27^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer 

Lord, You must become frustrated.

Your Word is strong and true;

It never changes.

Somehow we still get anxious;

And worry about trivial things.

Help us to understand that…

YOU are always with us!

YOU watch over us!

YOU never leave us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 5:1-7

• Compare the world to a vineyard. What do you imagine is growing; identify the weeds, the bugs and the different types of grapes.  What are the fertilizers or the pesticides?  What good is coming from the vineyard?
• What can you learn from the vineyard owner, how does he work the field to produce a bounty? What kind of work do you do to produce good fruit?

Philippians 4:6-9

• What does St. Paul say you need to do to guard you fears, worries and anxieties? How can this become a reality?
• What is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise? If you have it is there space for anything else?

Matthew 21:33-43

• How do you identify with the Gospel reading? Are there people or situations in your life which you visualize as you hear the Word spoken?
• What emotions or feelings come up from inside of you when you hear this reading? What do you feel motivated to do?
• The Gospel reading doesn’t sound too much different than what happens in the world today? How did God react to the wretched way people treat one another in the parable?  How does Jesus’ response play out in today’s society?

General Questions for Journaling

• What are some of the obstacles which keep you from being a better “keeper of the vineyard”? How can you be more aware and intentional with your words and actions?
• What do you devote your time to? Does the way you spend your time accurately express your devotion?
• Are there things in your life which cause you constant worry or anxiety? What is it about those things that you can’t let go of?
• Where do you find peace? How can you cultivate it?
• Is it possible to have peace all of the time? Is it a fantasy?
• What in your life do you embrace which keeps you from embracing the sacred?
• Who might you consider to be one of God’s messengers? Are there current day messengers?
• Is there an injustice which you feel called to speak out against? What do you do to bring light to the situation?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  O Master of the vineyard…

ALL:  Plant in us seeds of grace

Leader:  Plant in us seeds of hope

ALL:  Plant in us seeds of mercy

Leader:  Plant in us seeds of love

ALL:  Plant in us seeds of forgiveness

Leader:  Plant in us seeds of faith

ALL:  May we grow all of these in abundance!!!

Challenge for the Week:  Consider the definition of each of the qualities Saint Paul says should take the place of our worry and anxiety.  Are there people in your life whom you would describe as true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise?  Breakdown each quality and reflect on a person in your life (living or dead, that you know or know of) which has that quality.  What makes that a trait of that person?  How can you express these qualities?  They are already planted in you…are you tending to the vineyard?

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Saving Lord
You are always with us.
You never leave us.
Even when we turn away, YOU are near!
Bring us into Your Spirit,
so we may be mindful of your presence.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Ezekiel 18:25-28
• Reflect on a time this week when you turned away from wickedness. How did you recognize the wickedness? Did you turn to God instead?
• Define “Conversion”. What does this mean to you?
Philippians 2:1-11
• Who are some of the people whose needs we put first, before our own?
• Are there people in our lives who put our needs before their own? Reflect on the examples of when then this has happened…what is the relationship between you and the person who puts your needs ahead of their needs?
Matthew 21:28-32
• Which son is need of conversion? Consider how BOTH might work toward conversion. How can you relate to both of them? Have you been where they are at one time or another in your life?
• How do the Elder’s change their ways because of Jesus’ words? How are you called to change because of His words?

General Questions for Journaling
• Have you experienced a conversion in your life? Is it a one-time event or can it happen repeatedly?
• How easy or difficult is daily conversion? What would/does this look like in your life?
• Consider some of the saints…reflect on one or two of them who put the needs of others before their own needs. What can you learn from their example and put into practice in your life?
• What does it mean to you to be a “slave” to Christ? Share an example.
• How would you say you resemble God? What qualities do you emulate? Which qualities do you wish to work on so you might be more like God?
• Are good words or good deeds better? Why?
• Is there an area in your life which is in need of conversion? Map out a plan on how you might achieve this, what you will do, who you will ask for assistance, be specific.

Closing Prayer
Leader: When we struggle with a decision…
ALL: Let our works imitate our words!
Leader: When we face our fears…
ALL: Let our works imitate our words!
Leader: When the road seems too rough…
ALL: Let our works imitate our words!
Leader: When we are surrounded by difficult people…
ALL: Let our works imitate our words!
Leader: May we call on you to shine through!

Challenge for the Week: Sometimes we become blind to our own sin and get wrapped up in what we see around us as a way to not have to look at what is going on inside of us. We should spend less time pointing out the wrong doings of others, and focus on our own wrong doings. When we do this, we become more aware of the working of God in our lives. Once aware of God’s presence in our lives, we begin to ignore our own self-interests and become conscious of what God wants for us. Then our words and our works become more in line with one another. Reflect this week on a specific way your words and actions conflict, what can you do to balance them out? What is causing the imbalance? Are there actions you can take to keep from getting out of balance?

Opening Prayer
Lord,
Though we may grumble and complain,
YOU continue to stay close to us.
Let us be more mindful of your presence,
in ourselves and in others.
May we learn to look more deeply
into the truth which is Your Word.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 55:6-9
• Where is God present in your life right now? How often do you see, here or feel God’s presence within a 24 hour period?
• Are there times when God is more or less present? When is He more? When is He less?

Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
• Identify at least one person in your life who “magnifies” God. What qualities “magnify” God? How do you “magnify” God?
• What work in your life produces “good fruit”? How do you engage in “fruitful labor”?

Matthew 20:1-16a
• Share an example of how a person can live out the Gospel message in a positive way.
• Do you know people who live a life of generosity? How can you follow their example?

General Questions for Journaling
• How would you respond to someone if they asked you how you know God is near?
• If God is always near, why do we need to seek Him? What make it hard to find Him sometimes?
• Would God ever hold back mercy or forgiveness? Why or why not?
• Have you ever held back from giving or showing mercy or forgiveness? What was the situation? How can you grow and change from the experience?
• Follow your family tree back and identify family members who have been examples of “fruitful laborers”, “workers for the kingdom”. Spend time in prayer giving thanks for their example.
• How is grace given in the ways of the world? What does grace look like in these terms? How is it similar or different than the way God gives grace?
• Is generosity earned? How does one become worthy of being the recipient of a generous act?

Closing Prayer
Leader: When we grow weary and tired after a long day…
ALL: Let us turn to You, You are our reward!

Leader: When we find ourselves full of stress and worry…
ALL: Let us turn to You, You are our reward!
Leader: When we are limited by rules and regulations…
ALL: Let us turn to You, You are our reward!
Leader: When we think we are not enough or are alone…
ALL: Let us turn to You, You are our reward!
Leader: Generous God, you are all we need!

Challenge for the Week: Some of the first lessons we learn as a child are to be fair and to share. When we share our things everyone gets equal time or equal pieces so it is “fair”. However, the Gospel is not a very good example of being fair. I’d bet most people get offended by how unfair this story comes across at face value. Like most of Jesus’ parables, we need to dig into it and know there is a deeper message within. Our lesson is to know that it is never too late for us to turn to God and receive His love and abundant blessings in our lives. When we know and love God, we know peace. This week as you go about your tasks, share this message with others. Let them know if they do not already have a relationship with Jesus that it is not too late to start. God will give everyone the same amount of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace no matter when they come and no matter what they have done. Share this good news with all you meet!

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Opening Prayer
Jesus
You emptied yourself for us on the Cross
You sacrificed all you had for our sins
You poured out your blood
and you gave your life freely
We are humbled by the power of Your actions.
We are strengthened by Your Word.
We are in awe of Your mercy and grace.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Numbers 21:4b-9
• How does God use the bad situation to show good? Does He offer these kinds of solutions to you in your life today?
• What is the moral of the story here? What is God trying to say?

Philippians 2:6-11
• Do you think Jesus didn’t seek equality with God because He subconsciously knew He was God?
• How could someone seek equality with God? What would that look like? Is it possible?
• Are there people you have put up in a place of honor like God? What makes this so? How can you begin to move toward putting God and God alone first in your life?

John 3:13-17
• What are you willing to risk in order to be a follower of Christ? What did Nicodemus risk? Did his risk pay off?
• Are there things you consider worth dying for in this world today?

General Questions for Journaling
• Have you experienced good things coming out of bad situations? Where was God in this instance?
• Consider the symbolism in this First Reading. What do the snakes represent? What does the staff represent? What is ailing the people? What do they suffer from? How is this similar or different from today?
• Has God ever told you to do something you thought didn’t make any since like He did to the people in the desert? What can you do to listen to these requests and follow them even if they sound strange in the ways of the world?
• How does Jesus show humility in the scriptures this week? What can we learn from his example?
• Define poverty. Is it simply the lack of something or is there more too it?
• How might you be in poverty in your life right now?
• In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly shows us how to pray. Reflect on the examples you can remember and try to put one or more of them into action.

Closing Prayer
Leader: When we recognize you in the everyday…
ALL: We turn our eyes toward heaven!
Leader: When we allow ourselves to surrender to your will…
ALL: We turn our eyes toward heaven!
Leader: When we consciously draw ourselves into unity with you…
ALL: We turn our eyes toward heaven!

Challenge for the Week: A tradition in the Catholic Church during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, is to gather together to venerate the cross. The word ‘venerate’ means to show great respect. The cross is one of the major symbols of Christianity and is displayed in most if not all places Christians gather to worship. Many Christians will have a cross hung somewhere in their home and others will wear the symbol on their clothing or as an accessory. The cross carries with it the understanding that it unites us to Christ and to one another. However, there is an even deeper meaning which we sometimes over look. The cross is not simply a symbol of Christianity but all that Christianity stands for because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Catholics take this reverence one step further and display the cross with Christ crucified, the crucifix, to remind us of the sins Jesus suffered and died for in order for us to be forgiven. But it doesn’t just stop there. We venerate the cross because that is the symbol of all of the sins Jesus carried, we should still be taking our sins to the cross. Then, like Jesus, we should leave them at the cross and be resurrected from the sin into everlasting life. The cross reminds us of the promise of heaven but it is also a portal to heavenly life here on earth. The challenge this week is simple, look for the cross in the community. When you see a cross, give thanks and praise to God. If someone is wearing a cross, acknowledge it. We don’t only need to venerate the cross on Good Friday, but each and every day!

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father
May we understand the power of prayer.
Help us to come to you with all we need.
Gather our prayers with others,
let us pray for one another
so our prayers become ONE.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Ezekiel 33:7-9
• How can you recognize a present day prophet? Do they exist?
• Is there an injustice you see which you can help shed light onto? How does God lead you to take action?
• How will God hold us accountable for our sins? How will He hold us accountable for the sins of others?

Romans 13:8-10
• In your own words, define the whole law? What is it Jesus asks of us? Are you capable?
• How do you imagine you will be judged? On how much you love your neighbor or how much you do for your neighbor? How are those two things different?

Matthew 18:15-20
• Reflect on a time when you witnessed the power. What was the situation? Was it a prayer answered because of community prayer such as a prayer chain or a prayer service? Share the experience.
• Do you think it is possible for two people to agree on something, pray for it and for God to grant them the prayer? Explain.

General Questions for Journaling
• How can a person speak truth in the world without sounding as if they are calling someone out? Is it possible to find a happy medium?
• How does your life bear witness to the goodness of God?
• If you could give yourself a grade for how well you keep the commandments, what would your grade card say?
• How have you experienced divine love? Is there someone in your life in need of divine love? How can you give it to them?
• Make a list of the things you love about yourself. Is it easy or difficult to come up with 10 things?
• Jesus said to love one another…even when it is difficult. Are you shutting yourself off from a relationship or relationships because you fear getting hurt?
• Have you been hurt in a relationship but haven’t reconciled with the person? Stop ignoring. Figure out a solution to make the wrong that was done right.
• Is there a relationship you need to give some attention to this week? Something in need of repair?
• How do you know God is present in prayer? In a relationship?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Lord you are present in all things
ALL: May we not ignore the gentle nudges of our heart.
Leader: Lord you are present in all things
ALL: May we not ignore the gentle whisper in our soul.
Leader: Lord you are present in all things
ALL: May we not ignore the gentle invitation of faith.

Challenge for the Week: Too often we let our emotions get the best of us and when someone says something that hurts us or someone we love, we want to hurt them in return. However, this is not how we show each other love. We need to think before we speak. There is so much sarcasm in conversation these days and people just say things, hurtful things and for some reason we think it is funny. However, it is not funny…sarcasm hurts. This week, as you go about your everyday activities be mindful of how much sarcasm you use and how much you hear. What is really being said? Why is it being used? Reflect on it and see if you are able to find any truth in it.

Opening Prayer
Lord
You came to find the lost.
You came to rescue the imprisoned.
You came to save the sinner.
May we allow ourselves to surrender.
May we allow ourselves to struggle.
May we allow ourselves to sacrifice;
So we may rely on YOU and
allow YOU to come to our aid!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Jeremiah 20:7-9
• Are there places where suffering happens which need to spoke about? Are there places where light needs to be shown on the darkness? What injustices are happening in the world which you are called to speak out about?
• Does oppression happen in this world? Who do you know is oppressed? How do you know? What do you do about it? Do you suffer from oppression?

Romans 12:1-2
• How do you know God is driving your actions or if you are following your own desire? How can you tell which way God is calling you to go?
• Compare and contrast the feelings of consolation and desolation. How would you describe your current state?

Matthew 16:21-27
• How do you feel when you lose something? How would you describe the process of letting go of the thing you lost?
• How do you feel when you find something? How would you describe the process of finding a place for the thing you found?

General Questions for Journaling
• Are there injustices in the world which break your heart? Are there injustices which occur that cause your gut to ache? Is the Holy Spirit calling you to do something about it?
• Describe what a “fire burning in your heart” might look, feel like. Have you ever experienced a burning in your heart? What did you do about it?
• How do you think God uses your suffering? Reflect on a time when you suffered but you were able to see God in it.
• Have you ever been thankful for suffering? What was the circumstance? Why were you thankful?
• How would a person “unite” their suffering with the suffering of Christ?
• How does one “lose” their life? What is Jesus saying you will gain?
• What does Jesus say you “find”? Have you ever caught a glimpse of what you will find?
• Reflect on this statement…”You can’t take anything with you when you die…that is why a hearse doesn’t have a trailer hitch.”

Closing Prayer
Leader: Teach us to be more loving to our neighbor;
ALL: May we decrease so YOU may increase!
Leader: Teach us to fill ourselves with YOUR Word;
ALL: May we decrease so YOU may increase!
Leader: Teach us to let go of the things of this world;
ALL: May we decrease so YOU may increase!

Challenge for the Week: When you see poverty in the world, you might think, what can I do? Especially when you see pictures of villages in third world countries who have no running water, no sanitation system, and no source of support to supply basic needs for survival. It is heart breaking for anyone to see another human suffer. You might consider how you can help and get discouraged because you think the load is too much for one person to carry. On the contrary, God wouldn’t put something on your heart to do if He didn’t believe you could do it. Plus you are not called to change the whole world all by yourself…Jesus did that already! Spend time in prayer this week to help you determine how God wants to use you to help right an injustice in the world. Then research a way you can help make a difference with someone either in a third world country or in your own community; where ever God is directing you. When everyone does just a little, it is just enough to make a huge difference.

Opening Prayer

Faithful Lord

You created us with a deep desire to seek YOU.

and we can never be completely satisfied

until we are filled by only YOU.

May we never give up the search for YOU

until we truly know this type of satisfaction.

No one knows us or loves us the way YOU do.

Journal/Reflection Questions

 Isaiah 22:19-23

• How does God show His authority in this reading?  How can you allow God to have authority over your life?  Who has authority now?
• This scripture is speaking of the coming of Jesus.  How can you shed light onto each statement with the knowledge and understanding you have of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection

Romans 11:33-36

• How might you seek to know what God is thinking?  How does one “know God’s mind”?
• Do you see God’s plan for you?  What makes you know for sure this is the path God intends for you?

Matthew 16:13-20

• Why would Jesus ask this question?  What do you think He was seeking?
• How do you describe who Jesus is to your friends and family?

General Questions for Journaling

• What qualities do you respect in a leader?  Are the qualities different depending upon what they are leading?  The Country?  They Church?  The Company where you work?

• Is the work you do or the job you have one you choose or one you “fell into”?  Could this have any bearing on your attitude toward it?

• Do you feel you are using the gifts God gave you in order to complete the tasks required of your job?  Are you fulfilling your vocation in the position you hold?  Do you feel as though God choose you to do the work you do?

• Are there things you value more than Christ?  Do you tell others about your relationship with Christ?  What keeps you from telling others of Christ?

• How can you be in Christ?  With Christ?  And Through Christ?

• What have you learned about Jesus which you want to preserve within yourself?  How can you be in unity with HIM?

• How is it that Jesus makes Peter the “ROCK” on which to build His church but Peter denies knowing Jesus three times?  How does this make you feel?  Disheartened?  Encouraged?

• What qualities of Peter make him the perfect example of a disciple?

   

   

   

Closing Prayer

Leader:  We have all been chosen to serve;

ALL:  may we fulfill the task you have called us to.

Leader:  We struggle with our faith and knowledge of you;

ALL:  may we find you in all the things in our lives.

Leader:  We stumble and fall, we make bad choices;

ALL:  may we always hold onto YOU!

Challenge for the Week:  When making a large purchase such as a washer and dryer or a car or a house, how long to do you spend researching it, looking it over, weighing out the pros and cons of the purchase?  Who are the people you might ask for advice or help in making such an important decision?  When it comes to our faith, whom do you turn to about important decisions, to whom do you ask the important questions?  Do you give it the same depth of attention, looking at where God is working in your life in every little detail?  Do you seek counsel from God when making decisions about what is happening in your life and listen to His response?  God doesn’t need to seek anyone’s counsel but it would be wise for us to seek HIS!

OR

St Ignatius of Loyola set the rule to “seek God in all things”.  This is a challenge to seek God in all things especially when choosing the TV show or movie to watch, the book to read or the music to listen to.  Where is God in the things you do the most?

Opening Prayer
Infinite Lord
May we be courageous in our faith.
May we persistent in our prayer.
May we be fearless in our works.
May we be boundless in love.
Fill us with Your grace and mercy through Your Word.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
• How do you show mercy in your life? To whom do you show mercy? How does it compare to God’s boundless mercy?
• How might the world be different if we truly lived life knowing God’s grace and mercy were endless?
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
• What feelings or emotions do you feel knowing God will never stop loving you?
• Describe the power of mercy. What does it offer? How do we receive it? Where does it come from? Who can have it?
Matthew 15:21-28
• What surprises you about this scripture passage? How does this fall in line with or go against who you know Jesus to be?
• What does the phrase, “even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters” mean? What exactly was the woman saying?

General Questions for Journaling
• Reflect on a time when you were excluded from something. How did it feel? What did you do about it? Would you do the same thing again or would you do something differently?
• Have you ever intentionally excluded someone from something? What was the reason? Is there a circumstance in which excluding someone is acceptable?
• Has there ever been an occasion when you felt excluded within your faith community? What was it that made you feel separated? How might the scriptures this week help you heal?
• Have you ever seen a disobedient child? How do you discipline him/her? Do you love them less because they are disobedient?
• Do you judge others’ faith simply by looking at them? Do you compare yourself to them?
• How would you judge a woman begging at the feet of Jesus? Have you ever done the same thing?
• Where in your life should you be more persistent? In prayer? Good works? Self-discipline? Encouragement?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Great is my faith
ALL: when I seek YOU before all other things.
Leader: Great is my faith
ALL: when I listen when YOU call my name.
Leader: Great is my faith
ALL: when I serve others and show YOUR love.

Challenge for the Week: We can learn so much from this Canaanite woman. She doesn’t back down, she remains calm and she kneels before Jesus and asks for help. How often do we just nonchalantly ask Jesus to help us with something in prayer? Are the things you pray for simply a list of wants and needs or are they true desires? Do you pray with persistence and fervor? When you attend Mass or Sunday Worship listen intently to the prayers of the faithful, the petitions of the community. Set your mind to faithfully listen and put emotion and feeling into the prayer intentions so that you pray them with your whole being.
OR
Let us learn from the Canaanite woman how our faith can save and not back down from what we believe in when challenged. Too often even those whom we might consider “the faithful” will give up and back down when their faith gets too hard. It’s easy to be called a Christian when we are sitting in the pew on Sunday morning but when the rubber hits the road on Sunday afternoon, are we still as strong in our faith beliefs and practices as we were when we were in church? Jesus challenges us at times just like He is testing this woman. He tests her so she might exercise her faith to the fullest extent. Where is Jesus challenging you to be stronger in your faith?

Opening Prayer – 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Father,
Before us are many paths to choose;
Some are worn, some hard to navigate.
Many leave us feeling pain, sorrow or regret.
Others fill us with great joy and satisfaction.
Sharpen our senses to seek YOU on the path ahead of us.
Then even when the waves crash against us,
YOU are there when we reach out.
May we seek YOU in each new dawn,
in each raindrop and in every shining star.

Journal/Reflection Questions
1Kings 19:9, 11-13
Reflect on a time in your life when you experienced an “earthquake”, a “great wind” or a “fire”. When did you see God in the situation? Was it before, during or after the event?
Do you hear God in the “whispers” of life? Where does God whisper to you? What does He use to share His message with you in a whisper?

Romans 9:1-5
Are there some in your family whom cause you “great sorrow” or “constant anguish” because of their belief or unbelief? What can you learn from St Paul in this scripture that might help?
Are there some people whom you need to separate or be “cut off” from in order to be a better follower of Christ? How can you relate to St Paul in this scripture?

Matthew 14:22-33
Is your faith on a solid rock or on sinking sand? What can you learn from Peter to help you stay steady? How does this look in your everyday life?
What causes you to sink in your faith? Name some of the weights that drag you down.

General Questions for Journaling
Can God calm your fears or worries like He calm’s the sea? When have you experienced God’s calming power?
Would you describe your faith as strong? Would you be able to stand back up like Peter?
Jesus went up the mountain to pray. Do you have a sacred place where you like to go to pray? What makes it sacred?
How does God invite you to step out of the boat?
Are you able to distinguish when God is in the wind, the fire and the earthquake and when He is not? How close do you think you need to be in order to know the difference?
What forces work against you in building your faith? What do you struggle with in order to keep the faith?
Would you say you trust Jesus? Share an example in your life which shows how you trust Jesus.

Closing Prayer
Leader: When I am feeling lost and alone…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!
Leader: When I don’t know which way to turn…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!
Leader: When I stumble and fall and sink…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!
Leader: When I am so full of joy I overflow…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!
Leader: When I feel fulfilled and satisfied…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!
Leader: When I stand up for what I believe…
ALL: Fix my eyes on Jesus!

Challenge for the Week: Many people live in the “in between” of faith where they believe but don’t practice their beliefs with intention OR they practice so hard they are frustrated with the results. We need to seek to find a healthy balance of living out and practicing the beliefs. When scripture says we must love our neighbor and pray for our enemies, it sounds beautiful and practical. However, how many believers actually put the words into practice? Do we love everyone, even those who hurt us or persecute others? When a tragedy happens do we immediately begin to pray for the victims and not the perpetrators? Consider where your faith and your belief intersect.

Opening Prayer – 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Creator God
You give us a hunger and a thirst
only YOU can satisfy.
May we come to understand
how YOUR Word is what we need.
Fill us with YOUR mercy and grace;
complete us and make us whole.
Our searching is over!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 55:1-3
• What picture does this scripture paint? What images show abundance?
• When have you felt satisfied? Describe the feeling.
Romans 8:35, 37-39
• What keeps you away from God? How do you support the relationship? How do you hurt the relationship?
• How do you remain close to those you love? Those on earth? Those in heaven?
Matthew 14:13-21
• Where is God in this scripture? In what ways?
• How are you called to be like the crowd? What do you have to share with others?

General Questions for Journaling
• What do you thirst for? What do you hunger for?
• What does your soul ache for? Have you ever felt so strongly about something or needed something so much you ached?
• God satisfies. How many ways can you list?
• What is your definition of riches? How does God provide you with riches in your life?
• How do you communicate with God? How does God communicate back?
• How does working on your relationship with God differ from your other relationships? How is it similar?
• What is your definition of the promises of Christ?

Closing Prayer – Words to the song, “Come to the Water” by John Foley S.J.
ALL: Oh let all who thirst,
let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord.
Without money, without price,
why should you pay the price?
Except for the Lord?

And let all who seek,
let them come, to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord.
without money, without strife,
why should you spend your life?
Except for the Lord?

And let all who toil,
let them come to the water;
and let all who are weary,
let them come to the Lord.
All the who labor without rest,
how can your soul find rest?
Except for the Lord?

And let all the poor,
let them come to the water.
Bring then ones who are laden
bring them all to the Lord.
Pray the children without might,
easy the load and light.
Come to the Lord, Come to the Lord
Come to the Lord, Come to the Lord

Challenge for the Week: In the summer, many of us are guests or host a potluck or picnic where everyone brings something to contribute to the meal. Part of the fun of a potluck is to see what others bring, make a favorite dish or to have the chance to try out a new recipe. Even if there are several types of salads or duplicate dishes, there is always plenty of food and no one is left hungry. There is also always plenty leftover. Imagine how this is similar to the feeding of the 5,000. They weren’t invited to a potluck but they attended one. We hear the story of the boy with some fish and bread who was generous enough to step forward with the little he had to share with the crowd but I believe it was because of his example others contributed what they had too. We must realize that even though we think what we have to give is not enough, when we allow God into our lives and have the courage to step out in faith, He satisfies and completes us. Show generosity in some way this week by sharing with someone what you have to give. Bring more than simply a food dish with you to the next potluck, bring a generous heart full of the love of Jesus and see what miracles happen!