Police officer, social worker, electrician, mechanic, mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, assembly line worker, grocer, fact checker . . . the list goes on and on when it comes to all the “titles” a person may have.  Whatever your role (or roles) in life, you have a responsibility to use your gifts or talents to better yourself and others, bringing you and others closer to God.  This could be within the scope of your “job” or maybe outside of it, like volunteer work, or at home.  This week, please pray to God to help discern what your talents are and how best to use them for the betterment of God’s Kingdom on earth.

We are now starting Week 6 of our study of Romans.  For this week, please read Romans chapters 11 and 12 (11:1-12:21).   Also, please feel free to comment on the readings by posting on the Week 6 page or on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.

Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• Please review the study questions in the  Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans (page 48) for chapters 11 and 12. They are available online:http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/catholic-study-bible/download/guides/icsb-romans.pdf
• “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”  Is your body an instrument of righteousness? (see Romans 12:1 and the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans’ note for this verse)
• How do you decide what is the will of God? (see Romans 12:2 and the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans’ note for this verse) By the virtue and gift of chastity? By purity of intention?  By purity of vision?  By prayer? Any other means? (see “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2520)
• How do you use the gifts that God has given you? (see Romans 12:6 and the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans’ note for this verse)
• Do you carry the marks of a true Christian? If so, in what ways?  In what ways should you improve? (see Romans 12:9-21)