What do you believe?  How strong are you in your beliefs?

I don’t know about you, but the strength of my beliefs has had their ups and their downs. During different points in my life, I can honestly say that I did not feel close to God.   However, being a cradle Catholic, I have always believed there is a God.  I have always believed that He has the power to do anything.  My belief in God’s power to heal others is much stronger these past few years, though, since I have taken such a strong interest in learning about the Catholic faith.  I have seen the power of prayer and the comfort it brings to me and to those who pray or are the recipients of prayers.  How does it make you feel if someone asks you to pray for them?  When you know someone who is ill, injured, or in need of help, do you think it helps to pray for them?  Do you ask others to pray for you or for someone you know?  Is prayers powerful?

This week, we are to read Matthew 9:1-11:1.  In these readings, we see how the power of belief in Jesus resulted in miraculous healing, exorcisms, and even a raising from the dead.

Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• Matthew 9:28: “When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  Do YOU believe?
• Matthew 10:28: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Are you afraid of Satan?  Of God?  If so, how is this fear beneficial?
• Additional Questions found in your study guide or in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew (page 77)

Please share your thoughts about this week’s readings and questions on the Week 5 page or on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.