Chapter Preparation Day
Realities and Resources
June 7, 2014
Song: “I Found a Treasure”
Lord, to whom can I go? You alone speak the words of life.
You alone on the earth or in heaven above are my Savior and my Lord.
I found a treasure in a field
which neither time nor death can steal.
I will sell what I have,
give all that I am,
to hold this treasure as my own.
Constitutions—Article 153
The congregation strives
to give a collective witness
of charity and poverty.
As a religious institute
our temporal goods are,
above all,
at the service of
our shared mission.
Acts 3: 1-8
(New American Bible)
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple area for
the three o’clock hour of prayer. A man crippled from
birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple
every day to beg for alms from the people who entered
the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go
into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked
intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” He
paid attention to them, expecting to receive something
from them. Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but
what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the
Nazorean, rise and walk.” Then Peter took him by the
right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet
and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood and walked
around, and went into the temple with them, walking
and jumping and praising God.
Constitutions—Article 20
We rejoice in the things of this world
and praise God’s unending goodness.
We reverence the abundant gifts of God
and use them for his greater glory.
The more we allow God alone to possess our hearts,
the more we desire to be poor,
free from attachments to earthly goods
and ready to share them generously with others.
Mark 12: 41-44
small
(The Message)
Sitting across from the offering box, Jesus was
observing how the crowd tossed money in for the
collection. One poor widow came up and put in two
coins. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The
truth is that this poor widow gave more to the
collection than all the others put together. All the
others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave
extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave
her all.
Constitutions—Article 21
In joy and simplicity of heart we strive
to leave all things for the sake of Christ,
placing our trust in God’s goodness,
grateful for what he provides.
What word or phrase
from these readings
resonates with you?
Speaks to your heart?
Challenges you?
Share your reflection with a partner.
Each person shares for one minute.
Song: “I Found a Treasure”
Jesus, Lord of my life. I can ask for nothing more,
than to see and believe that my life lies in you
in the kingdom of my Lord.
I found a treasure in a field
which neither time nor death can steal.
I will sell what I have,
give all that I am,
to hold this treasure as my own.