Catholic Readings

Architect and Maker

I played a game as a kid that I think was called M.A.S.H but can’t really remember is that was an acronym for something and if it was, what it meant.  However, I do remember that one person would ask another person a series of questions where they could give 3 or 4 answers per category.  For example, you would ask them to name people they would like to marry, what kind of house they’d like to live in, how many kids they will have, etc.

Depending on who you played with, sometimes there were only a few categories, but others liked to get very detailed in their questions.  Such as asking you what type of car you’d like to drive and then asking what color you wanted your car to be.  Regardless, once all of the information was collected, you’d begin a process of eliminating the choices until there was only one item left in each category.  In the end, you’d have a full description of a person’s life. 

Of course, this is completely fictional.  No one is able to confidently know what their lives will look like, where they will live, who they will marry and what kind of car they will drive.  One could give an educated guess, but to know for certain what your life’s situation will be in five years, or even one year, it would only be a guess.

I mean, one year ago this week, my husband and I were in St. Louis celebrating my husband’s birthday by attending a couple of baseball games, and we got the call that my husband was acquiring a couple of projects in Austin.  We have had no idea that we were about to pick up and move after living in Kansas City for our entire 29-year marriage, and after I’d just began a new job in January.  It was a bit of a shock, but the decision to move was easy.

I imagine this is how Abraham and Sarah felt when God told them they were going to have descendants as countless as the stars; a little shocked but ready to do and accept whatever God had planned for them.  Abraham and Sarah probably had no idea it was possible for them to have a child at such an old age, but God made it happen.  For us, it was a desire to move to Colorado where we could spend more time outdoors hiking and biking.  We had no idea we could have the lifestyle we desired in Texas!

I realized that in real life, unlike in the game I played as a child, I cannot choose the options in each of the categories because they have already been chosen for me by God.  God knows where I will be in five years, and I just need to trust.  Yes, I could fight the changes and try to blaze my own trail, but I believe that God will get His way in the end.

God’s will for me will happen whether I let go and let God or if I try to be the captain of my own adventure.  I can make decisions (big and small) without God’s help, or I can turn to God for guidance.  This is really my only choice, whether or not I will open myself up to listen for God to lead me where I am to go today.  So, I choose to let go and let God lead my decisions because in the end, His is the one who created me for a purpose, and He knows what that purpose is.  I am not going to stand in the way of God’s plan, whatever it is, I trust it will be better than anything I could have imagined on my own.

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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

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, August 7th Readings

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do I doubt your love for me?

Let me reach out to you and feel your embrace.

May I never lose hope in your presence!

What can I do to trust you more?

Let me call your Name and hear your response.

May I always know the sound of your voice!

Keep me close Lord, I cannot live without YOU!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 18:6-9

  • Do you trust God will “take care of your adversaries”? Why or why not? Give an example of what this might look like.
  • What gives the Israelites the courage to begin their journey?  This same faith lives within you, how do you show it in your life?

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12

  • Explain how you show trust in God and His plan for you. Give an example of how you trust God.
  • What do you think was going on in Abraham’s head when first he was promised endless descendants and then is asked to sacrifice the only son he was given? Do you trust God this much?  How does God test your trust in Him?

Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40

  • Is there anything you’ve been waiting on God for which He has not delivered?
  • Why would God want you to be watchful? How do you let down your guard?
  • Put into words what “treasure” God has promised and has waiting for you in the kingdom.
  • If God knocked on the door, would you be ready? What do I need to do to become ready?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Describe having “courage” to let God work in your life.
  • Do you have relationships where you have a shared commitment? Who is the relationship with and what is the commitment?
  • How are the qualities of your relationship with shared commitment the same and different than other relationships?
  • Have you ever needed to make a “leap of faith”? Explain.
  • Is there something in your life that you are in “hopeful anticipation” of? What makes you hopeful about the situation or event? How can you give thanks to God for this hope?
  • Have you ever felt lost in your faith? Describe.
  • Where do you feel God calling you? Who do you turn to for help and guidance during these times of the unknown?
  • List three treasures of your heart. Can you come up with more? Is it hard to think of three?  Why or why not?
  • What is your understanding of “an hour you don’t expect”? How do your words and actions reflect that understanding?
  • What do you do when you think no one is looking? God knows what you do in the dark, so who do you hide from?
  • Who in your life is not worthy of your trust?
  • Is there a common sacrifice all Christians’ value? What is it and how do you know it is valuable?
  • Is it easy or difficult to let others have power over you? Why?  What would Jesus tell you to do?
  • Have you ever sworn an oath? What was it for? Did you keep it?
  • Do you love and serve God out of fear or obedience? What is the difference?
  • Have you ever felt as though there was no hope? What was the situation? Was hope really gone or had you lost sight of it?
  • Can someone you know be a stranger? Explain.
  • Have you ever moved forward in faith, knowing God was calling but not knowing what was to come? Explain.
  • Has God ever delivered a miracle to you? When? What was it?
  • What was the last decision you allowed God to make without your input?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I face adversity…

ALL:  May I have the courage, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I question…

ALL:  May I have the wisdom, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I see is despair…

ALL:  May I have the hope, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel empty…

ALL:  May I have the fulfillment, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I have to hold is the promise…

ALL:  May I have the trust, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel you in my soul…

ALL:  May I feel the peace, only faith can give!

Challenge for the Week:  Trusting God, living a Christian life and following the path laid before you can be extremely difficult at times.  You can be tempted to stray and fall into sin or to doubt or lose hope in the promise that God will take care of you and all your needs.  However, scripture repeatedly reminds you that God has plans for your life that are so much better than what you can accomplish on our own.  The scripture says that even though it might be difficult, and you might want to throw in the towel waiting on what God to deliver, but you should NEVER lose hope!  Spend time thinking about how you have remained vigilant in the promises of Christ.  Have you been losing hope?  Are you holding on by a thread to the promise?  What can you do to refocus and get a clearer perspective on what God has been doing in your life?  God is still there, He just maybe not giving you what you expect.  Trust that God has a plan for you and when you do, it will come to fruition.

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

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sweep Away

I love to watch KU basketball and have been a fan for several years.  Although I didn’t attend the University, I still love to follow the team and invest my time doing my best to catch every game.  My interest in the team is often talked about and supported by friends and family.

So, when a friend of mine gave me a hard time about being a KU fan I wasn’t surprised at first because I thought they were just playing around.  However, their comment was more accusatory in nature as to why I’d want to associate myself with people who obviously didn’t value the same things I do.  They couldn’t believe I’d root for a team whose fans would act in a negative way.

You see, they’d been at a KU night at a public venue and apparently the people at the event wearing KU hats and t-shirts were drinking a lot and had become belligerent.  I explained to my friend that not all fans of KU act that way.  He was making a sweeping judgement about all fans and tossing me into the mix.

So, when I hear the scripture story about Sodom and Gomorrah, where there were people who were pillaging and plunging, looting, and causing a great ruckus, I can’t help but think about my conversation with my friend.  It actually happens pretty regularly, where people hear about negative behavior and then group together everyone who identify with or might have membership within the community.

In fact, I heard it on the news today when the newscaster was talking about the Democrats in the House of Representatives.  The newscaster made a sweeping statement, clumping all of the Democrats together saying they all are supporting a specific argument.  People make these general statements often, forgetting that the only thing some of the Democrats in the House of Representatives have in common is that they identify as Democrats.

Potentially the same as in my situation, where the only thing I might have had in common with those people who were belligerent is that we like to cheer for the same basketball team.  However, I was being clumped in with a group of people and being judged by their behavior.  You can’t assume that just because someone identifies as being from some place or practicing a specific religion or roots for a sports team that they are good or bad.

Abraham is good to remind us of that fact.  Abraham told God that He could not destroy the cities because of the bad things that were happening; there would be innocent bystanders that would be destroyed as well.  This message is especially important to remember these days when there are some very hot button topics rolling around.  When you hear things like gun control or abortion slipping into conversation, often times you also hear some generalized statement, stereotyping and profiling people who may or may not fit into the mold.  It is just good practice for everyone to pause and think before making any sweeping judgements.

When reading the scripture, some might think that God is being harsh and can’t believe He’d even consider destroying His own people.  However, the interaction between God and Abraham is not about what God is saying, it is Abraham coming to understanding that there is good in all things, even when all you see is despair.  God wanted Abraham to learn that when you make a sweeping judgement about people, places or things, that you can cause more harm than good.

This lesson God is teaching Abraham is one everyone should learn.  Now, because you can’t change other people, you can only change yourself, take time today to ask God to reveal to you any places in your life where you are making sweeping judgments about individual or groups of people.  Then ask Him to help you remove the limited belief from you so you can be more open to seeing the good, rather than the bad.

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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

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, July 24th Readings

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do you love me?

What causes you to stay with me?

You love me and never leave

even though I neglect you

and persecute you.

May I acknowledge your persistence in love

and come to know you enough

to love others as you love me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:20-32

  • What do you take from the conversation between God and Abraham? What does it say of God’s character?
  • How might you be more like Abraham? What characteristic do you want to emulate? How will you do this?

Colossians 2:12-14   

  • What are the things that keep you from having the relationship you want with Jesus?
  • Are there people you can’t forgive? What stands in the way? Is there something God is calling you to do about it?

Luke 11:1-13

  • Who taught you to pray? How so?
  • Do you ask God for what you need? How does He respond?
  • Where do you find the answer to your prayers?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Is there something which you feel guilty about right now? What is it? Why?
  • Who do you turn to as a moral compass? Is it a person? What do those conversations sound like?
  • Do you believe in hell? Why or why not?
  • In light of the hatred and violence in the world right now, where do you see God at work?
  • Do you ever think God gets mad at us? Why or why not?
  • If God gets mad at us, what do you think he is mad about? Our actions?  Lack of action? Words or lack of words?
  • Are there things you are afraid to talk to God about? Is it because you are afraid to ask? 
  • What is the definition of oppression? Where do you see oppression happening today? In the world, your community, your church, your family?
  • Do you answer the door when God knocks?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Sarah and Abraham to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Job and Jonah to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Elijah and David to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed James and John to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Mary YOUR mother to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  in my daily prayers in word and action!

Challenge for the Week:  In the parable Jesus continues to talk about how to treat your neighbor.  The scriptures over the past few weeks give examples of hospitality, what you should do to take care of others.  Jesus is reminding you to think of the needs of others first before your own, to share what you have without holding back.  This message is countercultural, even at the time of Jesus.  Spend time meditating on how you might be hording your “goods” (materials, time, talent) and identify what do you hold back. 

***Just a few suggestions***

Is there a specific relationship which you don’t give enough time or effort to, but you know God is calling you to give more, be more? 

Do you serve on a committee or participate in a group which you simply show up physically but aren’t giving of yourself to help move a project forward? 

When asked to lend a hand, do your thoughts move to your “to do list” or do you jump at the opportunity to help and help with a positive attitude? 

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

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Martha and Mary

Growing up I was always interested in birth order books and other personality tests.  Whenever I’d see a quiz in a magazine or have the opportunity to take a career prediction test at school, I would anxiously await the results.  I couldn’t wait to see how my answers to these questions could bring some new revelation about myself.

So, from my early studies of personality traits, it is easy to conclude in the story of Martha and Mary, that Martha is the older sister.  She feels like she needs to do everything correctly and follow the rules.  And when you are hosting guests, you need to make sure everything is perfect.

I too am an older sister, and my brother and I had very different strategies to completing our daily chores.  I would get right to them so I could check them off my list and move on, but my brother would wait until the last minute before my parents would get home.  Often times, I would end up helping him with his chores because he’d waited too long to complete the tasks.  I didn’t want him to get in trouble, but that meant I was doing more than my share of the chores.

Now, we don’t know if Jesus’ visit was planned or if he spontaneously stopped by for a visit.  But I would dare to say, Jesus didn’t text them to let them know he’d be there in an hour, so then adding a little more stress to Martha’s plate.  Even if it was a planned visit, I believe that Martha was so consumed with preparing food and making up a bed for their guest of honor that she overwhelmed herself with thinking the tasks had to be done before she could enjoy herself.  Similar to how I’d do my chores first thing, so I could have that task off my list, and be able to do what I wanted to do.

I understand how Martha could be frustrated because she knew the work required of having a guest and Mary wasn’t helping.  It is often then, the conclusion that Mary’s actions were like my brother, putting off his chores until later.  However, I’m not sure that is completely accurate either.

I also relate to Mary, knowing that when you have guests, it means more than having a clean bathroom and their favorite type of coffee creamer.  Hosting a guest in your home also means you are attentive to them and do whatever you can to make them feel comfortable.  Mary took on the responsibility of entertaining the guest.

Over the past 10 months, I’ve had 8 groups of visitors come to stay overnight.  In addition to making sure the guest bedroom and bathroom were clean, I spent much time plotting out potential activities that would be of interest to the specific guest.  My husband and I planned meals according to the likes of the guest, and genuinely doing all we could to make the guest feel welcomed and loved.

So, when I reflect on this scripture and on these two women and their actions, I believe they were both doing what they thought was best to be hospitable to their guest.  I really don’t know the birth order of the sisters, nor where Lazarus fits into the mix, but regardless of birth order or what number Mary and Martha would be on an Enneagram, they were both working to make Jesus feel welcomed and loved. 

Moreover, I believe the important part of the scripture is not their actions, rather Jesus’ words.  Jesus tells Martha that she worries too much and that she needs to slow down and rest. Not only just rest but rest with Him. The moral of the story is for everyone, not just Martha.  It is a simple reminder that hospitality is about relationship.  The very definition of hospitality says, it is the “friendly and generous reception of guests,” and not making sure you have dusted off the top of your refrigerator.

Further, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better path, not to demean her or take away value from the work she did or was doing to make his visit comfortable.  He did it to make the point that those tasks are distractions from the thing that is most important, and that is spending time with Him.  And that can look like spending time in prayer or playing catch with your kids outside or talking to your neighbor.

It is a good reminder to stop filling the day with tasks and to spend time with Jesus today.  And if you are a A type personality, it is okay to schedule it on your calendar 😉

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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

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, July 17th Readings

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Creator of all that is good,

YOU made me

       with eyes to see

       with ears to hear

       with arms to reach out

       with legs to go out

Let me see, hear, reach out and go to all who feel invisible.

Don’t let my to do list, keep me from yours!

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:1-10a

  • What do you take from the hospitality of Abraham? 
  • How is Abraham like Jesus in this scripture?

Colossians 1:24-28

  • Where do you see faith being passed on to generations to come?  What is your role? What is the role of the church? How would Saint Paul respond to your answer?
  • How does suffering and sins of the flesh keep you from or draw you to the church?

Luke 10:38-42

  • Identify when you are Martha and when you are Mary; are you able to relate to both or are you drawn more to one over the other? Why? Are you happy with your answer?
  • What do you believe is Jesus’ real message here?
  • Have you demanded God tell someone else to help you out? How did He respond?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Does good always come from good? Why or why not?
  • How do you see God blessing others in the world today? How do you know it is God and not simply good fortune?
  • What is your definition of hospitality? Are you stingy or lavish with your hospitality?
  • Who sees the best version of you? Are you at your best 100% of the time?  f no, what % of the time are you your best self?
  • Does the fear of treating others equally keep you from doing nice things for just one person?
  • Does suffering draw people together or rip them apart? How? Where and when have you seen this happen?
  • Do you say “yes” to too many things? Why or why not?
  • When you say “no” do you feel guilty for not helping out or participating? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might show you love through service and in prayer.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might complete the tasks you lay before me.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might work to provide for my neighbor.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might welcome you into my home.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might follow you wherever you lead.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might rest at your feet at the end of the busy day.

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time this week in prayer and pray for the insight to determine if you are holding onto any ill will against someone without them even knowing you are upset.  Are you blaming someone else for a choice you have made? If so, you really should be upset with yourself instead.  There are times when doing good things for others, can stir up negative feelings.  You can get resentful because the good you are doing is not being noticed or get mad at others for not helping or doing their part.  It can easily turn into a blame game and either you or others make up excuses for not helping.  You could even harbor bad feelings towards others without ever acknowledging where the negative feelings are coming from in the first place.  Consider the Gospel story and use it as your guide as you meditate on how you feel and what you might do to find a peaceful solution.

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

NEW BOOK! Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, get your copy today!

Sunday, July 10th Readings

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Dear God

YOU created a complex world

        and in it YOU give beauty beyond words.

YOU told the sun when to rise

        and provide all creatures with their needs.

YOU wrote on the hearts of Your people

        the desire to love and care for one another.

Let the material things and the lies of the world

        be tossed away and take up space, no more.

Let YOUR Word fill me

        until they overflow from my lips.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

  • What do you do with all of your heart and soul? Are there a lot of things? A few?    
  • How do know God has a plan for you?

Colossians 1:15-20

  • What do you learn about Jesus in this scripture? 
  • What does it encourage you to do to be more like Jesus?

Luke 10:25-37

  • Identify your neighbors. What are their needs? How can you show them the love of God?
  • Have you seen this parable lived out in your life? When have you been robbed and left for dead? When have you been the one who passed by? When have you been the one who helped? When have you been like the innkeeper?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you hear the voice of God? When?
  • How often do you follow God’s voice/words when you hear them?
  • Where do you go to find purpose or meaning in your life?
  • What does it mean to have something “written on your heart”?
  • Who are your confidants? What qualities do they have that you go to them for advice?
  • Do you live your life so others know God is first? Or is someone else put first in your life? Spouse? Greed? Children? Self?
  • Does peace come to you or is it something you work for? 
  • What does reconciliation feel like? Is it easy or difficult to achieve reconciliation?
  • Is there a limit to how much you can help another? Have you ever hit the limit?
  • When you are in need, are you open to others helping you? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I’ve hit a dead end and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to create a new path!

Leader:  When I am left with nothing and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to share what I need!

Leader:  When I feel lost and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to welcome with open arms!

Leader:  When I am blinded by fear/money/arrogance…

ALL:  YOU have the power to forgive my wrongs!

Leader:  When I feel I am on empty and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to fill me up!

Leader:  Father, giver all good things…

ALL:  may I live my life in these truths!

Challenge for the Week:  How are the commandments relevant today?  Where do you see them lived out?  Spend time this week re-writing the commandments to make them specific to you.  Highlight the ones you struggle with so you can pay more attention to them.

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, July 3rd Readings

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer
Father
You knew life would be hard.
You knew there would be challenges.
You knew the choices would be difficult.
But you sent Jesus to model how to show
mercy, give forgiveness and be obedient to You.
Through Jesus’ example,
you taught me that your grace is enough
to carry me through anything hard,
challenging or difficult that might come my way.
Thank you for your grace, mercy, forgiveness
and especially your love.
I know you are with me
in the valleys and on the mountain tops,
Lord, I trust you will carry me!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Isaiah 66:10-14c

  • Where do you see God rejoicing today?
  • How does the imagery of a mother’s love hold true for you? Where might it fall short? Is there a better image for God to use to describe His love?

Galatians 6:14-18

  • Where do you see God’s grace in the world?
  • What does it mean to be a new creation?
  • In addition to your faith, what else do you value greatly?

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9

  • How are humans like lambs? How are they like the wolves?
  • Where do you see examples of lambs and wolves in the world?
  • What is the harvest Jesus is speaking of in this scripture? Why are the laborers few?
  • How do you see yourself in this scripture?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Describe your connection to your church, parish or place of worship. What is your connection to the community? What need(s) does the community meet in your life?
  • Do you believe the church holds the same purpose it did when they first began to form? Why or why not? What is the same or different?
  • Has God’s love for His people changed over time or does it remain the same? Does God love you as He did Adam & Eve? King David? Mary, Mother of Jesus? Jesus?
  • What laws of the world are non-negotiable? Why are they so?
  • Where do you see influences of the world and the laws of people in your household?
  • Where do you see influences of Jesus in your household?
  • How is peace achieved in your life? How often do you achieve resting in peace?
  • Where do you see mercy shown? What can you do show mercy to others more regularly? Are there opportunities which you sidestep?
  • How do you welcome others? Share a specific situation.
  • Where do you share peace? To whom do you give peace? From whom do you receive peace? How can you have it more abundantly?

Closing Prayer
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might bring comfort to a child.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might see where my help is needed.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might trust you more.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might show love more deeply.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I might open my arms to others.
Leader: Fill my heart with love and compassion
ALL: so I know I am enough!

Challenge for the Week: Saint Paul in the second reading notes how the people are arguing over the laws of circumcision. He is telling them it doesn’t matter because Jesus came to save all people, circumcised or not. People are still taking sides on issues today. Make a list of some of the things people are arguing about today. Are any of them keeping you from seeing your neighbor as Christ calls you to see them? Have you treated another with neglect, disregard or judged them based on the stand they take on a specific issue or law? Paul is not saying, don’t have an opinion. He is telling the Galatians that these differences should not distract from the fact that the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus should be what really matters. How will you live out this scripture passage in the coming days, weeks, months? Make a commitment for a specific change to see how it affects you and those around you.

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, June 26th Readings

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

May I lay my head down

        each day knowing I’ve pleased you.

May I unpack my burdens

        so I can rest in your presence.

Let me follow in your path

        of goodness and mercy

Lead me Lord to do all I can today!

Journal/Reflection Questions

1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

  • God tells Elijah to go to Elisha and to teach him. How does God urge you to go to others to teach them?
  • Elisha is ready to go and serve God, but what does he do first? What does this say about his character?

Galatians 5:1, 13-18

  • What does Saint Paul mean that we were called to freedom? How?
  • What bites and devours you?
  • How do you differentiate “flesh” wants/needs and “spirit” wants/needs?

Luke 9:51-62

  • When Jesus travelled, He didn’t know where He would sleep each night.  Could you travel like this? Why or why not? 
  • Have you ever had to rely on the hospitality of another? What do you need to be able to do in order to be a good guest? What qualities are needed to be a good host? How do you rate in each category?
  • Jesus simply walked away when He and His disciples were not welcomed; the disciples wanted retribution. How does Jesus respond? Is it an easy example to follow? What can you do to help make it simpler like Jesus did?

General Questions for Journaling

  • God seeks you where you are to do His work; where has he found you lately? What is He asking you to do?
  • The prophets and apostles are often found out working when God calls.  Make a list of the prophets whom God commissioned and what they were doing when He called.
  • Could you go away and leave behind your work, your family to do the work of God? Why or why not? What conditions would you need in order to do so?
  • Have you been chosen to be a mentor to someone? Name the qualities they saw in you which caused them to choose you.
  • Do you have or have you ever had a mentor? What qualities drew you to them? What did you learn from them?
  • Can you love fully? What allows you to do so? What keeps you from doing so?
  • Are there people you have trouble showing love to? Why or why not?
  • Would you say you have too much, too little or just the right amount of “stuff”?  What could you live without?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, YOU are my refuge,

ALL:  my security when I am going through a storm.

Leader:  Spirit, YOU are my counselor,

ALL:  the one I go to when I’m facing a tough decision.

Leader:  Jesus, YOU are my savior,

ALL:  paving the road before me, I know I’m not alone.

Leader:  Father, YOU are my joy,

ALL:  I’m overwhelmed by all you’ve created for me to love.

Challenge for the Week:  June 22 is the first day of summer!  Summer is a time for family and friends to gather together, to take a long weekend or even a week or two of vacation away from the “normal”.  Summer calls you to recognize what it is you value and to cherish it.  Reflect on how God is giving you time to spend with those you love; how are you spending it?  When you take time away from your “routine” do you have time to rest in God?  Summer is full of opportunity for each of us to touch God and share His love with others!

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, June 19th Readings

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Opening Prayer

Savior

You came to earth to live

        so I might know you better.

You taught how to live life

        by the commandments.

You showed how to care for one another

        by giving comfort and healing.

You gather your friends around the table

        to share a meal but You share so much more.

May I forever seek to be in communion with You

        by living my life as You call me to live!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 14:18-20

  • How does this scripture still ring true today? Give an example.
  • Bread and wine: reflect on the qualities of these two things, how are they made, where to do they come from, are they hard to find, are they only reserved for specific people?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

  • What is the significance of giving the bread and wine separately? Are there specific values for each one individually? What are they?
  • This ritual is done in remembrance of what? Write down what it means to you and what Jesus wants you to remember through this meal.

Luke 9:11b-17

  • What is the importance of blessing the food?
  • Jesus again finds Himself working all day, giving of Himself to the crowds and then having to give even more. What can you learn from Jesus’ reaction and action in this scripture about giving?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you receive the gifts of bread and wine? 
  • What do you to prepare to receive Jesus’ body and blood?
  • Can you ever have too much Jesus?
  • Explain in your own words what it means to you to receive Jesus’ body and blood.
  • Does taking communion on Sunday change you? Why or why not?
  • What does it feel like to be hungry? Thirsty?
  • How do you show gratitude for the gifts of Jesus’ body and blood? 
  • When have you ever been asked to give more than what you had? How did you feel? Were you able to satisfy the need or was more still needed?
  • What needs are in front of you yearning to be met? How long have they been there? Do you believe they will be met on their own?
  • Who can you help this week to fulfill a need? Look around for a friend or family member who is seeking and lend a hand.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To share more than a meal

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To give of ourselves

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To receive nourishment

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To find peace

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To make a connection

Leader:  You gather your people together

ALL:  To be in union with YOU!

Challenge for the Week:  As humans we ALL share some very basic needs…we need to eat and we need to drink.  If we do not eat or drink, we do not live.  Do you think it is a coincidence that Jesus then wants us to remember him in these two forms?  He is telling us to eat His body and drink His blood because without it, we cannot live.  Spend time reflecting on this truth and what it means not only to you but to all humankind.

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