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 Sunday's 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.

	April 2, 2006, 5th Sunday of Lent Reading I: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Reading II: Hebrews 5:7-9 Gospel: John 12:20-33

Focus: Jesus' life teaches us that suffering can bring us new life.

Opening Prayer:

God of compassion, as we approach the passion of Jesus, teach us about the meaning of suffering in our own lives. Cleanse and strengthen us when we face suffering. Help us to see with the eyes of faith the new life that you can bring out of suffering and death. We ask this in the power of Jesus' victory over death. Amen.

	A Compass Lenten series

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, which had an impact on him or her.

	L e n t
	• Other Everyday People, Everyday Faith articles
	• Other Lent articles

Reflection: In today's readings we learn the positive value of suffering. Just like the seed that falls into the ground and dies can bear much fruit, so we can turn suffering to a positive. How can one accomplish that? By believing and asking God for strength. It may sound deceptively simple, yet that conviction leads to new abilities and purpose, a risen life. Jesus promised us many blessings for a life of faith and trust. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." His suffering and death ended in resurrection, the new life that we, too, are promised.

Faith Sharing:

1. Recall times when suffering was a positive experience. What was the role of prayer?

2. How do the readings challenge our culture's tendency toward anger at pain and the need for pleasure only?

3. How do these readings discourage seeing suffering as an end in itself? What is the place of suffering in a purposeful life?

Readings for the Week Monday, March 27: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b; Jn 4:43-54. Tuesday, March 28: Ez 47:1-9,12; Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; Jn 5:1-16. Wednesday, March 29: Is 49:8-15; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47. Thursday, March 30: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47. Friday, March 31: Wis 2:1a,12-22; Ps 34:17-21,23; Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30. Saturday, April 1: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3,9b-12; Jn 7:40-53. Sunday, April 2: (Fifth Sunday of Lent) Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4,12-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33.

Suggested Action Response:

1. Reach out with a call, visit or letter to someone you know who is suffering.

2. Pay attention to the suffering of people throughout the world. Carry their concerns with you in your loving awareness and prayer.

3. Examine your week: is there some way you are strengthening others in their daily trials-emotional, physical, economic, spiritual? Weave such an action into each week.

Closing Prayer: Individuals offer their prayer intentions. Pray together: (Psalm 116: 1, 12)

"I love the Lord, who listened to my voice in prayer, who turned an ear to me on the day I called. How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?"

(Jackie Staley, Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2006)