June 2022: Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel

Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel

 

John Byrne OSA
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com

 

Pentecost Sunday
5 June 2022

 

  1. ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments’, and specifically the commandment to love one another (cf. 13.34). How have you experienced the link between love of God and love of those around you?
  2. To his followers Jesus promises ‘we will come and make our home with them’. Our God is not a distant God but one who lives in us. What has helped you to be aware of the closeness of God to you?
  3. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his imminent departure and for a future in which he would be with them in a different way. He would not ‘leave them orphans’ but send an ‘Advocate’ to ‘be with (them) for ever’. How have you experienced the presence of God with you in your life?
  4. Jesus seeks to reassure his followers in the face of his imminent death. Although he will be leaving them he promises them the gift of the Spirit. How have you been aware of the gift of the Spirit of God in your life?

 

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The Most Holy Trinity
12 June 2022

 

  1. Wisdom about life comes slowly and sometimes painfully. Hearing the ‘right’ answer at the ‘wrong’ time does not help us. We need to be ready and open to receiving the truth if it is to have any impact. Perhaps you can recall some occasions when it was the ‘right’ time for you to learn a truth about life. Remember your experiences of growing in understanding and truth.
  2. Perhaps the Spirit guided you through the words of someone close to you, or through the words and actions of people you read about or saw on TV. Or maybe understanding came to you when praying or reflecting on your life. Remember and give thanks for the people who have helped you to greater wisdom on your journey through life.
  3. Wisdom is handed on from person to person, and from generation to generation, within families, within communities, etc. Are there any wisdom sayings that you cherish from what has been handed on to you?

 

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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
19 June 2022

 

  1. Jesus welcomes the crowd, taught them, and cured those in need of healing. Bring to mind the ways in which the story of Jesus and his message have brought you enlightenment, and healing.
  2. Today we are invited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by welcoming people affected by Covid, displaced by war, or struggling to make ends meet. Per haps in the face of these difficulties you feel helpless. So did this disiples and yet Jesus said to them ‘You give them something to eat’. They thought what had was insufficient but Jesus used the little they had to feed the crowd. Have you ever found that when you give the little you have to a situation, the results were beyond your expectations?
  3. The miracle is symbolic of the abundance of blessings coming to us from God through Jesus. How has your faith in Jesus been a source of nourishment to you? What blessings have you received through your faith?

 

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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 June 2022

 

  1. In the opening verse Jesus is portrayed as having a new sense of clarity about his life that enables him to set out on the road ‘resolutely’. Perhaps there have been such moments in your life, moments of insight and clarity about the road ahead. Recall such moments and what they were like for you.
  2. As he walked the road Jesus met with opposition. This angered some of his friends and they wanted to hit back. Jesus restrained them, and would not let himself be distracted from the journey he was making. What helps you keep your goals in mind when minor annoyances distract you?
  3. The response of Jesus to prospective followers seems harsh. He lets the first man know that discipleship is not a path to a comfortable nest. It is a way in which we never know what is going to be asked of us next. The disciple must be ready to move on. Where have you found good news in being open to change, confident in the presence of Jesus with you?
  4. Jesus also demands commitment. It is easy for us to think about times when our commitment was less than perfect. But can you also recall the times when you realised the truth of this story – that commitment brings its own fruits and blessings. What specific blessings can you bring to mind?

 

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