Reflections for Sunday, February 27, 2011

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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Isaiah 49:14-15; Psalm 62:2-3,6-9; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-3)

  1. In the first reading the Lord tells us, with very tender words, that he will never forsake us or forget us.” These words also remind us of the Lord’s words quoted in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” How easy is it for you to lose sight of these words when you are experiencing a difficult situation?
  2. In the responsorial psalm, the psalmist echoes the words of the first reading calling on us to “Trust in Him at all times” and “Pour out your hearts before Him.” What steps can you take to deepen your trust and confidence in the Lord’s care for you? When you come before the Lord in prayer, do you pour out your heart before him? If not, why not?
  3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that we should be regarded as “servants of Christ and stewards of his mysteries” and that we should be “found trustworthy.” What do you think these words mean? How “trustworthy” are you as a steward of the “mysteries” of God?
  4. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we have and don’t have or what will happen in the future. Rather he says to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” What steps can you take to do this each day?
  5. In the meditation, we hear these words: “Jesus faced many challenges, but he never let anxiety get the better of him. He simply put everything into his Father’s hands. We can do the same. Take a minute right now to identify the situations that trouble you the most. Then hand them over to the One who can handle them perfectly.” (Matthew 5:44-45). What situations in your life trouble you the most? What are  the obstacles that keep you from truly handing them over “to the One who can handle them perfectly”?
  6. Take some time to pray that you would surrender your deepest anxieties and worries to the Lord, trusting in his great love for you. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
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About Author

Maurice Blumberg is a Jewish convert to the Catholicism, and the father of five children. He is currently the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the Military, Prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men and was Chairman of the Board of The Word Among Us, a Catholic devotional magazine.

  • Claire Boeck

    I’m so glad that these discussion questions are being posted every week!

  • noelfitz

    I read in tomorrow’s gospel
    “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34 (NRSV)). Isn’t this great advice from human and spiritual perspectives?

    PS: I also read in tomorrow’s gospel
    “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”(Mt 6:25 (NRSV)).

    I Have just written to CL about eating healthy poultry and eggs. I hope the Lord will understand.