Hosted by the Faith To Go team in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar, and joined the each week by a special guest, the Faith To Go Podcast highlights themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your faith discussions and reflections throughout the week.
From Time
Questions:
1) How did Greta Thunberg point out injustice in the world?
2) How did she also show compassion in here remarks?
3) Where does she see the need for liberation and healing in the world?
4) Why is there so much urgency in her message?
5) How does she call on other to participate in healing and liberation in her message?
Views and Qs: A Personal Story of Evangelism
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1) What were the challenges to Bishop Curry's community felt called to respond to?
2) How did they go about responding?
3) How did they share their faith with their neighbors?
4) What was the result of these efforts?
5) How was their community enriched by this experience?
Feast and Faith: Testifying to What We See
For this week’s dinner discussion, we are talking about Jesus call to share what we see happening in the world around us.
Prayer -
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so
guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our
wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to
you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always
to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our
Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Discussion –
This week we see John's disciples asking Jesus a questions that is at the core of the Christian tradition, "are you the one who is to come, or will there be another?" Jesus' answer is one of both compassion and invitation, responding that the disciples of John should tell him what they see, that the truth of his identity is not about the words he says or his own claims, but what they see happening in the world around them:
Questions:
1) Where do you see God moving in the world?
2) Where do you see God moving in your life, your neighborhood, your community?
3) What do you think are the signs of God's presence in the world?
4) Where is there a need for more healing, liberation and justice in the world today?
5) How are you being called to witness to those places of need?
Final Nugget: In this third week of Advent how are you being called to witness to God's movement in the world and share that Good News with others?
Stay and Pray: A Devotion for Families at the Close of the Day Each week we feature a way for your family to reflect and pray together. For families with older children this is an at home liturgy for your family to participate in together. It is a daily devotion for families adapted from The Book of Common Prayer.
Before you begin, take a few moments to decide who will read the scripture reading and who will read the collect and closing.
Read the Psalm and Lord's Prayer in unison.
After a moment of silence, begin with the Psalm.
Psalm 146:4-9
(read in unison)
4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
8 The Lord loves the righteous;
the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
Gospel
(read by assigned person)
Matthew 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Prayers for Ourselves and For Others (take this time to each offer one person/event that you would like to hold in prayer as well as one thing you are thankful for)
Dear God, tonight I ask your prayers for.......
and I give you thanks for ..........
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
(read in unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
The Collect
(read by assigned person)
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Share some of your conversations in the comments below: