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"Therefore, stay awake! 1. What are some of the difficulties in staying alert to God in your everyday
life? 2. Share a time when you were caught unprepared. How do you see God being a
part of that experience? Second Sunday of Advent "'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'" 1. We all know people who seem to lead fruitful lives. Who are these people
in your life? In what ways have their lives affected you? 2. Think of those times when your life was a desert place. During those times
what did you hear? How did you respond? Third Sunday of Advent "Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?" 1. Describe an experience when you felt hemmed in by your small world. Relate
who or what helped to free you from this. 2. Relate an experience when it was easy for you to recognize God in a
person, situation or event, and another when it was difficult. Fourth Sunday of Advent "'She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save
his people from their sins.'" 1. Describe a time when you had to struggle to trust God in a difficult
situation. 2. When did you change a decision of yours after prayer and reflection? Feast of the Holy Family Dec 30, 2007 Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 "'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I
tell you.'" 1. Relate a time in your life when you experienced family unity in the face
of danger, difficulty or crisis. Why was there unity? 2. Describe an experience of God guiding you out of danger or difficulty. How
did God "speak" to you? Through a friend, family member, a stranger, your
feelings, prayer? Feast of Epiphany Jan 6, 2007 Matthew 2:1-12 "...Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is the newborn
king of the Jews?'" 1. What helps you stay focused on God's presence in everyday situations where
God is usually not mentioned? 2. From your experience, when have you come to appreciate people you used to
pass by or not notice? Baptism of the Lord Jan 13, 2007 Matthew 3: 13-17 "John said.... I should be baptized by you, yet you come to me!" 1. Give examples from your experience when you expected to be the receiver
but turned out to be the giver. 2. When in your life have you found some peace even in time of turmoil and
suffering? Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Jan 20, 2007 John 1:29-34 "'...I came baptizing with water he is the one who will baptize with the Holy
Spirit.'" 1. Share a time when God was working in your life, but you did not know it
until later. 2. When or how have you been slow to recognize God in a particular person? Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Jan 27, 2007 Matthew 4:12-23 "'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" 1. What did you let go of in your life in order to bring light and healing
into the life of another recently? 2. Describe your struggle when asked to do something that took you from
familiar surroundings or routine. Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time Feb 3, 2007 Matthew 5:1-12 "'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" 1. Which of the Beatitudes has the most impact on you as they are read? Why?
2. Who or what experience has helped you to value what money can't buy? First Sunday of Lent Feb 10, 2007 Matthew 4:1-11 "Not on bread alone do we live but on every utterance that comes from the
mouth of God." 1. This week, how will you deal with the people or things that might tempt
you to forget God's love and mercy in your life? 2. What words of the Lord have helped you to celebrate your life? Second Sunday of Lent Feb 17, 2007 Matthew 17:1-9 "Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, how good it is for us to be here!'" 1. Recall a dazzling moment when you experienced the marvel of Jesus in
others; within yourself. 2. In what ways do I take the time to appreciate the spectacle of God's
creation in nature? Third Sunday of Lent Feb 24, 2007 John 4: 4-42 "'Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I
give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life.'"
Like the person who reaches into a well to draw water to quench a thirst, we
have, each of us, at some time in our lives, needed to reach into our inner
selves to draw the strength to deal with a particular situation. 1. How were you able to do this? 2. What positive feeling came from knowing that you had this inner resource? Fourth Sunday of Lent Mar 2, 2007 John 9:1-41 "'While I am in the world I am the light of the world.'" 1. At this time in your life, in what ways have you seen the light of Jesus;
been afraid to see the light of Jesus; refused to see the light of Jesus? 2. What have you found helpful in dealing with people who belittle your
faith? Fifth Sunday of Lent Mar 9, 2007 John 11:1-45 When Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus said, "Untie him and let him go
free." 1. What are the areas in your life that keep you bound? In what ways do you
need to be freed in order to live more fully? 2. What death of a relationship, emotional scars, practical concerns or past
hurts now block your faith is Jesus? Passion Sunday Mar 16, 2007 Matthew 26:14--27:66 "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" Jesus suffered on many levels; physical, emotional, and spiritual. Recall a time of your own suffering. Has it made you bitter or better? Why? Easter Sunday Mar 23, 2007 John 20:1-9 "The Lord has been taken from the tomb! We don't know where they have put
Him!" 1. Where are you looking for the Lord? 2. Are you finding the Lord where you are looking? Second Sunday of Easter Mar 30, 2007 John 20:19-31 Christ risen from the dead is among us and says to us, "Blessed are you
who have not seen and have believed." 1. Share an experience when you heard news that was too good to be believed.
2. What steps have you taken to deepen your belief in Jesus? Third Sunday of Easter April 7, 2007 Luke 24:13-35 Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Just as the disciples did not recognize Christ until their hearts were opened
to His presence, we also fail to recognize Christ in one another on our faith
journey. 1. Take this time to call to mind someone who has comforted you, laughed with
you, and listened to you along your journey, a person who has helped you to
realize your specialness. Know that Christ has revealed Himself through this
person. 2. Take the time to tell this person how they have helped you. Fourth Sunday of Easter April 13, 2007 John 10:1-10 "The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice as he calls his own by name and leads
them out," 1. Recall a time when you became aware of God’s voice and responded. 2. How do you recognize the shepherd’s voice from among the many others that
vie for your attention? Fifth Sunday of Easter April 20, 2007 John 14:1-12 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." 1. If Jesus is the way, do you feel you are on a bumpy dead-end street or a
four-lane highway? 2. In troubled times what promises of God give you hope and courage? Sixth Sunday of Easter April 27, 2007 John 14: 15-21 "The one who obeys the commandments he has from me is the one who loves me," 1. What is the difference in your life between obedience out of obligation
and obedience motivated by love? 2. When have you experienced the disciplines of daily family life: caring for
others’ needs, rides, meals, being available to listen, as obeying Jesus’
commands? Ascension Sunday May 4, 2007 Matthew 28: 16-20 "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations..... And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!" 1. What does being a disciple mean to you? In what ways are you living as a
disciple? 2. Who has been a disciple to you in your life? Pentecost Sunday May 11, 2007 John 20: 19-23 "Receive the Holy Spirit." 1. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to you through your Baptism.
How will you use your gift to draw others to God this day, this week at home,
work, school? 2. On the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came as a powerful wind and blew
away the disciples’ fears. On this Pentecost what fear of yours may be turned
over to the power of the Holy Spirit and transformed into positive action? The Holy Trinity May 18, 2007 John 3:16-18 "Yes, God so loved the world..." Trinity Sunday praises God the Father for creating us, thanks God the Son for
redeeming us, and honors God the Holy Spirit for living within us. We are
co-sharers in God’s creation, redemption, and inspiration. 1. Recall the times when you created a new attitude towards an old problem,
saved someone or something from disaster, or encouraged a "loser" to try again. 2. Walk on the beach or in the neighborhood and give praise and thanks for
the wonders of God’s creation ever-present around you. The Body and Blood of Christ May 25, 2007 John 6:51-58 "Those who feed on my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them." The Eucharist is a symbol and sacrament of unity, Eucharist makes us one with
one another and one with Christ. 1. Tell a story of a community or a family meal where you felt togetherness
and acceptance. How does your experience compare/contrast to your understanding
of and belief in the Eucharist? 2. What has the celebration of Eucharist meant to you in the various phases
of your life? Jun 1 SUN: NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dt 11: 18. 26-28. 32/ Ps 31: 2-3. 3-4. 17. 25 (3b)/ Rom 3: 21-25. 28/ Mt 7:
21- 27 coming soon Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time June 8, 2007 Matthew 9: 9-13 "Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘It is mercy I desire and not
sacrifice"’ 1. How have you let the law, not the love, become a priority in your
spiritual life? 2. Relate a time when you helped others to see God’s love in their lives
regardless of how sinful they were. Relate a time when you realized that a past
event was part of the growing process necessary in getting to know God better. Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time June 15, 2007 Matthew 9:36-10:8 "Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean
spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness" 1. Speak of a time when it became clear to you that you could make a
difference to another. How did you do it? 2. When did you feel overwhelmed by life’s demands and didn’t know where to
seek help? Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time June 22, 2007 Matthew 10:26-33 "Whoever acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Father in
heaven. Whoever disowns me before others I will disown before my Father in
heaven," 1. Christ lives in each of us. In what ways are you a living example of
Christ to those who touch your life? 2. Think back to a time when you remained silent in a group discussing
religion. What kept you from expressing your feelings and your faith? Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul, Apostles June 29, 2007 Matthew 16: 13-19 "And you, who do you say that I am?" 1. Who is Jesus for you? 2. Share a time when you felt the presence of Jesus in the real events of
daily life. Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 6, 2007 Matthew 11:25-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will
refresh you." We are a people of God and through us Jesus does His work. 1. In what ways have you used the opportunities God has given to you to do
His work by ministering to your brothers and sisters? 2. How have you found peace and rest, knowing Christ walks with you? Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 13, 2007 Matthew 13:1-23 "But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word
and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a
hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty." 1. What worries have potential to choke your growth in Christ? How an you
free your life from these "thorns"? 2. What "crop" does Jesus want believers to yield? What can you do to
increase your "crop productivity"? Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 20, 2007 Matthew 13:24-43 "The reign of God may be likened to one who sowed good seed... The reign of
God is like a mustard seed... The reign of God is like yeast..." 1. Jesus named himself as the farmer who carefully protected the seedlings
from being pulled up with the weeds. In this we see the good, forgiving, patient
God who is always ready to grant another chance. How do you model the farmer to
the people in your life? 2. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and yeast, both of which
start out very small, grow wildly, and eventually make an impact on their
environment. This is very similar to our own growth. In what ways are you yeast
to your family, friends, the kingdom of God? Seventeenth Sunday Ordinary Time July 27,2007 Matthew 13:44-52 "When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale
all that he had and bought it." 1. Recall a time when you found something very valuable. How did the "find"
affect you? 2. What are the pearls in your life and what are you willing to sacrifice in
treasuring them? Eighteenth Sunday Ordinary Time August 3, 2007 Matthew 14:13-21 "All those present ate their fill." 1. Recall a time when you were ready to sit down and relax, and unexpected
company arrived. How did you feel as you began the task of feeding and
entertaining them? In what ways do you feel you nourished them? 2. In today’s Gospel Jesus meets in the crowd their need for healing. He
touches their emptiness. What emptiness in you will you ask Jesus to touch and
to heal? Nineteenth Sunday Ordinary Time August 10, 2007 Matthew 14:22-33 "Jesus hastened to reassure them; "Get hold of yourselves! It is I." 1. Reflect on the times the Lord has invited you "out of the boat." Did you
focus on Jesus or did you depend solely on yourself? What happened? 2. Can you list some of the things that you fear may take you away from
Jesus? Now can you bring these fears and put them into the Lord’s hands? Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time August 17, 2007 Matthew 15:21-28 "The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made
whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God
of Israel." 1. Who are the people who don’t get your attention and often aren’t included? 2. Relate an experience when your persistence had positive results in a way
you did not expect. Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 24. 2007 John 6:60-69 "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." 1. Describe a struggle you had which led to a deeper faith. 2. Describe an experience when you have taken a risk without fully
understanding the outcome. What effect did it have on your life? Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time August 31. 2007 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,21-23 "There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the
things that come out are what defile. Let anyone with ears to hear listen." 1. Name an experience when "the way we (your church, society, your small
church community, your personal life) do things" got in the way of what's really
important. 2. Relate a time when you judged a person unacceptable because of externals. Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 7, 2007 Mark 7:31-37 "Be opened!" 1. Describe a situation in your life when a gentle touch brought peace. 2. What do you need in order to hear life better? Triumph of the Holy Cross September 14, 2007 John 3:13-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..." 1. The cross is a symbol of God's love for us. Where in your life do you see
that love. 2. We all have our cross to bear. Share a time when good came from your
burden. Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 21, 2007 Mark 9: 30-37 "Whoever wants to be first, must be last of all and servant of all." 1. Why is it difficult or you to be last of all? Why is it worth it? 2. Relate a situation when you were tempted to try to control another's life
or situation. Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 28, 2007 Mark 9: 38-43,47-48 "Anyone who is not against us is with us." 1. Describe an experience in which a person was misjudged because he or she
was not "one of us." 2. Relate an experience when God's power or love came to you through an
unlikely person. Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time October 5, 2007 Mark 10: 2-16 At the beginning of creation God made them male and female; for this reason a
man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become as one." 1. How has a married couple contributed to your life? 2. How have you helped heal the hurt of someone who has divorced? Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 12, 2007 Mark 10: 17-30 "For mortals it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are
possible." 1. When have you abandoned something or someone you valued in order to better
follow the gospel? 2. What would you let go of right now to increase your trust in God? Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 19, 2007 Mark 10: 35-45 "The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve--to give his life in
ransom for the many." 1. Speak of a time when you took the rap for someone else or when someone
took the rap for you." 2. Describe an experience when you were required to do something you didn't
want to do? Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 26, 2007 Mark 10: 46-52 "Your faith has healed you." 1. What do you need to see in order to follow God better in your life? 2. When have you acted on blind faith? Solemnity of All Souls November 2, 2007 John 6:37-40 "...Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and
I shall raise him on the last day." 1. Recall one personal experience that reinforced your belief in life after
death. 2. Confronting death helps one to live life fully. How true a statement is
this in your experience? Dedication of the Lateran Basilica November 9, 2007 John 2:13-22 The observance of this feast is a token of our local church’s communion with
the church of Rome and with all the other churches that hold fast to similar
bonds of communion. 1. Speak of an experience when you felt deeply connected to the world-wide
church. 2. Say something about some experiences of the church you may have had in
other parts of the world. 3. We live in a broken world. How are you a healing presence to the body of
Christ? Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2007 Mark 13: 24-32 "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not." 1. In tough times; what keeps you going? 2. If the world were ending tomorrow, how would you experience today
differently? What would you do differently today? Christ The King November 23, 2007 John 18:33-37 "The reason I was born, the reason why I came into the world, is to testify
to the truth. Anyone committed to the truth hears my voice." 1. How have you recently experienced the conflict between the values of the
kingdom and the values that modern society preaches? 2. Jesus testified to the truth. When have you been challenged to do the
same? Christ The King November 23, 2007 John 18:33-37 Matthew 25: 31-46 ‘The king will answer them, "I assure you, as often as you did it for one of
my least brothers and sisters, you did it for me."’ 1. In your family, workplace, neighborhood, which relationship needs your
hospitality and generosity? How will you provide it? 2. Why is it that the "least" of our brothers and sisters are treated as
invisible by so many? What action can I take to change this injustice? ***THIS WEEK, TAKE TIME TO RE-ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THE SPIRITUAL AND
CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY*** The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: to convert sinners, instruct the
ignorant, counsel the wayward, comfort the sorrowing, bear adversities
patiently, forgive offenses, and pray for the living and the dead. The Corporal Works of Mercy are: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the
homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison, and bury the dead. CYCLE B First Sunday of Advent November 30, 2008 Mark 13:33-37 "Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!" 1. What in my life can I change, or do, to become a healthier, freer person? 2. Who or what in my life requires forgiveness? How might I turn this situation around? Think for a while, pray for guidance, make a concrete resolution, act on it. Enjoy the coming of the Lord. Second Sunday of Advent December 7, 2008 Mark 1:1-8 "Thus it was that John the Baptizer appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins." 1. Who are the John the Baptists in your life? 2. How have they led you to Jesus? Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2008 John 1:6-8, 19-28 "I am a voice in the desert, crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord!" 1. John the Baptizer prepared the world for the coming of Jesus. How can you prepare for your meeting with Jesus? 2. In a world full of so many distractions, how will you make time to visit with Jesus? Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21, 2008 Luke 1: 26-38 "The angel answered Mary: ‘...nothing is impossible with God.’ Mary said, ‘...Let it be done to me as you say.’" 1. When was the last time that God surprised you? 2. How were you able to trust God enough to let the Lord’s surprising plan unfold? Feast of The Holy Family December 28, 2008 Luke 2: 22-40 "When Mary and Joseph had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth. The child grew in size and strength, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." 1. What in your own family nurtures growth and wisdom? 2. When has there been a time in your life when Jesus’ message brought either turmoil or joy?
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Ordinary People
Connecting Life & Faith on a Regular Basis
