Luke 9:11b-17
Lead in: “As the day was drawing to a close, the twelve approached him (Jesus) and said, ‘Dismiss the crowd so they can go.’” Luke 9:12 Finding themselves miles from nowhere and with nothing to eat, the disciples’ solution was to say to the crowd, “Everybody’s on your own. Good luck!” But Jesus had a different plan.
Prompt: Reflect on a time that you found yourself tempted to think for yourself first without having to worry about anyone else.
Lead in: “Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, he (Jesus) said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.” Luke 9:16 Jesus taught the disciples what they had been given was not just for their own welfare, but for the welfare of all. This means that my receiving Holy Communion is not just for me and my salvation, it’s a gift meant to be shared. Only when I share what I have received does the gift I have received in Holy Communion become truly nourishing for me.
Prompt: How would you respond to the person who tells you that receiving Holy Communion is what they do to make sure they get into heaven?
Lead in: Jesus said, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses it for my sake (and the sake of the Gospel) will save it.” Luke 9:24
Prompt: If Eucharist challenges us to “lose” our lives for the sake of the Gospel, as you live out Eucharist this week, where is it that you are being called to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel?
Lead in: “They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.” Luke 9:17 The abundance of leftovers reminds us of God’s abundance in our lives.
Prompt: Reflect on three ways that God has abundantly nourished you this week.
Lead in: “Take and eat. This is my body given up for you.” I Corinthians 11:24 In Holy Communion, as we receive the one who laid his life down for us, we’re called to do the same by laying our lives down for others.
Prompt: If this is true, who then will you lay your life down for this week? How will you do that?
