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 distributed to parish leaders and will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.

	Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 17, 2006 Reading I: Zephaniah 3:14-18 Reading II: Philippians 4:4-7 Gospel: Luke 3:10-18

By Anissa Lodzinski

Focus: The Lord is near. Rejoice and exult in God's tremendous love.

Opening Prayer: God of mercy and joy, you have given us all we need. Help us, as we celebrate these last days of Advent, to remember that you have given us the ultimate gift - your Son, Jesus. Bless us and keep us close to you always. We ask this through Jesus, whose coming is certain.

	An Advent series on Catholic Social Teaching

Scripture Sharing: Read the scriptures aloud. Pause between the readings and invite each group member to share an idea from one of the readings that had an impact on them.

Reflection: The joy of a child is a delight to see. The delight in a parent's eye as they rejoice in their child is a gift beyond expression. That is the delight God takes in each one of us. In our first reading today the prophet Zephaniah exclaims, "God will rejoice over you with gladness, and will renew you in his love." God does, indeed, rejoice over us, and loves us more than we could possibly imagine. As we pray in these last days of Advent, may we take time to rejoice in each other, in our families, our friends, and in all the ways God has gifted us.

	A d v e n t
	• Other Everyday People, Everyday Faith articles
	• Other Advent articles

Faith Sharing:
1. What gifts are you most grateful for?
2. What are some reasons you believe God rejoices in you?
3. What have you done to show how you rejoice in your family and friends?
4. If someone had never heard of Jesus or Christmas before, what would you tell them about what is most important?

Suggested Action Response:

1. Call or check the websites of your favorite charity and see if they need any help in these last days before Christmas (St. Vincent de Paul Society, your parish social concerns committee, and so on).

2. Spend 20 minutes reflecting on how much God has blessed you. Think about ways you can be a special blessing to others.

3. Be joyful and cheery this week. As schedules get busier and tempers grow short, remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season," and focus on making someone's life more joyful.

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 make a decision to reach out with gratitude for the gift of life.

Closing Prayer: (Individuals offer their prayer intentions)
Isaiah 12:2-3
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and God has been my savior.

(Lodzinski is associate director of worship for the Green Bay Diocese and a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2006.)