Readings:

Theme:

The theme for today speaks of the cost of being committed to God.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading is again taken from Jeremiah 20. Here, we see the prophet complaining to God about how he is being treated by those whom he corrects.

• Some translations for verse 7 use the word deceive instead of entice. Do you think it was appropriate of him to accuse God of deceiving him? What can you say about what he said? Can you also pray the same way?

• Jeremiah said that God has overpowered him and prevailed. What did he mean by that?

• Jeremiah was being mocked by everyone because he spoke against their evil ways. As a Christian, we are also expected to speak against the evil that we see. Can you recall of an instance when you were mocked or insulted for speaking the truth? What did you do?

• Jeremiah said that when he speaks, he has to shout. The reason for this is because no one was listening to him. Do you think then that we should still speak the truth even if no one would want to hear it?

Day 2: Jeremiah continues with his complaint.

• He said that the word of the Lord has become a reproach and derision. What does reproach mean? What does derision mean?

• How can the word of God be a reproach and derision?

• Jeremiah said that he had tried to suppress speaking against God but he could not. How did he describe this?

• What does this passage show about speaking the truth even if it will mean that we will be hurt?

Day 3: The psalm speaks of a person's longing for God. It ends with that person being satisfied by God.

• Have you ever experienced a deep longing for something? That longing is rooted in a desire for God. Can you describe your longing as similar to the one expressed by the psalmist?

• In the psalm, the mood of the psalmist changed when he saw the power and glory of God. Why do you think did it change?

• The psalmist says that he thinks of God on his bed and meditates on God in the watches of the night. What did he mean by that? How can you do that?

• The psalm ends with “my soul clings to you”. What does clinging to God mean?

Day 4: In the second reading, St. Paul is speaking to the Romans on how to live in the life of the Spirit.

• St. Paul begins with, “I appeal to you”. What does this phrase mean about how St. Paul feels about what he was going to say next?

• St. Paul said that we should present our bodies as living sacrifice. A sacrifice is a dead animal that is burnt on the altar and offered to God. How can you offer your body as a LIVING sacrifice?

• St. Paul continues to say that our bodies should be holy and acceptable to God. How can you make your body holy and acceptable to God?

Day 5: St. Paul continues to speak about a renewal of the mind.

• St. Paul said that one should not be conformed to this world. What did he mean by that? How can you be counter-cultural to the world?

• According to St. Paul, one can discern the will of God only if one's mind is renewed. Why is renewal of the mind vital in a Christian's life?

• How did St. Paul describe the will of God?

• How will you tell the Holy Spirit to help you have a renewal of your mind?

Day 6: The gospel said that Jesus began to show his disciples that he must suffer greatly in Jerusalem. He also said that he must be killed and be raised on the third day. This ran contrary to what the disciples thought that the Messiah should be.

• Noticed that Peter rebuked Jesus because Jesus did not meet his expectations. Have there been times when you would demand God to meet your expectations?

• In situations where what God says is contrary to what you expect, what should you do?

• What did Jesus mean when he told Peter that he was a stumbling block to Jesus? When can you be a stumbling block to Jesus? What should you do when that happens?

Day 7: Jesus now turns to his disciples and gave them the criteria for following him.

• Jesus said that one has to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross?

• Can you follow Jesus without denying yourself and taking up your cross?

• Jesus asked, “What will it profit if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” How can one forfeit one's life?

• How can you lose your life for Jesus?

• What will you tell Jesus so that he can help you follow him?