3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for this 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Jonah 3:1-5, 10
2. Psalms 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
4. Mark 1: 14-20

1. Speaking out
• How would you define prophecy in general?
• Would you go to a prophet for stock tips?
• How many prophets does a people need at any one time?
• Can you see where prophets could get a bit annoying?
2. Guiding the humble
• How would you define humility?
• As virtues go, does this one seem at all useful?
• What can we learn from Jesus in this regard?
3. On standby
• Do you think that these times that we are in are more urgent from God's perspective than any other age?
• How do we keep that sense of urgency, that "edge" day in and day out, month after month, year after year?
• How do you keep from getting too attached to things of this world?
• How do you tell if you are too attached?
4. A net change
• How do you think that God calls us today?
• Do you think that God had anything to do with your choice of job, spouse, where you live?
• Do you think that it's possible to miss the opportunity to follow God for individual calls that He makes in our lives?
• How do we get better at listening to Him?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How serious would an injustice have to be before I would speak up?  Whom would it have to affect?
2. Have I thanked God for what He has done in my life?
3. What in my life would I be unable to give up for Jesus, were He to ask me?
4. How is God calling me today?

Freedom

Jesus left His peace with us.

If I could just find where He left it, I'd feel a lot better.

Each week brings fresh demands

Getting to sleep at night is all about setting things aside until later.

That elusive quality of life

Comes only to those who are focused and aligned.

Focus on what matters,

Let the rest recede in attention for awhile.

And when you discover that center,

Don't let it out of your sight, but rather savor that pivot,

And there you will find peace,

That passes all understanding.

Shalom all!