Christian Blog

Sunday, November 8th Readings

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Prepare the way.

Make me ready.

Lead my steps.

Open the gate.

Welcome me home.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 6 :12-16

  • What does Wisdom have waiting for you?
  • Do you seek Wisdom?  Is Wisdom easy or difficult to find?  Explain.

1Thessalonians 4:13-18

  • Does ‘fallen asleep’ mean those who have died?  Could it also mean those who have ‘fallen asleep’ in faith?  Describe someone who has ‘fallen asleep’ in their faith.
  • How does this reading impact your vision of death?  Of heaven?

Matthew 25:1-13

  • Would you say you are ready to open the door to God?  Why or why not?
  • What kinds of things keep you from lighting your lamp?  Keep you from being delayed?  Keep you from going out?  Keep you from being ready for the feast?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do you look for God in all things?
  • Are there places you don’t look for God?  Why or why not?
  • Are there places where you don’t see God at all?  Explain.
  • When have you felt there was something waiting ahead of you?
  • How does wisdom differ from knowledge or understanding?  Explain.
  • If you knew when you would die, how would that affect how you live your life?  What would you do differently?
  • How would knowing when others will die change your relationships?  Be specific.
  • Are there things of which you are unaware?  Are you unaware because you honestly don’t know or because you are disinterested?
  • Do you think there is a connection between awareness and wisdom?  Explain.
  • How has awareness of God affected your decisions?  Share an example.
  • When have you grown impatient, waiting for God in your life?  Share an example.
  • Is there a difference between knowing of Jesus and knowing Jesus?  Explain.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are the stars that shine!

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are the baby crying!

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are the changing seasons!

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are an act of kindness!

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are a banquet feast!

Leader:  Lord, let me find you in all things…

ALL:  you are the path of life!

Challenge for the Week:  Stay awake!  Be ready!  We do not know the day, nor the hour of when Jesus will come.  This warning has been passed on for centuries.  But what does it mean?  Spend time this week contemplating this question.  Write down at least 10 things that you believe you must do or have so you are ready when Jesus returns.

AND/OR

On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your awareness of God’s presence in your life each day?  Reflect on the past 24 hours and identify all of the times when you saw or felt or called on God’s presence.  Were there times when you turned your back on God or hid your face from him?  Were there moments where you kept God in the closet or on a shelf, then let him back in when you were ready?  What are those things you think you are keeping from God?  Do they enhance your life and make it better?  How does being aware of God’s presence affect your attitude and your decisions?  Jesus is the light of the world, let him bring light into yours!

Sunday, November 1st Readings

Solemnity of All Saints

Opening Prayer

God of all,

You give me blessings so I may give you glory.

You share your wisdom so I can express thanksgiving.

I bow my head and kneel to show you honor.

I praise and worship you for your power and might.

For you are my God, forever and ever.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Revelations 7 :2-4,9-14

  • What emotions are stirred up by this scripture?  Are you scared?  Excited? Confused?  Hopeful?  Explain your emotions.
  • This passage from Revelation is of John’s dream of Jesus’ second coming.  They thought Jesus was coming during their lifetime.  What are your thoughts about the second coming of Jesus?

1John 3:1-3

  • What is your definition of a child of God.  (write it down)  Does your definition differ from God’s?
  • How do you make sense of the phrase, ‘the reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.’  Explain.

Matthew 5:1-12a

  • Which of the Beatitudes do you most relate to right now?  How is it playing out in your life? 
  • Identify a reward God has given you here on earth.  How do you think it compares to the reward waiting for you in heaven?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever started to tear something apart, only to realize you still had need for it?  What was it?  How did you feel?
  • How do you define ‘servant of God’?  What other words do you or could you interchange with it?
  • God has believers from every continent.  How does your belief in God connect you?  Share an example of a specific experience.
  • Do you believe in Angels?  Why or why not?
  • How are Angels relevant or irrelevant today?
  • When you first heard of heaven, what did you imagine it as?  Has your image of heaven changed?  How?
  • What do you think you will do and/or say when you see Jesus? (Think of the song, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyME)
  • Do you think your love for someone who has died decreases, increases or stays the same?  Why?
  • What do you want God to reveal to you after your death?  What questions do you have that you wish you knew the answers to right now?
  • What gives you hope about death (in general)?
  • Are you afraid of death or dying?  Why or why not?
  • How do you infuse the lives of the saints into your life?

Closing Prayer (Taken from the Litany of the Saints Prayer)

Leader:  That You are continually taking care of me,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That not knowing the future invites me to lean on You,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That You are with me in my suffering,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader: That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life & the next

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That my life is a gift,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That You are my Lord and my God,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you.

Leader:  That I am Your beloved one,

ALL:  Jesus, I trust in you

Challenge for the Week:  In the First Reading, John says there will be a ‘seal on the foreheads of the servants of God.’  Consider the times when you have been ‘marked by God.’  Take a sheet of paper out and make a timeline, identifying the times when you have been ‘marked by God.’  Before the exercise, define what it means to be ‘marked by God’ and then write as much information as you remember about the event such as how old you were, where you were, who was there and how you felt for each.  If you are inspired to do so, draw a picture or use a different color for each.  You might even have some stickers on hand that will differentiate each event to describe with images how you felt.  God doesn’t show up at the beginning of your life and then disappear until you die; God is present throughout your life.  And there are special moments when His presence is the highlight of celebration.  Share your timeline with someone and share the experiences with them, especially someone who wasn’t there or recently had a celebration where they were ‘marked by God.”  It is through these experiences that you can draw closer to others and share God’s love!

Sunday, October 25th Readings

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Teach me to see like you see

Teach me to hear like you hear

Teach me to love like you love

Teach me to have a heart

which opens without fear or judgement.

I want YOUR love overflow onto everyone I meet.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 22:20-26

  • How are you called, like the Israelites to repay God’s love? Identify 1-3 ways you show God love throughout the week.
  • Does this scripture inspire you to reach out to someone? Perhaps God has placed it on your heart to help someone and you have been holding back. What specifically is God calling you to do?

1Thessalonians 1:5c-10

  • Have you felt the “joy” from the Holy Spirit which Saint Paul is taking about? How can you channel this joy more often in your life?
  • What does the Holy Spirit offer you? 

Matthew 22:34-40

  • Jesus says the Greatest Commandment is LOVE. How do you show or express love to God? Your neighbors? Yourself?
  • Did Jesus answer the question he was being asked? Why or why not? 

General Questions for Journaling

  • Where is compassion found? Is it something taught (you can learn) or something you have naturally? How is it different than love?
  • Consider how you respond to others. How do you treat people you know? How do you treat people you don’t know? How is it similar? How is it different?
  • How do you show love? How do you receive love?
  • Where do you see love in the world?
  • Reflect on a time when someone showed you love. Did you welcome their love or reject it? Why?
  • What are human expressions of love? What are examples of how God expresses His love?
  • Does God put expectations on love? If yes, what are the expectations? If no, why not?
  • Identify how you feel about putting forth your love for God to others. Is it something you are comfortable doing? Are you hesitant or afraid?
  • Where would you rate how you love your neighbor on a scale of 1-10? Explain why you would give yourself this rating.
  • Identify examples of how you can love God with all your heart. Mind. Soul. Are there different examples for each or are they all the same? 
  • When have you recently felt God’s love for you? Explain the situation and how you know it was God.
  • Draw a picture of God’s love.
  • How does the Trinity help you to love your neighbor, even when they are difficult?

Closing Prayer – Poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Challenge for the Week:  This week think about how God’s love has made your life better.  What is it about how God loves you that makes this happen?  Describe how God’s love feels and then write a prayer of thanksgiving or draw a picture to show appreciation for what God gives you.  THEN, consider how you may be the only example of God’s love in a person’s life today and make a commitment to show other’s God’s love more freely!