Scripture Study

Sunday, November 15th Readings

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord, I humbly pray…

May I boldly give my life in service to others

        so your love will be shown through my actions.

May I meet the needs of others with love and compassion

        as you have modeled for me through your actions.

May I not be afraid of the gifts you have given me

        and be proud to share them unselfishly with others.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

  • What does this scripture say makes a one a worthy wife?  It is tasks she completes or her attitude or a combination of both?  Explain.
  • The scripture describes a worthy wife.  What does she receive in return for her investment?  Do you think it is a good investment?

1Thessalonians 5:1-6

  • What emotions are conjured up within you when you hear this scripture?
  • What is there to fear?  Death?  Darkness?  What does this scripture passage say you should fear?  Do you agree or disagree?  Explain.

Matthew 25:14-30

  • Imagine yourself in this scripture.  Where do you see yourself?  As the landowner?  One of the servants?  What examples can you give from your life experience to support your answer?
  • What does it mean for God to give you great responsibility?  Share an example of someone who has embraced the responsibility.  Share an example of someone who fears the responsibility.

General Questions for Journaling

  • When men and women look for someone to marry, what qualities do they look for?  Are they different for each individual person?  Are they different for men and women?  Explain.
  • Is there a recipe for a healthy marriage?  If so, has the recipe changed over the years or has it remained the same?  Explain.
  • What does it look like to ‘fear the Lord’?  How is it a gift of the Holy Spirit?
  • List ways a person can show ‘fear of the Lord’ and ‘wonder and awe’ of God.  How can you weave these into your daily routine?
  • What are some of the things in life which give false hope or false security?  Are they easy or difficult to identify?  Explain.
  • Are you fearful God will come before you are ready?  What will make you ready?  Do you think you will ever be ready?
  • How does God’s goodness take you by surprise?  Share a specific experience when God took you by surprise.
  • Describe the behaviors which indicate a person lives in the light VS one who lives in darkness.  What about someone who lives in the shadows?  Is the shadow light or dark?
  • Do you think you have talents which are buried?  If yes, what keeps you from digging them up?  If no, are you using the talents you have to their full potential?
  • What are some reasons a person might burry their talents?  Do you identify with any of them?  Why or why not?
  • Do you have talents you no longer use?  Do you think you can run out of talents?  Do you think there are talents that lose their usefulness?
  • Where have you scattered seeds of faith?  Who gave the seeds to you?
  • Identify a time in your life when it was necessary to take a risk.  What was the outcome?  Did you grow in faith because of the risk?  Did you grow in confidence?  Did you grow in love?  Did you grow trust?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When the love you have for me is questioned…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with all my heart!

Leader:  When the threat of bad weather is on the horizon…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with all my senses!

Leader:  When my what I believe to be truth is challenged…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with my entire mind!

Leader:  When stress and anxiety try to consume me…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with my whole body!

Leader:  When temptation draws near…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with all of my will!

Leader:  When you wrap me in grace and mercy…

ALL:  Lord, I am listening with all of my soul!

Challenge for the Week:  Take a step back and look at life, anyone’s life.  Each life begins with birth and ends with death.  Lisa Nichols an inspirational speaker, life coach and author says she wants to be remembered for the DASH.  You know when you look at a tombstone, you see the year the person was born and the year they died, but their life was lived within the DASH.  Reflect this week on what you want your DASH to say about the life you have lived.  Then evaluate if you are living that life.  Don’t wait until it’s too late the make the changes you wish to make or to forgive or seek forgiveness.  God only knows the numbers on either side of your DASH.

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 11th Readings

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Generous Lord,

I have received an invitation to a glorious banquet,

May grow to understand the value of this honor,

and reflect my gratitude through my words and actions.

It is you who wraps me in love, adorns me with grace,

and washes away all my sin; making me worthy.

All are welcome to the banquet of the Lord!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 25 :6-10a

  • How does the idea of a banquet translate into how God calls you to live out your daily life? How is your daily life lived out as a banquet?
  • What is the veil Isaiah speaks of in this scripture? What is it that veils you from seeing God clearly?
  • Does this scripture help you understand about the veil which separates people from God in times of sorrow, pain and loss? Does it reassure you or scare you? Explain.

Philippians 4:12-14,19-20

  • God gives without measure. Can you say you give without measure? When you give, do you do it with expectation or out of obligation?
  • What reassurance do you have that God will supply you with all you need?
  • What is the secret of living in abundance with nothing? Does St Paul give you any indications how he does it? What suggestions would you give?

Matthew 22:1-4

  • Where do you find the parallels in this scripture and the kingdom of God?
  • How does this scripture change your perspective, knowing you are invited to attend the banquet? What can you do to get ready for the banquet?
  • Imagine yourself as a guest at the banquet. How do you feel? How do you interact with the other guests?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How has God been a hero in your life? Share a time when God swooped in and saved the day, wiped away tears and all rejoiced.
  • Make a list of 20 things that are worth celebrating. What makes them worthy of celebration? Are they only important to you or to others as well?
  • Identify a struggle you face currently. Pray this scripture each day as you face the challenge; then write down your thoughts and feelings about this struggle each day.
  • Share examples of times when human strength is not enough; only God’s strength can persevere.
  • What feelings are associated with an invitation? How do you feel when you send out an invitation? How do you feel when you receive an invitation?
  • When have you ignored an invitation? What were your reasons for not accepting?
  • Are you open or closed to God’s invitation to join Him at the feast? 
  • What is impressive about a banquet feast? Are there different rules for a banquet feast than for a typical meal? What would you wear to a banquet feast? How would act? What would be the topics of conversation?
  • How do you invite others to the feast God has prepared? Share a specific example.
  • What would you serve if Jesus came to your house for a meal?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  You have prepared a feast for me;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader: You have set the table with fine linen;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have killed the fatted calf;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have the finest wine;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have invited all to the feast;

ALL:  I am humbled by your presence!

Leader:  You have called me to be your beloved;

ALL:   I am humbled by your presence!

Challenge for the Week:  Whatever season of life you are in, there is “fasting” and “feasting” involved.  For example, a newlywed couple might be in a “fasting” season of time spent with friends or family because they are “feasting” on the new married life relationship.  They are focused on building their lives together as one and adjusting to the give and take of joining two households together.  Through this season, there are “personal” things they give up such as their bottle cap or stuffed animal collection to make room for “their” things and in turn “feast” in the joy of new memories made together.  Reflect this week on the things you “fast from” and “feast on” during the season of life you are currently in.  What drives the things you fast or feast from?  Do you have some kind of control over the things you fast from?  Are the things you feast on helping to build the kingdom of God in your midst?  Where is Christ in your fasting and feasting?