Catechist Handbook - Archdiocese of Brisbane

in search of godPreParation for the MeetingPersonal reflectionPart of being human is to be alwayssearching for happiness – for what maybe good or true or beautiful for us.the name we give to that dream ofultimate happiness or goodness orbeauty is ‘god’. Your own search for godhas brought you to where you are now,reading these words.as part of the searching, spend sometime reflecting on these questions.• can you recall something that wasa real help to you in your search forgod? Perhaps a particular event ... aconversation ... a book ... a person ...a thought that struck you. rememberit. remember what a difference itmade to you.• Part of the catholic belief is that godis always present and lovingly activein our lives, whether we’re aware of itor not. Do you think god was presentin the times you remembered in theprevious reflection? Where do youthink god is present in your life now?What do you think God is calling youto, right now?God speaks to meYou may use one of these readings forseveral days; you may choose a differentone each day.open your heart to the spirit of god.read. Listen. Pray.• Psalm 8. a song in praise of god thecreator.• Psalm 13. A confident appeal to God.• Psalm 19:1-6. ‘the heavens are tellingthe glory of god.’• Psalm 103. god is love andcompassion. and John 1:35-39.‘come and see.’At Mass this weeknotice the variety of people gathered forMass in your parish this sunday. each oneis on his or her own journey of faith, ofgrowing closer to god.ask your sponsor to share some of his orher journey with you.Praying• find a place, and make some timewhen you can be still. relax andgently follow your breathing for alittle while. Become still. Let yourthoughts return to one of the timeswhen you felt you had ‘found’ godin your life. talk to god in your heartabout that time and what it meant toyou. say ‘thank you, god’ as often asyou like.• If you find yourself thinking aboutsome of the others in your group, youmight imagine yourself placing themin god’s loving hands, and say ‘godbless ...’ You can do this as often asyou like. Don’t forget to put yourselfthere, too. ‘god bless me’.