Sunday Mass Reflections:  September 18th

1st Reading:

What are some ways of seeking God?  Have you ever felt that you found God, even for a minute?  Take a moment now to let yourself experience the fact that God also seeks and finds you. God is generous and forgiving.  What might God say to you?

2nd Reading:

If you were in prison for your faith and didn't know if your sentence would be life or death, how would you pray?  How did Paul think about it when faced with this situation?  What do you think it means to conduct yourself in a way worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Gospel:

Have you ever thought, " That's not fair?"  How did thinking like that make you feel?  Did you ever consider that maybe your thinking was wrong rather than the other person's actions?  We have been told that God's ways are not our ways.  What does that mean in this parable?

***Question of the Week***:

When have you been a witness to God's generosity?

Sunday Mass Reflections: September 25th

1st Reading:

Have you ever heard someone say, " Why did God do this?"  What does the reading from Ezekiel tell us that God might answer?  What choice do we have?  Will you look at your life to see what God is asking of you?

2nd Reading:

Paul writes that the Philippians can make his joy complete.  How?  He says they have given him encouragement. How?  What virtues does he mention that could make our attitudes more Christ-like?  Why encourages you?  How?

Gospel:

Have you ever said, "yes" to someone and then not done what you agreed to do?  Did you ever say "no" to someone who asked you (like a parent or teacher) but then regretted it and changed your mind?  Jesus is making it clear that sinners who repent are entering the kingdom before the priests and elders who did not repent and believe.  What do you think of this?

*** Question of the Week***:

How does your parish respond to the Lord's call to work in his vineyard?  What care does the vineyard need today?

Sunday Mass Reflections:  October 2nd

1st Reading:

Does it sound as if Isaiah wrote this message for our times?  What are some things this song describes as part of the work of cultivating a vineyard?  When God is disappointed after the wild grapes appear, how does this parable describe the ruin of the vineyard?  Why might God be disappointed with ancient Israel, or with the Church, or with the human community, or with people your age?

2nd Reading:

What are some things that we worry about or are anxious about?  What does St. Paul say we should do  instead of worrying?  When we worry, why would it be good to think and pray about what we are thankful for?  What are some of those things we are thankful for?

Gospel:

Can you find the scripture that Jesus quotes while telling this parable?  Name the people and things that were rejected in this parable.

When Jesus was telling the story of what happened to the prophets and to the son, how do you think he must have felt?  Are we rejecting any of God's messengers, or in any way rejecting Jesus?  How can we accept Jesus and his messengers in our lives?  What prayers can help us offer the harvest of our lives and work to God?

***Question of the Week***:

What fruits of faith do you see in the world today?

Sunday Mass Reflections:  October 9th

1st Reading:

Have you ever been to a party where some special event was being celebrated?  How is it different from an ordinary daily meal?  In the first reading, why does Isaiah use the feast to tell us about what God has prepared for us in his kingdom?  How can we prepare to participate in this heavenly feast?  What are some other things said here about the kingdom?  What does it mean that God will wipe away all tears?

2nd Reading:

What are some of the reasons we find it so hard to be satisfied when we have less than we'd like to have?  Do you find yourself "wanting " things that you don't really need?  What might some of these things be?  What makes you want things you don't really need?  What is St. Paul's attitude about having or not having?  How will you try to grow "rich" in Christ?  

Gospel:

Do we recognize that God has an invitation for us every day?  How can we receive and accept it?  Have you ever thought that other things were more important, or that you were too busy to accept God's invitation to Eucharist, sacraments, prayer, or doing something pleasing to God and helpful to others?

Question of the Week:

Pray for married couples.  How does you parish support them?  How do you?

Sunday Mass Reflections:  October 16th

1st Reading:

God  speaks to Cyrus.  Find three lines in the reading from Isaiah that indicate God's good relationship with Cyrus.  What does it mean to say God opens doors for Cyrus?  What doors had God opened for people you know?  What doors might God be opening for you?  How will you answer as God calls your name?

2nd Reading:

St. Paul thanks God for the people he is writing to and remembers them in his prayers.  What is he remembering about these people that makes him grateful?  What are the three most important virtues that he mentions here?

Gospel:

Jesus' enemies want to trap him and they start the conversation by saying nice things.  What do they say?  What is the trick question they finally ask?  how does Jesus answer?  What would you say that in your life belongs to Caesar?  What belongs to God?  Can you think of any issues in our country where the ideas of the government might be a problem to one who is trying to live for God?

Question of the Week:

How does your faith influence your citizenship?