13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. 1 Kings 19: 16b, 19-21
2. Psalms 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
3. Galatians 5: 1, 13-18
4. Luke 9: 51-62

1. Anointing
• Each of us has greatness within us, planted there by God.  What is your greatness, how would you name your anointing?
• What did you leave behind to pursue that destiny?
• What are some of the things that you've never been able to pursue, in order to be true to that destiny?
2. Life can be so over rated ...
• How would you define "the good life" in general?
• How would you define "the good life" for yourself?
• How does God contribute to achieving that "good life"?
3. Freedom from something, or freedom to something?
• What would you like to be free of?  Maybe it's worry about your future, freedom from the demands of a daily grind that threatens to obliterate your soul, maybe it's freedom from a relationship that has somehow gone toxic.
• What would you like to be free to, or for?  Maybe deep down in side you have always wanted to be a stage actor, but went into insurance because it paid better, or you secretly harbor a desire to teach philosophy at some small private university, but you can find no way out of the job that you now have because you put in so much to get there.  What sort of answer does freedom provide you?
• What makes you think that Jesus cares about those sorts of freedom?
4. Deciding once and for all
• Do you think that our decision to follow Jesus happens all at once or by degrees?
• When we make decisions to leave something behind, should we burn our bridges behind us?
• Do you think that it's possible to "stay right where you are" but transform it somehow, into a place where God can dwell where He could not previously?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I actively preparing the next generation to take up the ministries that I am performing today?
2. Do I know the next step in the path of life that God holds out before me?
3. Am I willing to pay the price for my freedom to be closer to God?
4. Am I willing to follow wherever Jesus goes?

Trust Walk

"Relax" he said, it's just a walk.
"But I cannot see anything." I said "all I have to go on is the sound of your voice."

"Trust me, trust the process, trust yourself."
"But where are we going?  Why are we going there?"

"Remember, the idea here is to practice trust.  That's really the destination."
"But you could just leave me here, and then what would I do?"

"Trust me, I'm not going to leave you until we're done."
"At least keep up a steady stream of chatter so that I know you're there."

"Not necessary.  If you don't hear from me, just keep going.  I'm here, always will be here for you."
"We've never done this before, not quite, how do I know I can trust you?"

"You just do.  Now, just be present to the moment and let the destination emerge in its own time."
"I don't feel comfortable with this at all.  And furthermore, I think you actually enjoy this."

"What if I do.  Does that make me a bad person?"
"Will I ever learn to let go of being comfortable?"

"I don't want to spoil the journey for you."

Shalom!