Ordinary Time

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.

OR

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.

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, October 31st Readings

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Teach me what it means to love.

Show me how to serve.

Give me the strength to do both!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 6:2-6

  • What do you hear God saying in this scripture? How is your message different than others? How is it the same?
  • Share examples of where you see following God’s commandments are good.
  • Share examples of where you see following God’s commandments are bad.

Hebrews 7:23-28

  • What does this scripture teach you about the Eucharist? Is this an old or a new insight?
  • How does this scripture help you understand how sacrifice is good? Does it make you more or less willing to make a sacrifice for God? For others?
  • What is God calling you to sacrifice right now?

Mark 12:28b-34

  • How does Jesus determine or measure our nearness to the kingdom of God according to this scripture?
  • Does loving God come easy? Why or why not?
  • Describe God’s love. What words do you use? 
  • Do you love God the same way He loves you? Why or why not?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Does love have a capacity? Explain
  • How does God love vs how you love? Is it different? Is it the same?
  • Imagine your heart. Draw a picture of it and then write down the things that you carry in your heart. Is your heart big enough to carry all of those things and be able to love God too?
  • How does having God in your life make your life better?
  • Where do you see God’s presence? In your home? Your spouse? Your kids? Neighbors? Co-workers? Fellow parishioners? Be specific.
  • What does it mean to you when people pray for you? What does it mean for you to pray for others?
  • Do you believe those who have passed can provide you support, understanding and companionship? Why or why not?
  • How do you put God above others? Give an example.
  • What do you do to “work” on your relationship with God?
  • Shouldn’t love come easy?  What makes loving God or others or yourself difficult?
  • Do you feel you know God? Understand Jesus? Are connected to the Holy Spirit? What kind of things can you do to deepen your relationship with each part of the Holy Trinity?
  • What significance does scripture, tradition and sacrifice have on your relationship with God? What significance do these things have on your personal relationship with others?
  • Explain how the Eucharist is an expression of love.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, come live in me…

ALL:  so I can understand the sacrifice of love.

Leader:  Lord, come live in me…

ALL:  so I can teach others through my actions.

Leader:  Lord, come live in me…

 ALL:  so I can give hope by sharing the Gospel.

Leader:  Lord, come live in me…

ALL:  so I can be a place of refuge.

Leader:  Lord, come live in me…

ALL:  so I can become more like YOU!

Challenge for the Week: Jesus took the 10 commandments and condensed them into simpler language for people to understand.  He didn’t change the message of what the commandments say, the tasks are still the same.  Just because the language is simpler, what God wants you and I to do is not simpler. 

Take the first piece, “love God with all your heart, mind and soul.”  When you think about loving God, it’s easy to think, oh yeah, that is no problem!  However, do you give God you ALL?  Jesus says to love with ALL your heart, mind and soul but many times in your lifetime, you can find you’ve turned your back on God and not acknowledged God for the blessings in your life, either because you forget or get busy or dismiss the blessings as things you deserve.  This request isn’t so easy after all.

Then the second part of the message is to, “love your neighbor as yourself” which comes with a long list of obstacles.  First and foremost, can you say you love yourself?  If you can, then you’re halfway there but if you can’t say that you love yourself, then you’ve gotta figure out how to do that so then you can begin the work of loving others. 

Is it even possible to love God and love others equally AND love ourselves too?  This is what God wants from you and even though it is hard the relationship you have with the Holy Trinity can give insight.  Spend time this week reflecting on the commandments through the lens of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then apply what you learn to living them out!

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 13th Readings

11th Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God,

You created me from the dirt

        with the Holy Spirit.

I become a new creation

        through the Sacraments.

You gave me eternal life

        by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

May I stay rooted in these truths,

        bearing good fruit for others.

Help me to grow in you,

        following the path you set out for me.

Be my guide, my comfort and omy peace.

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 17:22-24

  • How are you able to provide “shade” or “shelter” to others through your connection to God?
  • If God can make a tree bigger or smaller or make one bloom or wither; what does this say about what He can do for you?

2Corinthians 5:6-10

  • What does it mean to “walk by faith and not by sight”? What does it look like?
  • Share an example of someone you know or of a personal experience of living by faith and not by sight.

Mark 4:26-34

  • How is God like the farmer in the parable? Where do you see yourself?
  • Do you give the same attention to detail as the farmer did to his crop as you do to your own spiritual life?
  • Do you tend to the work of your job the way the farmer tends to the crop?  If so how does it feel?  If not, what does it mean?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Share an example when you were able to live out the “least become great and the great become the least”.
  • When did Jesus model the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
  • Who other than Jesus in the bible practice the “least to great and great to least” attitude?
  • Where do you go for “shade”? What are some examples of when you need it? How does it feel when you find it?
  • Are there people whom you “shade” or offer protection? Do you do it naturally or did they ask for your help?
  • When would you say you “lose” your courage? Where does it go?
  • What helps you gain or re-gain courage when you need it?
  • Share an example or two of people whom you look up to who show or have shown great courage and how they inspire you.
  • When do you feel the most courageous? Be specific.
  • When do you feel the least courageous? Be specific.
  • What pleases God? How do you know?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Life begins as a seed,

ALL:  in the darkness.

Leader:  It is nourished and fed,

ALL:  and begins to sprout growth.

Leader: It soaks up the rain and the sun,

ALL:  which is given freely.

Leader:  Branches bend and sway,

ALL:  but the roots are strong.

Leader:  Over time it becomes a new creation,

ALL:  offering shade, shelter and support.

Leader:  Feed me Lord,

ALL:  plant and sow seeds of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness in my life.

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus used parables to help the disciples and other followers understand faith, love and the Kingdom of God.  In each parable, there is deep symbolism to explore.  This week, try to find a symbol which richly describes your faith and spirituality.  It might be something that has been passed on for generations in your family, it might be a gift you recently received, it might be something you or someone you know made especially for you.  Whatever it might be, there is deeper meaning to it than others can see.  As you search, remember the celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ…the bread and wine are simply food and drink to some but the Catholic faith teaches and believes them to be the body and blood of Jesus, Savior and Lord.  Also, the mustard seed, so small and meek but within it there is the predisposition to become a giant tree.  After seeking out your symbol, try to write out a parable/story/reflection about it.

Sunday, February 14th Readings

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Compassionate God

YOU silence every cry, YOU wipe away every tear.

Each of us are bound, bruised and broken,

        but throughout history Lord,

everything YOU touch is made whole.

You are the healer and perfector of all creation.

Comfort us, Almighty Father. 

Hold us in your arms…forever!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46

  • When have you acted like Moses and Aaron and forced another to be exposed or excommunicated?
  • Are there people in the world today which you dub as unclean? What are your criteria for determining they are unclean?
  • How do you relate to those who are labeled as a leper?

1Corinthians 10:31-11:1

  • Do you give thanks to God each time you eat and drink? Consider how many hands your food passed through to get to you and provide you with the nourishment you need.
  • When do you give thanks to God? How many times on average do you give thanks to God?

Mark 1:40-45

  • Jesus reached out in pity, when have you felt Jesus reach out to you with pity? What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Would you be able to contain yourself if you were healed and not tell anyone or would you be like the leper who shared with everyone the good that was done?
  • How is the leper in the first reading treated differently or the same as the leper in the Gospel reading? What lesson do you take from this?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Do you know a leper? Is there someone in your workplace or community whom others have outcast or deemed “unclean”?
  • What if your sins showed on your skin like the sores of leprosy? 
  • Have you ever been outcast because of a physical ailment? 
  • How can you use your scars to bring healing to others?
  • Do you have a physical feature which you try to hide or cover? What is it?  How could God use it? How can you show God’s glory through this thing you try to hide?
  • Can the glory of God spread by touch like the disease of leprosy? Why or why not?
  • What does it mean to “do everything for the glory of God”? Share examples
  • Think back to yesterday and determine if you were aware of God’s presence all day. Were there gaps?
  • What times of the day or what activities are the most difficult for you to be aware of God’s presence in your life?
  • Do you have a hero? An idol? What characteristics draw you to them?
  • Who in your family do you take after? What traits do you have in common?
  • Did you “inherit” family traits which you are proud of or ones with which you struggle?
  • What traits do you have in common with Jesus? Do these come naturally or do you work at them?
  • Define “pity”. What is it, who has it and where does it come from?
  • Is there something or someone within your grasp that needs a healing touch? What can you do?
  • When have you experienced the healing touch of God in your life?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let me see what you see!

ALL:  When I see illness,

Leader:  Lord, you see wellness.

ALL:  When I see something broken,

Leader: Lord, you see it whole.

ALL:  When I see poverty,

Leader:  Lord, you see richness.

ALL:  When I see sin,

Leader:  Lord, you see forgiveness.

ALL:  When I see death,

Leader:  Lord, you see life.

ALL:  Lord, let me see what you see!

Challenge for the Week:  How do you show God glory each day?  Is in your morning or evening prayer enough?  Is praying before your meals sufficient?  Consider all of the “everyday” things you do such as brushing your teeth, driving or doing the laundry.  Make a list of all of the “everyday” things you do and then think of a way to do that same task for the “GLORY OF GOD”.  Then do it!

Sunday, January 24th Readings

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God of all,

There is no where I can go

        that will take me away from You.

No mountain is too high,

        No ocean is too deep;

                You are always there!

Let my heart and mind know

        I cannot run away from You.

Your will, Lord, is always done!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

  • Share a time when you were like Jonah and didn’t want to do what God was asking you to do. What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • What message did Jonah bring to Nineveh? How does this same message ring true in your life right now?
  • What truths about God are revealed through this scripture?
  • What significance does the three days have to this story? Where else in scripture does God promise change in three days?

1Corinthians 7:29-31

  • Are there times when you act as though you are not a child of God? 
  • What does God want from you right now?  Is it the same or different from what he wanted from you a year ago? 5? 10?
  • What does the scripture tell you about what God values?

Mark 1:14-20

  • What is your idea or definition of the “time of fulfillment”? Describe.
  • How can you live like a disciple called to be a “fisher of men”? What can you do to “catch people” for God?
  • Jesus found them “mending their nets.” What requires mending in your life right now? Does God find you doing the mending or are you waiting for someone else to fix it?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How has your view of the world changed over the past 5, 10, 15, 20 years? Do you still value the same things? Do the same things still bring you joy and make you happy?
  • Reflect on the past week; are any of your actions in need of repentance? How would God answer the same question about you?
  • Is there anything you must repent to have a stronger relationship with God? Are there things you should repent to heal or strengthen a relationship with a friend or family member? 
  • Do you believe there is a recipe for happiness which could be true for all people? What would it look like?
  • Do you act as if you believe God loves you despite your shortfalls? If God can love you, what can you do to show love to yourself?
  • What were the credentials needed to be one of Jesus’ disciples? Are they still the same today?
  • How do you act when given a deadline? Does it increase productivity?  Does it cause stress? What about your attention/focus changes?
  • How have you been called to change? Where does the call come from?
  • What benefit comes from a threat? Are there times when they are effective? Why or why not?
  • Are there things you hold onto? What value do they have to you? What value does the world give them? What value does God give them?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your words engulf me!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my heart is awakened!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I turn to listen!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  my soul rejoices!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  I hear nothing else!

Leader:  Lord, when you call…

ALL:  your servant is ready!

Challenge for the Week:  The word present has a couple of very different meanings.  One present means “right now” and another is “a gift” but what if to God they really mean the same thing???  Consider the present moment in time as a gift from God.  How do you use it?  What value do you give it?  Unfortunately, many people spend much of their time thinking about the past and planning for the future.  They don’t always give the present, the value of time which it deserves.  This doesn’t only apply to the time you spend alone, with your own thoughts but it also affects the time you spend with friends, family and others whom deserve your uninterrupted attention.  Are you present with them?  What can you do to become more present, in the moment?  What changes can you make to allow you to be more present minded…what a true present that would be!