Sunday, August 14, 2016

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time are:
  1. Isaiah 66: 18-21
  2. Psalms 117: 1, 2
  3. Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13
  4. Luke 13: 22-30
  • Unexpected brotherhood
    • More and more we are learning to appreciate and value diversity along different dimensions: ethnic, gender, cultural, and even religious.  Do you think that God meant for us as a race, a people, to be so diverse, or do you think that a Godly unity is built upon all of us sharing the same point of view?
    • Do you think that God expresses Himself differently to different people?
    • Why do you suppose that is?
    • What does it say about how we try to show God's glory to others?
  • Our place in history
    • God's faithfulness spans generations, continents, epochs.  Have you ever reviewed family history and looked for signs of God's hand in past generations, previous places?
    • What do you think that you would find?
    • Who is the historian in your family?
    • Do they ever draw lessons from the family history, try to apply them to the present, invite the present generation to a deeper sense of identity as part of a long and enduring relationship with God?
  • Seeking transformation
    • There is a great deal of attention being paid to the question of the distinction between discipline and abuse.  How would you define each of those terms in the context of a family?
    • How would you define discipline vs. abuse in a Church setting?
    • Does God ever get angry?
    • Does that anger ever lead to abuse?
    • Why not?
    • What can we learn from that?
  • You never know who you'll run into in heaven
    • How would you define hospitality?
    • Where is hospitality appropriate?  Is there a hospitality dimension at home, work, school,church?
    • How are those ministries of hospitality related?
    • How can we be more hospitable?
Preparation for Reconciliation:
  1. Am I willing to reach beyond my comfort zone to show God to another?
  2. How do I celebrate God's mercy in my life?
  3. Am I disciplining myself to God's service?
  4. Can I trust God to touch the heart of even those whom I don't like?
Shalom!

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