Easter Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Savior

Each new day brings

new promise

Even when it is dark

and cold and rugged

The path we walk with YOU

is filled with opportunity

To walk with YOU

is our greatest adventure!

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 10:34, 37-43

• How is your life a witness to all God has accomplished through Jesus’ birth, teachings, miracles, parables, suffering, death and resurrection? Reflect and see if you can come up with an example of how each experience has been lived out in your life.  Allow God to speak to you through each reflection.
• Identify your source of strength when you witness (testify) to God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, etc.

Colossians 3:1-4

• How have you died to allow God to live?
• What about heaven do you most long for? Describe what you will see, feel, hear, touch and smell.

 John 20:1-9

• Can you relate to the fear the women and the disciples had when they saw the tomb open? Share a specific experience and how it affects your perspective.
• What makes you believe in Jesus’ resurrection? How do you believe in what you have not seen?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Reflect back through Lent. What is one theme or similar reoccurrence that happened; what can you learn from the experience?  What might God want you to learn?  Could God have made you witness to these situations in order to communicate with you?
• What is it about Jesus that you love? Be specific and explain your answer.
• Where do you turn when you are seeking an answer to a decision or facing a hard choice? Where is Jesus in the decision making process?
• How do you hide your faith from others? Who are those whom you hide your faith from and why?  Are there people whom you hide your faith but are the ones who most need to hear the message?
• Draw a picture of your heart. What does it look like?  What does it contain?  Use your imagination to create an image of the condition of your heart.
• Where do you see compassion lived out in the world, your community, your family? From your view is compassion in a draught season or a harvest season?
• Does compassion come easy for you or is it something you work hard to share? What is the difference?
• Where have you experienced compassion this Lent? Did this experience bring you closer to God?  Why or why not?
• Describe what it means to be at peace.
• How has your Lenten experience helped you prepare for the Triduum?
• What has fear kept you from experiencing? Be specific.
• Did what you gave up or took on this Lent help you to grow in relationship with Jesus? How have you been changed from the experience?

 

 Closing Prayer

Leader:  May we surrender ourselves

ALL:  for the sake of the Gospel.

Leader:  May we pursue justice

 ALL:  for the sake of the Gospel.

Leader:  May we seek and give reconciliation

 ALL:  for the sake of the Gospel.

Leader:  May we turn away from sin

ALL:  for the sake of the Gospel.

Leader:  May we relinquish our will

ALL:  for the sake of the Gospel.

Leader:  May we open the tomb within

ALL:  and live out the Gospel!

 

Challenge for the Week:   You can witness or observe many things.  This week try to keep count of the positive things you witness and use your words and actions to encourage those who displayed the behavior.  Then try to use the examples you “witnessed” to be a “witness” (testify) to the good you saw in others.  It could be something as simple as sharing how you saw someone open and hold the door for another, witnessed a simple act of kindness or charity, or were witness to an act of mercy or forgiveness.  We can often get wrapped up in ourselves or the evil in the world and forget to look around at the goodness.  The tomb has been open for thousands of years…how are your spreading the Good News?  Be a witness by allowing Jesus’ light to shine through!

Palm Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Your example brings joy

but it also brings pain.

Open our hearts to understand

both the joy and pain.

Let us know you more deeply

as we experience both

in the scriptures.

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 50:4-7

• From whose perspective is this reading? What does it tell you about speaking out against injustice?
• Define a well-trained tongue. Would you say your tongue is well trained?
• What does God promise to those who hear His word and act on it?

Philippians 2:6-11

• How have you emptied yourself to Christ this Lenten season? (It is not too late)
• How do you show love? Do you love others with conditions?  What can you do to love others more fully?

 Luke 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49

• What have you done to reject God in the last month, week, day, hour? What was the “benefit” received?
• When did you last serve another person? How did you serve them?  What was your motivation?  What was their response?
• If you were there on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, could you have stayed with Jesus until the very end? Who in this scripture can you relate to the most?  Why?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you see God each morning? How do you know He has your back?
• Who are the people in your life who have your back? How do you know?
• Name qualities of a humble person. Do you have any of these qualities?  Do you know anyone who does?
• What gets in your way when you try to give your time to Jesus in prayer? What distracts you?
• If you believe Jesus is the King of Glory, how do you show your obedience to Him?
• What are some changes which cause anticipation? What are some changes which cause anxiety?  How are they the same?  How are they different?
• Is there some discomfort when standing up for what is right?
• What do you say is the opposite of love? Hate?  Fear?  Distrust?  Selfishness?  Or something else?  How does the opposite you choose affect your definition of love?
• When was the last time you defended your faith to another? Where is the line of defending and being hypocritical?
• Are there areas in your life where you have fallen asleep? How might God be calling you to wake up?
• Have you ever been in a state of extreme physical pain? How were you able to cope?
• Have you been with someone who has been in extreme physical pain? What can you do to help those who suffer?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  At dawn

ALL:  YOU bring the sunrise to wake me.

Leader:  In the morning

 ALL:  YOU clear the fog and give me a new day.

Leader:  During the day

ALL:  YOU are in each person and thing I see.

Leader:  In the evening

ALL:  YOU bring the night to slow us down.

Leader:  At bedtime

ALL:  YOU give us comfort as we rest.

Leader:  Each day

ALL:  We begin again!

 

Challenge for the Week:   The Romans hung Jesus on the cross to bring attention to him, ridicule and humiliate.  Even in this state, Jesus was able to forgive those who had scourged, tortured and spat on him.  How do we act when someone lies to us, cheats or tells lies about us?  What do we do when people throw daggers at us with their words and actions?  How do we forgive those who hurt us?  On the flip side, what do our actions say?  Do we consistently treat others kindly or are we guilty of spreading rumors or gossiping?  Do we turn the other way when someone is being treated unjustly?  This week, take some time to really look at your actions; what are they really saying?  Do we look more like Jesus in these readings or like those condemning him?  Make a commitment to make a permanent change in how you treat others, even if it is a baby step.  Take the opportunity given to pray more intently this last week of Lent to make a positive change.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Let us remember

it is YOU who makes all things NEW

May we learn

to let go of past mistakes and begin fresh

Help us to

try a new path instead of the same one

Guide us on

to find YOU waiting with open arms

YOU forever change us,

mold us and do great things for us!

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 43:16-21

• What keeps you from believing God has a plan for you and has created a safe passage way for you just as He did for the Israelites? How do your actions confirm your belief or disbelief?
• How do the events of the past (those of the Old Testament and/or the events of the past 3-6 months) affect how you live out today? Share specific examples.

 

Philippians 3:8-14

• St Paul is determined; he has his eye on the prize. What is your goal?  What steps do you take each day to achieve your goal?  Are there others whom have a similar goal?  How can you help one another reach your goal?
• In order to fill yourself with Christ, you must let go of a piece of you…what is something you are willing to let go of? What is something you want to hold onto?

 

John 8:1-11

• Do you condemn others? What causes you to do so?  Is it jealousy?  Is it because you think something is unfair?  Is it out of fear of the unknown or what you don’t understand?
• Where are you called to be merciful like Jesus in this Scripture? Who needs you to reach out to them?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where in the Bible does God abandon someone? Where in the bible does God leave anyone alone?  How does this affect you?
• When have you felt like God has left you alone or abandoned you? What was the situation?  How did you overcome?
• How has God shown His presence to you today?
• Have you ever searched for God from the moment you come into consciousness until the moment you doze off to sleep? What would that day look like?  How would you describe it?
• How does God re-create each day? Do you think today is different than yesterday?  Why or why not?
• Each day God offers us a new beginning; what things of the past do you need to leave in the past so you can begin again?
• How do your sins feel? Describe how it feels when you sin and how you are changed; how it affects your behavior, your thoughts.
• What is the most important relationship in your life? Why?
• What does it mean to live our lives forward? What does it mean to live in the past?  Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?
• Is there someone in your life right now who is in need of mercy? What can you do to let them know they are okay?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever good

 

ALL:  to us when we sin against you and others.

 

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever kind

 

ALL:  to us when we experience hurt.

 

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever generous

 

ALL:  to us when we call on you for help.

 

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever merciful

 

ALL:  to us when we turn our back to you.

 

Leader:  Father, YOU are forever faithful

 

ALL:  to us when we are ready; you welcome us!

 

Leader:  Praise to YOU

 

ALL:  Father of ALL!

 

Challenge for the Week:   Where do you see God walking with you on your journey?  Are you walking together side by side or are you lagging behind?  Have you stumbled and refuse to get up and move or is God carrying you?  What terrain are you travelling?  Are you on flatland?  Going through the desert?  Climbing a mountain?  Swimming/wading/drowning in the deep waters?  Take time this week to figure out where you are on your journey with God.  Use your own words to describe and even possibly draw a picture of what it looks like.  Whether you write the words or draw the picture, put the date on it and place it in your bible so you can find it later and reflect on how it compares to where you are at that moment of time.  God gives us all we need to succeed; we need to train our will to keep us accountable.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, Let us come to you,

when we are weak and weary.

Have us reach out to you,

when we don’t know the way.

May we cling to you,

when we are overcome…

with darkness AND with joy,

YOU, Father, are all we ever need!!!

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12

• How does God care for the Israelite’s? How does He care for you today?
• The Israelite’s were guided to the Promised Land…can you relate your life to the journey of the Israelite’s? How is it similar?  How is it different?
• The Promised Land was home to the Israelite’s, how do you define home? What is home for you?

 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

• What do you give to Jesus to make Him righteous? How do your words or actions give Jesus “wings” or a “leg to stand on”?
• Read this scripture again and imagine you are in a courtroom. How does it play out in your head?  Can you find forgiveness?

 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

• What message does Jesus send with this parable? Can you list at least three?
• Where do you find yourself in the parable at this point in your life? Are you working hard, doing what you are supposed to be doing like the Older Son?  Are you squandering away the gifts God has given you like the Younger Son?  Can you find it in yourself to welcome the sinner home with open arms like the Father?  Are you a bystander, a witness?
• What emotions does this scripture stir up in you? How do these emotions direct you to action?
• Identify how the Father and the Son’s in this parable have changed because of the experience. Can they return to how they were?  Why or why not?

 

 General Questions for Journaling

• How is Lent like the Israelite’s wandering in the desert? What was their final destination?  How is that like our Lent/Easter?
• Like Passover, what traditions do you hold in your life as important? Do they have the same significance as they did when you were a child?  What makes them important?
• Where did your traditions come from? Are they hereditary?  Are they cultural?  Are they religious?  How do these traditions form you?  What makes them so sacred?
• Make a list of at least ten things that you use/consume that come from the earth. Can you also make a list of ten ways you work to conserve/protect the earth?
• What can you do to learn from God about how to forgive and forget?
• Is it easier to give forgiveness or ask for forgiveness? Why?
• Does Christ live within you? How do you know?  Can others tell?
• What characteristics of Christ do you see in yourself? Reflect on these gifts and determine what purpose God has for you to use them!
• How do you rejoice when you find something you have lost?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Each time we turn our backs on you…

ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

Leader:  Each time we ignore your Words…

 ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

Leader:  Each time we whine and complain…

 ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

Leader:  Each time we go in the wrong direction…

ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

Leader:  Each time we say the wrong thing…

ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

Leader:  Each time we sin…

ALL:  Lord, you welcome us home!

 

Challenge for the Week:   Make a list of the synonyms of forgive.  How many can you come up with?  Try this week to use these synonyms in your life through word and action.  Where can you “restore harmony”?  Is there a “hatchet” you need to “bury”?  Once you have used all of the synonyms on yourself in your own life, see what injustices there are which you can help to “reconcile” in your community.  Aim to use each synonym you come up with at least once, get out there and “patch things up”!

 

Third Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

We are planted in the garden of life

starting as a tiny seed;

tucked away in the darkness.

Your word feeds us…Good works nourish us…

We struggle to break through

emerging ever slowly;

reaching toward the SON!

Your spirit sustains us…Love surrounds us…

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

• Put yourself in the place of Moses…what do you feel? What do you do?  How are you called to action?  How are you called to conversion?
• Can you see evidence of the trinity in this scripture?

 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

• What spiritual food and drink do you consume?
• What evil do you desire?

 Luke 13:1-9

• A gardener needs to pull weeds, cut off dead branches and prune in order to generate new growth; when have you seen new growth in your life from pulling, cutting and pruning?
• How is God like a gardener to the world? To you?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you find holy ground? What is your definition?  What makes it holy?
• When have you witnessed something holy? Where were you?  Did you know it was holy at the time or was it revealed to you in retrospect?
• Is God’s voice clear and consistent or distant and hazy? What words do you use to describe God’s voice in your life?
• In what ways do you care for the earth? Do you do it out of obligation or another reason?  Be specific.
• How do you encourage or discourage others to care for the earth?
• How does care for the earth relate to your faith?
• What are some of the qualities you value in friendship? Who are the people whom you spend the most time?  What do you have in common with them?  What keeps you connected?
• Where does God/Jesus/Holy Spirit fall in line with your friends? What value do you place on your relationship with each of the members of the trinity?
• Are there some friends with whom you want to reconnect? What do you need to do to reestablish these relationships?  How can God help you do this?
• God wants us to tend to one another; what can you do to fertilize others around you?
• How do you cultivate your faith? What work do you do to keep your faith from producing bad fruit?  Share examples.
• How do you rate yourself as a giver of grace, mercy and forgiveness?
• How do you rate yourself as a receiver of grace, mercy and forgiveness?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You call us by name…

ALL:  Here I am Lord!

Leader:  You wait patiently for our answer…

 ALL:  Here I am Lord!

Leader:  You walk with us through the desert…

 ALL:  Here I am Lord!

Leader:  You sit with us during the storm…

ALL:  Here I am Lord!

Leader:  You carry us when we turn away…

ALL:  Here I am Lord!

Leader:  You call us each to fulfill a purpose…

ALL:  Here I am Lord; find me READY!

 

Challenge for the Week:   In the first reading we see Moses’ conversion, his turning from the old ways and beginning anew with God.  When have you experienced a conversion?  During Lent each person is called to a conversion of self, turn away from sin and toward the Gospel.  We should be letting go of a bad habit or trying to practice a new life-giving habit.  Check in this week on how you are doing so far this Lent.  Have you made progress in developing a deeper relationship with God, yourself and others?  Can you see evidence of a conversion happening?  It is not too late to make this Lent a meaningful one…make sure you are on course for having a productive Lent!

Second Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Father

Bring on the new day!

Allow my spirit to be awakened!

No more will I suffer, for YOU are my Lord!

I will keep your commands!

Your promises you keep!

Amen!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

• Have you questioned your ability to achieve what God requests of you? Share an example.
• God gives Abram the stars to represent his promise. What has God used in your life to represent his promise to you?
• What does God ask for you to sacrifice for a relationship with him?

Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1

• Do you know people who “shine”? Describe what this means.
• According to this scripture, what must you do?
• How can you better prepare yourself to achieve this?

 Luke 9:28b-36

• God’s voice comes from the cloud in this scripture, where else has God’s voice come from? Where have you heard God’s voice?
• How does being on a mountain top change one’s perspective?  Share a time when you have been on top of a mountain, what did you see, what did you feel?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous? Can they lead you down the same path?  Why or why not?
• Does darkness come suddenly or does it creep up on you? Share an example.  Then compare the situation to your faith life.
• Do you trust God 100%? What keeps you from trusting God at all times, in all things?  Be specific and honest with yourself about what keeps you from trusting God all the way.
• Have you ever been afraid of the dark? What about the darkness frightened you?
• Describe the feeling you get when you come out of darkness into light.
• Would you describe yourself an being 1)lead blindly through life by God, 2)a consultant with God on your path in life, 3)going through life ready to face whatever comes your way
• Make a list of at least five things that boost your spirits. What happens within you when you get excited about something?
• Are you more often blinded by God’s goodness or blinded from God’s goodness? Explain and then give an example.
• Are you blinded by other things in your life? What are some of those things that can blind you from God’s goodness?
• What is the overall message you hear from these scripture readings?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me remember, each day the sun rises…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Open my eyes to see the extraordinary in the ordinary…

 ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Allow me patience to find your presence in each moment…

 ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Help me be disciplined enough to always see you…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

Leader:  Even when I see nothing before me…

ALL:  Light overcomes the darkness.

 

 Challenge for the Week:   In the Gospel, something spectacular is revealed and Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone.  However, our instinct when we hear good news is to share it with everyone!  Reflect this week on how these disciples must have felt to not be able to share.  Would you have the discipline to keep this experience to yourself?

First Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father

You lead us through the desert places of our lives

so we may be refreshed and made new

You put before us a banquet feast to nourish us

so we may be filled with your goodness

You gave your life to show us love without conditions

so we may share that gift with others

Thank you Lord!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 26:4-10

• What do you lay at the altar of God?
• How does being in the desert change your perspective?
• What good comes from this desert experience for the Isrealites? For you?

 Romans 10:8-13

• How do you proclaim Jesus as Lord? Is it evident you are a Christian through your words? Your actions? Both?
• When did you last call on God? What was it for and what was the response?
• How do you show love to God? How do you show God’s love for others?

 Luke 4:1-13

• The devil tempts Jesus to be self-glorifying; where do you see this behavior in the world today?
• How does the devil tempt you to turn away from God?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• When has God delivered you from a bad situation?
• Identify a time when you felt alone or abandoned. Can you look back and see God there with you?
• How does God nourish you? Do you allow God to nourish you?
• Describe what it feels like to be empty of God’s presence.
• Describe what it feels like to be full of God’s presence.
• Make a list of things you can bring to others between now and Easter to help you express your faith more openly.
• Are there people in your community/family who are crying out but you are ignoring them? Listen for what God wants you to do.
• What are the communities which you dwell? Give them each a rating on a 1-10 scale on how they show/share the Gospel message.
• How can love be blind?
• When did you first understand unconditional love?
• Does love require effort? Why or why not?
• How are you exercising your faith?
• How does having faith give power? What does faith have power over?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  We are called from the desert places

ALL:  to share your love with others.

Leader:  We are called from the desert places

 ALL:  to set captives free.

Leader:  We are called from the desert places

 ALL:  to visit the lonely and oppressed.

Leader:  We are called from the desert places

ALL:  to show mercy and kindness.

Leader:  We are called from the desert places

ALL:  to shine YOUR light for all to see!

 

Challenge for the Week:   Do you have a faith story?  Of course you do!  Just like in the business world where people have “elevator speeches” which describe and highlight their accomplishments and successes; Christians should have a faith story.  Spend time this week putting together your own personal faith story; include pivotal moments, desert places and mountain top experiences.  Include specific scripture passages which carried you through the bad times or sustain you in the good times.  Write it down and then put it in your Bible so it can be added to the many other stories of our salvation HIStory!

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Give me eyes to see

the beauty in all things.

Allow me to speak

kindness with my words.

Teach me to live

so others might follow.

Let me be a vessel of THE GOOD NEWS!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 27:4-7

• What tests your faith? Is it a teaching of the church?  A way a person acts?  Bad things happening?  How do you keep your faith strong in spite of these tests?
• What is the lesson here about how to treat others? How can you put this scripture into practice today?  What specific thing(s) do you need to do?

 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

• In what ways can a person “labor for the Lord”?
• How do you protect yourself from being infected by negative, corrupt or immoral influence? Is there a way to avoid these things completely?  Why or why not?  What advice would you give to another person to help keep these things from spreading like a plague?

 Luke 6:39-45

• What does this scripture say about the importance of self-care and personal awareness of our words and actions? Be specific.  Make a list.
• What specific truth do you hear God speaking to you through this scripture?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you tell if someone is speaking truth? How would you measure truth in your own words?
• Is there a time when judgment of a person is okay?
• Share a time when your first impression/judgment of a person was completely wrong.
• Have you ever felt you were judged wrongly? How did you handle the situation?
• Where does judgment in general come from? Do people judge out of love?  From insecurity?  From competitiveness or jealousy?
• Right Judgment is a gift of the Holy Spirit. How does the adjective “right” change your definition of judgment?
• Are there things in your life that weigh you down? Hold you back?  Keep you from moving forward?
• What do you hide or bury, keep out of sight of others?
• Share an example of when you found light in a dark situation or something positive from a negative? How did you find it?  Did you see it immediately or did it take time to realize?
• Describe the feeling, your emotions, how your body changes when you find a light at the end of a long tunnel of despair.
• Do you believe a person who is infected with negativity can change? Why or why not?  What do you believe your role is in that person’s life?
• Take time to draw your tree. Identify the fruit you produce, good and bad.  What influences you and how does it affect those around you?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for life given at conception!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for the sound of the ocean waves!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

 ALL:  for the morning dew glistening in the sunrise!

Leader: I will give thanks to you all of my days…

 ALL:  for the warm hug of a new friend!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

ALL:  for a fiery sky at the end of the day!

Leader:  I will give thanks to you all of my days…

 ALL:  for all you give; I will give thanks!

 

Challenge for the Week:   Spend time this week reflecting on your past experiences.  When you look back, you can identify those times in your life when you had to deal with something heavy or hard and maybe even had doubts on whether you’d be able to come out on the other side of the situation.  Often the world says these experiences leave marks or scars on a person (physically and/or emotionally) but when looking at them from God’s perspective, you have been “refined”.  These experiences of trouble, trauma, heartbreak, disappointment and even death are opportunities for you to grow.  When you are open and listening to God in these moments, you can learn something about yourself and perhaps even gain insight on others.  Revisit some of these times in your life to see if there are opportunities you have missed to reveal something in yourself or open you up to a new perspective on a relationship or a situation.  Allow God to refine you!

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time   

 

Opening Prayer

Father

When you look at me,

You see me through loving eyes,

holy, forgiven and complete.

When I look at myself,

I see me through condemning eyes,

as a sinner and not enough.

Through your Word,

let me learn how to see me

and others as you see!

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

• How do you think those with David felt about his actions against Saul? What would you think if you were one of them?
• What does David’s response say about his character? Is there something there which you’d like to see more of in people today?  Be specific.

 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

• How do you struggle with the “earthly” and the “spiritual” within yourself?
• Have you thought of yourself as “spirit-filled”? How can the thought of being “spirit-filled” change how your look at the situations you face today?  How does it change how you treat others?

 Luke 6:27-38

• Do you give to God in the “measure” in which you want God to give to you? *(God gives 100%, 24/7 regardless of what we give)
• Is what Jesus is saying in this scripture realistic? Why or why not?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How easy to difficult is it to put God in charge of transgressions and retributions? What is it about us as humans that make us want to take matters into our own hands?
• Do you believe one person’s life is worth more than another? For example, a mother of four vs an ordained sister, or a Leader of State vs a homeless person, explain.
• Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? Share a specific example so others can see God’s faithfulness too.
• In your opinion, what makes a person “anointed”? What other opinions might be out there, explore.
• Can you spend quality time with people whom have different opinions and/or beliefs than you? Is this barrier too big to put aside for even a little while?
• Where do you rank respect on a scale of 1-10 in relationships? Is it different for your spouse?  Your parents?  Your boss?  Your kids?  Your friends?  Your pastor?  Your neighbor?
• When you look at yourself do you see God? In what way?
• Can you see God in others? Share examples.
• Are there people whom you have a hard time seeing God? Share examples.
• What measurement do you judge people against? What is the thing(s) that you judge the most?  Race?  Poverty?  Religion?  Job?  Clothing?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  In those moments when I feel abandoned…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I am filled with anger…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when plans change…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader: In those moments when I receive the results…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I can’t see past today…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader:  In those moments when I lay myself before you…

ALL:  Pour your gift of love upon me!

 

Challenge for the Week:   This week consider the barriers we build in our lives to keep people at a distance.  Some of the barriers are built to protect us from being hurt ourselves or inflicting pain on another, while others are built out of arrogance because we are not open to listening to another person’s view.  Spend time this week reflecting on the barriers you have built in relationships, especially in your family.  How have these become obstacles to spending time together and not just time, but quality time, when you can come together and genuinely enjoy each other.  No one has the same experiences as you, nor the same opinion.  Even siblings raised by the same parents have different memories of the same experience; imagine the greater scale of this scenario to include experiences in your community, the US and the world.  What steps can you take to break down barriers starting in your family relationships and allow the differences bring you together instead of keeping you apart?  (HINT:  This just might be something that needs a bit more time than a week – Lent is coming!)

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Throughout the Bible are stories of hope

Open my eyes to see the hope in the world today

Let me hear the stories where hope is restored

And be a living example that hope never dies

Amen

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 17:5-8

• Draw a picture of the two images described in this scripture.
• Share a time when you experienced both images, what was going on in your life, be specific about who was with you and what you felt.

 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

• Does this scripture bring you hope? Explain how.
• How does the promise of the resurrection affect your faith? Be specific.

Luke 6:17, 20-26

• What is the overall message Jesus to sharing with the people who have gathered to hear him speak?
• What is the message Jesus has intended for you to hear in this scripture to help open your eyes to a situation in your life right now?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you feel about God giving free will? Is it good?  Is it bad?  How does free will get you into trouble?  How does it free you?
• Are there choices you have made in your life which you wish you could change? Do you have the ability to do something about that choice now?
• Is it easy or difficult to change? Do you always get to choose to change?  How can making the choice to change affect your attitude?
• Who do you confide in to help make decisions? What qualities do you look for in a person who helps you?
• What draws you to ask God for help? Are there obstacles which keep you from seeking God’s advice in matters?
• How do you feel about trust? Is trust important to you?  Is it something people have immediately or do you believe people need to earn it?
• How much trust do you put in God? How much trust do you believe God has in you?
• Would you describe yourself as someone who is open to new ideas and new ways to do things or do you consider yourself someone who is comfortable with the way things are and have always been? Share an example.
• How would you explain the hope you have in the resurrection to someone who doesn’t know about Jesus?
• Do you believe faith is a choice you make every day or is a choice you made once and it stays with you?
• Share an example of a time when your faith was challenged; be specific about what you did, how you felt and the outcome.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let us rejoice

ALL:  in the rising of the sun!

Leader:  Let us rejoice

ALL:  in the delicate snowflake!

Leader:  Let us rejoice

 ALL:  in the blooming flower!

Leader: Let us rejoice

 ALL:  in the simplicity of a smile!

Leader:  Let us rejoice

ALL:  in the warmth of a hand!

Leader:  Let us rejoice

 ALL:  in the hope you give!

 

Challenge for the Week:   Do you have a faith story?  Of course you do!  Just like in the business world where people have “elevator speeches” which describe and highlight their accomplishments and successes; Christians should have a faith story.  Spend time this week putting together your own personal faith story; include pivotal moments, desert places and mountain top experiences.  Include specific scripture passages which carried you through the bad times or sustain you in the good times.  Write it down and then put it in your Bible so it can be added to the many other stories of our salvation HIStory!