What’s the Issue Anyway?

Moralistic religion creates an unhealthy _____________ in our lives.

What Wisdom does Matthew 9:35-38 offer us as it relates to our work?

Illness and Disease made you an ________________ to the synagogue. (35)

Jesus’ heart was marked by ___________________ for the outsider. (36)

Jesus knew the _____________ would always outweigh the _____________. (37-38)

Don’t Miss This!

Jesus modeled the way of divine work: ______________________ ________________.

How can I live this out in my everyday, normal life?

Where is your _____________ filled with sheep in need of a good shepherd? Will you be an _____________ ________ of hope in that field in 2023?

Have you counted the ________ of laboring in this field?

How does this make me a better person and the world a better place?

A commitment to compassionate inclusion builds ________ _____________ _________.

“The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbors, the more effectively we love them. Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to their vocation and according to the degree of influence they wield in the polis.”. —Pope Benedict

What is God inviting you into today?

1. Look for ways to live out compassionate inclusion at work this year.
2. Commit to living the peacemaking values of wisdom, inclusion, generosity, fun and creativity in the fields of my everyday, normal life.
3. Pray for eyes to see other peacemakers at work and labor together.

Thought-provoking questions:

1. What is the most frustrating or worst job you have ever had?
2. How do you suppose people in the synagogue received Jesus’ message regarding the Kingdom (reign) of God compared to those in the crowd looking for healing?
3. What about Jesus’ life experiences (do you think) made him so tender and compassionate to the outsider?
4. Do you think the Holy Spirit is more concerned with where we work or how we do the work? Why or why not?
5. What are the “fields” in your life in which you feel called to labor with compassionate inclusion? When is inclusion the most difficult for you? Who do you struggle to invite into your life?
6. Where is your local community succeeding or failing in building The Common Good? Are there any local issues that you would like to understand better so you can more effectively build The Common Good?