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 weekly series for Lent using the Renew model. It will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.
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February 25, 2007, 1st Sunday of Lent
Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Reading II: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13 |
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By Anissa Lodzinski
Focus: We do not live on bread alone, but on the Word of the mouth of God!
Opening Prayer: God of mercy and love, your words are spirit and life for us. When we are tempted by sin, hold us close to you and strengthen us in your love. Help us in our struggle to be faithful to you in word and deed. Bless us and keep us close to you always. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
| |  | | | | A Lenten series on Reconciliation | |
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
You know those commercials that say "buy now and pay nothing for 20 years?" That's what today's gospel reminds me of. Jesus is in the desert and Satan tries to tempt him by saying "I'll give you all the stuff and fame you could ever want.... You just have to pay this little price down the road and give yourself to me." It's so easy to want everything now, and not realize the cost down the road. We pay in our relationships the same way.... "I'll call tomorrow. I'll give God some time in prayer next week." The things that are really important are costly, but they're worth it. Our relationships with our family and friends and God and God's people cost us time and energy now, but the thing to remember is that, as Jesus has shown us, God is never outdone in generosity.
Faith Sharing
1. What are some things that you have a hard time waiting for? Why?
2. What are some things/people you often put off?
3. When do you feel the strongest need for God's help and love?
4. What are the things (not physical ones) that cost you the most in your life?
Suggested Action Response
1. Make a list of those things/people you need to be more patient with and work at being more patient.
2. Think about the things that get in the way of your relationship with God and spend at least five minutes each day strengthening and building that relationship.
3. Reach out to a person who has been troublesome in your life - someone who has cost you time, pain or been difficult in some way.
4. Read again and reflect on the first reading or Gospel passage cited above. Choose a favorite line or paragraph and allow its power to move you to make a decision to reach out in charity or forgiveness.
Closing Prayer (Individuals offer their prayer intentions)
Psalm 91:10-11
No evil shall befall you,
no affliction come near your tent.
For God commands the angels
to guard you in all your ways.
(Lodzinski is the associate director of worship for the Green Bay Diocese and is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2007.)
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