19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. 1 Kings 19: 4-8
2. Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. Ephesians 4: 30-5:2
4. John 6: 41-51

• Food for the journey
• We don't see whether God told Elijah what he would find there at Horeb, God just equipped him and sent him.
• What are some of the things that you participate in regularly that nourish and equip you?
• Where do you feel that God is sending you lately?
• What do you expect to find when you "arrive" there?

• We have nothing to fear but fear itself
• What are some of the things that you fear in particular.  When you make this list, be as specific as you can.  Don't just say "I worry about my family".  Rather, something specific such as "I fear that my son is making career choices that he will regret later."
• Where is God in that circumstance?
• What do you expect God to do?
• What would you like for God to do?
• If there is a difference between those two, why is that?
• If you see no difference between those two, why is that?

• It's hard being vulnerable
• What really happens to the other person when you forgive them?
• What happens to you?
• Do you feel that forgiving others makes you more vulnerable?
• How can the person that you forgive take advantage of that forgiveness?
• How can the person that you forgive take advantage of you?

• One bread or another
• The sacraments are described as doorways to the sacred, a means for us to touch that which is holy and sublime, even while we are here in the physical world.
• Why do you think that Jesus fed the people those barley loaves first, then preached to them this bread of life discourse?
• When our parishioners are going hungry physically, is our Eucharistic celebration complete and authentic?
• How can we more fully be bread for the poor, no matter what makes them poor?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I willing to turn my back on what is comfortable and familiar in favor of a fuller life?
2. What will it take for me to give up a fear (pick one) to God?
3. Who do I need to forgive, in order for me to achieve wholeness?
4. How can I be more deeply generous in my life?

Shalom!