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FR. MIKE SCHMITZ –  If we put on a mask when we come to God in prayer, how can he love that fake version of us? In this week’s video from Fr. Mike, he challenges you to come before God as your true and genuine self. The love you will encounter by doing this one simple act, no matter how vulnerable it may make you feel, will be astounding.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Click above to access reflection & discussion questions (PDF)

1.  In the Gospel reading, to whom did Jesus direct his parable? • What group of people would be the Pharisees today? The tax collectors? What would be the “Pharisee’s prayer?”
2. Why might it be dangerous to compare your practice of the faith to that of others?
3. How does this parable complement the one we heard last week on persistence (vv 1-8)? How do both demonstrate faith?
4. When have you been like the Pharisee? The tax collector? What accounts for the difference?
5. Right now, knowing your attitude toward others, who are you most like?
6. How do you walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8. See 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6)?

SOURCE: Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics © 2010 Vince Contreras

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Click above to access reflection & discussion questions (PDF)

SOURCE: Diocese of Saskatoon Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Communications

RCIA SEEKERS

Team RCIA Questions

Michael Marchall

BACKGROUND

“I am a sinner on whom God has looked.” In one of the signature statements of Pope Francis’s service to the church, he has gotten to the heart of this Sunday’s gospel selection. The officially religious person who can list his good deeds does not go home “at rights with God” (Lk 18:14, Jerusalem Bible).  It is the sinner, whose heart has a deep faith in the mercy of the Almighty and who is bold enough to enter the Temple to claim it, who does.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In what situations are you tempted to start listing your virtues? When do feel called to prove that you are “holier-than-thou”?
2. When has being humble brought you happiness, especially in your relationships?
3. Which people have helped you on your path of honesty with God and yourself?
4. Which people in the church and in society claim our support in a self-righteous way?

SOURCE: TEAM RCIA

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE

Humility Before God in Prayer

Praying helps us get to know God better. We share with God everything about our lives when we pray. We can be completely honest with God and trust that God loves us. Prayer is talking and listening to God.

Our Catholic tradition teaches two forms of prayer to help us talk and listen to God, meditation and contemplation.

In meditation we use our imaginations. Meditation can start with a Bible reading. As the Bible story is being read we meditate by using our imagination to put ourselves in the story. In meditation we silently tell God what is in our heart. We listen to God’s call in our lives.

In contemplative prayer, we silently spend time in God’s loving presence. This type of prayer is a gift from God.

• What is prayer?
• How do you talk and listen to God?
• Why does praying help us get to know God better?

SOURCE: RCL Benziger — YEAR A | YEAR B | YEAR C

ACCORDING TO POPE FRANCIS…

God Has a Weakness for
the Humble Ones

Anne Osdieck

According to Pope Francis, God has a weakness for the humble ones and their prayers open God’s heart wide. Which heart can God fill with his mercy: the humble empty one, or the one who keeps track of all his/her good deeds and his/her neighbors’ misdeeds?

Dear Brothers and Sisters:  In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk18:9-14). Jesus contrasts the arrogance and self-righteousness of the Pharisee’s prayer with the tax collector’s humble recognition of his sinfulness and need for the Lord’s mercy. True prayer is born of a heart which repents of its faults and failings, yet pleads for the grace to live the great commandment of love of God and neighbor. Indeed, the proud disdain of the Pharisee for the sinner at his side prevents him from being righteous in God’s sight. To pray well, then, we need to look into our own hearts and there, in humble silence, let the Lord speak to us.  The honesty and humility which God asks of us is the necessary condition for our receiving his mercy.

General Audience, June 1, 2016
Pope Francis: humbleness, honesty lead to God’s mercy

MORE QUESTIONS

SOURCE: Sunday Web Site – Saint Louis University

FAITH SHARING

Ascension Catholic

Fr. Eamon Tobin

1. “Humbition” is a term used in the business world to describe people who work at balancing humility with ambition. How can we as disciples of Jesus balance “competing well” (like Paul), striving to be the best we can be and, at the same time, remaining humble about our accomplishments?

2. Why do we sometimes try to make ourselves look good by casting another in a poor light? What drives this tendency in us? What can help us to overcome it?

3. How do we keep a true balance between having a healthy sense of self and, at the same time, being ever aware that before God, we are sinners?

4. Name one thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on.

STUDY GUIDE (PDF)

SOURCE: Ascension Catholic

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