4th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter:

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

• Filled with joy
• The joy of the Gospel is not meant to be something that is exclusive to an elite few in God's service, but to all of us.  Trouble is, where do you find that joy?
• What is something that has given you joy in your walk with God that surprised you?
• How did you come to find joy in that person/ministry/work?
• What had to change within you before you were able to find that joy?
  

• God of all, even you, even me
• It seems as though there is a great deal of talk about inclusivity these days.  Makes you wonder how well that is aligned with the love of God for all of us, and just how we are to live in such all inclusive love.
• Who are some individuals, groups, peoples that you feel that you have little in common with?
• How are they different from you?
• How much do you think that matters in God's eyes?
• How can you cultivate the same view/attitude toward them that God has?
  

• Wiping away the tears
• Just making the pain go away might be what we think we want.  But is that really best?  Do we want to really forget all that contributed to that pain?  I still miss my father at unexpected times.  Do I want to stop missing him?  If not simple numbing of the pain, what do I really want instead?
• Think of a time of loss in your life.
• Do you think that you have been healed of that loss?
• What did that healing actually mean for you?
• Is it still going on?
• Do you think that this healing will ever be truly over?
• How much of that healing do you expect to take to heaven with you.
  

• I am known
• It is sometimes hard for us as humans to know why we respond/react the way that we do.  Sometimes it takes hard work to get to the root of why certain things affect us they way that they do.  Sometimes that process takes a really good friend.
• Has Jesus ever helped you to get to know yourself better?
• Have you ever thought to ask?
• Has He used other people in your life to help you discover yourself?
• How do you think that self-discovery could be better/deeper in the future?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to be more welcoming?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater openness to others?
• Where might God have joy unexpected waiting for me where I least expect it?
• Where might God be calling me to deeper awareness of my place in the world?
  

 

Shalom!