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 23, 2003, Third Sunday of Lent Reading I: Exodus 20:1-17 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 Gospel: John 2:13-25

By Jake Jankowski

Focus: Respect for God, creation, Church and teachings

Opening Prayer (from Psalm 1)
Leader: May God have mercy on us and bless us. May he let his face shine upon us.
All: O God, let all the nations praise you.
Leader: May the people praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
All: O God, let all the nations praise you.

Scripture Sharing: What thought, line or image from the Scripture readings caught your attention?

Lent
• Lent-related articles  • 2003 Lenten Wish List (3/7 issue)  • Lenten rules (2/28 issue)

Reflection: God is very serious about the requirement that we recognize and respect him as creator and Lord of all things. He asks not just a verbal assent but a lifestyle that demonstrates that we have heard God's teaching, understood it, and that it has become part of our life and our being.

Much of today's popular culture runs counter to the principles in today's scripture readings. There is little respect for God, and even less for his name and guiding principles. It is well for us to remember Paul's admonition that we cling to the ways of Christ even if the world around us considers them stumbling blocks and foolishness. A lifestyle lived openly on God's principles is the most effective opposition to this world's eroded values.

Faith Sharing

1. How do you handle disrespect for God's name when you encounter it among your friends, relatives, co-workers, and other people you meet?

2. How do you reconcile today's Sunday commercialism with the commandment to "Keep the Sabbath day holy"?

3. What is your opinion about the level of respect for the commandments that you see among the people around you and society in general?

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

1. This week, as a family, read Exodus 20:1-17 and discuss each of the commandments as they relate to your life.

2. Discuss with your family the songs, TV shows and movies that each of you watches or listens to.

3. If you have any teenagers or young adults in your family, discuss with them the kind of language and attitudes they encounter outside of the family.

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

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Generous God, send us the gift of your Spirit to renew us as your joyful, faithful people. Enlighten us with your presence. Help us to bring peace to our families, friends and acquaintances. We bring these intentions before you in Jesus' name. Amen.

(Jankowski is a member of St. Edward Parish, Mackville, and the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2003.)