5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 6: 1-2a, 3-8
2. Psalms 138: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
3. 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
4. Luke 5: 1-11

• Called, chosen, scared to death
• Isaiah must have felt very special to receive a call like this.  Unfortunately, he doubtless knew that historically, the prophets of God in Israel did not fare well.  No one invited them to the cool parties, kings and princes shunned them, and even the priests were not always very hospitable, depending on who the priest was serving.  Not a big career draw.
• How are you serving God?
• What happened to convince you that you had a calling to that ministry?
• Do you think that you might be called from that ministry into something else later in life?
• How might God call you into that next chapter in your service to Him?

• Looking for God
• When we think of miracles, we think of things that happen that are good, and which no other explanation is possible than God's divine intervention.  But God uses other people, seemingly random circumstances, even pain and tragedy as means by which He can bring us closer, if we let Him.
• Where have you seen God in your life today?
• How did you accept that offering from God?
• How did that change you?
• Were there times today when God reached out to you and you missed it, or were too busy, or just not interested?
• What will you do differently tomorrow?

• True humility
• The Jesuit perspective has a keen appreciation for humility and its benefits.  Only by being humble can we approach Jesus in His humility, walk with Him, draw closer to Him.  Truly humble people do not care about who gets the credit, how many people know who was the person behind the idea, or what anyone thinks of them.  They are, in a profound way, free.
• Where have you struggled with humility?
• If you can imagine yourself in that situation, being perfectly humble, what would have turned out differently?
• What frightens you about humility?
• Should that frighten you?

• Finding God in the unexpected
• Our God is not a stingy God.  He seems to delight in abundance.  Abundance that is surprising.
• How has God abundantly blessed you lately?
• Was that abundance expected, routine?
• How did that abundance change you?
• How could it change you even more, in the future?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Where is God calling me beyond my fear?
2. Where has God been touching my life today?  How often did I realize it?
3. Where can I overcome my fear and be more humble, more free?
4. How am I continuing to benefit from all that God has given/done for/done in me?

Shalom!