SPIRITUAL JOURNEY - Seriously, God?

Week 6 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Chapter 5: Seriously, Pain is a Problem

Week 6 - Father's Homily         Seriously God - Week 6 Video

Pain is a huge argument against the Gospel and Christianity. However, the Scriptures do not run from this issue but address it full on. In this message we will look at St. Paul and what he teaches us about looking past the pain and focusing on Jesus.

What do we want them to know? Rather than focusing on our pain when we are suffering, we do better to focus on Jesus and run towards him. 

What do want them to do? Commit or recommit to pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

What do we want them to feel? Convicted to follow Jesus and set him as our number one priority in life.

Week 5 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
Chapter 4: Seriously, You Are In My Way?

Week 5 - Father's Homily      Seriously God - Week 5 Video

There are times when God seems uncooperative. He is in our way or not doing what we want him to do. When that happens, we start grumbling and complaining as the religious leaders did with Jesus, as the Jewish people did in the desert. Grumbling and complaining only takes us away from the blessings of God. In this message we will look at the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son. He sees the father as standing in the way of life rather than seeing all the blessings the father offered him.

What do we want them to know? When we feel that God is in our way or not cooperating, it is counterproductive to grumble and complain because we miss out on the blessing God has for us. 

What do want them to do? Identify where they think God is holding out on them and open themselves up to his grace.

What do we want them to feel? Challenged to let go of any entitlement.

Week 4 - Third Sunday of Lent
Chapter 3: Seriously, Those People in Charge?

Week 4 - Father's Homily     Seriously God - Week 4 Video

From government to the class room to the ball field, we have experiences of the wrong people being in charge. We encounter leaders who are incompetent, corrupt or worse. In this message we will look at the call of Moses and what it says about God's view of bad leaders. 

What do we want them to know? God sees bad leadership and wants to lead us out of it. He calls on his people to step up into leadership.

What do want them to do? Pray for the guidance to see how God is leading them away from bad leadership to a broader place. Ask God if he is calling them into leadership. 

What do we want them to feel? Encouraged that God does not want them to experience bad leadership. Challenged to step up.

Week 3 -Second Sunday of Lent
Chapter 2: Seriously, You Let Me Down?

 Week 3 - Father's Homily       Seriously God - Week 3 Video

We have hopes and dreams for the future. We set our hearts on something good and God lets us down when those hopes and dreams seem to have no hope of coming to fruition. In this message, we will look at the life of Abraham and his disappointment with God. We will look at the importance of trusting God even when it seems like he has let us down. 

What do we want them to know? Like Abraham, we will have disappointment with God in the delays of our hopes and dreams.

What do want them to do? Like Abraham, trust God to come through. He will deliver in his time, not hours.

What do we want them to feel? Acknowledge the disappointment, but be hopeful that God will come through in his time, not ours. 

Week 2 - First Sunday of Lent
Chapter 1: Seriously, No?

Week 2 - Father's Homily      Seriously God - Week 2 Video

For many people God is the God of no. If it is fun then it is off-limits. No one can deny there are no's in Scripture that seem laughable to people who are not Christians. In this message we will look at how God's no's are intended to keep us free from the slavery of sin. When we say no to certain things, we say yes to live in the freedom as God's sons and daughters.

What do we want them to know?  God's no's are intended for our freedom.

What do want them to do?  Continue the conversation in small group over the week.
Identify their number one temptation.

What do we want them to feel? Challenged.

Week 1 - 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Introduction: The Seeing Leading the Blind

Week 1 - Father's Homily        Seriously God - Week 1 Video

Jesus tells a parable or uses an illustration that the blind cannot lead the blind. We simply cannot know God all alone and on our own. We are blind without help. Christianity is a revelation of who is and what he is doing. In this first week, we will look at three principles that will form the basis of the series so that we can see life more as God sees it.

Principle 1 - What do we want them to know? 

• It makes sense that God does not make sense.
• When God does not make sense, we can get to know him better.
• Do not confuse life not making sense with God not making sense.

Principle 2 - What do want them to do?  Engage in the series by committing to read the book, participate in a small group, and participate in Mass in each week of the series.

Principle 3 - What do we want them to feel? Curious about the series. Eager to engage in reading the book and joining a small group.