Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

Editor's note: To help small faith-sharing groups, couples, individuals and others continue the Renew 2000 experience of praying with the Sunday Scriptures, a Diocesan Faith Sharing Writing Team has prepared a weekly series for Lent using the Renew model. The series is being distributed to parish leaders and will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.

	March 16, 2003, Second Sunday of Lent Reading I: Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18 Reading II: Romans 8:31-34 Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

By Sr. Diane Baumann, ANG

Focus: This is my beloved Son; listen to him.

Opening Prayer

Leader: Loving God, you call us by name. And each of us responds:

All: Here I am, Lord.

Leader: Help us to be a reflection of your light and love.

All: Here I am, Lord.

Scripture Sharing: Read the scriptures aloud. Pause for a moment between the readings. Each group member is invited to share a line from one of the readings that had an impact on him or her.

Lent
• Lent-related articles  • 2003 Lenten Wish List  • Lenten rules (2/28 issue)

Reflection: Abraham, our father in faith, was tested to offer his son in a bold and extreme way. God stepped in and replaced the son-sacrifice with a ram, honoring Abraham for his great faith. In the Gospel, the account of the Transfiguration shows Jesus bursting forth in glory and then challenging the disciples to keep the wonder-filled experiences secret until after the resurrection.

Faith Sharing

1. When have you felt God putting you to the test?

2. When tested, have you ever experienced God saving you at the last moment in a surprising way?

3. Describe a time when you felt the wonder of God in a way that amazed you.

4. The Gospel shows that Jesus does not replace the Law and the Prophets; he fulfills them. How do you interpret this statement?

Action Response: How do you live stewardship as your way of life?

1. Make a phone call or send an e-mail or note to someone you know who feels tested at this time

2. Be alert for experiences of the wonder of God around you. (John Garvey, in America magazine, defines spirituality as: "just stay awake.")

3. To remind yourself that God calls us by name, use the names of your family members, friends, and co-workers in a reverent way all week.

Closing Prayer (Individuals offer their intentions to bring to prayer.)

During the Transfiguration, a voice came from the cloud: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." In your Son, loving God, we also are beloved. We hear you say to each of us, "This is my beloved son. This is my beloved daughter." May we live as those you love all throughout this Lenten season. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Sr. Baumann, is the director of Religious Education at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Neenah, and a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2003.)