Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

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

	May 21, 2006, Sixth Sunday of Easter Reading I: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Reading II: 1 John 4:7-10 Gospel: John 15: 9-17

Focus: The gift of faith is a family legacy.

Opening Prayer: Psalm 98: 1, 4

All: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. Alleluia.

Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds: His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

All: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. Alleluia.

Leader: Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

All: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. Alleluia.

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.

Reflection: This life of faith we share as members of Christ's body, the church, is a gift. It is a call to be loving towards one another. "This is my command: love one another as I love you. There is no greater love than this: lay down your lives for your friends."From a Christian family perspective it is the greatest legacy we can offer the children in our lives. Our faith life is lived in our families (domestic church) through ordinary moments: family meals, playtime, conflicts, chore time, and caring for a sick child or parent. In everyday experiences, we teach our children how to love one another. We pass on the legacy of faith for future generations.

Faith Sharing:

1. Discuss the legacy of faith that you received from your parents. Does it differ from the legacy you are handing down to the children in your life?

2. Identify some specific ways or concrete actions you take in sharing your wisdom with the children in your life.

3. What is the biggest challenge you have in following Jesus' command "to love one another?"

Suggested Action Response:

1. This week call your parents to thank them for the gift of faith they gave you.

2. Pay attention to the ordinary family moments this week in which you are a "domestic church" and verbalize to your children how your actions as a family is a response to Jesus' command to "love one another."

3. As a family, decide how to extend a message of love to a neighbor.

Closing Prayer: Individuals offer their prayer intentions.

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the riches and blessings in our lives. Help us to share our gift of faith and love with others and our world. We give you praise, honor and glory! We make this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(Patti Christensen, Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2006)