A method for breaking open the Gospel, these prompts propose a pathway to peace as we pursue a purposeful life with Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace.
“Pondering With Prompts” breaks open the Gospel each week with you in a way that helps you to reflect on how God’s Word can apply to your every day life. It will highlight specific points in the Gospel and give you questions to ponder. You can use these prompts in private prayer, with your family during dinner, over coffee with a friend, in a faith-sharing group, or wherever two or three are gathered in His name.
In Preparation for March 17, 2024
Lead in: St. Ignatius had the dream of starting a religious order. But he had the freedom to die for his dream if that’s how it had to be.Prompt: Reflect on something you dreamed of being able to do but were never given the chance to do it. How hard was that to grieve...
In Preparation for March 10, 2024
Lead in: In 1936, Bob White, Sr., and in 1966 Bob White, Jr., went back to school in the fall after their summer jobs. They both somehow felt different. They couldn’t explain it, butothers could see it. Maybe it was because they were learning to believe in...
In Preparation for March 3, 2024
Lead in: As the expression goes, pain not is transmitted. We saw that played out in ugly ways in the burning of the cities that occurred after the death of George Floyd.The injustice of the death of an innocent black man led to the injustice of the destruction done to...
In Preparation for February 25, 2024
Lead in: When Peter saw Jesus transfigured before him on the mountain that day, he thought Jesus was destined for greatness. Jesus was destined for greatness, but not in the way Peter was hoping it’d be. If they were to follow Jesus to glory, it would be a different...
In Preparation for February 11, 2024
Lead in: In Mark 1:40, we hear of a leper who approached Jesus and begged him,“If you wish you can make me clean.”Moved with compassion, Jesus said to him, “I do wish it. Be made clean.” Prompt: Reflect on a time when, like the leper, you begged God for healing. It...
In Preparation for Feb. 4, 2024
Lead in #1: Mark 1:29-39 gives us a good picture of what might have been a typical day in the busy life of Jesus. After a request for a home visit to a sick in-law, later that day they bring to Jesus all who were ill or possessed by demons. As his disciples, the...
In Preparation for Jan. 21, 2024
Lead in: The people recognize in Jesus someone who spoke like one with authority and not like the scribes and Pharisees. But it was the tormented spirit in the man possessed who recognizes in Jesus a power that he did not see in the Scribes and Pharisees. It was a...
In Preparation for Jan. 7, 2024
Lead in: The magi were scholars of the imperialreligion of Persia who were known for their ability to read the stars. Determined to find what it is they were searching for, they followed their “Christmas star” to the place where the child and its mother were found....
In Preparation for Jan. 14, 2024
Lead in: In John 1:35 when Jesus saw the two disciples of John following him, he turned and said to them, “What are you looking for?” Prompt: If Jesus were to ask you that question, how would you answer him? Lead in: When two disciples asked him where he was staying,...
Homily – Dec. 31, 2023
Lead #1: In Sirach 3, the image of the fruitful vine speaks to the health and happiness a family enjoys when life is going well. But as we know, family life does not always come that easy. Misfortune and tragedy can strike at any time. The Holy Family of Jesus,...