Prayers and Actions for Saturday, Sept 25

From Living God's Word Year B by Father David M. Knight

Pray: Lord, I believe you are the Teacher of life. I want to know all you teach. I want to accept it and live it. Give me enough trust in you to face the hard sayings in your Gospel and apply them to my life. And give me grace to live them.

Reflect: Luke 9:43 – 45. "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands." But [the disciples] did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them. Do you understand why Jesus, who is God, would let himself be betrayed and handed over to arrogant enemies, to be treated any way they desired, and not retaliate? What is the meaning in this?

Live This Week's Gospels:

As Christian: Reflect on the words of John Paul II: "Jesus' way of acting and his words, his deeds and his precepts constitute the moral rule of Christian life" (The Splendor of Truth, #20). Can you accept this for yourself, as your standard of morality?

As Disciple: List from memory as many hard sayings of Jesus as you can think of. Observe the feelings you have in reaction to each one.

As Prophet: Take one of the hard sayings you thought of and think about it until you see a practical way to apply it to your own life. Do it.

As Priest: Think of some of the hard things you have to say to others (friends, employees, children, students). How can you say them with the gentleness of Jesus? By making them inspiring? By example?

As King: Ask if there is any situation at home, at work, among your friends, which you have avoided addressing because you are afraid of the consequences. Think seriously about what you should do.