Prayers
With prayer as the center of our lives, we serve in simplicity and joy.
Daily we pray both alone and together.
Coming before God in solitude, we listen and respond to the Spirit.
Gathering in Jesus’ name we share his word with one another and the world as a whole.
In these pages we welcome your prayer requests
and offer our weekly reflections for each Sunday and those from special occasions.
Join us in this sacred journey.
Daily we pray both alone and together.
Coming before God in solitude, we listen and respond to the Spirit.
Gathering in Jesus’ name we share his word with one another and the world as a whole.
In these pages we welcome your prayer requests
and offer our weekly reflections for each Sunday and those from special occasions.
Join us in this sacred journey.
READINGS AND REFLECTION FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
|
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME |
|
First Reading: Ez 18:25-28
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4-9 Second Reading: Phil 2:1-11 Gospel: Mt 21:28-32 |
REFLECTION:
Life requires us to make many choices, some require little thought, but many need to be made with careful consideration. The readings today present scenarios where there are opportunities to make choices that can result in a life of hope and happiness or a life of suffering.
In the first reading the Jewish community, forcibly deported from Judah were sure that they did not deserve this. Why was God punishing them for the sins of another? We know today that God does not punish us, but allows us the freedom to make mistakes which also means we live with the consequences of our actions. How many times have I blamed someone else for a choice I made? Do I ever imagine that I am powerless to create a positive change?
Paul’s letter reminds us to act with humility, serving the needs of others before our own. He urges the Church to follow the example of Jesus as servant, to place selfishness aside and to make the choice to work more for the benefit of the other members of the community than for individual rank or position. Do I usually decide to do something that makes me happy or do I consider the impact on others?
What do I think about making empty promises? Good intentions are not helpful, but actions are. Jesus warned us in the story of the two sons that people who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious leaders, because in the end they do God’s will. Hopefully my words turn into substantial actions after well thought out options and prayer.
PRAYER:
Loving God, I ask for the humility and courage to abandon my own pursuits and desires and focus on all for the sake of You. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide my thoughts whenever I need to make an important decision, especially when it affects someone other than me. Keep me from unfairly judging the choices of others, instead, may I show them patience and understanding.
Carolyn Meyer, Associate
Life requires us to make many choices, some require little thought, but many need to be made with careful consideration. The readings today present scenarios where there are opportunities to make choices that can result in a life of hope and happiness or a life of suffering.
In the first reading the Jewish community, forcibly deported from Judah were sure that they did not deserve this. Why was God punishing them for the sins of another? We know today that God does not punish us, but allows us the freedom to make mistakes which also means we live with the consequences of our actions. How many times have I blamed someone else for a choice I made? Do I ever imagine that I am powerless to create a positive change?
Paul’s letter reminds us to act with humility, serving the needs of others before our own. He urges the Church to follow the example of Jesus as servant, to place selfishness aside and to make the choice to work more for the benefit of the other members of the community than for individual rank or position. Do I usually decide to do something that makes me happy or do I consider the impact on others?
What do I think about making empty promises? Good intentions are not helpful, but actions are. Jesus warned us in the story of the two sons that people who look the least religious will enter God’s kingdom ahead of religious leaders, because in the end they do God’s will. Hopefully my words turn into substantial actions after well thought out options and prayer.
PRAYER:
Loving God, I ask for the humility and courage to abandon my own pursuits and desires and focus on all for the sake of You. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide my thoughts whenever I need to make an important decision, especially when it affects someone other than me. Keep me from unfairly judging the choices of others, instead, may I show them patience and understanding.
Carolyn Meyer, Associate
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