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 NPR
Questions:
1) What is uncertain in our world today?
2) How does uncertainty make you feel?
3) What are some ways you can respond when things are uncertain?
4) How do you take care of yourself during uncertain times?
5) What are some things you could do in the next weeks and months to cope with the realities of the pandemic?
Views and Qs: Navigating Our Uncertain Future
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1) What do you feel are the greatest challenges of uncertainty in your life? In the world? 2) What do you think is the gift of uncertainty?
3) How has uncertainty in the world in the last year changed you? What new skills or virtues have you cultivated through this time? 4) What expectations are you being called to let go of today? What would change if you did? 5) What do you think about the idea of a "flux mindset?" What would this look like in your life?
Feast and Faith: Preparing and Waiting
For this week's dinner discussion we will focus on Jesus' parable of the ten bridesmaids.
Prayer -
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us,
in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront
one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work
together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Discussion -
This week we are reflecting on the Jesus' parable of the ten bridesmaids, and the idea of being prepared in the midst of uncertainty and being open to the unexpected:
Questions -
1) When is one time you found God, or recognized God, in an unexpected place or at an unexpected time?
2) Where you able to recognize God in the moment, or only in retrospect?
3) What ways could you prepare yourself to be able to see God in unexpected places?
4) How have you been challenged to prepare for the unexpected in the last year? What has that experience been like?
5) How do you balance the need to prepare for the need to be open to unexpected possibilities in a time of great uncertainty? How do you hold this tension in your life and remain prepared while also letting go?
Final Nugget -
In this moment of global uncertainty, with unexpected and unforeseen events occurring with such great frequency, Jesus invites us to reflect on how we engage with the unexpected and the uncertain. How do you prepare to the uncertain and unexpected?
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 78:1-7
(read in unison)
1 Hear my teaching, O my people; *
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
3 That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.
4 We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, *
and the wonderful works he has done.
5 He gave his decrees to Jacob
and established a law for Israel, *
which he commanded them to teach their children;
6 That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn; *
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
7 So that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments;
Reading
(read by assigned person)
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
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)
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Share some of your conversations in the comments below: