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.

	March 11, 2007, Third Sunday of Lent Reading I: Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 Reading II: 1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12 Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

By Anissa Lodzinski

Focus: Our God will save those who turn away from sin and humbly ask for forgiveness.

Opening Prayer:

Almighty and saving God, out of your infinite love and mercy you broke into human history and gave us your name and your only son, Jesus Christ. Help us to admit our sins and humbly ask for your forgiveness. Guide us to realize that without your love burning in our hearts with an inextinguishable fire, we can stumble and fall on our pilgrimage through this world. Give us the strength this Lent to deny our own desires and ego and, following the example of Jesus, to open ourselves in trust to your will for us. You are the Ground of our being; show us our path in this life. Bless us and keep us close to you always. We ask this through Jesus, who saves those who turn to him.

	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 that had an impact on them.

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

Reflection

There are many times in our lives when it seems God is not present. It may be that we self-righteously believe serious sin is something only others do, and that our efforts to be good are setting us off from wrongdoers. It may be that in the midst of suffering, we call out to God and hear only silence. It may be that we have become caught in the snares of consumerism, individualism or indifference to the church. We may have become so much a part of our daily secular routine that God is only a rumor - an echo we vaguely hear somewhere in the background of our lives. Sometimes, we need the eyes of our heart to see the bush burning in front of us, with a light that can never go out. Why seek our well-being in earthly things? Why refuse to change our lives again or to seek the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Let us ask God to gather us in and bring us to the truth of eternal life.

Faith Sharing
1. Do I use my schedule as an excuse to avoid helping a person who needs my help?

2. How am I indifferent to my sins and the wounds I have caused others?

3. Do I usually turn to God only when I am need or in trouble?

4. If someone told you they had sought God during a difficult time in their life and were met only with silence, what would you tell them?

Suggested Action Response

1. Look for occasions in life to bless or thank God for what we have been given.

2. Talk with a priest, deacon, religious or spiritual director about the graces and blessings that flow from worthily receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

3. Learn the habit of performing an examination of conscience at or near the end of each day.

4. Read again and reflect on the passage from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Are there areas of my life where I have been arrogant with others - where I felt sure I was doing the right thing even though someone else was hurt by my action? Pray to empty yourself of your own fullness.

Closing Prayer (Individuals offer prayer intentions)

Psalm 103: 1-18. Lord, we know you have not dealt with us as we deserve.

(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.)