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 Team has prepared a series using the Renew model.

	Oct. 26, 2003 -- 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading I: Jeremiah 31:7-9 Reading II: Hebrews 5:1-6 Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

By Jake Jankowski

Focus: God loves us despite our imperfections.

Opening Prayer: Psalm 5: verses 1, 2 and 3

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

Reflection: All of us have had times of great trouble and distress in our lives. These can be times when we question God's goodness and accuse God of forgetting about us. Alternately, we can use these times to develop faith, trust and patience. These can be times when we reflect on our priorities and search for the things in life that are truly lasting and important.

God restored the Israelites to their land even though they had turned away from him earlier. Jesus gave Bartimaeus his sight because Bartimaeus had great faith despite his life long handicap.

God always calls each of us to a closer walk with him, despite our limitations and despite the errors of our ways.

Faith Sharing

1. Tell about an incident in your life or the life of someone you know where a difficult time in life resulted in a change in direction to a better life style.

2. What similarity, if any, do you see between the exile of the Israelites and the present crisis in the church?

3. Tell about someone you know whose disability allows them to be a true messenger for Christ.

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

1. Find someone who is hurting and let your love for that person be a true reflection of the unconditional love God has for all of us.

2. Develop a morning prayer pattern in which you specifically bring to the Lord those people whom you know will need special help during this day.

3. Think of a person in religious life whom you especially like and personally complement them on their contributions to the family of God.

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

Pray together Psalm 17, verses 1, 2 and 3.

(Jake Jankowski is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2003.)