29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Generous God

You give us food from heaven

so we have the nourishment we need.

You give us a source of water

so we can be refreshed and clean.

You also give us friends

so we can be supported when

our load just seems to get to heavy.

Thank you Lord,

for providing all of our needs.

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 17:8-13

• Who or what keeps you persistent in your prayer?
• Where do you go when you are in need of help? Is help always given?

 2Timothy 3:14-4:2

• How is the Gospel/Word of God lived out in the world today? Is it hard or easy to find?  Is it easily recognizable or is it disguised?
• When has your faith been convenient? When has it been inconvenient?  What does Saint Paul say you should do about it?

 Luke 18:1-8

• When you pray are you ready to listen for the answer?
• Do you pray for those who judge you and for those whom you have judged?
• Why should we only pray petitions to God? Doesn’t He already know what we need?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Reflect on a time when you wouldn’t have gotten through a situation (good or bad) without the help of others.
• What are some things you cannot do alone?
• When did you last receive help without asking for it? How did you feel?
• Have you ever given help to another without their request; simply because you saw a need?
• Who are the people in your life who have your back?
• How would you define a prayer warrior? Do you know people who fit the description?
• How is prayer a weapon? Have you seen it used as a weapon or only heard the comparison?
• Do you know any scripture passages by heart? If so, what?
• What is your favorite bible story? Why does this one stand out?
• Make a list of places you see scripture used.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I am weak

ALL:  may I find strength…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am blinded

 ALL:  may I find my sight…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am weary

 ALL:  may I find my contentment…everlasting!       

Leader:  When I am lame

ALL:  may I find my healing…everlasting!      

Leader:  When I am suffering

ALL:  may I find my blessing…everlasting!

Leader:  When I am alone

ALL:  may I find my Savior…everlasting!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  Consider the following questions: What is the role of prayer in your life?  How do you pray?  When do you pray?  Is there a routine to your prayer?  Do you have a specific place where you pray?  Is there structure to your prayer or is it completely random?  Are there people whom you pray for?  Do you ask others to pray for you?  What value do you put on prayer?  Do you only pray for yourself and your loved ones or do you include people you don’t know?  Do you pray for specific things to happen?  Are your prayers general/generic?  Is your language formal or informal when you pray?  Do you pray by yourself or with others?  How important is prayer to your life?  Do others know how important/unimportant prayer is to you?  Spend time pondering these questions this week…and then pray with purpose!

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Spirit of God

As I journey through this life,

may I not forget the lives of those before me.

Let me spend time reflecting,

on the sacrifices by others for my sake.

Working, dreaming, praying, surviving,

for someone they would never meet.

What can I do for those who lived before?

Remember and show gratitude to those ahead.

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Kings 5:14-17

• Does this scripture give you comfort or upset you? Why?
• Why does the water heal? What makes it different from any other time he went to the river?
• Have you experienced a cleansing like Naaman?

 2Timothy 2:8-13

• In what ways do you deny God? Are there areas of your life that you don’t allow God into?
• What do you deny yourself of? What does it take for you to do so?  How does it affect those around you?

 Luke 17:11-19

• What do you think causes Jesus to feel pity?
• Why do you think only one shows gratitude?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• How is a child’s skin different than an adult? What changes?
• What was the most extravagant give you have received? How did you show gratitude?
• Are there things you have still not let go of so God can cure?
• Where do you go to be cleaned? How do you become clean?  Why do you need to be cleaned?
• What struggles do you face currently? How are you allowing God to go to battle for you?
• Where do you go to find God’s holiness? How do you carry the holiness of God with you?
• How do you feel God disciplining you? What is He trying to teach you right now?
• When have you given everything for the sake of another? What did it feel like?  How did they react?  How long did it last?
• How do others around you affect your behavior? When is it good?  When is it bad?  What can you do to affect others behavior in a good way?
• What gifts do you have that have the power to heal another person?
• How open are you to allow another person to heal you?
• Make a list of ways to show/express gratitude.

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, have pity on us and let us do the same…

ALL:  by holding a door for a stranger.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on us and let us do the same…

 ALL:  by leaving a generous tip.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on us and let us do the same…

 ALL:  by calling or visiting a shut-in.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on us and let us do the same…

ALL:  by volunteering some time.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on us and let us do the same…

ALL:  by giving a gift for no reason.

Leader:  Let us have pity on others so

ALL:  by your grace we turn pity into joy!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  Compare and contrast times when you have been weighed down with the chains of suffering and times when you feel rinsed clean.  Identify two or more situations in your life when you have experienced these feelings and spend time reflecting on the differences and the similarities of the experiences.  What did you feel physically, what did you think, what emotions did you feel, what was your behavior like, how did you treat yourself and others during these times?  Additionally, where was God during these times?  Did you experience a change in you afterwards?  Was it for the worse or for the better?  What are your emotions/feelings about these experiences now that you look back on them?  What will you do/can you do with this new knowledge of yourself?  Is there benefit not only for you but for others as well?  Decide on one action you will do (whether for yourself or for another) to live out what you have learned.

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Father

Sometimes when I look at the world around me,

I want to cry because of all the hurt.

At times I wonder if there is any good to see.

There are days when I want to

give up, surrender, hide away

because the road ahead is too hard.

Give me the strength to seek YOU…

to have just a little faith

so I can make a difference!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Habakkuk 1: 2-3; 2:2-4

• How is this scripture relevant to what is happening in the world right now?
• Describe how the author is feeling? Do you relate?  How?

 2Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

• How do you describe a “spirit of cowardice”? When have you had it?  What needs to happen to overcome it?
• Do you call on the Holy Spirit to give you courage of faith? What does that look like?  What words do you use?
• What does it mean to share the hardship of the Gospel? What is Paul talking about here?

 Luke 17:5-10

• Has God asked you to be uprooted? When?  Did you move or stay still?  What was the outcome?
• When have you witnessed faith grow? Where do you see tremendous faith?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Where do you see violence in the world?
• How are you affected as a witness?
• When are you a victim of violence?
• How & when have you contributed to the violence in the world?
• What feeds your misery? How is your despair maintained?
• What feeds your faith? How do you maintain it?
• When have you been afraid of your faith? (whether afraid of having faith or afraid of not having faith or afraid of the type/level of faith)
• How does love and self-control affect violence?
• How does violence affect love and self-control?
• What can you do to spread faith? Can you grow it?  How do you cultivate it?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May my prayers…

ALL: develop depth! 

Leader:  May my relationship with YOU…

 ALL:  become intimate!

Leader:  May my words and actions…

 ALL:  speak my beliefs!

Leader:  May my time in scripture…

ALL:  increase my faith!

Leader:  May my faith…

ALL:  grow like a mustard seed!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  The world looks pretty scary with the mass shootings, police brutality and the “ism’s” which cause division and inspire hatred.  Fear can cause us to want to shut ourselves off from what is going in, to hide away from it and fool ourselves into thinking it doesn’t affect us and that we don’t have a role to play in it all.  Spend time this week thinking what gifts and talents, strengths you have to make a difference in one or all of the above listed situations.  What can you do to stop contributing to the negative and act with faith?  Though you might not know the people in the communities which are hurting, is there something you can do to show your compassion?  One small act can grow!

 

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

It is not wrong to desire nice things

or to work for a better life.

Let us not get consumed by these things

or allow them to be our focus.

Keep us humble so we might know

it is YOU who give us what we need.

Help us remember to share what we have

with all whom we meet for you are there!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Amos 6: 1a,4-7

• What would you describe as luxury in today’s standards?
• Is this scripture saying we shouldn’t enjoy having good things?

 1Timothy 6: 11-16

• How do you pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness?
• Where do you see these qualities lived out?

 Luke 16: 19-31

• Do you see or have you seen a “great chasm” in the world, in politics, in the church? What can you learn from it and can it be overcome?  How does/did it affect your thoughts and behavior?
• Are there words of warning or wisdom which have been left behind for you from loved ones who have died? How do you honor those?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Is there such a thing as too much? When is it too much?
• What are some of the finer things in life…your definition?
• Can you have wealth without be self-indulgent? Why or why not?
• What prejudices do people have toward those who would be considered wealthy in society?
• What prejudices do people have toward those who would be considered poor in society?
• Do you believe power comes with having wealth? How do you see power used in good and bad ways?
• Are there acts of charity or justice which you prefer over another?
• Are there things you would not do to serve or help another? Why or why not?
• Do you have scars others cannot see? If you revealed those scars do you think you would be treated differently?
• When have you treated someone differently because of the scars they have?
• Have you ever disregarded another due to haughtiness on your part?
• Have you ever needed to repent for disregard you showed toward another? What did you do and was your apology accepted?
• Are there warnings which you ignore? What are they and why do you disregard them?
• Are there warnings which you follow and warn others against? What are they and why are you apt to follow the warnings?

 

Closing Prayer (fill in the ALL with specific prayers of need you see)

Leader: I see a need…

ALL:  _____________, I can help!

Leader:  I see a need…

 ALL:  _____________, I can help!

Leader:  I see a need…

 ALL:  _____________, I can help!

Leader:  I see a need…

ALL:  _____________, I can help!

Leader:  I see a need…

ALL:  _____________, I can help!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  What do these scripture readings tell us about this disposable world attitude we have today?  What are some of the things we use lavishly?  Are there things you use which you take for granted?  Think back to your childhood…what has changed?  How does the “fast” pace of the internet, speed limits, mobile phones, microwaves and fast food contribute to the self-absorbed attitude we come across too often?  What ONE thing can you do to help?  What ONE thing can you change in your life which contributes or gives into this movement?  How can you make this change one which draws you closer to God?

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

How can I help my neighbor?

I can barely care for myself.

What do I have to offer?

I don’t have any more to spare.

Lead me to find the resources

I need to care not only for myself

but for others too!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Amos 8: 4-7

• How do you feel called to care for the poor? What do you do to live out this call?
• What are you willing to sacrifice to provide for those you are responsible to care for?

 1 Timothy 2: 1-8

• Have you ever given something up for another person? What was it and for whom did you give it up?
• What causes people in the world today to get angry? What are some of the arguments going on in the world right now?  How would lifting your hands to God help?

 Luke 16: 1-13 or 10-13

• Have you ever squandered something away or spent extravagantly?
• Do you save things or hold things back for future generation? If so what?  For what purpose?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• When have you been in a situation or witnessed a situation that was unjust? How did you deal with it?  What did you do?
• Have you ever horded something valuable and chose not to share? What was it?
• Identify a time when you have been greedy. What did it feel like?  What was the situation?  From whom did you with-hold or take from?
• Have you ever been exploited? Have you exploited another?
• Have you ever been oppressed? Have you oppressed another?
• Is there an injustice which needs your attention? How does scripture lead you to a solution?
• How do you take your faith outside of the church doors? How do you live it each day of the week?
• Have you ever had someone be a mediator in your life to help resolve a situation?
• When have you helped two people work out an issue? How did you handle the situation?  What was the outcome?
• How do you see church and state, regardless of the law? Do you believe they are separate?  Do you think they interact?  Do you agree they should be separate?  Why or why not?
• How many people do you know that you would describe as trustworthy?
• How do you serve God? How do you serve society?  Which one wins?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel trampled

ALL:  you come to pick me up!

Leader:  When I am in need

 ALL:  you find a way to satisfy!

Leader:  When I call out to you

 ALL:  you listen to my plea!

Leader:  When I hold back

ALL:  you urge me to give more!

Leader:  When I surrender

ALL:  you give abundantly!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  We can sometimes fool ourselves into thinking there are adjectives for a lie…a little lie, a big lie, it can be necessary or harmless but really none of these are true.  A lie is a lie and when we lie, it often catches up with us.  When have you told a lie?  Did you lie to get out of something you didn’t want to do?  Did you lie to make someone feel better?  Did you lie so you didn’t have to deal with the truth?  Are there lies you have told which have no meaning?  Sometimes one lie causes you to tell another lie and another until you lose track of the truth and you can begin to believe our own lies.  Spend time this week meditating on a recent lie you told, was it a slip of the tongue or is there something you are hiding?  Once you’ve determined what you have done, figure out how you will make it right.

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord of immense patience

How can I learn from you?

Where can I go to find patience?

Is it within my reach?

What can I do to cultivate more?

Why can’t I seem to wait?

Be with me Lord,

I cannot do it on my own!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 32: 7-11, 13-14

• What does this scripture say about human nature? Is it still true today?  Where do you see an example?
• What advantage do you have over Moses to get God’s message through to others? What disadvantage do you have over Moses?

 1 Timothy 1:12-17

• Identify how God has shown mercy to Paul.
• Identify how others showed mercy to Paul.

 Luke 15: 1-32

• How do you rejoice when you have been forgiven?
• Describe what it feels like to be filled with compassion.

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Would you consider yourself a persuasive person? Who do you identify as a persuasive person?
• Could a persuasive person get you to do something you know is wrong or that you shouldn’t do? Has this ever happened?
• How do you use persuasion in your life? Do you use it to get what you want or what God wants?
• Do you try to talk God into things? If so, what?  And how did/does He respond?
• How do you feel when you make a deal with someone and they don’t keep up their part?
• Have you ever reneged on a deal? What was the situation?
• Do threats work? Why or why not?  When are threats necessary?
• Does God ever give up on you? Why then, do you give up on yourself?
• When have you given up on yourself? Did you reach out to God or to others?  Were you shown mercy?
• Have you ever been lost? What did it feel like?  Who found you?  How did you feel when you were found?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never give up on me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

 ALL:  For you never leave me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

 ALL:  For you never lose patience with me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never for me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never forsake me, a sinner!

 

 Challenge for the Week:  On the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon, each person over the age of 18 can tell you a story about where they were and how they felt when they heard the terrible news.  If you reflect back to your story, it may be filled with sadness, anger, surprise, but probably not much mercy or forgiveness…at the time.  Spend some time this week and examine what has changed in your life, in the world and see how time has perhaps changed your perspective or understanding.  Have you seen mercy and forgiveness happen in the world?  What examples can you come up with as ones to share with others so they can learn to be able to forgive and show mercy to others.

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

You must have immense patience

to listen to us whine and complain

about our suffering and pain.  We are so naive.

You have heard every excuse but still we give them.

The promise of peace, forgiveness and mercy

doesn’t seem to be enough for us to let go.

May your WORD today help us to surrender!!!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 9:13-18b

• Can you with confidence tell others what God has planned for you? Why or why not?
• What do you know for sure about your faith? About your purpose?  About the promises of Christ?

 Philemon 9-10, 12-17

• Are there ways in which you feel imprisoned or enslaved by your faith?
• Are there ways in which you feel imprisoned or enslaved by the world?

 Luke 14: 25-33

• What are the costs of following Christ? Do you know the end of the story?  What do you fear about the middle (unknown) that keeps you from surrendering?
• Make a list of the resources you use and have at your disposal in order to finish the race, build the tower and live with purpose?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever had a plan which was executed perfectly? What causes you to have to change your plan?
• How do you feel when there is not a plan?
• Are there times when you need a plan and when you don’t want a plan? How are those different?
• What can you do to learn more about the plan God has for you? How will you know it is God’s plan?
• Are there relationships you need to let go of in order to allow change?
• How is love revealed in your life?
• Where is love found?
• To what do you cling? What keeps you from surrendering completely to God?
• What does your cross include? Are there days when it is lighter/heavier than others?
• Does everyone have the same size cross to bear? Do they all look the same?
• Picking up your cross to carry it is a choice. Are there days when you choose NOT to pick it up?
• Who are the people who have helped your carry your cross?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May we seek the path to YOU

ALL:  when we cannot stand on our own;

Leader:  May we seek the path to YOU

 ALL:  when the clouds cover our eyes;

Leader:  May we seek the path to YOU

 ALL:  in the midst of the storm;

Leader:  May we seek the path to YOU

ALL:  on the best and worst of our days;

Leader:  May we seek the path to YOU

ALL:  even when none can be found.

 

 Challenge for the Week:  People can spend weeks, months and years trying to make sense of things beyond their grasp.  Sometimes they get so wrapped up in trying to make the pieces fit, they lose sight of anything else.  When this happens, whatever path they are on doesn’t matter because they are standing still.  IF you relate to this and it describes you now, please seek guidance from a spouse, friend, counselor, priest, etc. and if this describes someone you love, share this scripture with them and pray for the words to help them start taking steps on their journey again!

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord

Where do I find humility?

What does it look like?

Why is it so hard to find?

Am I looking in the wrong places?

Show me how to be humble

through YOUR words and actions…

Let the examples I read in scripture

teach me to see

with more love and compassion!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

• What does the scripture say about who you are as a child of God? Would you describe yourself this way?  Why or why not?
• How does someone learn to be humble? What does this scripture say one should do?

 Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24A

• Does this scripture scare you or bring you comfort?
• Pick one of the metaphors and meditate on it. What does it look like?  How does it make you feel?  How does it apply to your life (now or in the past).

 Luke 14:1, 7-14

• What does it feel like to be the guest of honor?
• Do you need help getting to the banquet?
• What are you doing to help others get to the banquet?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• What kinds of gifts does God give? Have you ever received a bad gift from God?
• Are there bad gifts? Have you ever received a bad gift?  Have you ever given one?
• How do you define humility? Where does it come from?  How is it achieved?
• Who do you consider a great person? Who might consider you a great person?
• Are there people in your life whom you need to attend to? Do they need a listening ear?  Words of comfort or advice?
• Have you ever been given a gift which you didn’t open or use? Are you using the gifts God has given?  Are there gifts you still haven’t opened?
• Do you like when someone acknowledges you with a note, card or gift? What about when they remember a special date or something important going on in your life?  How do you feel?
• Are you bound by anything? What binds you?  Why?  Is it good or bad?  Does it need to change?  What would happen if it did?

 

Closing Prayer – inspired by Colossians 3:12

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be compassionate!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

 ALL:  to be kind!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

 ALL:  to be humble!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be gentle!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be patient!

Leader:  Chosen by God…

ALL:  to be LOVED!

 

Challenge for the Week:  In a world that puts so much focus on “I” and “ME” it’s no wonder humility is hard to find.  There are stories about people spending over their means only to impress others by their name brand clothes and the car they drive.  More stories of those who spend hours getting tummies tucked and plastic surgery to “fix” what they believe are flaws in how they were created.  The stories go on and on including people of all ages being bullied, shunned and some even killed because another person doesn’t think they live up to specific standards.  It is hard for us to push away insecurities brought on by media or the opinion of others.  We often forget we aren’t defined by what society says is “cool” or “acceptable”, rather by the one who created us.  God says we are chosen and loved, just the way we are and doesn’t ask for us to impress Him.  We are only asked to follow in His steps and accept and love one another, just as God created them.  It is when we stop worrying about impressing others with material things and embrace God’s opinion of us that we can find humility.  We can truly understand that life is “not all about me”, rather it is all about “we” and how we put God first in our lives.  Take time this week to consider what you do in order to impress others (words or actions) or how you change yourself (words or actions) in order to fit into a group of people at work/school.  AND then pray…see what God wants you to do about it!  Remember, God is the only one you should try to impress 😉

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU call out to us and gather us together

YOU give us hearts of flesh to love

YOU give us hands to reach out to help

YOU give us the will to choose to follow

May we never lose sight of ALL you give

And always be grateful…you are always there!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 66:18-21

• How are the Israelite’s set apart/chosen? Does God love you in the same way?  How do you know?
• When you see the unity described in this scripture? Have you ever felt it?  When?  Where?

 Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

• How does God use discipline to help us become the person we were created to be?
• What does the word discipline mean? Is it hard?  Does it hurt?  Is discipline negative?  Do you think we all receive the same discipline from God?

 Luke 13:22-30

• How do you image the narrow gate? Do you image an actual gate or that Jesus is using symbolism for something else?
• Where do you see mercy in this scripture?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Are there people in your life whom you feel united? What is the connection?
• Do you feel closer to people who are not your relatives? Why or why not?  What does this have to do with the scripture readings?
• What do you offer God? What does He offer you?  Is it even?
• What does your physical body/presence say about your spiritual health? Do you think they are related?  How?  Why?
• How do you practice spiritual discipline? What does it mean?
• What makes faith stronger? How strong is your relationship with God?  Jesus?  Holy Spirit?
• How do you exercise your faith? What areas do you need to work on?
• Do you ever feel you give and give and give with nothing in return? What makes you continue to give?
• Are there times when you don’t thing you give enough? Whom are you trying to please or satisfy?  Is satisfaction achievable?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my relationship

ALL:  in the prayers I pray.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my understanding

 ALL:  through the scriptures.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my focus

 ALL:  as I follow the path.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my witness

ALL:  as I speak truth.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my commitment

ALL:  in acts of justice and mercy.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen me…

ALL:  make me your disciple!

 

Challenge for the Week:  Have you ever gone along with something because it was the popular choice but you didn’t agree?  This is one of the challenges in life…how do we become strong in our beliefs, strong enough to speak up and go in a different direction?  Since we all face this dilemma at some point, either reflect back to a time or focus on a potential situation (perhaps even the one in the Gospel reading) and consider how you will stand up with faith.  Sometimes acting out in faith and truth is not the popular decision…is your faith strong enough to withstand?  Living your life as a disciple is radical…BE RADICAL!