2nd Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent are:

1. Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
2. Psalms 116: 15, 16-17, 18-19
3. Romans 8: 31b-34
4. Mark 9:2-10

• Making all things new
• Do you ever wonder how the relationship between Abraham and Isaac might have changed after their experience on Mt. Moriah?
• Think of a time when something, someone, somewhere was restored to you.  It might be regaining your health after an illness, getting a job after unemployment, restoring a relationship, ...
• How did that transform your attitude toward that restored blessing?
• What was the same?
• What do you wish that you had done differently? 

• Embracing death
• Death comes to us in many ways.  It might be having to give up on some cherished dream, letting a relationship grow beyond its present form, letting a loved one pursue a different path of life.
• What have been some death moments in your life?
• How did you grow through them?
• If you were giving advice to someone contemplating such a death moment, what would you tell them?

• My God my all
• It is perhaps a delicate distinction to say that God provides us all of our needs versus God is the answer to all of our needs.
• Do you think that God's answer is "wait, it's coming?"
• Or maybe "you just think that you need that, but I have something far better?"
• Or "you already have all that you need, just open your eyes?"
• All of the above?
• None of the above?
• Come on, it is just a multiple choice question ;-)

• It's all connected
• Our liturgical year reminds us of our salvation journey as the people of God, coming to a climax in the 7 readings of the Easter Vigil.
• Do you think that we need regular reminders of God's actions since the time of Jesus?
• How might we make those blessings more present to us?
• What about the wonderful things that God has done in our midst in just the past few decades, years, months, days?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What is God making new in my life today?
2. Where is death offering me an opportunity for growth?
3. Where is God answering prayer right now in my life?
4. Where is God answering prayer right now in my life?  (No, that's not just a cut/paste error, I meant that!)

Shalom!