Our readings for the 23nd Sunday of Ordinary Time are:
- Isaiah 35: 4-7a
- Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
- James 2: 1-5
- Mark 7: 31-37
- Open my eyes Lord
- True meaning probably needs to be searched for. A Far Side cartoon that I like shows two fishermen in a boat. Mushroom clouds are rising in the background. One of them says to the other "I'll tell you what it means Norm: no size limitations and screw the limit!" The speaker was not wrong, but I would argue that he missed some more important meaning.
- Think of an event or occurrence in your life that had a profound impact on you.
- How did that occurrence come to make such a change in your life? How did you process that occurrence?
- How did you decide how to respond to that occurrence?
- Do you think that you might get more out of life if you put that much time and thought into all of your responses?
- How would you create the space in your day for that sort of reflection?
- Who/what do you praise?
- Most of us find things to be grateful for. Some of us even find individual people or things worthy of praise to the extent that we express that praise to ourselves or even others.
- What are the sorts of things that you praise? Are they rather mundane, like the quality of your neighbor's lawn, or are they sublime, like the very gift of life that God grants us?
- Do you think that our choice of the things that we praise could change us?
- Do you think that the people whom we share that praise with could change us?
- What would you rather be praising?
- Whom would you rather share that praise with you?
- Getting past the obvious
- In his later years, my grandfather could not be bothered much with personal hygiene. He felt such concerns were for people who didn't have more important things to do. Yet Sunday after Sunday, Dad would go pick grandpa up, bring him to church, and by doing so, make everyone around them feel uncomfortable. Dad definitely had the courage of his convictions.
- We all have people in our lives who make us uncomfortable. Who are some of yours?
- Why is it that they make you uncomfortable? Is it because they are different, needy, outspoken about unpopular views, have some physical disability, ...?
- What do you think that person needs most from you? Certainly not indifference or pity.
- What prevents you from meeting that need?
- What can you, need you, do about that part of you?
- Speaking plainly
- Speaking can be transformative. Sharing our heart with another is more than just helping them to understand where we are at the moment. Sharing from our depths invites that other to companion us on our journey, to help us see our existence in a broader context, to help us see and celebrate our story as part of the great story of Jesus Himself.
- Have you ever had anything that impeded your sharing of yourself with others? Perhaps it was fear of how you would be received, inability to put into words what you wanted to convey, an absence of anyone that you felt close to, grief over a loss, ...?
- How did you become aware of that impediment?
- How did you eventually resolve it?
- How do you think that you might invite others to resolve any speech impediments that they might have?
- Preparation for Reconciliation
- Where do I make time for reflection in my life?
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Do I truly appreciate God's hand in my life?
- Where is God calling me beyond my fears?
- Where is God calling me to speak clearly and boldly?
Open my Ears Lord
Lord, give me ears to listen, and the time for silence.
Teach me to ponder, rather than react, to what I hear.
Teach me to heed the still, small, voice of your Spirit.
That I might find peace in the midst of the rest of the voices.
That I might feel your gentle nudging at the edge of my attention -
When you call me to greater kindness, deeper empathy -
More intention toward my fellow journeyers on this path.
That I may truly walk your way in gentleness and healing.
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