Hope all of you that are joining us in reading Mercy in the City by Kerry Weber (and if you haven't started yet, no worries, it is a really easy read so start anytime!)
Since as I've been reading, I've found a little nugget of information in each chapter that I think would be great to discuss, I decided to split up the discussion questions into 3 separate posts to be posted on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This way it won't feel overwhelming in one post. Feel free to add a comment with your answers to all or some of the discussion questions or ask your own questions that you came up with while reading that others can answer...whatever the Spirit calls you to.
So far I've really enjoyed how real Kerry has been with some of struggles with completing the Corporal Acts of Mercy thus far, but how when she perseveres, the rewards are great. I'm looking forward to reading more to see where her story takes her!
Without further ado...the discussion questions!
Intro:
Kerry had an experience where the nun said she like the shoes she had been self-conscious about. That experience gave her an overwhelming feeling that everything would be ok and she later recognized it as the Spirit. Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, what was it and how did you know it was the Spirit?
Ch 1:
Have you ever felt that if you can't adhere to your Lenten sacrifices perfectly, that maybe you shouldn't try at all? If so, what was your response?
Ch 2:
Reread the St. Basil the Great quote on page 9. It is a challenging statement. What have you done in your life to give drink to the thirsty? How do we know when and how to act?
Ch 3:
What has been your experience with public expressions of religion, like going out and about with ashes on Ash Wednesday? Have they been positive or negative?
More questions Thursday!
Have a blessed week!
These are some tough questions, which is why I have been delayed in answering them! Funny thing...I came up with these tough questions! Maybe God is trying to tell me something! Ha!
ReplyDeleteIntro: This is a hard one. I couldn't think of any experience I've had like this for a long time, but as I was sitting to type this I thought of one. When I went to Catholic Underground for the first time, I was intimidated by the whole thing. There was Confession (which I hadn't been to since I was in 8th grade...many many moons ago) and Adoration (which I really knew nothing about). When I got there, I knew deep down that I wanted to go to Confession although I couldn't remember how to do it and was extremely nervous about the whole situation. I was self-conscious thinking I was the only one who hadn't been to confession in not months or years, but decades! I remember sitting there while Adoration started and praying that the butterflies in my stomach would go away and I would have the courage to just stand up and get in a confession line. I had already done my Examination of Conscience and taken notes on what I needed to say and when. I just needed to get up. And get up I did... When it was my turn, I basically looked straight down and confessed all the major sins I could remember (there were LOTS - decades worth!). Don't get me wrong, I was still nervous, but once I started talking, I just couldn't stop. Finally, when the priest lifted his hand and held it over me for absolution, I just felt this incredible warmth and sense of peace and gratitude - which I just somehow knew was the Spirit. (There may have been a few tears as well.) I still get nervous every time I go to Confession, but remembering this event helps.
I remember that day! :) I was pleasantly surprised to see you get in line for Confession.
DeleteIn all of my comments/ shared stories I keep going back to the bakery, but that's cause it was the most meaningful experience in my life so far! I'm pretty sure I've shared this story before- about how for several weeks I had this unnerving sense that I was running out of time, but that I couldn't figure out what I was running out of time for and what I was supposed to do. When one of my bosses sat me down and basically said, "Change or leave. I'll give you the night to think about it" I went over to Panoramic Hill near Berkeley (one of my fav spots in the whole Bay Area) to think about what I should do. Logically, I had already reasoned that I would leave as a result of that conversation, but I wanted to "feel out" my emotions and get a sense of where this was coming from, is this the right thing to do, etc. As I was looking at the non-view (it was too cloudy to see anything), I understood that I had been running out of time at the bakery and that I wouldn't have left any other way. The following Sunday I was at All Saints, and the week after that I was signed up to help out with RCIA, which then led me to youth ministry and then to young adult ministry. The rest is history!
I have to post in a few comments since my responses are too long!
ReplyDeleteCh 1: Yes, Yes, Yes to this question. I am currently NOT adhering to the one Lenten sacrifice that I made about not using Facebook on my phone and although I sometimes feel guilty about it, I feel like in general I have been using it for good. I have purged my news feed so it is filled with positivity and love sharing pics of Hailey. In reality, this Lent I feel like giving up a specific sacrifice wasn't my priority and even though there is some guilt about that, I'm actually ok with it. I think this Lent, my focus has been on growing my faith by being consistent with reading the daily readings & a few associated devotionals every morning, making time to not miss a Tuesday or Thursday night Church event, going to Stations of the Cross and The Haven, and really trying to read Scripture (even if I'm not understanding it all...I want to at least read through everything...I find the more times I'm exposed to it, the more I remember and learn.) I think that all of these "additions" are definitely helping me grown in my faith. And now when I think about it...I guess I've given up something, in order to have the time to add all these things to my life. It just isn't one specific thing!
Ch 2: Another hard one.... I really struggle with this in the outward sense. I'm the one who regretfully puts my head down when I pass a homeless person instead of making eye contact, giving them change, saying hi. I guess it is mostly out of fear since you don't know how people will react. So honestly I'm interested to see how others know when and how to act in order to feed the hungry/give drink to the thirsty.
ReplyDeleteCh 3: I guess I would have to say that my experiences with public expressions of religion have been mostly positive. But I do think that I sometimes sensor myself in front of certain people or in certain places to ensure that I don't get a negative reaction. I've been working on praying before meals at home with Hailey (not a regular habit for me) and although it was a little bit uncomfortable to do it at first, especially in front of my husband who is Catholic but not overly religious, it is definitely getting easier and he is even participating (if only doing the motions...). Now I need to work on being better about praying before meals when we are out and about, etc. Work in progress I guess...
Can't wait to read others responses (if anyone is reading along with me!) :-)
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