Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

Editor's note: To help small faith-sharing groups, couples, individuals and others continue the Renew 2000 experience of praying with the Sunday Scriptures, a Diocesan Faith Sharing Writing Team is preparing a monthly - weekly during Lent - series that follows the Renew model. The series is being distributed to parish leaders and also will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday. Here is the second of the series:

Focus: Christians are called to live radically different from society in order to bring about God's kingdom here on earth.

Opening Prayer

Lord, your Word is our greatest gift. Open our ears and hearts today as we hear the Scriptures. May they transform us into people of mercy, love and compassion. We pray this in the name of Jesus our savior. Amen.

Scripture Sharing: What thought, line or image from the Scripture readings caught your attention?

Reflection: David makes a powerful and surprising act in the first reading. He has the opportunity to kill the King who has made his life miserable and difficult. But he chooses to be obedient, not forgetting that Saul was King, anointed by God. His gesture of taking the spear and water jug did more to show his own restraint and power than an act of violence would have. In the Gospel, Jesus also challenges believers to go against the norm. We too are called to be radically different, to love when only hatred is expected, to forgive when we may have a cause to be hurt and angry. The challenges Jesus gave go against our sense of reason. But the promise is that we will receive generously in return. "For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

Faith Sharing

1. Describe a time when you acted out of revenge. How did it feel? Who was affected by it?

2. What happens when you do an act of kindness unexpectedly? How do you feel?

3. How and where in your life are you being called to live more radically?

Action Response: How are you 'Summoned to Serve'?

1. Try implementing random acts of kindness in your home and work this week.

2. Forgive an old grudge or resentment you have been carrying around.

3. Make a copy of today's Gospel and put it on your refrigerator to see and read this week.

Closing Prayer

Individuals offer their intentions to bring to prayer.

Lord, we thank you for your Word which is life. We thank you for your love and mercy shown to us. Gracious God, empower us with courage and compassion this week that we may love and forgive when it may be difficult. Be with us as we go out into our world strengthened by your Word and uplifted by our faith community. Bless us now in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Angha is youth minister at St. Paul Parish, Combined Locks.)