Opening Prayer – 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Gentle and Merciful Lord,
You call us to be meek and humble of Spirit
so you can dwell within us and make us complete.
May we lay down all we have,
without worry it is not enough
because YOU complete our gift and make us whole.
Let your Word bring us the strength to let go
so we might rest in YOU!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Zechariah 9:9-10
• Reflect on where you have seen this scripture passage come to be in the New Testament. What is the story? How was it fulfilled? Take time to think about each line of the first reading in relationship to the story of Jesus on Palm Sunday. What new insight is gained thought this meditation?
• How does Jesus, the King come to you? How does He show Himself to you? How does He speak to you?(ie. prayer? others? circumstance?)
Romans 8:9, 11-13
• What burdens come from being human vs divine? What benefits come from being human vs divine?
• If the Holy Spirit dwells in you, how does this change your perspective of yourself?
• If the Holy Spirit dwells in others, how does this change your perspective of them?
Matthew 11:25-30
• In what ways do you feel Jesus understands you? Your joys? Your worries?
• Describe what it feels like to “rest” in God. What does it look like?

General Questions for Journaling
• How did Jesus show humility? What are some specific examples?
• Can meekness and humility be good?
• Is humility a quality you want in a leader? Why or why not?
• How can you tell the Spirit dwells in you?
• How can you tell the Spirit dwells in others?
• In what way(s) did you give into desires of the Spirit today?
• How do you take steps to overcome desires of the flesh? What does scripture tell you is the reward?
• When do you feel most burdened? How do you deal with it? What helps to lighten your burden?
• Jesus said we need to learn to be meek and humble. What do having these qualities require us to do?
• Imagine a time when you were exhausted and didn’t have any strength to continue. Describe this feeling. Where did you find strength to carry on?
• What burdens do you carry? Are there burdens you allow others to carry for you? When will you take responsibility for the burdens you allow others to carry?

Closing Prayer – From a sermon by St. Augustine
ALL: O Jesus!
Yoke us to yourself
When we too hunger, give us food.
When we too thirst, or tire, or falsely witness,
just let us learn to fine you and to fine ourselves in YOU!

Challenge for the Week: Come to me, all who are burdened and worried, I will give them rest. Imagine a parent saying this to a child whose bedtime is quickly approaching and is showing signs of restlessness and weariness. These words call out to the child just like they call out to us in order to soothe our spirit. The restlessness melts away when the child is swept up into secure arms; they know they are safe, they are taken care of, they are loved. This is what Jesus wants for us…to let go and relinquish the stress and strain of the day…fall into his arms and let him minister to us. Identify the things in your life which keep you from experiencing this peace of resting in God. What can you do to move the obstacles which stand in the way of this rest?

Opening Prayer – Solemnity of Peter and Paul
Heavenly Father,
Open us up so we may let you in.
Give us the grace we need to be opened.
Once we are opened allow us to seek you.
Save us from our humanness and
help us to always be faithful!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 12:1-11
• How has God used an Angel to free you like the Angel helped Peter?
• Are you open to letting God use you as an Angel to help free another from what binds them? What do you need to do to be ready?
• What chains bind you in your physical, emotional, spiritual life?
2Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
• Are you in need of rescue in your life from some bondage? What gives you hope that you will be rescued?
• How can you relate to Peter and Paul’s situation? When have you experienced need of God’s saving grace?
Matthew 16:13-19
• Who do you say Jesus is? How do you describe Him? What words would describe who He is to/for you?
• What can you learn from this exchange? What is Jesus truly asking? Does He ask the same for you? How do you respond?

General Questions for Journaling
• What is the price of discipleship? How do you count the cost? How is it measured?
• Do you take risks to be a follower/disciple of Christ?
• Is there something in your life which you are passionate about? Passionate enough about it that you are willing to risk everything for it?
• Are there things you sacrifice or give up in order to live out your faith to the fullest? What is the result of this sacrifice?
• Have you ever felt like God was pouring his love upon you? Describe that feeling, where you were and who you might have been with.
• What qualities do Peter and Paul posses which you believe should be duplicated in your life?
• Are there people in your life whom you care what they think about you? Who are those people and what weight do they carry in forming you?
• What can you learn from Jesus on whose opinion counts?
• How do you know a message is from God? How do you recognize it?

Closing Prayer
Leader: When we get distracted by the “things” of the world.
ALL: Show us the way!
Leader: When we let our human desires keep our focus.
ALL: Show us the way!
Leader: When our faith is weak and we have no strength.
ALL: Lead us Lord! Give us the eyes, heart and mind to seek YOU to lead our paths and show us the way!

Challenge for the Week: On a scale of 1-10, how close would you say you are to God right now? Take time this week to write down specific feelings and degrees of closeness for each number between 1 and 10. Spend time each evening thinking about the events of your day and determine an average for the day. Reflect on the specific times when you felt closer to God and when you felt further away. Consider the “trends” of what you were doing and who you were with when you were closer or further away from God. Make an action plan to duplicate the things which caused you to be closer to God.

Opening Prayer – Most Holy Body & Blood
Lord you are the bread of life.
You are the manna sent from heaven.
The one who fills us, nourishes us, sustains us.
Without you we would be empty.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a
• One cannot live on bread alone. How does this apply to your life right now? What is the “bread” you live on?
• What is the symbolism of the “hunger”? How do you experience hunger in your life?
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
• When you receive the Body and Blood of Christ at communion, you become a living tabernacle. How do others see Christ in you?
• One cannot live on bread alone, when we receive communion, we must also be transformed by the Word. What
John 6:51-58
• The sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross is the foundation of the Eucharist. What do you sacrifice when you come to altar to receive Christ’s Body and Blood?
• What does God provide you in order to continue on the path to discipleship? What more do you need on your journey of faith? Pray to God for these things and the help to continue on.

General Questions for Journaling
• What can you learn about trusting God from these readings? What do you need to change in your life in order to trust God more completely?
• Have you had desert experiences in your life? Can you look back and see God “feeding” you in those times? What carried you out of the desert place? Are you still in one?
• What does it mean to have “blind trust”? Have you experienced this? What was the situation? Was easy or difficult?
• What are the emotions, feelings associated with hunger? How are they different than the emotions, feelings of being satisfied?
• It is said you are what you eat so it only makes sense that when you make good food choices you feel better about yourself. What are some bad food choices you make which you can pray for the strength to change; not only for better health but also stronger spirit?
• Is the food God gave to the people in the desert different or the same as what He offers to you?
• The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving. Reflect on how our Sunday celebration is like the holiday.
• How does God nourish you? What specific food does He give to you to feast on?

Closing Prayer
ALL: Bless us O Lord
and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive
from thy bounty
through Christ Our Lord
AMEN

Challenge for the Week: We cannot thrive in our faith if we are only consuming the tangible (bread). The scripture is telling us that we must also “feed” off of the Word. In the Catholic Church when we celebrate Mass we participate in the Liturgy of the Word (reading the scripture) and Liturgy of the Eucharist (celebrating the body and blood of Jesus). When we listen to the Word or read the Word, we are encountering the living God and should show the Scripture as much reverence as we do when we come to communion to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. There are several ways to get connected to the scripture on a daily basis, either in a daily prayer book, signing up to have verse sent to you via email or with a phone app which gives you daily readings or a verse of the day. If you already do one or more of these great; if not, I challenge you do get connected. Then don’t just read the verse of the day but pray it, meditate on it, allow it to marinate your soul. Then you will know what it means to be filled AND satisfied!

Opening Prayer – Holy Trinity
Creator God,
you fill the world with all things good.
Savior God,
you came to earth to live among us and die for our salvation.
Spirit God,
You dwell in us so we are forever with you.
Blessed Trinity, help us be more aware of your presence in our lives!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9
• What does God reveal about His character in this scripture?
• Describe God’s love. What does it look like? Feel like? Sound like?
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• What do you learn about God in this scripture? About Jesus? About the Holy Spirit?
• How does this reading suggest we live our everyday lives? Is it impossible to live in this way? Why or why not?
John 3:16-18
• “For God so loved the world”, speaks of sacrifice. Do you sacrifice things for your faith? For a relationship with God?
• Do you sacrifice for love? Whom in your life do you love enough to sacrifice things for? Do you sacrifice freely or with expectation?

General Questions for Journaling
• God looks past our faults to love us…what do we need to look past to love another?
• What do you hold a grudge against? How can you begin to let love into that situation?
• Moses asked God to pardon our sins…what do you have a hard time pardoning? Are there things of this world which are hard for you to forgive?
• How does the grace of Jesus come upon you? What is the recipe for this to happen?
• How do you experience peace? Is there a place where you find peace? Is it a location or a state of mind? How do you reach it?
• Do you know a peaceful person? What qualities do they have that you would like to cultivate?
• Are we called to agree and get along with everyone, all of the time?
• What would you say are the “core” things we all should agree upon to make this world a better place?

Closing Prayer
ALL:
Father,
you sent your Word
to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy.
Through them we come to know
the mystery of your life.
Help us to worship you,
one God in three Persons,
by proclaiming and living our faith in you.
We ask you this, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
one God, true and living, forever and ever.

Challenge for the Week: Do you know someone you would describe as an encourager? What makes them so? Do they encourage you or others too? Make a point this week to encourage someone new each day. It may be helpful to take time to reflect on some of the people you see weekly and consider what you might do or say to encourage them. Consider people you don’t see on a regular basis who might need some encouragement and write them a note, email or make a phone call. Also, spend time thinking about those people in your life who have been and still are encouragers to you. Do they know how much their support means to you and how it has affected your life? Take time to let them know how you feel and who they are a gift to your life.

Opening Prayer – Pentecost
Come Holy Spirit
Breathe in us
Fill our hearts
Dwell in our soul
Ignite our path
Send us out on fire!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 2:1-11
• Where is the Holy Spirit driving you? How do you open yourself up to the mission you are called to in your life?
• What is changed about the apostles after they are visited in the upper room? What can we take from this experience? Imagine yourself there…how does it change your perspective?
Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
• Each person is given a different gift of the Holy Spirit. Can you identify the gift(s) you have been given?
• Consider…God will judge upon how we use the gift(s) you were given, not on the gift(s) you wish you had. All gifts are equal in the eyes of God. Let go of any jealousy you might cling to because someone else has a gift you would like to possess.
John 20:19-23
• In the Old Testament, God “breathed” His breath into Adam. What significance does this word have here in this reading? What is the correlation between the two scriptures?
• When Jesus returned to the disciples, his first words were “peace be with you”. One cannot find peace within without the help of the Holy Spirit. Seek the Spirit and you will find peace. What do the disciples do to begin their journey of finding peace? How are they an example to us on how to live with the Holy Spirit?

General Questions for Journaling
• Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit? Where was it? Did you feel it inside of you? Did you see it working around you?
• Jesus said He didn’t leave us alone; He sent an Advocate, a Comforter. How do you know you are not alone?
• What can you do to build a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit?
• What action steps are needed for you to let the Spirit into your life and help you be filled?
• What excuses do you make to keep the Holy Spirit from entering into your being? What obstacles stand in your way of a meaningful relationship with the Holy Spirit?
• What qualities of the Holy Spirit do you possess? What qualities of the Holy Spirit would you like to fill you?
• In Galatians 5, St Paul tells us what it means to “live in the Spirit”, what can you do to cultivate these qualities in your life?
• How do you communicate the faith with others? What language do you speak with your words and actions?

Closing Prayer
Leader: We see but we cannot see.
ALL: Holy Spirit come…open our eyes!
Leader: We hear but we cannot hear.
ALL: Holy Spirit come…open our ears!
Leader: We feel but we cannot feel.
ALL: Holy Spirit come…open our hearts!

Challenge for the Week: The celebration of Pentecost is also known as the Birthday of the Church; it is when we received the Holy Spirit and were sent to celebrate the Gospel. The secular world “bought into” the Church celebrations of Christmas and Easter but Pentecost is just as important as those two holidays. Think about it, without Pentecost, where would Christians be today? Make plans to celebrate Pentecost this week. Wear something red, check out a book about the Holy Spirit from the library (there are many of them), make a birthday cake, call a friend who is filled with the Spirit and makes you feel alive! OR you could plan to do some random acts of kindness this week and live out the phrase, “they will know they are Christians by their love”!

Opening Prayer – Ascension of our Lord
Jesus,
You made the promise you would be with us always.
Open our hearts, minds and souls to your presence.
May we come to know you better through the WORD;
and may we see, hear and feel the Holy Spirit you left for us.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 1:1-11
• Where is the Holy Spirit working through your life? How are you a witness? What gifts have you been given to share with others?
• Are the people you turn to for help through your struggles filled with the Holy Spirit? Where do you find spiritual understanding?
Ephesians 1:17-23
• Jesus said he came so we might have “life to the full”. What is your definition of “full”? How does this definition translate into your spiritual life?
• Where do you get “spiritually full”? What can you do each day to get filled? How can you help fill others with the love of God? Is it possible to live in the “fullness” of Christ all the time?
Matthew 28:16-20
• In the Old Testament, God is the “I am”, in the New Testament, Jesus is the physical presence, the tangible and the Holy Spirit is within all things, at all times. What feelings do you experience when you meditate on each of the three persons of the trinity?
• What do you see, feel or hear this reading calling you to do? Where can you “go” for Christ this week?

General Questions for Journaling
• Have you ever received something back which you thought was lost? What did it feel like? How would it feel to have it taken away or to lose it again?
• What makes saying goodbye so difficult?
• What rituals do you or your family have when saying goodbye?
• How do you remember loved ones who you don’t see often because of distance or death? What do you do to stay close to them?
• How do you honor the memory of those who have died? What keeps their spirit alive in you? What can you do to pass their spirit onto others in your family?
• Do you feel God’s call in your life? How would you describe it? How does it contrast to the other “calls” in your life?
• What are the words to describe the Holy Spirit? (Paraclete, Advocate, Comforter, etc.) How do these words speak to your life?
• What are the symbols which remind us of the Holy Spirit? (Dove, Wind, Fire, etc.)What do each of these symbols mean to you and how can we be more aware of these symbols each day?

Closing Prayer
Leader: We have been baptized with water and in the Spirit.
ALL: Let us go and make disciples.
Leader: We have been freed from sin by your death on the cross.
ALL: Let us go and make disciples.
Leader: We have been called worthy of the promises of Christ.
ALL: Let us go and make disciples.

Challenge for the Week: Is there an area in your life which is in need of a resurrection? A relationship which you avoid or push aside because you know you need to apologize and it will be difficult to mend? Some sin you struggle with that you just can’t seem to shake loose? Do you find yourself getting jealous of others good fortune and get down on yourself saying you could never have what they have? We all have our moments, days, weeks and seasons which we forget Our Lord came so we might have a better life, a resurrected life. Spend time this week resurrecting something you have tried to bury and let it go so it can be resurrected. We cannot live our life to the fullest when we continue to carry sin and hurt and other baggage from our past along the way. Our journey is long but our burden should be light…hand it over to Jesus…he is with us until the end of the age!

Opening Prayer – 6th Sunday of Easter
Jesus
You showed us the way to the Father;
You taught us how to live with mercy and compassion;
You called us by name into Your unconditional love;
May Your Word continue to guide us, teach us and call us
to a deeper relationship with You!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
• What caught the attention of the crowds to draw them to Philip? How does God catch your attention?
• How do you live out your baptism and share the joy of Christ with others?
1Peter 2:4-9
• Jesus suffered death for you so you might not have to suffer. How can you let go of the suffering in your life and live in the joy Jesus died for?
• Reflect on an example when it was better for you to “suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.” What does this look like?
John 14:15-21
• What words do you use to describe God? Jesus? Holy Spirit? How do your definitions affect your relationship with each part of the trinity?
• What situation in your life is in need of an “advocate”? Have you sought the counsel, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, right judgment, wonder & awe and piety of the Holy Spirit?

General Questions for Journaling
• What inspires you to continue to grow in faith and your relationship with Christ? What practices grab your attention in spiritual matters?
• Mediate on a time when you were filled with ‘great joy’. What were the circumstances? How can you duplicate joyful moments in your life on a daily basis?
• Where is there evidence of the presence of God in your life right now?
• Share some examples of “everyday miracles”. Count up the miracles you witnessed throughout the day tonight as you say your evening prayers.
• How does the Holy Spirit live in you? How does She inspire you? Where do you see evidence of the Holy Spirit in the various aspects of your life and in the world around you?
• What do you hope for?
• How is the example of love shown in the Gospel reading evident in your daily life?
• When you see Jesus, you see the Father, when you love Jesus, you love the Father; how do others see the Father’s love when they see you? What ways of Jesus do you need to work on so others might see the Father more clearly in your words and actions?

Closing Prayer
Leader: We are created in the image and likeness of God.
ALL: Lord, help us believe!
Leader: We are given the gift of unconditional love.
ALL: Lord, help us believe!
Leader: We are children of the Almighty and Ever-lasting.
ALL: Lord, help us believe!

Challenge for the Week: Make a list of 10 things that bring you joy. Perhaps it is sitting on your front porch as the sun comes up, maybe it is hearing children laughing, or it is the freedom you feel when you swing on a swing set or in a porch swing. Identify 10 things which bring you joy and write them down. Place the list somewhere you can see it and make a point to do at least one of those things each day. After a few days, see if spending time focusing on purposefully spending time filling yourself with joy changes you attitude, perspective or outlook on your life, circumstances or suffering. Consider cultivating joy in your life and as it grows in you, it is likely to be contagious 

Opening Prayer – 5th Sunday of Easter
Lord,
You call us out of the darkness to follow you in the light.
You show us the way to which leads to the Father.
You fill us with the Holy Spirit to show others how to serve.
You gave your life so we might remain with you forever.
Lead us Lord.
Wrap us in your love.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 6:1-7
• Who in your community is neglected? What can you do for them to help them?
• What need do you see that is not being met? How can you, the community, the church do to help meet the need you see?
1Peter 2:4-9
• Share a time when Jesus could be described as a “stone foundation” to you. What has kept you strong in your faith?
• Share a time when you “stumbled” in your faith. What tripped you up? What helped build your faith back up?
John 14:1-12
• What do you think Philip was thinking when Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me”? The mystery of the Trinity was not known to the disciples at this time. How could Philip make sense of what Jesus was telling him?
• Jesus knew he was going to have to leave but the disciples didn’t understand. Share a time when you had to leave someone in your life. How is it similar to different to Jesus’ leaving?

General Questions for Journaling
• Brainstorm examples of people in your community who feel neglect. Where can they find help?
• Do you belong to a community of faith? How does this community help to build you up?
• Where do you see the good works of the community in action? What do you do to help the cause?
• How does it make you feel when you see a need in the community not being met? Are you empathetic? Sympathetic? Do you feel the need it too big or gotten out of control? Do you feel helpless and unprepared to be able to change the situation? Seek God’s wisdom to help you find out what you should do to help.
• What does it mean to you to be called a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”? How do we live as if these statements are true?
• What darkness has God called you out of in your life? How do you continue to be strong and not fall back into the darkness? What hope can these readings give?
• How is God’s love shown to us through these readings? Are there examples of this type of love in your life today? Where do you see God’s love at work in your community?
• How do you deal with loss? What is your reaction to death? What helps you to carry on? How can you practice hope in your faith?

Closing Prayer
Leader: You are the way;
ALL: though the path may be rocky, you are always with us!
Leader: You are the truth;
ALL: all of your works and promises are fulfilled!
Leader: You are the light;
ALL: even in my darkest hour, your light shines through!

Challenge for the Week: Have you ever had someone close to you in hospice care? This process helps prepare people to go through the letting go of a loved one. Jesus tried to prepare those close to him for his death but they couldn’t understand what he was telling them. We too need to go through a letting go process in order to be a follower of Jesus. We need to work on letting go of the things we deem important to refocus our desires on what God wants for our lives. What is something you can let go of this week to help you get closer to God? Maybe it is a bad habit, perhaps it is placing something in higher regard than God or another loved one, or maybe it is something that distracts us from doing what we should be doing or keeps us from our relationship with God. Search yourself for something you should “let go” of in order to make more room for God and take a step toward the light!

Opening Prayer – 4th Sunday of Easter

Shepherd
You give me what I need each day
May I be grateful and have my fill.
You lead me on the path of goodness
May I accept your mercy and follow.
You call my name to come to you
May I listen to only Your voice in my life.
Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• What emotions do you feel as you read these words? Imagine being there. How do your emotions change?
• Define conversion. How does conversion work? Is it a onetime thing or a lifelong thing? What does it mean when applied to your life? Have you undergone a conversion of some kind? What was the result of it? Do you need to undergo another conversion? Why or why not?
1Peter 2:20b-25
• How does this reading remind you to seek God’s grace instead of revenge? How can this be applied to a situation your life right now?
• What do you learn about God’s love in this passage? How does it make you feel? How can you help others see this type of love in your life?
John 10:1-10
• Who in your life provides you the shelter and protection the Shepherd shows to the sheep in this passage? Who do you provide this depth of security for in your life?
• Are there people whom are need of some type of shelter (physical, emotional, spiritual) which you can help lead them to the shepherd?

General Questions for Journaling
• What “cuts you to the heart”? Are there things that hurt so deeply you are called to do something? When was the last time you were called to action because you were “cut to the heart”?
• Where in your community do you see a need for a change? Is there something you can do to help make a change?
• Think of a time when you tried to do the right/just thing and your efforts were not rewarded in a positive way. Why do you think good people suffer? Consider some of the reasons a person might have to go through suffering in order to bring about good.
• When confronted with violence, is violence ever the right response? How does your anger get in the way of following Jesus’ example not to retaliate?
• Who are the people in your life whom you go to for shelter? Advice? Counsel? Do they know the Shepherd?

Closing Prayer
Leader: We stray like little sheep
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: We wander around without direction
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: We listen to the voices of the world
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: You know our Spirit and still love us
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: You are the gate which leads us to heaven
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.

Challenge for the Week: I invite you to go into deep meditation with the words and phrases of this Gospel. Take time, perhaps one per day, to take the phrase and sit with it; carry it with you as your daily mantra to mull over. How do these words affect you, what do they tell you, where can they help you make a conversion in your life? The Good Shepherd: Calling by Name; Recognition of Voice; Following the Shepherd; Not Following Strangers; Shepherd as Gate.

Opening Prayer – 3rd Sunday of Easter
Come, let us hear Your Word;
Come, fill us with Your Spirit;
Come, transform our hearts;
Come.

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 2:14, 22-33
• Peter speaks to the disciples with such conviction. Where do you believe his strength comes from? Remember, it was only days before when Peter denied Jesus three times. What can you take away from this knowledge and how can it apply to a situation you are dealing with in your life right now?
• What evidence is there that Jesus rose? How does Peter verify the resurrection?
1Peter 1:17-21
• Why might this reading be called the Sermon of hope? What gives you hope as you read it, listen to it or meditate on it?
• Jesus died in order to save. He gave His life in order for generations upon generations could live. How do you live your life to show gratitude for the ransom paid?
Luke 24:13-35
• What does it mean to have your heart burn within you? Have you ever experienced this feeling? Revisit the memory. Does reminiscing about the experience ignite the flame within you?
• Identify a person or people you are on the “road” with on your faith journey.
• What do you think Jesus was thinking as He walked along listening to the conversation? Do you think it made him mad they didn’t recognize Him?

General Questions for Journaling
• What in these readings give you a deeper understanding of Jesus’ existence BEFORE he walked on the earth?
• Is there anything that confuses you? Who, what or where do you turn in order to set yourself straight?
• Are there people in your life with whom you love to spend time with? How do you feel when you have to leave them?
• Where can be Jesus be found in your relationships? With your spouse? Your children? Your peers? A stranger?
• What do you hope for? What do you have hope in? Do you have anything in which you have lost hope?
• How do you feel when you run into an old friend you haven’t seen for a while? Is there someone you should reach out to?
• What does the cross say to you? What feelings do you feel when you see a cross? What emotions are attached to the cross?

Closing Prayer
It is through Jesus’ birth
we are given hope.
It is through Jesus’ miracles
the world receives healing.
It is through Jesus’ sacrifice
that we are nourished.
It is through Jesus’ resurrection
that we give God glory.

Challenge for the Week: The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus as He was walking and talking with them. How often do we pass Jesus by without recognizing Him in our own lives? This week, as you get ready for bed, spend time reflecting on your day and where Jesus was present. Sometimes we can see Him working in others toward us or through us toward others. As you reflect, really pay attention to the multiple things you saw, heard or felt throughout the day. Dig deeper to find God not only on the surface but in the little things…God spends a lot of time on the small details!