Mary Mother of God

Sunday, January 1st Readings

Mary Mother of God

Opening Prayer

God of heaven and earth

How must Mary have felt,

          going through all of these trials?

What did she think,

          about journeying away from home?

Was she sad

          because her mother wasn’t with her?

Did she struggle

          with believing what the Angel said?

How did others treat her

          when they saw she was pregnant?

Help me to connect with Mary

          so I might learn how to let my faith

          overcome obstacles!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Numbers 6:22-27

  • Who in your life right now needs to hear that they are a blessing to you? Practice how you will tell them.
  • How have you felt blessed by others this year? How can you let them know you are grateful?

Galatians 4:4-7

  • Have you ever considered yourself as adopted by God? What does that look like? What does that feel like?
  • How does the birth of a child bring fullness? Is it the same or different than when Jesus was born? How?

Luke 2:16-21

  • Have you been given a message to share like the shepherds? What is the message?
  • Spend time reflecting on what the birth of Jesus means to you? What do you conclude?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Where do you see blessing? Is there anything you can do to contribute?
  • Make a top ten list of blessings with the date on it and put it in your bible.
  • Do you feel uncomfortable receiving compliments? Why or why not?
  • Do you feel uncomfortable giving compliments? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever tried to hide from God? Do you think God hides from you?
  • Would you define yourself as a slave? What are you a slave to?
  • What do you treasure? What makes it so special?
  • When have you been amazed? Was it recently or a long time ago? 
  • How do you describe the feeling of being amazed? 
  • What do you describe as being amazing? What makes it so?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, when I feel unworthy…

ALL:  bless me with the Spirit of Grace!

Leader:  Lord, when I am in despair…

ALL:  bless me with the Spirit of Hope!

Leader:  Lord, when I feel neglected…

ALL:  bless me with the Spirit of Love!

Leader:  Lord, when I feel incomplete…

ALL:  bless me with the Spirit of Wholeness!

Leader:  Lord, when I are full of worry…

ALL:  Bless me with the Spirit of Peace!

Challenge for the Week:  Take time to reflect on the past year.  There have been good things and bad things happen; how have these things affected you?  What do you have to look forward to in the New Year?  Are there things which you are dreading to face?  What have you learned this year that can help you overcome any obstacles in the coming year?  Are you making resolutions half-heartedly for the sake of “tradition” or are you spending time to make a change for good?  Spend time in reflection on the scripture readings of the birth of Jesus, focusing on each of the people in the story from the Innkeeper to Joseph to the Angels to Mary to the Shepherds, each person has a message for you…what is it and how can it help you make resolutions for 2023?

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com.

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sunday, August 15th Readings

Assumption of Mary, Mother of God

Opening Prayer

God of creation,

You set everything in motion

        for Mary before she was conceived.

You knew she would be the one

        whom would give birth to Your Son.

It was never a question for you

        if she would say YES!

I pray, this is true for me too!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Revelation 11 :19a ;12 :1-6a,10ab

  • What signs do you seek to confirm your faith?
  • What emotions do you feel when you read/listen to this scripture? 
  • How could you explain this scripture to someone hearing it for the first time and not knowing who Mary is or who Jesus is?

1Corinthians 15:20-27

  • Share your thoughts about what you think will happen and what it will look like when Jesus comes again.
  • How have you died and been brought to life?  Is this something that has happened once or several times?  Explain.

Luke 1:39-56

  • What does this scripture say about knowing God?  About faith?
  • What example can you take from this scripture to work to live out in the coming month and perhaps make into a permanent habit?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What is your image of Mary? What does she look like physically? How do you imagine he voice sounding? What characteristics, in addition to the ones you read about in scripture, do you think she had?
  • Do you have a specific devotion to Mary? What is it and how did it start?
  • What is your image of heaven? What would be the perfect heaven for you?
  • Have you ever heard God’s voice? If yes, what did God say? If no, what do you think God’s would say or is saying?
  • When Jesus said he has prepared a place for you, what do you think that looks like?
  • What are your thoughts about the pain of childbirth? Why do you think this is mentioned in scripture? What lesson is there?
  • God created man and then woman, but gave women the honor of carrying life within her. What does this say about God? What does this say about women?  Why do you think God chose to have woman carry the child and not man?
  • Why do you think it takes 9 months for a woman to give birth?
  • Mary is called many names. What is your favorite name for Mary?
  • Have you seen an image, statue or stain-glass of Mary that is prominent in your mind? Where was it and what did it look like?
  • How do you explain death to a child? How do you describe heaven?
  • What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • In addition to saying YES to God to bear His child, what other important things has Mary done?
  • Mary went away to be with her family during her pregnancy. Do you think the scripture is giving an example of the importance of family or something else?  Explain.
  • If you are a woman, what is your favorite memory of being pregnant? If you are a man, what is your favorite memory about the mother of your child while she was carrying your child?

Closing Prayer – Prayer on the Assumption of Mary

Leader:  Father in heaven,

ALL:  all creation rightly gives you praise,

Leader:  for all life and holiness come from you.

ALL:  In the plan of your wisdom

Leader: she who bore the Christ in her womb

ALL:  was raised body and soul in glory

Leader:  to be with him in heaven.

ALL:  May I follow her example

Leader:  in reflecting your holiness

ALL:  and join in her hymn

Leader:  of endless love and praise.

ALL:  We ask this through Christ our Lord, AMEN!

Challenge for the Week:  Mary was taken to heaven by the heavenly host of angels.  Spend time this week thinking about this glorious event and what it might have looked like and what it meant to Jesus.  Consider further what it will look like and what it will mean when you are raised up on the last day.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscritpurerelevant.com