Sunday, April 3rd Readings

5th Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Help me

to remember that it is YOU who makes all things NEW!

Teach me

to let go of past mistakes and begin fresh with a new perspective.

Open me

up to try new paths instead of the same one over and over.

Guide me

with grace, showing kindness and mercy even when I do not follow.

Lead me

to be the person I am meant to be, no matter how many times I do wrong.

Thank you Lord,

for making all things new, including ME!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 43:16-21

What keeps you from believing God has a plan for you and has created a safe passageway for you just as He did for the Israelites? How do your actions confirm your belief or disbelief?
How do the events of the past (those of the Old Testament and/or the events of the past 3-6 months) affect how you live out today? Share specific examples.

Philippians 3:8-14

How can you accept loss? What does that look like?
St Paul is determined; he has his eye on the prize. What is your goal? What steps do you take each day to achieve your goal? Are there others whom have a similar goal? How can you help one another reach your goal?

John 8:1-11

Do you condemn others? What causes you to do so? Is it jealousy? Is it because you think something is unfair? Is it out of fear of the unknown or what you don’t understand?
Where are you called to be merciful like Jesus in this Scripture? Who needs you to reach out to them?

General Questions for Journaling

Where in the Bible does God abandon someone? Where in the Bible does God leave anyone alone? How does this knowledge affect you?
When have you felt like God has left you alone or abandoned you? What was the situation? How did you overcome?
How has God shown His presence to you today?
Have you ever searched for God from the moment you come into consciousness in the morning until the moment you doze off to sleep at night? What would that day look like? How would you describe it?
How does God re-create each day? Do you think today is different than yesterday? Why or why not?
Each day God offers us a new beginning; what things of the past do you need to leave in the past so you can begin again?
How do your sins feel? Describe how it feels when you sin and how you are changed; how it affects your behavior, your thoughts.
What is the most important relationship in your life? Why?
What does it mean to live your live forward? What does it mean to live in the past? Where do you see yourself on the spectrum?
Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to show them mercy? Who is it and what do they need you to do?

Closing Prayer

Leader: Father, YOU are forever good

ALL: to me, even when I sin against you and others.

Leader: Father, YOU are forever kind

ALL: to me, especially when I experience hurt.

Leader: Father, YOU are forever generous

ALL: to me, even when I call on you for help.

Leader: Father, YOU are forever merciful

ALL: to me, especially when I turn my back to you.

Leader: Father, YOU are forever faithful

ALL: to me, and I am grateful for your examples of goodness, kindness, generosity, mercy and faith!

Challenge for the Week: Where do you see God walking with you on your journey? Are you walking together side by side or are you lagging behind? Have you stumbled and refuse to get up and move or is God carrying you? What terrain are you travelling? Are you on flatland? Going through the desert? Climbing a mountain? Swimming/wading/drowning in the deep waters? Take time this week to figure out where you are on your journey with God. Use your own words to describe and even possibly draw a picture of what it looks like. Whether you write the words or draw the picture, put the date on it and place it in your bible so you can find it later and reflect on how it compares to where you are at that moment of time. God gives you all you need to succeed; you simply need to train your will to remain accountable.

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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”!

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 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 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.

Sunday, January 16th Readings

2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You are generous beyond compare.

The wellspring of your love never runs dry.

You are the giver of all that is good.

I want to overflow with praise for you,

And shout from the rooftop that You are God!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 62 :1-5

Jesus is the King of Kings, how does this scripture describe your relationship with him?
What does this scripture tell you about how God loves? Does it help you understand God’s love more or less?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Where do you see yourself in this scripture? How does the Spirit manifest within you?
When have you seen these gifts work together for good in your community or in your life?
Where have your gifts been called upon and gathered for a specific purpose or did they come together organically? Explain.

John 2:1-11

Compare your life to the wine which was served first and your future to the water which was turned into wine. Can you find hope in the comparison?
Put yourself in the scripture. Imagine yourself as the head waiter, the bride/groom, the guests, Mary. What are you thinking? How do you make sense of what happened? Whom do you share this occurrence with and how?
How do the words, “do whatever he tells you” change meaning when you hear them coming from Mary, speaking of Jesus?

General Questions for Journaling

How do you know God loves you? How would you explain this kind of love to someone who had never met God?
God calls you His delight and promises not to forsaken you; what other names does God give you? What other promises does He make?
What gift(s) do you have? How do you use it/them?
Are you jealous of a specific gift? Why? What would you do with it if you had it?
When have you seen a variety of gifts work together for good?
What specific gift is needed in your family right now? In your workplace? In your community?
There is a time to speak up and a time to be silent. Share examples of each and explain.
When you call on God, what name do you use? What name does God use to call on you?
Would you say you have experienced love to its greatest extent? Share the experience.
Do you feel favored by God? Why or why not?
What does it mean to you to be favored by God?
How do you compare God’s love for you and the love of a parent?
How do you compare God’s love for you and the love of a spouse?
Does comparing God’s love to the marriage union still hold value when people get divorced or don’t get married at all? Why or why not?
How does God know you love Him? Do you tell Him? Do you show Him? What do you do?
When have you seen the Spirit at work? Do you have to look hard to see it? How often do you experience this?
Are there gifts God has given to you which you are afraid to use?
Do you believe there are still gifts of God within you which haven’t been manifest yet? Why or why not?
Do you believe the phrase, “you get what you pay for”? What does it mean? How can you translate it to faith?
Is there anyone in your life whom you trust will provide for all of your needs? Do you think it is a rarity or surplus in life to have one or more people who take care of you to this extent?
Have you ever been asked to give more than you thought was expected? What was the situation? How did it affect your attitude? What was the outcome?
How does the saying “save the best for last” apply to your life? Share examples of when this is true.

Closing Prayer

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: turning water into wine.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: healing the sick and lame.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: providing for every need.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: making the ordinary, extraordinary.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: pouring mercy over sinners.

Leader: Lord, you are the miracle in my life,

ALL: giving eternal life through death.

Challenge for the Week: One name for God is King of Glory and Jesus is referred to as the King of Kings who reigns over the Kingdom of God. So when you read the First Reading which says you are “crowned” as children of the Most High King, how does that make you feel? Have you ever wished to have a crown? How does wearing a crown, potentially change your behavior? What words would you use to describe royalty; do any of these words describe you? Why or why not? This week during your prayer time, before you get out of bed or after you brush your teeth, make a point to crown yourself with an imaginary crown and remind yourself of your royal bloodline!

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weeklyscripturejournal

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

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