February 9, 2010
Each of the readings below corresponds to the scriptures proclaimed in one segment of the CD, You've Got the Time" Which will be distributed at the masses Feb 13, and 14 and the Ash Wednesday services. Copies will also be available through the church office in both English and Spanish. In addition there is a Kidz CD with both Old and New Testament stories and songs that may be picked up. Join us in setting aside 28 minutes a day for 40 days to hear His Word.
Daily reflection questions:
Day 1 Mt. 1-7 On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes some of the qualities of being a disciple –a follower of Jesus. The apostles, John, James, Peter, and Andrew responded to Jesus’ call as His first followers. In what ways do you respond to Jesus’ call today?
Day 2 Mt. 8-12 This section of Scripture draws a portrait of Jesus, the miracle worker and healer, through different stories. With which story do you most identify? Why?
Day 3 Mt. 13-18 Jesus used different methods to convey His message of the present reality of God’s Kingdom, including the unique form of storytelling know as parables. The Parable of the Sower suggests different kinds of soil. How can you cultivate your own soil so that the seed of God’s Word can grow in you?
Day 4 Mt. 19-24 One of the Phaisees tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which commandment on the law is the greatest?” Jesus’ response reveals the two great commandments of love. What does it mean to you to love God with your whole heart, soul, and mind? What do you do to demonstrate that love?
Day 5 Mt. 25-28 Jesus told his disciples the Parable of the Talents. In what ways have you put your talents to work? With which of the three servants do you identify the most? Why?
Day 6 Mark 1-6 Throughout these five chapters, Mark shows Jesus as being very active in reaching out to those around Him who were hurting or marginalized. He frees those who are bound in any way. He is of and with the common people. Yet this same Jesus of community is pictured in Mark 1:35 as going off "very early, before dawn" to pray alone. In your own life, how do you find a balance between the activity that comes with living your particular vocation and the need for quiet prayerful reflection?
Day 7 Mk. 7-11 The disciples show how easy it is to get caught up in the wonderful things that come from being with Jesus and seeing all things transfigured by the light of grace in a way that can lead to grandiosity. Yet Jesus reminds us that His way is the way of humility, the way of children, and the way of the cross. In your own life, how do you keep yourself in touch with the costs of discipleship while maintaining an attitude of humble and willing service?
Day 8 Mark 12-16 When questioned by the Scribes on which commandment of the law is the greatest, Jesus reduced the entire law to two: love God with everything that you are and love your neighbor as yourself. Not long after uttering these words, Jesus showed the length He would go to live them out through His passion and death. Upon seeing the way in which He did this, even the Roman centurion cries out, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Does your life exemplify this dual command enough that others around you recognize it and declare that you too are a child of God, committed to loving God with everything you are, and your neighbor as yourself?
Day 9 Luke 1-4 These stories of Jesus' infancy and childhood point to the fact that, from the very beginning, the stage was set for Jesus to be extraordinary. The lessons that Jesus learned as He grew up prepared Him to move forward with His ministry. At His baptism, He heard a voice say, "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased." Looking back over your own life, can you see signs and hints of the extraordinary things that God has planned for you? Are you ready to respond to the call of the Father who tells you that you are in fact His beloved and He finds great pleasure in you?
Day 6 Mark 1-6 Throughout these five chapters, Mark shows Jesus as being very active in reaching out to those around Him who were hurting or marginalized. He frees those who are bound in any way. He is of and with the common people. Yet this same Jesus of community is pictured in Mark 1:35 as going off "very early, before dawn" to pray alone. In your own life, how do you find a balance between the activity that comes with living your particular vocation and the need for quiet prayerful reflection?
Day 7 Mk. 7-11 The disciples show how easy it is to get caught up in the wonderful things that come from being with Jesus and seeing all things transfigured by the light of grace in a way that can lead to grandiosity. Yet Jesus reminds us that His way is the way of humility, the way of children, and the way of the cross. In your own life, how do you keep yourself in touch with the costs of discipleship while maintaining an attitude of humble and willing service?
Day 8 Mark 12-16 When questioned by the Scribes on which commandment of the law is the greatest, Jesus reduced the entire law to two: love God with everything that you are and love your neighbor as yourself. Not long after uttering these words, Jesus showed the length He would go to live them out through His passion and death. Upon seeing the way in which He did this, even the Roman centurion cries out, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Does your life exemplify this dual command enough that others around you recognize it and declare that you too are a child of God, committed to loving God with everything you are, and your neighbor as yourself?
Day 9 Luke 1-4 These stories of Jesus' infancy and childhood point to the fact that, from the very beginning, the stage was set for Jesus to be extraordinary. The lessons that Jesus learned as He grew up prepared Him to move forward with His ministry. At His baptism, He heard a voice say, "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased." Looking back over your own life, can you see signs and hints of the extraordinary things that God has planned for you? Are you ready to respond to the call of the Father who tells you that you are in fact His beloved and He finds great pleasure in you?
Day 10 Luke 5-9 This section of Luke's Gospel is dedicated to the idea of discipleship: from the call of the first disciples, to the selection of the 12, to the women who accompany Jesus and provide for Him, to the commissioning of the 12 to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and to cure the sick. Are you prepared, no matter how unworthy you might feel, to follow Jesus, to leave behind boats and nets and careers for the sake of being His disciple? Are you prepared to offer up what you have of yourself for the sake of the mission of making sure that "the poor have the good news proclaimed to them?"
Day 11 Luke 10-13 Jesus told Martha that worries about too many things, and that her sister Mary, in choosing to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen to his teachings, had chosen the better part. How much time do you spend at the feet of the Lord? Could you do better?
Day 12 Luke 14-19 Here, Scipture focuses on the Kingdom of God. We are told that to be a disciple requires total dedication to the Kingdom; living Kingdom values requires attention to the poor, the Kingdom belongs to those with a total trust in God the Father; the Kingdom has everything to do with God's love, mercy, and forgiveness. Reflect on how well you are living Kingdom values. What are your areas of strength? How can you do better?
Day 11 Luke 10-13 Jesus told Martha that worries about too many things, and that her sister Mary, in choosing to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen to his teachings, had chosen the better part. How much time do you spend at the feet of the Lord? Could you do better?
Day 12 Luke 14-19 Here, Scipture focuses on the Kingdom of God. We are told that to be a disciple requires total dedication to the Kingdom; living Kingdom values requires attention to the poor, the Kingdom belongs to those with a total trust in God the Father; the Kingdom has everything to do with God's love, mercy, and forgiveness. Reflect on how well you are living Kingdom values. What are your areas of strength? How can you do better?