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 each Sunday of Lent using the Renew model. It will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.

	March 4, 2007, Second Sunday of Lent Reading I: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Reading II: Philippians 3:17--4:1 Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

By Patti Christensen

Focus: The transforming power of prayer

Opening Prayer: Psalm 27

All: Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.

Leader: Yahweh is my light and my salvation, whom need I fear?

All: Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.

Leader: Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry! Pity me! Answer me!

All: Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.

	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 or phrase from one of the readings, which had an impact on them.

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

Reflection

My newborn son lies in an incubator struggling for each breath. Nine months of nurturing and only hours old and my heart overflows with love for this precious child of God. On the radio in the neonatal care unit I hear the words of a song, "You'll never love someone, the way I love you." For a moment I get lost in my love for him and feel God's presence come over me.

Isn't it odd how the most vivid experiences of hope and peace come in sharp contrast to hopelessness and loss?

Today's Gospel foreshadows Jesus's triumph over death and ours as well. We, like the apostles, live in a kind of sleep, fearing death as loss. Only through prayer do we glimpse the love from whom we were created and to whom we will return.

Everyday concerns, fears and insecurities make us forget this love. Jesus shows us over and over again how important prayer is to understanding life from an eternal point of view.

Serenity during difficult times comes when we remember the love that is waiting for us in eternity.

Faith Sharing
1. Recall a time when you were facing difficulties. Were you able to pray?
2. Do you fear death? Do you think that Jesus feared the cross?
3. What type of prayer do you find most helpful to remember God's love for you?

Suggested Action Response

1. Try a different prayer experience this Lent. Check your parish bulletin.

2. At table, pray as a family for someone who is going through a hard time.

3. Call someone who has recently lost a loved one and spend some one-on-one time with them. Or visit with someone in a nursing home.

Closing Prayer (Individuals offer their prayer intentions)

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for life itself. During this Lenten season help us to increase our prayer lives and grow closer to you. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

(Christensen is the spirituality and evangelization director for the Green Bay Diocese and is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2007.)