Week Six of our book study on, Our One Great Act of Fidelity discusses the spiritual acts of Eucharist and how we are called to receive and share this gift.

How does Eucharist shape the way we live out our lives each and every day?  Do we acknowledge that all we have is indeed a gift from God?  How does our understanding of Eucharist shape the way we experience and interact with others in our lives?

This Lent, as we anticipate Easter and the ending of our pandemic, how does this time of waiting help us embrace a deeper commitment to receive God’s love joyfully and to share this joy with others?

WEEK 6 LENT REFLECTION GUIDE

• Read Parts III and IV (pages 95-122) of Our One Great Act of Fidelity
• Watch Part Six of Fr. Jim’s video, which is 5 ½ minutes long
• https://vimeo.com/523998670
• Prayerfully reflect on the following questions:
  • Think of a time you waited to receive something. Were you able to wait patiently and peacefully – to trust that you would receive what you needed or did you struggle to wait before you could receive? 
  • How does sacrificial giving resonate with the spirituality of Eucharist described in this book?
  • Do you believe that gratitude is the ultimate virtue for being a saint (page 104)? Why or why not?
  • How do you find God in the experiences of sharing daily life with others?

Week Four of Fr. Jim’s study on Our One Great Act of Fidelity asks us to consider the role of sacrifice and God’s unconditional love for us.

Lent is considered a time of sacrifice and penance.  What is more important, the sacrifice or the motivation behind the action? 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church informs us that love is when we will the good of the other.  How does loving others include the need for sacrifice of self?

• Read the Chapters 8, 9 & 10 of Our One Great Act of Fidelity
• Watch Part Four of Fr. Jim’s video, which is 3 ½ minutes long

Prayerfully reflect on the following questions:

• • Think of a time when you received a gift that was undeserved or totally unexpected.  How did you feel when it was given to you?
  • When have you sacrificed yourself for the good of another?
  • When have you found God’s grace present during a time of pain, brokenness or being wounded?
  • How does celebrating Eucharist remind you of God’s great and unconditional love for you?

Week Three of Fr. Jim’s study on, Our One Great Act of Fidelity examines Eucharist as “Totus Christus” and our call to move from individualism to the common good.   

He also discusses the image of “manna” and meal as it relates to Eucharist.

This Lent, how are your practices of alms, fasting and prayer leading you to deepen your understanding of being a member of the Body of Christ?

WEEK 3 LENT REFLECTION GUIDE

• Read the Chapters 5, 6 & 7 of Our One Great Act of Fidelity
• Watch Part Three of Fr. Jim’s video, which is 12 minutes long
• Prayerfully reflect on the following questions:
  • How does celebrating Eucharist help us move from being focused on our individual rights toward the common good and being a member of the Body of Christ?
  • Augustine said, “Receive what you are” when distributing Holy Communion. If we become what we receive, how does that transform us to be people of service for others?
  • In what ways is the ritual of Eucharist similar to your experience of family meals and celebrations?

WEEK 1 LENT REFLECTION GUIDE

• Read pages 1-26 of Our One Great Act of Fidelity, then
• Watch Part One of Fr. Jim’s video, which is 8 minutes long, below.
• Prayerfully reflect on the following questions:
  • How do experience the ongoing Incarnation of Christ – God taking on flesh today?
  • During the pandemic, many of us have not been able to receive Holy Communion. How has this impacted your hunger to be touched by the physical presence of Christ?
  • How do you explain the Real Presence of Christ to others?
  • In what ways are you grateful for the gift of Eucharist?

Each week during Lent, we will be posting a short video from Fr. Jim on our parish website and some reflection questions from the book.  You can also find this information on our Facebook page!

Stewardship of Time is about spending time with God.  Lent is the perfect opportunity to consider how we are “waiting for Christ in the Eucharist!”