30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Jeremiah 31: 7-9
   
2. Psalms 126: 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
   
3. Hebrews 5: 1-6
   
4. Mark 10: 46-52
   

• Does God want to heal everyone?
  
• Faith healers are quite the staple in Protestant circles.  Over time some of the big name healers have had quite the following.  But sometimes I wonder.
• Do you think that there can ever be good come of suffering?
• We never hear of Jesus turning anyone down who asked Him for a healing.  Do you think that might ever have happened?
• How have you suffered in your life?
• How has that changed you?
• Are you grateful?
  

• Finding time to rejoice
  
•  Being thankful is hard.  It takes time and attention.  Especially when you don't think that you have anything to be thankful for, or anyone to be thankful to.
• How do you express your thanks to God for His blessings?
• Does that thanksgiving meet any needs on your part?
• Do you think that thanksgiving meets any needs on God's part?
• How could you be more thankful?
  

• Dealing gently
  
• It seems to me that as we get older, and sometimes wiser, that we learn how to show mercy with humility.  Things that seemed so very black and white to us when we were young now are full of subtle nuances, and we see more than one side to conflicts.
• Who is someone in your life that you strive to show mercy to?
• What is it about them that makes mercy hard?
• Is it getting any better, any easier?
• Why do you think that is?
  

• What do you want me to do for you?
  
• Sometimes, the best thing that comes to us in prayer is not an "answer" to our prayer, but a better prayer - that is a better perspective, a clearer sight of what God is calling us into, a new priority in our lives.
• Think of something that you have prayed for that you were very passionate about.
• In the course of your prayer, did what you pray for change along the way?
• Why do you think that was?
• How did you change in the course of that prayer experience?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where is God calling me to appreciate my trials?
• Where might God be calling me to deeper gratitude?
  
• Where do I need to show mercy today?
  
• Where might God be calling me to greater trust?

Shalom!