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.

	33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 19, 2006 Reading I: Daniel 12:1-3 Reading II: Hebrews 10:11-14,18 Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

By Jackie Staley

Focus: Death is not our goal. Everlasting life is our true focus.

Opening Prayer: God of justice and mercy, help us to face the reality of death with trust. We resolve to use each day to live as just stewards of your many gifts, using them to continue your mission. Bless us with reminders of your presence as we work for your kingdom of justice, love and goodness for now and into eternity. We ask this through Jesus, hope for us all.

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

Reflection: Facing the certainty of death is not easy. Believing that how we live is how we will die reminds us to trust God's mercy by living each day to its fullest. As disciples of Jesus we are called to mission - the promotion of justice, of right relationships to God and to all God's people and creation. This is stewardship, which leads to joy even in the face of death.

We can be encouraged by Daniel's last verse in the first reading: "But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever."

Faith Sharing:

1. After your death, how would you like people to remember you?

2. What helps you face the thought of your death with hope?

3. What do you consider to be a healthy image of God? How healthy is yours?

4. If you knew you had just weeks or months to live, what wisdom would you want to share with others?

Suggested Action Response:

1. Offer to help your parish leaders to offer an evening program on end of life issues: euthanasia, assisted suicide, "do not resuscitate," living wills, Christian funerals and other related issues.

2. Spend 20 minutes reflecting on your death. How would you like your funeral to look and sound? Ask God for the energy and courage to live each day fully and well.

3. Support a friend or relative facing death. Pray for them and also be present to them especially in their emotional and spiritual needs.

4. Read again and reflect on the first reading or Gospel passages cited above. Choose a favorite line or paragraph and allow its power to move you to decide to reach out with gratitude for the gift of life.

Closing Prayer: (Individuals offer their intentions to bring to prayer)
Psalm 16:8,11
I keep the Lord always before me;
with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken.
Lord, you will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.

(Staley is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2006.)