Parable

Sunday, October 30th Readings

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

God of hospitality

You bring me what I need

          often before I know I need it.

Within my soul is a place for You to dwell

          so You can be with me always.

When I awake each day

          You know what lies ahead.

This journey can be long, rocky and I can lose my way

          but You are there with open arms.

You see me when I feel lost and alone

          and You welcome me in!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 11:22-12:2

  • Is God dwelling in you? How do you know? How would you explain God dwelling in you to another person?
  • God is described as “all knowing, creator of the universe” but He is also described as “dwelling inside of you”, describe a moment when you felt God in both instances.
  • Draw a picture of this reading. What does it look like to you? What images do you include?  hat colors do you use? What is the overall message you would send with your picture?

2Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

  • Share a time when God used another person to strengthen your faith. Share a time when God used you to help another person keep hold of their faith when it was shaken.
  • How has prayer brought fulfillment to you? How do you know prayer brings forth God’s grace?
  • Saint Paul’s pep talk is for all of us! What needs to be “shaken out of your mind” for you to be a better witness of Christ’s love for you?

Luke 19:1-10

  • Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. What do you do, where do you go to see Jesus?
  • Like Zacchaeus, there are moments in your life when you are willing to climb a tree to catch a glimpse. Share a story of this from your own experience.
  • Do you climb the tree to see Jesus more clearly or do you do it to be seen by others?
  • How would you react if Jesus came to your home for dinner? What would you serve? Who might you invite?

General Questions for Journaling

  • If God created the universe and all that is within it, what evidence is there that He loves you?
  • If God loves only what He made, does this mean He doesn’t love things He didn’t make? Explain.
  • How do you show reverence to creation? To your neighbor?
  • When you make a meal, draw a picture, or create something else from scratch, how do you feel? Are you proud of your work or are you critical of the outcome?
  • As a parent, can you look at your child with anything other than love? Why or why not?
  • What are you doing to live in a way worthy of Christ? What does that mean?
  • Are there areas in your life that cause you to grumble? Have you ever let Jesus into those places? What can you do to open that area of conflict or worry up to Jesus and allow Him to change your grumbling into positive change?
  • What gives you your identity? Is it things such as titles or what you do for a living? Is it another person such as what role you play in the lives of others? Where does your identity come from? What can you learn from Zacchaeus about your own identity?
  • What makes you whole or what fills you up spiritually? Physically? Mentally? 
  • How does it feel when someone tells you, they are praying for you? Do you tell those you are praying for that you are praying for them?
  • Is there a word, phrase, or story which “shakes” you into action?
  • It was a great honor for Zacchaeus to have Jesus as a guest for dinner. How have you been honored or recognized in your life? Where was God in that experience?
  • According to God’s standards, what makes you great?
  • If Jesus invited himself to your house for dinner, what would you say? Would you be ready?
  • Jesus accepts Zacchaeus even though according to the “world’s” standards, he was a “sinner”. Is there someone in your life who you have “shut off” because of difference of opinion or belief? How can you learn from Jesus’ example to love people, no matter where they are at or where they are coming from?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL:  in the still of the night and motion of the day!

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL:  as I head out each day; giving me direction!

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL: when I am alone and when I am with others!

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL:  even when you stretch me beyond my limits!

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL:  in my peaceful moments and in the chaos!

Leader:  I welcome YOU Lord…

ALL:  into my home with all of my heart!

Challenge for the Week:  Who is someone either you have met or have never met who influenced you in a positive way?  Make a list of the people who have helped form you into the person you are today.  Write down each of their names and how their words and/or actions have had a lasting effect on you. 

In turn, remember you are called by Christ to be Christ to others.  Consider your words and actions this week.  Pay close attention to how they compare or contrast with how you see Jesus in the Gospels.  Choose one or two ways you will work on to help your words or actions mirror what Jesus would do or say.  You might be the only experience of Christ someone ever experiences.  You want to be ready.

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!

Sunday, October 9th Readings

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Spirit of God

As I journey through this life,

          may I not forget the lives of those before me.

Let me spend time reflecting,

          on the sacrifices others make for my sake.

Working, dreaming, praying, surviving,

          for someone they would never meet.

What can I do for those who lived before?

          Remember and show gratitude to those ahead.

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

2Kings 5:14-17

  • The leper was asked to wash in the river, which was a normal everyday task. He doubted God’s healing through the mundane. Where did God last cause a miracle to happen in your life? Was it through something spectacular or through something ordinary?
  • Why does the water heal? What makes it different from any other time he went to the river?
  • Have you experienced a cleansing like Naaman? Explain.

2Timothy 2:8-13

  • How do you suffer for the Gospel today? How does the faith community? How does the U.S.? The world?
  • What does it mean to be linked to the suffering of Christ? How does this look in your life?
  • In what ways do you deny God? Are there areas of your life that you don’t allow God into?
  • What do you deny yourself of? What does it take for you to do so? How does it affect those around you?

Luke 17:11-19

  • Who are the lepers of our time? How do you serve the marginalized and hurting?
  • What do you think causes Jesus to feel pity?
  • Why do you think only one shows gratitude?

General Questions for Journaling

  • When was the last time you let something little ruin what should have been a beautiful experience? What do you let get in the way of our happiness?
  • On the flip side, when was the last time you celebrated something little? Life is full of moments of grace which deem to be celebrated! What will you celebrate today?
  • Do you give to others with expectation of something in return? Share an experience. What does God say about this?
  • How does your attitude affect your healing? How does your healing affect your attitude?
  • What can you learn about how to treat others from those who care for others for a living such as nurses and others service jobs such as firemen? What one quality do you possess already? What one quality do you want to nurture in yourself?
  • Who do you consider to be in your “cloud of witnesses”? How is your faith affected by them?
  • When has God recently poured grace into your life? How did you thank God for this gift?
  • Are there things you need to let go of so God can cure you?
  • Where do you go to be cleaned? How do you become clean? Why do you need to be cleaned?
  • What gifts do you have that have the power to heal another person?
  • How open are you to allow another person to heal you?
  • What do you think the 9 lepers felt and thought after being healed? Do you think they heard about the one who went back to say “thank you”? 
  • Why does God continue to heal people if they do not show gratitude? Do you follow God’s example? Do you always show gratitude for all God has given?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, have pity on me and let me do the same…

ALL:  by holding a door for a stranger.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on me and let me do the same…

ALL:  by leaving a generous tip.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on me and let me do the same…

ALL:  by calling or visiting a shut-in.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on me and let me do the same…

ALL:  by volunteering some time.

Leader:  Lord, have pity on me and let me do the same…

ALL:  by giving a gift for no reason.

Leader:  Let me have pity on others so

ALL:  Your grace can turn pity into joy!

Challenge for the Week:  Compare and contrast times when you have been weighed down with the chains of suffering and times when you feel rinsed clean.  Identify two or more situations in your life when you have experienced these feelings and spend time reflecting on the differences and the similarities of the experiences.  What did you feel physically, what did you think, what emotions did you feel, what was your behavior like, how did you treat yourself and others during these times?  Additionally, where was God during these times?  Did you experience a change in you afterwards?  Was it for the worse or for the better?  What are your emotions/feelings about these experiences now that you look back on them?  What will you do/can you do with this new knowledge of yourself?  Is there benefit not only for you but for others as well?  Decide on one action you will do (whether for yourself or for another) to live out what you have learned.

And/or:  How do you express your love?  The love language book speaks of 5 languages, service, affection, gifts, time, and adoration.  Consider showing love to others in each of these five ways.

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!

Sunday, September 11th Readings

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord of immense patience

        How can I learn from you?

Where can I go to find patience?

        Is it within my reach?

What can I do to cultivate more?

        Why can’t I seem to wait?

Be with me Lord,

        I cannot do it on my own!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Exodus 32: 7-11, 13-14

  • What does this scripture say about human nature? Is it still true today? Where do you see an example?
  • What does this reading tell you about God’s mercy?
  • How does the covenant with God work with the Israelites? Is there a give and take agreement? How does this covenant work in our own relationship with God?

1 Timothy 1:12-17

  • St Paul’s conversion is one of the most powerful examples in the Bible of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Where do you see God’s patience working in today’s world? Where in your life do you need to show mercy and forgiveness?
  • Identify how God has shown mercy to Paul.
  • Identify how others showed mercy to Paul.

Luke 15: 1-32

  • How do you rejoice when you have been forgiven?
  • Describe what it feels like to be filled with compassion.

General Questions for Journaling

  • Are there things in your life which you value more than God? Imagine how God reacts to this knowledge.
  • Would you consider yourself a persuasive person? Who do you identify as a persuasive person?
  • Could a persuasive person get you to do something you know is wrong or that you shouldn’t do? Has this ever happened?
  • How do you use persuasion in your life? Do you use it to get what you want or what God wants?
  • Do you try to talk God into things? If so, what? And how did/does He respond?
  • How do you feel when you make a deal with someone, and they don’t keep up their part?
  • Have you ever reneged on a deal? What was the situation?
  • Do threats work? Why or why not? When are threats necessary?
  • Have you ever cried out to God to help you? Did He come to your aid? Explain what the circumstances were and how God helped you.
  • Does God ever give up on you? Why then, do you give up on yourself? 
  • When have you given up on yourself? Did you reach out to God or to others? Were you shown mercy?
  • You don’t only experience grief when someone close to you dies. You also can experience grief when you lose things of which you value such as your health, your job, a relationship, or a goal. Is there something which you grieve right now?
  • How have you dealt with loss? Did you feel angry? Fearful? Lonely? Did you feel God? Explain.
  • In a time of loss, who was there to help support you? Who offered comfort?
  • Did you learn anything about yourself through an experience of loss? Be specific.
  • Have you ever lost something of value and then got it back? How did it feel? What did you do?
  • Have you ever been lost? What did it feel like? Who found you? How did you feel when you were found?
  • Do you think God has favorites? Does He love the one who got away more than the 99 faithful?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never give up on me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never leave me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never lose patience with me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never for me, a sinner!

Leader:  Thank you Lord

ALL:  For you never forsake me, a sinner!

Challenge for the Week:  On the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon, each person over the age of 20 can tell you a story about where they were and how they felt when they heard the terrible news.  If you reflect back to your story, it may be filled with sadness, anger, surprise, but at the time you probably didn’t have much mercy or forgiveness about the event.  Spend some time this week and examine what has changed in your life, in the world and see how time has perhaps changed your perspective or understanding.  Have you seen mercy and forgiveness happen in the world?  What examples can you come up with as ones to share with others so they can learn to be able to forgive and show mercy to 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

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!

Sunday, August 21st Readings

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord,

YOU call out to me, and I come near.

YOU give me a heart of flesh to love.

YOU give me hands to reach out to help.

YOU give me the will to choose to follow.

May I never lose sight of ALL YOU give,

and always be grateful YOU are there

to give me what I need.  AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 66:18-21

  • Isaiah says the Israelites are God’s chosen people. What indicates that they are chosen? How does that differ from being God’s chosen people by being baptized?
  • How are the Israelites set apart/chosen? Does God love you in the same way? How do you know?
  • Describe a time when you saw unity as described in this scripture.

Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13

  • How does God use discipline to help you become the person you were created to be?
  • What does the word discipline mean? Is it hard? Does it hurt? Is discipline negative?
  • Give an example how God uses discipline or has used discipline in your life.  Do you think everyone receives the same discipline from God?

Luke 13:22-30

  • At the center of this reading is relationship. How would you rate your relationship with Jesus?
  • The narrow gate frightens some believers. Why do you think people are afraid of the narrow gate? How do you feel about it? What are you called to do that will help you fit through the gate? What does Jesus do to ensure you will make it through?
  • Where do you see mercy in this scripture?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Can you see anyone or any group of people who are excluded from God?  What can you do to be more inclusive when you share God’s love and mercy?
  • Think of a time when you were “chosen” first. How did it feel? Was there ever a time when you were “chosen” last? How did that experience differ from when you were chosen first?
  • If you had a choice to be included or excluded, which would you choose? Make a list of things you would like to be included in and a list of things you would like to be excluded from. What can you summarize about the two lists?
  • What clubs or groups do you belong which give you automatic benefits? As a child of God, you receive automatic benefits. Do you take for granted these benefits or give thanks? Give examples.
  • Is there a specific saint whose life speaks to you? Who is it and what is it about their life that draws you in? How did God relate to this saint? 
  • Where do you see God’s love in your life right now? Do you see Him in your struggles too? Give examples of each.
  • A popular phrase is “practice makes perfect”. What happens when you don’t practice faith? How can you strengthen your faith if you don’t practice it?
  • Where do you learn “spiritual discipline”? How do you practice “spiritual discipline”? What does it mean?
  • How do you exercise your faith? What areas do you need to work on?
  • What does your physical body/presence say about your spiritual health? Do you think they are related? How? Why?
  • Do you ever feel you give and give and give with nothing in return? What makes you continue to give?
  • What do you offer God?  What does He offer you?  Is it even?
  • Are there times when you don’t think you give enough? Whom are you trying to please or satisfy? Is satisfaction achievable?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my relationship

ALL:  in the prayers I pray.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my understanding

ALL:  through the scriptures.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my focus

ALL:  as I follow the path.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my witness

ALL:  as I speak truth.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen my commitment

ALL:  in acts of justice and mercy.

Leader:  Lord, strengthen me…

ALL:  make me your disciple!

Challenge for the Week:  Have you ever gone along with something because it was the popular choice, but you didn’t agree?  This is one of the challenges in life.  It can be difficult to stand up against the majority.  But when you become strong in your beliefs, and you know that the direction the crowd is going is unjust or has negative consequences, you can’t just go along.  It is a dilemma every person faces at some point in their life, sometimes multiple times.  There might even be times when you stand up in faith and still find opposition.  Matthew Kelly, founder of Dynamic Catholic, calls it being counter-cultural, when you go against the popular way and do things God’s way.  Some might call you a radical for doing this, but isn’t that what they said about John the Baptist too?  To live a life of a disciple means you practice what you preach and that means sometimes you will have to stand up against the majority.  Reflect this week on how you would rate the strength of your faith and determine if it is strong enough to withstand opposition.

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!

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, February 27th Readings

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Give me eyes to see

the beauty in all things.

Allow me to speak

kindness with my words.

Teach me to live

so others might follow.

Let me be a vessel of THE GOOD NEWS!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Sirach 27 :4-7

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

 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

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

Luke 6:39-45

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

General Questions for Journaling

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

Closing Prayer

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

ALL:  for life given at conception!

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

ALL:  for the sound of the ocean waves!

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

ALL:  for the morning dew glistening in the sunrise!

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

ALL:  for the warm hug of a new friend!

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

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

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

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

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

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