Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Holy Spirit

Fill me with the wisdom I need

So I can walk the path Jesus walked

And love others the way God loves

Abide in me,

So I may be where you are

Always!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 6:1-7

• Do you or have you neglected the Word of God? Share a time when you neglected God.
• Peter tells the disciples to devote themselves to prayer. What is the purpose of this?  What happens?  What could happen if you devoted yourself to prayer?

 1 Peter 2:4-9

• How does you being rejected, make you more precious to God?
• Is your relationship with God the cornerstone of your life?

 John 14:1-12

• Explain how Jesus is the way the truth and the life. How do you live your life witnessing to these?
• How does God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, dwell in you?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What do you do to help grow faith in yourself?
• What do you do to grow faith in others?
• What does it mean to you to be obedient in faith? Is it different for everyone?  Why or why not?
• What did you pray for last week? Are you asking God into your prayer or telling God what you want?
• Where do you get your value? Who or what gives you value?
• When do you feel the most valued?
• What makes you valuable?
• What sacrifices did you make this week? Did you make them joyfully or complain?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Go!

 ALL:  Spread the Good News of the Gospel!

Leader:  Go!

ALL:  Comfort someone who needs comfort!

Leader:  Go!

 ALL:  Teach through your words and your actions!

Leader:  Go!

ALL:  Build bridges, not walls!

Leader:  Go!

ALL:  Serve others through love!

Leader:  Go!

ALL:  You have been chosen!

 

Challenge for the Week:  When Peter says you are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”, what is he really saying?  What are these words supposed to inspire to do or to be?  In the Catholic Church, these words are a part of the ritual prayers prayed at Baptism.  Each person, infant thru adult, are baptized into the faith as priest, prophet and king, making it clear up front what is expected of each of us to be in Christ.  How do you live your baptism today?  Do you live your life knowing you are chosen?  How does living in Christ make you royalty?  Is there something you could do to help make the world, the community, your family, more holy?  These are not just words, they are our mission!

Fourth Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Lead me

Guide me

Protect me

I surrender

I hear your voice!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

• Peter’s advice is to repent. Knowing Peter’s story, how do these words impact you coming from him?
• Peter is calling everyone to action. What do you feel called to do after hearing his words?

 1 Peter 2:20b-45

• Jesus had no sin but suffered death to take sin away; write a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus that your sin is wiped away through his death.
• Jesus already suffered for your sin, what sin(s) do you hold onto because you think you still need to suffer guilt and shame?

 John 10:1-10

• When you see Jesus face to face, do you think you’d have the patience to wait for the gate to be opened or would you want to jump the fence?
• If Jesus is the gate which you must enter, how does a person pass through? Give examples.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you see corruption in the world? In your community?  Within yourself?
• Share a time when you felt convicted of a wrong doing.
• Have you ever been 100% convinced of something? What was it?
• What changes in the language when one says they “were” baptized and they “are” baptized? Which are you?
• How do you repent of your sins? What are some things which help you repent?
• When did you last testify to your faith? How did you?  Explain how you felt and how others reacted.
• Describe a suffering Christian. Do you know anyone who fits the description?
• Could you hold your tongue if you were falsely accused of something? Why or why not?  Are there circumstances which you could or shouldn’t?
• How does scripture restore you? How does it heal?
• What qualities does a shepherd have which you want? How will you develop these qualities?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, you refresh my soul

ALL:  and give me all that I need.

Leader:  Lord, you guide my path

ALL:  and give me all that I need.

Leader:  Lord, you walk beside me

 ALL:  and give me all that I need.

Leader:  Lord, you protect me from harm

ALL:  and give me all that I need.

Leader:  Lord, you wrap me in mercy

ALL:  and give me all that I need.

Leader:  Lord, you are my Shepherd

ALL:  and you give me all that I need.

 

Challenge for the Week:  How well do you know God?  What does Jesus’ voice sound like?  Can you feel the Holy Spirit guide you?  Take time this week to think about the people whom you spend the most time.  How well do they know you?  How well do you know them?  Would you recognize their voice?  What if they tried to disguise it, do you know them well enough to know it is someone you trust?  This kind of trust only comes from knowing the person intimately, deeply.  Jesus already knows you better than anyone else; it’s your turn.

OR

Imagine you take your child to Disney on Ice.  There are hundreds, thousands of people, parents and their kids as far as you can see.  You can hear the families talking, the kids crying and calling out to their mom and dad.  How are you able to tell when your child calls out to you?  What is your response when you hear their voice?  You don’t turn around each time you hear a child call “MOM” or “DAD”, rather, you turn around only when you hear your own child’s voice.  It is a voice which you are familiar with, you know it no matter what because of the intimate relationship you have.  This is the same with your relationship with Jesus.  When you know Jesus, really know Him and spend time with Him, you know His voice above any other.  What can you do to hear Jesus more clearly?

Third Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

God

Your love is strong and steady

The promises you make…you keep

Sun shining, birds singing and rainbows

are gifts of remembrance.

Let us run to your open arms

to be welcomed into your love!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 2:14, 22-33

• How does the resurrection of Jesus change your life, your faith, your attitude, your actions?
• What is the path of life? Is it the same or different for everyone?

 1 Peter 1:17-21

• What does this scripture say about how God sees you? How does that make you feel?
• What does this scripture tell us would happen to humankind if Jesus didn’t come?

 Luke 24:13-35

• What questions might you have asked if you were on the road with Jesus? What questions do you want to ask Jesus now?
• When is Jesus revealed to you? What opportunities do you have to break bread with Jesus?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Do you have scars from “battle” (physical or emotional)?  What became of the scars?  What emotions do they carry for you still?
• Have you ever condemned someone and later learned you were the one in the wrong?  Was it rectified?
• Have you ever been condemned for something you did right?  What happened?
• What do you fear?
• Are you afraid of death or dying?  Which?  Explain.
• Where do you see faith in the world?  What makes it so?  What can be done to increase it?
• What obstacles of faith do you see in the world?  What obstacles do you encounter?  What do/can you do?
• Where do you hope in the world?  What makes it so?  What can be done to increase it?
• What obstacles of hope do you see in the world?  What obstacles do you encounter?  What do/can you do?
• When have you not recognized Jesus’ presence in your life?  In a specific situation?
• Share an “ah-ha” moment when you went from not seeing Jesus in a situation and then suddenly saw him.  This could also be a moment when you saw a truth revealed about Jesus that you didn’t know or your perspective changed.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Draw us near

 ALL:  to listen for your voice.

Leader:  Draw us near

ALL:  to follow your call.

Leader:  Draw us near

 ALL:  to the acceptance of your embrace.

Leader:  Draw us near

ALL:  to the promises of your love.

Leader:  Draw us near

ALL:  to your joyful presence.

Leader:  Draw us near

ALL:  to an intimate relationship with YOU!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In the first reading, Peter is giving a speech to the people.  Take time to re- read the scripture this week …does this sound like the Peter we have heard about in the scripture before Jesus was crucified?  What is different here?  What has changed?  Meditate on how Peter has changed.  How does Peter inspire you to make a change?  Make a decision to change and seek your path with the same vigor!

Second Sunday of Easter

 

Opening Prayer

Living God,

You speak and life begins.

You breathe and the wind blows.

You whisper and thunder sounds.

May I find humility

and open myself to you!

Let your WORD fill me

and leave me satisfied!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 2:42-47

• What is your first memory of gathering to break the bread at church? What do you remember about the experience?  Things you saw, smelt, touched, feelings?
• How can you carry the Easter joy on? What wisdom can this scripture offer to help?

 1 Peter 1:3-9

• What is the inheritance Jesus left for you? Has it already been given or is there an appointed time?  What do you, do with it?
• Describe the joy you feel at Easter. When are other times you feel this joy?

 John 20:19-31

• What sins do you carry? Are they your own or someone else’s?  Where does forgiveness need to come from?
• Are there things about your faith which you doubt sometimes? Have you ever doubted God?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you gather to celebrate and remember?
• Are there times when you don’t feel like celebrating?  What are those things that keep you from celebrating?
• What happens when you forget about the joy of Easter?
• How do you share what you have with others?
• Are there things you don’t need?  Why do you keep them?
• Can you ever give too much?  Share an example.
• Describe your perfect meal.  What would be served?  Who would be there?  Where would you be?
• What hope comes from the resurrection?  On a scale from 1-10, how much hope do you have?
• What do you hope for?  Be specific.
• How do you experience peace?  Are there specific circumstances?  It peace a place?  A feeling?  Is it a state of mind?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Give thanks….

ALL:  God’s mercy is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s strength is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

 ALL:  God’s joy is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s wonders are everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s glory is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s salvation is everlasting!

Leader:  Give thanks…

ALL:  God’s love is everlasting!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  In the Catholic Church, Easter is not one day, it is a season.  It begins at the Easter Vigil, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday.  This celebration is special because through scripture, ritual, prayer and sacrament people of all ages are welcomed into the church.  It is an experience like no other full of sights, smells, sounds and touches your soul.  The Easter Season lasts for six weeks, with several other specific celebrations to help us to carry this feeling with us; it could be compared to a honeymoon stage of a newly married couple.  However, like every newlywed couple, the excitement may fade a little in the daily routine of life but there is still a joy which comes when we see a couple who have been married for many years who clearly love each other deeply.  This is the challenge for us this Easter.  How can you find this deep love and feel the Easter joy even in the everyday routine of scripture, prayer, ritual and sacrament?  Perhaps it is as simple as remembering that none of those things (scripture, prayer, ritual and sacrament) are ordinary.

Easter Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You died to bring us live

You became nothing

So we can become whole

May we die to the sin

that keeps us away from you

So we might live

in the fullness you promised!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

• How has your baptism and the renewal of your baptismal promises brought good news to others?
• Who in your life inspires or helps to ignite your faith?

 Colossians 3:1-4

• How do you rise like Christ this Easter season?
• Are there things you have shed through your Lenten sacrifice of which you are free?

 John 20:1-9

• What does this scripture reveal about Jesus? About his disciples?
• What do you take away from this scripture? What do you feel?  What do you imagine this looks like?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Has the journey of Lent helped to strengthen your faith?  How?
• Did you gain a new perspective on a problem or struggle you have in your life right now through prayer, almsgiving and/or fasting?  Share.
• What have you heard this Lent in the scriptures or through discussion with others which you have shared with another person?
• What has inspired you to bear witness to your faith over the past six weeks?
• Is there anything you are looking forward to during the Easter season?
• How can you make the joy of Easter last longer than one day?
• Are there things you can continue to work on (using prayer, almsgiving and fasting as your guide) for the next six weeks?  Why do these Lenten practices have to only be practiced during Lent?
• Is there a problem or struggle you are dealing with which you need to step away from?  Perhaps find a new perspective or revisit a solution which had been previously rejected?
• Are you carrying around “dead weight” such as hurt feelings or a burden that is not yours to carry?
• Do you hide Christ in your life?  In your conversations?  In your home?  What can you do to reveal him?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  What was hidden;

ALL:  has been revealed!

Leader:  What was broken;

 ALL:  has been healed!

Leader:  What was lost;

 ALL:  has been found!

Leader:  What was sin;

ALL:  has been forgiven!

Leader:  What was buried;

ALL:  has come to life!

Leader:  What was crucified;

ALL:  has been resurrected!

 

 

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus was believed to be dead.  The disciples buried him in a tomb.  After three days his broken body was healed and he was radiant.  Imagine you could go away for three days and get away from any pressures, stress and obligations.  What would you do?  How would you spend your time?  How would you pamper yourself to relieve stress?  What conversations would you have with God about your life?  Take time for a mini retreat, even if it is only for 5 minutes to step away from your life and let the joy of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection spark a renewal within!

Palm Sunday

 

Opening Prayer

Jesus

When I call out in prayer,

what do I say?

Do my words express my trust in you?

When I live out each day,

what do I say?

Do my actions show I trust you?

Let me be more aware of how I hurt you.

May I work to let my words and my actions,

express my love and trust in YOU!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 50:4-7

• How can you identify with this scripture? Are you feeling weary as the season of Lent comes to a close?
• Does this scripture give you any encouragement to keep on with your Lenten disciplines?

 Philippians 2:6-11

• What qualities of Jesus do you admire the most? How do you relate to these traits?
• How do you show reverence to Jesus? How often?

 Matthew 26:14-27, 66

• Choose an action from the Gospel reading that reflects something going on in your life right now.
• How have you rejected Jesus today? Yesterday?  This week?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• If you don’t feel well, do you want others not to feel well along with you?
• What causes you to feel weary? Make a list of the things that drain you.
• How much of your prayer life is complaining or whining to God?
• Consider the conversations you’ve had in the last 24 hours…how many of them included a complaint by you or another person?
• When have you felt shame? Describe the feeling.
• How have you caused another person to feel shame? For what reason?  Was it done on purpose?
• How do you show Jesus you love him? How does he show you he loves you?
• How do you feel when you are accused of something you didn’t do?
• When have you felt rejected? Who rejected you?
• Share a time when you have changed your perspective, like those in Jerusalem.(one day they are praising Jesus and another they are condemning him)

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with humility.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

 ALL:  so I can be refilled with obedience.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

 ALL:  so I can be refilled with hospitality.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with forgiveness.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with acceptance.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with trust.

Leader:  May I be emptied…

ALL:  so I can be refilled with faith.

 

Challenge for the Week:  This week make the commitment to sacrifice some of your time and do something uncomfortable.  It might be something simple like making small talk with the person in line with you at the store or offering to purchase the coffee of a stranger.  You might consider taking some of the “me time” you work to create and volunteer.  Perhaps you could make time for someone you have been avoiding or someone who has been sick or is alone.  Too often, we get wrapped up in ourselves and we begin to complain about things that we really shouldn’t complain about.  Look around this week and sacrifice yourself for the sake of another who is going through something much more difficult than you.  It will help you gain perspective and prepare your heart for Holy Week!

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Let me die so I might live

Let me let go of my needs

and let you give me what I need.

Let me give up the things I want

so you can show me more than I image.

Let me live in you

so I will die with you!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 37:12-14

• What does God promise here in this scripture?
• Where do you see God’s promises lived out?

 Romans 8:8-11

• Share an example of when you called out to God. How did He answer?
• What tells you that you belong to Christ? How do you know?

 John 11:1-45

• What areas in your life are “asleep”?  Do they need be awaken?
• Are there things in your life that have been brought back to life this Lenten season?
• How can you relate to Jesus in this scripture?  What experience(s) has/have caused you to be able to relate?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Are there people who have died whom you still talk to? What are these conversations like?
• What is the value of speaking to those who have passed?
• What does it feel like to have God settle I your soul?
• What do you believe the Holy Spirit does?
• Can you or have you called on the Holy Spirit to help you? Expand.
• How do others know God’s Spirit is within you?
• What sin keeps you from a complete relationship with God?
• If Christ dwells in you, where does He dwell? How do you know?
• Where you see righteousness today?
• What do you believe happens to those who die here on earth?
• Have you ever walked into a situation where you knew people were against you? What was the situation?
• Is there a situation in your life that happened in the past which needs your attention? What can you do to help mend a past hurt?
• How can looking at the situation with a different perspective help you now?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, uncover my ears so I can hear…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unveil my eyes so I can see…

 ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unbind my hands so I can touch…

 ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, unfasten my feet so I can go…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, soften my heart so I can love…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

Leader:  Lord, ignite my soul so I can believe…

ALL:  Awaken me, bring me to life!

 

Challenge for the Week:  There are people in our lives whom give us “life” and those whom, let’s be honest, would rather die than to be around.  Of course, this is not the attitude Christ would want us to have so it is something we must work to improve.  This week take time to consider the difference between the two groups of people, what is it about the people whom energize you and those who drain you?  Are there things you can do to help improve your attitude about the second group?  Are there obstacles you have set in place to avoid being around them that could be adding to the frustration?  Try to focus on the positive aspects of what they offer to a relationship instead of the negative.  After reflection, you might learn that part of the reason it is a struggle to be around them is because they are reacting to your negativity or be trying to work extra hard to get you to be engaged because you try to avoid being around them.  It’s time to unravel the bandages and bring back to life a relationship; you never know what gifts you are sealing out of your life.

Source: Sunday, March 26th Readings

Fourth 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!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

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

• How do you feel anointed by God this Lent?
• David was working in the field when God called upon him; where were you when you first felt God call you?

 Ephesians 5:8-14

• Share an example of how being rooted in Christ produces “good fruit”.
• Share an example of how being disconnected from Christ causes darkness.

 John 9:1-41

• What does it mean to you that Jesus washes away not only your sins but the sins of others too?
• Are there sins you have not let go of? Your own?  The sins of others?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you celebrate that God has chosen you?
• Compare how it feels to be chosen by a person verses how it feels to be chosen by God.
• Can you decline a call from God?
• What are characteristics of a person who has a good heart?
• What is the difference between the way people see others and the way God sees others?
• What is the difference between the way people see situations and the way God sees situations?
• What are you trying to “die to” this Lent? What “light” comes from you letting go?
• Are you hiding anything in the dark which needs to be brought to light in a relationship?
• Share an example of how God’s light shines on you today.
• Are there sins you carry around that hold you back?
• Are there sins you carry around that are not yours?
• Describe how you feel when you are washed clean from sin.

 

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 we 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.

Source: Sunday, March 19th Readings