7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
2. Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
3. 1 Corinthians 15: 45-49
4. Luke 6: 27-38

• Timing is everything
• It is easy to become impatient when we finally get started on a new chapter in life, but sometimes it takes as much faith and discipline to wait as it does to move.
• When was the last time that some major change came along in your life?
• How did you pace yourself through that transition?
• Would things have gone just as well if you had hurried the process?
• Why?

• Finding mercy in giving it
• How would you define mercy?
• Have you ever been merciful to another?
• What made you decide to show that mercy to them?
• Did that experience humble you, make you feel better about yourself, better about the other person, ...?

• Next stop, resurrection
• How do you think that our memories of this life will be transformed in the next?
• If there is no pain in heaven, how will we retain all of the memories of this life?
• How is it that God heals those who suffer hardship?
• What role to the rest of us have in that healing process?

• To judge or not to judge
• All of us have to make judgments every day.  So when does judgment become a problem?
• Why do you suppose that it's important that we not judge others?
• Have you ever judged another?
• What caused you to make that judgement?
• How did that affect you?
• Did you ever change that judgement?
• Why or why not?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Do I trust God to bring His plans about in His timing?
2. Where is God calling me to show mercy?
3. Where can I be a healing presence?
4. Where can I help another be more fully who God made them to be?

Shalom!