- 7/24 – Ephesians 5:21-33 and Ephesians 6:1-4 – Do I see my commitment to my spouse, and his or hers to me, as the key to our sanctification? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, help us – the universal Church – to offer ourselves and our institutions as the humble servants of the domestic church.
- 7/25 – Ephesians 6:5-9 – Do I see the bible as the key to unlocking spiritual truth or as a hammer that can be used to smash those who disagree with me? Prayer starter: Open the eyes of my heart today, Holy Spirit, to the living Word of the Scriptures.
- 7/26 – Ephesians 6:10-17 – When was the last time I prayed for an enemy? Prayer starter: Transform my passions, Lord Jesus, into the white-hot fire of your love.
- 7/27 – Ephesians 6:18-20 – Am I comfortable with asking others to pray for me? Prayer starter: Teach me, Holy Spirit, to rely on the power of communal prayer and of your presence.
- 7/28 – Ephesians 6:21-24 – Who have I touched today with my witness to the gospel? Prayer starter: Grant me today and always, Lord Jesus, the humble and courageous perseverance of your servant, Tychius.
- 7/29 – 1 Maccabees 1 – What is my position toward culture: more on the side of resistance or discernment and dialogue? Prayer starter: Lord teach me wisdom so I may discern between what is good and what is not in today’s global culture.
- 7/30 – 1 Maccabees 2 – How far am I prepared to go to witness to my faith? Prayer starter: Lord, we thank you for the courage exemplified in the death of all martyrs who died for the sake of their faith in one God.
Bible Study for the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
- 7/17 – Ephesians 3:1-13 – How actively do I seek unity within the Church and between the Church and the world? Prayer starter: Help me to remember this day, Lord Jesus, that whenever two or more are gathered in your name there you are, too.
- 7/18 – Ephesians 3:14-21 – When was the last time I was simply aware of God’s loving presence? Prayer starter: Today, my loving Father, I place myself within your loving hands.
- 7/19 – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Where is the connection between inner peace and outer peace most clearly manifested in my life? Prayer starter: Lead me, Lord Jesus, on the worthy adventure of a life of discipleship.
- 7/20 – Ephesians 4:7-16 – How have I been the instrument of Christ’s love in the flesh today? Prayer starter: To Loving God, who knit me together in my mother’s womb, knit me today more tightly into the Body of Christ.
- 7/21 – Ephesians 4:17-24 – How clearly do I perceive the presence of God in my life and in the world? Prayer starter: You call us, O Lord, to be partners with you in the new creation. Help us to respond to that call with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.
- 7/22 – Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2 – Did I give way to “bitterness and wrath” in any way today? Why? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, not even the smallest act of kindness escapes your notice. Let it not escape mine either.
- 7/23 – Ephesians 5:3-20 – Was there ever a time I was more afraid of scandal than sin? Prayer starter: Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see your light in all its glory.
Convo 2012: Confirmed to Walk on Water
The Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese of the PNCC will be hosting Convo 2012: Confirmed to Walk on Water from July 23rd-27th, 2012 at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY. As we hit the one year count-down to Convo 2012, keep all of the youth of the PNCC in your collective prayers.
For more information, visit the Convo website on Facebook or the Convo 2012 website.
Bible Study for the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
- 7/10 – Galatians 5:13-15 – Am I moving towards deeper relationship or deeper isolation? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and consume me in the fires of love.
- 7/11 – Galatians 6:1-10 – How many of these virtues are present in my faith community? in my own efforts? Prayer starter: Nurture the seeds of gentleness, compassion, patience, and humility within my community and my heart, Lord Jesus.
- 7/12 – Galatians 6:11-18 – If today I were to die, would the overwhelming experience of my life be love? Prayer starter: Let not the trees of our imperfections and failings, Lord Jesus, blind us to the forest of God’s love.
- 7/13 – Ephesians 1:1-14 – How clearly do I see God’s plan Unfolding in my life? Prayer starter: Thank you, gracious God, for all the riches of grace you have lavished upon us.
- 7/14 – Ephesians 1:15-23 – What is the world that I see when I look out of my window? Prayer starter: Open my eyes, Lord, to the manifestations of indescribable beauty in the ordinary events and encounters of my life.
- 7/15 – Ephesians 2:1-10 – In what ways has my faith and experience of the presence of the risen Christ changed the Way I live? Prayer starter: Lead us, Lord Jesus, from the stifling confines of a life apart from you to the golden country of your presence.
- 7/16 – Ephesians 2:11-22 – In what ways have I been an instrument of peace? Prayer starter: Come, O Spirit of Peace. Fill my heart with your presence that I might go out and transform the world.
Bible Study for the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
- 7/3 – Galatians 2:15-21 – Am I more aware of the difference or the similarities between myself and those whom I will meet today? Prayer starter: I surrender today, Lord Jesus, to the vitality of your presence in my life.
- 7/4 – Galatians 3:1-14 – Am I doing good things to make God love me, or is it God’s love that compels me to do good things? Prayer starter: May I make the prayer of the father of the possessed boy my own today: “I believe, O Lord, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
- 7/5 – Galatians 3:15-27 – In what ways has the Law (my spiritual upbringing) been a good custodian for me? Prayer starter: Thank you, Lord, for making me your daughter/son. Help me through my actions to show the family resemblance to others.
- 7/6 – Galatians 3:28-29 and Galatians 4:1-7 – Do I really believe that God knows me better than I know myself? How does it feel? Prayer starter: Loving Daddy, cradle me today in the bosom of your merciful presence.
- 7/7 – Galatians 4:8-20 – Am I ready for the demands of a freely chosen relationship with God and neighbor? Prayer starter: Lead me, O Holy Spirit, beyond the prison walls of my fears toward the limitless horizons of God’s love.
- 7/8 – Galatians 4:21-31 and Galatians 5:1 – For me, is the Word of God alive or trapped within the words? Prayer starter: Guide me, Holy spirit, beyond the words on the page to the Word through which all that exists has been created and is sustained.
- 7/9 – Galatians 5:2-12 – When was the last time I really rested in God’s presence? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, take from me my compulsion to be busy. Replace it with a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
