

 ALL:  as you showed Job and Jonah to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

 ALL:  as you showed Elijah and David to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed James and John to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Mary YOUR mother to surrender.

Leader:  Let us surrender to YOU

ALL:  in our daily prayers in word and action!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In the parable Jesus shares, He continues to talk to us about how to treat our neighbor.  The scriptures over the past few weeks give us examples of hospitality, what we should do to take care of one another.  Jesus is reminding us to think of the needs of others first before our own, to share what we have without holding back.  This message is counter-cultural, even at the time of Jesus.  Spend time meditating on how you might be hording your “goods” (materials, time, talent)…what do you hold back?  Is there a specific relationship which you don’t give enough time or effort to but you know God is calling you to give more, be more?  Do you serve on a committee or participate in a group which you simply show up physically but aren’t giving of yourself to help move a project forward?  When asked to lend a hand, do your thoughts move to your “to do list” or do you jump at the opportunity to help and help with a positive attitude?  These are tough to consider but Jesus is showing us the path…are we following?

16^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Creator of all that is good,

YOU made each of us

with eyes to see

with ears to hear

with arms to reach out

with legs to go out

Let us see, hear, reach out and go to

all who feel YOU invisible.

Don’t let our to do list,

keep us from yours!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:1-10a

• What do you take from the hospitality of Abraham?
• How is Abraham like Jesus in this scripture?

 Colossians 1:24-28

• Where do you see faith being passed on to generations to come? What is your role?  What is the role of the church?  How would Saint Paul respond to your answer?
• How does suffering and sins of the flesh keep you from or draw you to the church?

 Luke 10:38-42

• Identify when you are Martha and when you are Mary; are you able to relate to both or are you drawn more to one over the other? Why? Are you happy with your answer?
• What do you believe is Jesus’ real message here?
• Have you demanded God tell someone else to help you out? How did He respond?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Does good always come from good? Why or why not?
• How do you see God blessing others in the world today? How do you know it is God and not simply good fortune?
• What is your definition of hospitality? Are you stingy or lavish with your hospitality?
• Who sees the best version of you? Are you at your best 100% of the time?  If no, what % of the time are you your best self?
• Does the fear of treating others equally keep you from doing nice things for just one person?
• Does suffering draw people together or rip them apart? How?  Where and when have you seen this happen?
• Do you say “yes” to too many things? Why or why not?
• When you say “no” do you feel guilty for not helping out or participating? Why or why not?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might show you love through service and in prayer.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

 ALL:  so I might complete the tasks you lay before me.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

 ALL:  so I might work to provide for my neighbor.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might welcome you into my home.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might follow you wherever you lead.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might rest at your feet at the end of the busy day.

 

Challenge for the Week:  Sometimes when we are going good things for others, we can get resentful for having to do them or get mad at others for not helping us or upset they aren’t seeing the good we are doing.  We can get wrapped up in the blame game and make up an excuse or harbor bad feelings towards others without ever acknowledging where our negative feelings are coming from in the first place.  Spend time this week in prayer and pray for the insight to determine if you are holding onto any ill will against someone without them even knowing you are upset; then determine if you are blaming them for a choice you have made and if you really should be upset with yourself instead.  Consider the Gospel story and use it as your guide as you meditate on how you feel and what you might do to find a peaceful solution.

15^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Dear God

YOU created a complex world

and in it YOU give us beauty beyond words.

YOU told the sun when to rise

and provide all creatures with their needs.

YOU wrote on our hearts

the desire to love and care for one another.

Let the material things and the lies which surround us

be tossed away and take up space, no more.

Let YOUR Word fill our hearts

until they overflow from our lips.

AMEN!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

• What do you do with all of your heart and soul? Are there a lot of things?  A few?
• How do know God has a plan for you?

Colassians 1:15-20

• What do you learn about Jesus in this scripture?
• What does it encourage you to do to be more like Jesus?

 Luke 10:25-37

• Identify your neighbors. What are their needs?  How can you show them the love of God?
• Have you seen this parable lived out in your life? When have you been robbed and left for dead?  When have you been the one who passed by?  When have you been the one who helped?  When have you been like the innkeeper?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you hear the voice of God? When?
• How often do you follow God’s voice/words when you hear them?
• Where do you go to find purpose or meaning in your life?
• What does it mean to have something “written on your heart”?
• Who are your confidants? What qualities do they have that you go to them for advice?
• Do you live your life so others know God is first? Or is someone else put first in your life?  Spouse?  Greed?  Children?  Self?
• Does peace come to you or is it something you work for?
• What does reconciliation feel like? Is it easy or difficult to achieve reconciliation?
• Is there a limit to how much you can help another? Have you ever hit the limit?
• When you are in need, are you open to others helping you? Why or why not?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I’ve hit a dead end and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to create a new path!

Leader:  When I am left with nothing and don’t know what to do…

 ALL:  YOU have the power to share what I need!

Leader:  When I feel lost and don’t know what to do…

 ALL:  YOU have the power to welcome with open arms!

Leader:  When I am blinded by fear/money/arrogance…

ALL:  YOU have the power to forgive my wrongs!

Leader:  When I feel I am on empty and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to fill me up!

Leader:  Father, giver all good things…

ALL:  may I live my life in these truths!

 

Challenge for the Week:  How are the commandments relevant today?  Where do you see them lived out?  Spend time this week re-writing the commandments to make them specific to you.  Highlight the ones your struggle with so you can pay more attention to them.

14^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

You knew it would be hard for us

You knew we would face challenges

You knew the choices would be difficult

But you show us mercy,

You give us forgiveness

And your grace gives us peace!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 66:10-14c

• Where do you see God rejoicing today?
• How does the imagery of a mother’s love hold true for you? Where might it fall short?  Is there a better image for God to use to describe His love?

 Galatians 6:14-18

• Where do you see this scripture lived out today? In your family?  In your community?  In your church?  Are there places where indifference isn’t an issue?
• What bites and devours you?

 Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9

• How are we similar to lambs? Identify the wolves.
• What is the harvest Jesus is speaking of in this scripture? Why are the laborers few?
• How do you see yourself in this scripture?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Describe your connection to your church, parish or place of worship. What is your connection to the community?  What need(s) does the community meet in your life?
• Do you believe the church holds the same purpose it did when they first began to form? Why or why not?  What is the same or different?
• Has God’s love for His people changed over time or does it remain the same? Does God love you as He did Adam & Eve?  King David?  Mary, Mother of Jesus?  Jesus?
• What laws of the world are non-negotiable? Why are they so?
• Where do you see influences of the world and the laws of people in your household?
• Where do you see influences of Jesus in your household?
• How is peace achieved in your life? How often do you achieve resting in peace?
• Where do you see mercy shown? What can you do show mercy to others more regularly?  Are there opportunities which you sidestep?
• How do you welcome others? Share a specific situation.
• Where do you share peace? To whom do you give peace?  From whom do you receive peace?  How can you have it more abundantly?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

ALL:  so we might bring comfort to a child.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

 ALL:  so we might see where our help is needed.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

 ALL:  so we might trust you more.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

ALL:  so we might show love more deeply.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

ALL:  so we might open our arms to others.

Leader:  Fill our hearts with love and compassion

ALL:  so we know we know we are enough!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Saint Paul in the second reading notes how the people are arguing over the laws of circumcision.  He is telling them it doesn’t matter…Jesus came to save us all.  Are people still taking sides on issues today?  Of course!  Make a list of all of some of them; are any of them keeping you from seeing your neighbor as Christ calls us to see them?  Have we treated another with neglect, disregard or judged them based on the stand they take on a specific issue or law?  There are many in our world today.  Think about some of the laws in the US, consider the different laws in the different places of worship, perhaps even differences as families blend in how holidays are celebrated as traditions clash.  Paul is not saying, don’t have an opinion.  He is telling us that it is not what should get us boastful, rather the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus should be what we shout about.  How will you live out this scripture passage in the coming days, weeks, months?  Make a commitment for a specific change to see how it affects you and those around you.

13^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

May I lay my head down

each day knowing I’ve pleased you.

May I unpack my burdens

so I can rest in your presence.

Let me follow in your path

of goodness and mercy

Lead me Lord to do all I can today!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

• God tells Elijah to go to Elisha and to teach him. How does God urge you to go to others to teach them?
• Elisha is ready to go and serve God, but what does he do first? What does this say about his character?

 Galatians 5:1, 13-18

• What does Saint Paul mean that we were called to freedom? How?
• What bites and devours you?
• How do you differentiate “flesh” wants/needs and “spirit” wants/needs?

 Luke 9:51-62

• When Jesus travelled, He didn’t know where He would sleep each night. Could you travel like this?  Why or why not?
• Have you ever had to rely on the hospitality of another? What do you need to be able to do in order to be a good guest?  What qualities are needed to be a good host?  How do you rate in each category?
• Jesus simply walked away when He and His disciples were not welcomed; the disciples wanted retribution. How does Jesus respond?  Is it an easy example to follow?  What can you do to help make it more simple like Jesus did?

General Questions for Journaling

• God seeks us where we are to do His work; where has he found you lately? What is He asking you to do?
• The prophets and apostles are often found out working when God calls. Make a list of the prophets whom God commissioned and what they were doing when He called.
• Could you go away and leave behind your work, your family to do the work of God? Why or why not?  What conditions would you need in order to do so?
• Have you been chosen to be a mentor to someone? Name the qualities they saw in you which caused them to choose you.
• Do you have or have you ever had a mentor? What qualities drew you to them?  What did you learn from them?
• Can you love fully? What allows you to do so?  What keeps you from doing so?
• Are there people you have trouble showing love to? Why or why not?
• Would you say you have too much, too little or just the right amount of “stuff”? What could you live without?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, YOU are my refuge,

ALL:  my security when I am going through a storm.

Leader:  Spirit, YOU are my counselor,

 ALL:  the one I go to when I’m facing a tough decision.

Leader:  Jesus, YOU are my savior,

ALL:  paving the road before me, I know I’m not alone.

Leader:  Father, YOU are my joy,

ALL:  I’m overwhelmed by all you’ve created for me to love.

 

Challenge for the Week:  Summer is a time for family and friends to gather together, to take a long weekend or even a week or two of vacation away from the “normal”.  Summer calls each of us to recognize what it is we value and to cherish it.  Reflect on how God is giving you time to spend with those you love; how are you spending it?  When you take time away from your “routine” do you have time to rest in God?  Summer is full of opportunity for each of us to touch God and share His love with others!

12^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

 Opening Prayer

Jesus

In the time you spent her on earth,

you opened your heart to each person you met.

May we learn how to open ourselves to others

and may we attempt to look at others with an open heart.

Then we will be able to know the true person

and not the person we see through a judgmental lens.

Who do you say I am?  I want to be the person YOU see Lord!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

• What image does Zechariah paint in this scripture? What feelings are evoked when you hear these words?
• What can be concluded about loss in this scripture? Does it bring comfort?  Why or why not?

 Galatians 3:26-29

• Are you accepting to all people? What are your limitations?
• How is the world/How are people divided today? Is it any different than in Jesus day?  What can you do to not have a divided heart?

 Luke 9:18-24

• Does Jesus ask to test the apostles or is His human nature getting the best of Him and He is curious about what others think of Him?
• Draw a cross and write in all of your burdens, worries, sins, guilt, things you think make you inadequate and any other negative thing that occupies your thoughts. Then take a black permanent marker and fill the cross in.  Put the cross in your bible or someplace you will see it and be reminded how Jesus wipes all of those things away!

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How might one be pierced? Consider the literal piercing of the body but also how words or actions might pierce.
• Can you find hope in loss? Is it hard to find?  Can someone give it to you or must you find it on your own?
• How does grief blind you?
• Do you know the sound of the shepherd’s voice? How do you distinguish it from others?
• Is there a sacred place you go to talk to God? Where you hear Him more clearly?  Where is it?  What makes it sacred?
• Would you say you let others define you with labels such as mother, daughter, sister, nurse, doctor, crippled, arrogant, bossy, creative, good cook, bad cook, etc? What are the labels?
• Are you defined by the job you do? What might be an example of a person defined by their job?
• Do you know people who are define by their job or people who define their job? What is the difference?
• If Jesus’ job was “teacher” what qualities did He possess that made Him a good teacher?
• If Jesus’ job was “healer” what qualities did He possess that made Him a good healer?
• What would you say was Jesus’ job while on earth?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

ALL:  full of grace and purity.

Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

ALL:  my sins and guilt washed away.

Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

 ALL:  accepting each person as Christ.

Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

ALL:  overflowing with living water.

Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

ALL:  scales wiped from my eyes.

 Leader:  Let me be the person YOU see, Lord…

 ALL:  following YOUR voice in my life!

 

Challenge for the Week:  When Jesus asks the Apostles, He isn’t looking for verification, He already knows who He is but wants to know if the Apostles know Jesus as they should.  This is a question for all of us…do we know Jesus as well as we should?  Do we KNOW Jesus or do we only know stories about Jesus, parables He told, people He healed, miracles He performed?  If Jesus asked you the question, would your words describe him from the stories you’ve read in the Bible or from real life experiences?  How might those descriptions be different?

OR

Who do you say you are?  How do you define yourself?  Where do you look for verification of who you are?  Who are the people you trust to tell you the truth about who you are?  Your spouse?  Your parents?  Your kids?  Your co-workers?  Your friends?  Would they all say the same thing about you?  Who does Jesus say that you are?  Are there contradictions to who Jesus says you are and what others say about who you are?  Make a decision to make a change.

11^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Wipe away the tears.

Take away the guilt.

Teach us to surrender ourselves;

to all you have to offer.

Keep us in your tender care;

FOREVER!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

• Is there a sin too big for God to forgive? Is there a sin too big for you to forgive?
• God uses Nathan to grant forgiveness to David; who is God using in your life?

Galatians 2:16, 19-21

• What is the difference between works of the law and works of faith?
• Who is Paul talking to in this scripture? What is the message he is preaching?  What does God want you to hear?

 Luke 7:36-8:3 or 7:36-50

• Jesus says our capacity for forgiveness is tied to our capacity to love. How do you explain the connection?
• Reflect on the behavior of the Pharisee. What does Jesus say he didn’t do?  What does he say the Pharisee should have done?  What would your response to Jesus be if you were the Pharisee?
• Consider the behavior of the woman. What does Jesus say she did?  How is her behavior an example to others?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Explain your definition of sin and then compare it to the actual definition in the dictionary. How do the definitions differ?  How are they the same?
• What keeps you from forgiving another person?
• How is forgiveness granted? How do you know it has been given?
• What can you do to bring justice to a situation?
• What evidence do you have that Christ lives in you?
• How do you respond when someone tells you they have accepted Christ as their personal savior? What does it mean to you?
• What are the qualities that make something holy? Can you be called holy?
• What good works has God done through you this week?
• How has God used another person to speak to you this week?
• When was the last time you expressed your faith through the service of another person?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let us love like you love…

ALL:  without conditions or boundaries.

Leader:  Listen like you listen…

 ALL:  with open hearts and open minds.

Leader:  Speak like you speak…

 ALL:  without condemnation or judgment.

Leader:  Let us be a friend like you…

ALL:  loyal and understanding.

Leader:  Forgive as you forgive…

ALL:  quickly and without question,

 Leader:  and give fully, all that we are

 ALL:  because you live in us!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time this week thinking about how you treat others?  How do you treat your neighbors?  Your co-workers?  The clerk at the gas station or grocery store?  How do you treat the person you drive by on your way to work who is waiting for the bus?  What do you do when you see a person standing on the street with a cardboard sign?  Is there a parallel to how well you treat a person and how much you love them or how well you know them or how much you trust them?  Try to determine the how and why of your behavior and make adjustments if necessary to treat each other the way you would treat Jesus…He is there within each person already!