4th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter are:

1. Acts 13: 14, 43-52
   
2. Psalms 100: 1-2, 3, 5
   
3. Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17
   
4. John 10: 27-30
   

• What success looks like
  
• We all want to be successful at what we do.  If we are not at least somewhat successful, we begin to wonder whether we are in the right place at the right time after all.  Without success to encourage us to move forward, we wonder whether we are wasting our time.
• Do you consider yourself successful?
• Think of a few examples where you have been a success at something.  Maybe it's a project at work, or raising your children, or your marriage.
• How do you know what you were successful at those things?
• Who told you what made for a success in that endeavor?
• Do you think that it is possible to fail if you are right where God wants you?
• How do you think God defines success?
  

• Faith of generations
  
• Wealthy families with old money pass vast fortunes from one generation to the next, hoping that this money will give the next generation the start that it needs to provide for the generation to follow, and so forth.  Our God calls upon us to believe that He is the ultimate source of security for those coming after us.
• What do you think is the most precious aspect of your faith that you would want to hand on to your descendants, either your literal children or those who look up to you?
• What are you doing to pass that along?
• What do you think are your chances of success at that?
• Do you have any regrets about passing along that legacy?
  

• Keeping on
  
• Why are you a Catholic?  What keeps you going?  Is it gratitude, fear, hope, joy, love, ...?
• Do you think that you have what it takes to stay close to God, no matter what might come your way?
• Why do you think that?
• How has God strengthened you when you needed it most in the past?
• If you had known that those trials were coming, how might you have prepared better?
• How might you prepare better now?
  

• The voice of God
  
• What is your process for making decisions?
• When does God come into that practice?
• When should God come into that practice?
• Have you gotten better at discerning God's well?
• Why or why not?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation

1. Where is God succeeding in me despite my expectations?
2. What am I passing along to those who will come after me?
3. Where is God trying to strengthen me?
4. Where is God inviting me to step outside of my comfort zone?

Shalom and a blessed Easter to you!