Sunday, March 27th Readings

4th Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Let me come to you,

when I am weak and weary.

Teach me to reach out to you,

when I don’t know the way.

Allow me to cling to you,

so you can help me find my way

through the darkness.

Lead me to the fullness of life,

you promise and died to give me.

YOU, are all I will ever need!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Joshua 5 :9a, 10-12

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

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

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

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

Leader: Each time I turn my back on you,

ALL: Lord, you welcome me home!

Leader: Each time I ignore your Words,

ALL: Lord, you welcome me home!

Leader: Each time I whine and complain,

ALL: Lord, you welcome me home!

Leader: Each time I go in the wrong direction,

ALL: Lord, you welcome me home!

Leader: Each time I say the wrong thing,

ALL: Lord, you welcome me home!

Leader: Each time I sin, Lord,

ALL: you welcome me home!

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

GET CONNECTED DAILY! Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram. Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Sunday, March 20th Readings

3rd Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord

You planted me in the garden of life starting as a tiny seed; tucked away in the darkness.

You gave me Your Word to feed me.

You gave me good works nourish me.

You gave me Your Spirit to sustain me.

Slowly I emerge, struggling to break through, reaching each day toward the SON!

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

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

1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

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

Luke 13:1-9

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

Leader: You call us by name…

ALL: Here I am Lord!

Leader: You wait patiently for our answer…

ALL: Here I am Lord!

Leader: You walk with us through the desert…

ALL: Here I am Lord!

Leader: You sit with us during the storm…

ALL: Here I am Lord!

Leader: You carry us when we turn away…

ALL: Here I am Lord!

Leader: You call us each to fulfill a purpose…

ALL: Here I am Lord; find me READY!

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

Sunday, March 13th Readings

2nd Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Father

Bring on the new day!

Allow my spirit to be awakened!

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

I will keep your commands!

Your promises you keep!

Amen!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

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

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

Do you know people who “shine”? Describe what this means.
According to this scripture, what must you do? How can you better prepare yourself to achieve this?
How do you know if something is glorified? Does it look, smell, taste, feel different?

Luke 9:28b-36

God’s voice comes from the cloud in this scripture, where else has God’s voice come from? Where have you heard God’s voice?
How does being on a mountain top change one’s perspective? Share a time when you have been on top of a mountain, what did you see, what did you feel?
Why do you think people in the Bible go up to the mountain to pray? What is the significance? What should we learn from this action?
Why is it good for the disciples to be there on the mountain? Why is it also good for the disciples to come down?

General Questions for Journaling

What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous? Can they lead you down the same path? Why or why not?
Does darkness come suddenly or does it creep up on you? Share an example. Then compare the situation to your faith life.
Have you ever been afraid of the dark? What about the darkness frightened you? Describe the feeling you get when you come out of darkness into light.
Do you trust God 100%? What keeps you from trusting God at all times, and in all things? Be specific and honest with yourself about what keeps you from trusting God all the way.
Are you blinded by other things in your life? What are some of those things that can blind you from God’s goodness?
Would you describe yourself an being 1)led blindly through life by God, 2)a consultant with God on your path in life, 3)going through life ready to face whatever comes your way.
Make a list of at least five things that boost your spirits. What happens within you when you get excited about something?
How do you come to know Jesus better? Write down all you know about Jesus. Do you know anyone who needs to have this information?
Where have you seen God in everyday situations?
How do you know God is real?
What earthly things are keeping you from Jesus?
How do you imitate God?

Closing Prayer

Leader: As the day comes to a close and darkness fills the sky…

ALL: I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader: When I surrender to the silence of the night…

ALL: I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader: In the birds who chirp their welcome to a new day…

ALL: I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader: As I say my prayers and pause for a response…

ALL: I hear your voice, Lord.

Leader: When I go forth to see what my day has in store…

ALL: I hear your voice, Lord,

guiding me, leading me up the mountain!

Challenge for the Week: In the Gospel, something spectacular is revealed and Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone. However, if you’re like me, your instinct is to share good news when you hear it. Think about it. When you get asked to the prom, when you land your dream job, when you buy a new car, all of these things are pretty exciting, and it would be really difficult to keep these things to yourself. Reflect this week on how these disciples must have felt to not be able to share what they had seen and heard while on the mountaintop. Would you have the discipline to keep this experience to yourself?

Sunday, March 6th Readings

1^st Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father

You lead me through the desert places

so I may be refreshed and made new

You put before me a banquet feast to nourish

so I may be filled with Your goodness

You gave your life to show love without conditions

so I may share that gift with others

Thank you Lord for guiding me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 26:4-10

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

Romans 10:8-13

How do you proclaim Jesus as Lord? Is it evident you are a Christian through your words? Your actions? Both? Share an example.
When did you last call on God? What was it for and what was the response?
How do you show love to God? How do you show God’s love for others? Is it the same or different, explain.

Luke 4:1-13

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL: to share Your love with others.

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL: to set captives free.

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL: to visit the lonely and oppressed.

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL: to show mercy and kindness.

Leader: You call me from the desert places

ALL: to shine YOUR light for all to see!

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

Sunday, February 27th Readings

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Give me eyes to see

the beauty in all things.

Allow me to speak

kindness with my words.

Teach me to live

so others might follow.

Let me be a vessel of THE GOOD NEWS!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 27 :4-7

What tests your faith? Is it a teaching of the church? A way a person acts? Bad things happening? How do you keep your faith strong in spite of these tests?
What is the lesson here about how to treat others? How can you put this scripture into practice today? What specific thing(s) do you need to do?
If you were shaken in a sieve right now, what fragments of yourself would remain? What fragments would fall through? What story would these tell? Is the story the one you tell yourself or the one that is actually true?

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

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

Luke 6:39-45

What does this scripture say about the importance of self-care and personal awareness of your words and actions? Be specific. Make a list.
What specific truth do you hear God speaking to you through this scripture?
When was the last time you let your heart lead your actions? What was the outcome?

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

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

ALL: for life given at conception!

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

ALL: for the sound of the ocean waves!

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

ALL: for the morning dew glistening in the sunrise!

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

ALL: for the warm hug of a new friend!

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, February 20th Readings

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

When you look at me,

You see me through loving eyes,

holy, forgiven and complete.

When I look at myself,

I see me through condemning eyes,

as a sinner and not enough.

Through your Word,

let me learn how to see me

and others as you see!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

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

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

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

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

Luke 6:27-38

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

Leader: In those moments when I feel abandoned…

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

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

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader: In those moments when plans change…

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

Leader: In those moments when I receive the results…

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

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

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

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

ALL: Pour your gift of love upon me!

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

Sunday, February 13th Readings

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Jesus

Throughout the Bible are stories of hope

Open my eyes to see the hope in the world today

Let me hear the stories where hope is restored

And be a living example that hope never dies

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 17:5-8

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

1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

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

Luke 6:17, 20-26

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the rising of the sun!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the delicate snowflake!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the blooming flower!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the simplicity of a smile!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the warmth of a hand!

Leader: I will rejoice

ALL: in the hope you give!

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

Sunday, February 6th Readings

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father,

I hear you calling but I’m held back by…

fear and resentment

judgment and selfishness

sin and shame

Wipe away those things that bind me

Let me walk with you to edge

and take the leap of faith!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8

Whom do you fear? Of what are you afraid? Where does your fear come from?
How to you tell God you are ready to do His will?

1Corinthians 15:1-11 (15:3-8, 11)

Have you fallen asleep to the purpose you have been called for? What can you do to find the passion and drive to go on?
How would you describe someone who is “fit” to serve God?

Luke 5:1-11

When have you doubted God? What was your situation? How did God change your heart?
Are there people who are in deep waters who need you to come and bring them to the shore?

General Questions for Journaling

How has God made you worthy of His love?
Have you ever been paralyzed by fear? What was the situation? How did you overcome the fear?
How has your life been shaken up? Where was God during the storm?
What has God called you to do? Do you minimize the importance of your purpose?
How many people from the Bible (old and new testaments) can you name who encountered God but felt they were not worthy?
How many people from the Bible (old and new testaments) can you name whose lives were changed when they took a leap of faith to trust God entirely?
How is grace distributed?
What “work” is required to receive faith? Grace? Love?
Do you think God asks you to do things you are not capable or qualified to do? Why or why not?
How do you go about asking someone to do a big task? Do you just give them the big task or do you break it down into some smaller tasks to make sure they will be able to handle the big task? Be specific.

Closing Prayer

Leader: You created me with the will to choose…

ALL: Let me choose YOU!

Leader: You gave me a name and purpose…

ALL: Let me serve YOU!

Leader: You walk the road ahead of me…

ALL: Let me follow YOU!

Leader: You call me into the deep waters…

ALL: Let me trust YOU!

Leader: You welcome me to the shore…

ALL: Let me be there with YOU!

Challenge for the Week: Spend time reflecting this week on a time in your life that is comparable to the experience of the fishermen…when was God asking you to do something you didn’t want to do because you thought you had exhausted all possibilities. Did you do as He asked anyways? Did you choose to ignore the suggestion and go a different direction? Regardless of which path you took, share your story with someone to show how God blew you out of the deep water and onto the shore and how you would do it all over again (the same or differently) as a witness of your faith.

Sunday, January 30th Readings

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

You knew me before I was born

You know where my path leads

You continue to love and guide me

You open your arms to welcome me

Home!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 1 :4-5, 17-19

Jeremiah is trying to stir up the people to prepare for battle; what battles are you gearing up for which require you to be firm in your faith and understanding of who God is to you?
Who cries out for peace and justice today? What do they say? Do people believe and follow?
What are you willing to stand up to protect? Share an example.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

What does this scripture tell you about love? Have you seen love like this?
How do you learn of love? How is love taught? Where does it come from? Does love have limits? Is there a capacity for love?
What does hope bring to your life? What does faith bring? What does love bring? How do the three things work together?

Luke 4:21-30

What does it mean to be humble? How is humility shown in this scripture?
Are there people in your life whom you have a hard time believing? What is it that causes you not to trust their words or actions?

General Questions for Journaling

Are there things in your life which you are willing to die for?
What are things which require a fight? Are you fighting or simply a spectator?
Do you feel called to step up and step in to lessen an injustice? What holds you back?
Where does your strength to fight an injustice come from? Is it provoked from outside or stirred up from inside?
Share an example where dealing with conflict in a peaceful manner gave the desired result. Share an example where dealing with conflict with aggression gave the desired result. Which is the better way?
Does God ask too much of you? When? How?
Can good come from bad things? How does one grow through conflict?
Can you love too much? Why or why not?
Can you be loved too much? Why or why not?
Where have you seen love fail? What initiated the breakdown and what was the result of the failure?
Share an example of when love broke down hate, either a personal experience or one you witnessed.
Is it easy or difficult to change an attitude? What are some key factors in doing so?
How does the name of Jesus provoke you to love?

Closing Prayer

Leader: You created me out of love…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You breathed life into me…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You gave me a purpose…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You laid out the laws…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You cleared a path…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You surrendered and died…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Leader: You rose and gave me new life…

ALL: without YOU I am nothing!

Challenge for the Week: Make a list of ways people can say and show love. How many can you come up with? Are there ways in which love can be expressed that you don’t feel comfortable sharing? When you give love, do you always get love in return? Sometimes we do and other times the love we give isn’t reciprocated…is that a requirement of love? Be mindful of the love you give this week, does it have limits, restrictions, requirements? Does the love you receive from others? Reflect on the second reading as you focus on love; what is your heart needing to hear?

Sunday, January 23rd Readings

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Teach me to be holy

as you are holy!

Teach me to listen

as you listen!

Teach me to give

as you give!

I am ready

to do your will!
Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Nehemiah 8 :2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Why does Ezra say this day is holy? What makes it so?
Throughout this scripture, Nehemiah tries to make sure you understand Ezra did everything he could to help the people understand. What is the purpose of this?
What can the world learn from this scripture passage about being attentive to everyone’s needs while still moving towards a common goal?

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

What does this scripture say to you about yourself? Choose one thing you can do to live out this scripture today.
Where do you see division and suffering in the world today? In your family? Within yourself? Identify one for each.
What wisdom from this scripture can shine light on the division you see? Be specific.

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

How does Jesus fulfill the scripture he read in the synagogue, specifically how does He bring good tidings to the poor, set captives free and give sight to the blind?
Say out loud how the scripture was fulfilled and proclaim it like Jesus! When you proclaim it, how do you feel? Do you believe it about Jesus? Do you believe it about yourself?

General Questions for Journaling

How does the past affect your future? What value do you find in looking to the past?
What is the difference between living forward and living backward?
How does God share His hope for your future?
What gifts have been highlighted in you today?
What gifts have you seen in others today?
Have you ever intentionally kept gifts you keep to yourself? Explain the situation.
Share a time when you experienced working together with others to achieve a common goal. What did it feel like? Were there conflicts? What was the outcome?
What makes a day more special than another? What value do you put on a day such as your birthday or an anniversary?
How do you determine a day to be Holy? What do you think God’s criteria would be to describe a day as Holy?
Are there books you have read more than once? What are they? What is the purpose of reading them again?
Are there shows you have watched more than once? What are they are why do you watch them again? Explain the value of experiencing it again.
What is your most favorite thing about yourself? Explain.
What superpower would you most like to have and why?
What do you believe and know in your heart strongly enough to stand up and proclaim to others?

Closing Prayer

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you begin each day.

Leader:May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you struggle to focus.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you encounter giants.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you celebrate victories.

Leader: May you rest in God’s Spirit…

ALL: as you embrace a loving God!

Challenge for the Week: Create a pie chart which represents how much time you spend thinking about past events, situations and experiences, how much time you spend planning and hoping for the future, and how much time you give to thinking about what you are doing right now in the present. Within each slice, write down the topics of conversation you have that contribute to the past, present or future. Also consider the things you pray about, where do they fit into the pie chart? You can do this with the books you read, the things you watch on TV, the hobbies you like to participate in because they all can be placed on one of the categories. When you’ve completed adding the activities to the pie chart, how does it look? Are you happy or satisfied with how you spend your time or where you focus your time, whether on the past, future or present? Are there things you’d like to change or not? Take it to prayer.

Point out special gifts you see in ten people this week by either telling them you are grateful for the gift or talent they share or send a note.

	Making Scripture Rel… on Sunday, October 31st Read…
	Tracey on Sunday, October 31st Read…
	suscar1960 on Sunday, June 17th Reading…
	suscar1960 on Sunday, April 22th Readin…
	suscar1960 on Sunday, February 25th Rea…

weeklyscripturejournal

Dive deeper into the weekly readings through journaling. Each week questions are based on the scripture readings from Catholic's Liturgical Year.

Bible Journal

Sunday, March 27th Readings

Sunday, March 20th Readings

Sunday, March 13th Readings

Sunday, March 6th Readings

Sunday, February 27th Readings

Sunday, February 20th Readings

Sunday, February 13th Readings

Sunday, February 6th Readings

Sunday, January 30th Readings

Sunday, January 23rd Readings