Ordinary Time Readings: Sunday, July 6

Reading: Genesis 3:1-13, 22-24 and Luke 15:11-24

Reflection Questions:

  1. In our Genesis passage we hear God searching for Adam, who hid himself from God, with a question: “Where are you?” The intent of probing questions like the one God asks Adam is to draw the heart, the person out. Take a moment and ask yourself the same question: Where am I…today? Spend moments discerning the state of your body, soul, spirit (tired, challenged, joyful, energetic). Let the Spirit of God draw you out. Expose the naked truth of yourself to the One who sees you right where you are and loves you…as you are.
  2. There is a spiritual difference between hiding from God (Gen.3:8) and hidden in God (Col.3:3). Consider the two different states of existence as you reflective read Genesis 3:1-13, 22-24. In your mind, what’s the difference? Have you ever felt the tension between these two states? How have you experienced hiding? Are their areas of your life or in your heart presently that might be characterized as hiding from God? What might be preventing you from coming out into the open, being exposed as you are, with what you’ve done?
  3. Continue your reflective readings in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24. What do you hear as you listen to the narrative? What invitations do you sense God presenting to you? What comfort do you derive from Jesus’ description of the father? Take moments with God now. Wherever you find yourself…take whatever time you need to make the journey homeward. Come home.

Conclude your reflections with this prayer:

To you, my Father, I give my elemental being and all inner shadows that rise in opposition to love.

Use this day as my teacher. Reveal where there is interior resistance to your truth and transformation, and bring the joyful release of feeling forgiven in each moment when I remember who I am and what you desire for me to become. Amen

Prayer adapted from Peter Traben Haas, Centering Prayers.