Week 1: Prayer &
How Can I Know God?
- Some people wonder if we can know God, but we have come to understand that not only does God want us to know him, he leaves us many guideposts along the way! God reveals himself to us in the natural world around us. He meets us in the Sacraments, and speaks to us through his Word (the Bible), but God is revealed in the fullest way through Jesus Christ, his Son.
- When we look at Jesus, we can see the Father. Phillip asked Jesus to “show us the Father.”
- Jesus is the key to our knowing God. When we look at Jesus, we see God. When Jesus takes act, it is God who is acting. When Jesus shows compassion, it is God who is compassionate.
- Knowing Jesus is knowing God!
- Prayer is a particular way of being in the presence of God.
- We can address God the Father, God the Son who is Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.
Praying the Rosary
- Pray the Rosary with us! The Luminous Mysteries were recorded live at the Servants of Mary in Windsor, Ohio in front of a 50′ tall Our Lady of Guadalupe! Our Rosary group and ladies’ book club, along with a few other friends came along to pray with us. It’s not perfect, but it is prayerful!
Praying the Rosary
- What does Jesus look like? Here is a photograph of Jesus as seen from the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be Jesus’ burial cloth. Scientists have not been able to determine what caused the image to appear on the cloth, but have likened it to the imprint left by a nuclear force. You can see a 3-D rendition of what the face of Jesus looks like, through information gathered from the burial cloth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt_92yHPSugThere were some claims related to radio-carbon dating, the shroud was not old enough to be that of Jesus, but later research shows that the samplings came from repairs to the cloth made by nuns after a fire had damaged a portion of it.
Clearing Up Misconceptions of God
Made in God's Image and Likeness!
- God created human beings in God’s own image and likeness.
- We can learn something about who God is by studying the human being.
- The nature of a human being is to be both body and soul.
- God knows us better than we know ourselves, and God knows our true needs.
- We can (and should) reflect God to others, especially since we are created in God’s own image and likeness. When people look at us, they should learn something of God. Are we contributing to the misconceptions of God to others in our words and actions?
Watch 2 of these 3 videos for this session.
If you can, attend the Theology of the Body event at St. Barnabas – “Made for More!” Pre-sale tickets only, but as long as they are available, 8th graders and high school students can get a ticket for FREE from Mrs. Smith. (recommended age 14 & up)
The Chosen, "Shabbat"
- Shabbat is the Jewish word for the 7th day when God rested after creation. They celebrate by setting the day aside for prayer, reciting scripture, and family and friends. The tone of life slows down so that we can hear God.
- We celebrate similarly, the Sabbath day, which we observe on Sunday – the day Jesus rose from the dead. Talk about how we are supposed to set aside that day for rest, worship and family.
- Watch episode 2 of “The Chosen” series. You will find this particular Watch Guide helpful in following along, as they jump from one group of people to another, following several story lines. Your Watch Guide can be found HERE.
- We also plan to show it in the MPR as well, with opportunity for discussion and questions afterwards. Watch email for date/time! Use the Watch guide to help you get the most out of this episode. (You will be watching all 8 this year!)
Email me your success stories!! Photos are most welcome! (We like to get excited about your successes, too!)