23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 23nd Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 35: 4-7a
2. Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9, 9-10
3. James 2: 1-5
4. Mark 7: 31-37

• Abundance in unexpected places
• How has God been abundant beyond reason in your life?  Given you more than you ever would have asked for, ever expected?
• How would you define "more" in your life?  How do you quantify that?
• Why do you think that God is so abundant?
• Is that abundance always easily visible?
• Why is that?

• God has a thing for the weak
• Who are the oppressed in our midst these days?
• What do you think that God desires for them?
• How do you think that God will make that happen?
• What is our role in bringing His kingdom? 

• The source of all generosity
• What would you consider to be the true riches of our faith?
• Is it the concepts, the beliefs that we hold?
• The sacred art and sacred music that has been inspired through the ages?
• The incredible generosity that has poured out from God's people to those in need?
• ...?
• Given that, how ought we to treat those riches?

• Astonishment
• Richard Rohr draws a distinction between astonishment that seems to be the stock response in Mark's Gospel, versus pondering, that is the response that Mary seems to have throughout the Gospel.  Astonishment is a knee-jerk reaction to what God/Jesus does, pondering is a meditation on those same actions.
• Do you think that Mary ever completely "figured it out"?
• Have you ever tried to "ponder" some event, some gift in your life to find its meaning?
• How did you know that you were done in that process?
• Does that pondering actually have to arrive at a conclusion?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What are my expectations of God in prayer lately?  How much do I trust Him for?
2. How am I bringing about God's kingdom this week?
3. What am I doing to add to God's riches?
4. What is God calling me to ponder this week?

Shalom!