Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 90 - A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections as a group

1  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

3  Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, “Turn back, O children of men!”

4  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

5  Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:

6  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

7  For we are consumed by thy anger; by thy wrath we are overwhelmed.

8  Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

9  For all our days pass away under thy wrath, our years come to an end like a sigh.

10  The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11  Who considers the power of thy anger, and thy wrath according to the fear of thee?

12  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

13  Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on thy servants!

14  Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15  Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil.

16  Let thy work be manifest to thy servants, and thy glorious power to their children.

17  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Death of Moses

Moses' Death on Mount Nebo Foretold
Deuteronomy 32:48-52

1.       Mount Nebo is the last of Moses’ “mountain top” experiences with the Lord.  What are Moses’ other “mountain top” experiences?  Why is it so important for Israel to know these stories following Moses’ death?  Do you know the stories of your father’s “mountain top” experiences with the Lord?  Do your children know the stories of when you have been closest to God?

2.       The Lord again reminds Moses why he cannot enter the Promised Land.  Why must Moses be held to a higher standard than the rest of Israel? How do your children react when you fail to hold them to a standard?  When in your life have you been grateful that someone demanded that you live up to a certain standard?

The Death of Moses
Deuteronomy 34

3.       Moses’ final act in his life, ascending to Mount Nebo to die, displays tremendous obedience to God.  Compare this obedience to Moses’ persistent reluctance in his first interaction with God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3).  How has Moses changed?  How have you changed since you first encountered God?

4.       Moses dies before his ultimate mission is completed.  What is your ultimate mission as a Patriarch? In what practical ways has Moses prepared his “children” to accomplish their mission once he is gone? In what practical ways have you prepared your children to “pursue the promised land” once you are gone?

5.       How long is the intentional period of weeping and mourning for Moses? What is the psychological benefit to a specific period of mourning?  Do you have any first-hand experiences with ritual mourning periods in other cultures?   How can you incorporate ritual morning into your family’s life when a loved one passes away?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will record my own “mountain top” experiences with God in a family Bible that will be passed on to my children.
2.    I will research and share opportunities for my teenage children to encounter God this summer at a Catholic youth conference or Catholic summer camp. 
3.    I will review any areas where I fail to hold myself to a higher standard than those I supervise at work and will take steps to correct faults that I discover.
4.    I will share a story with my children of a time that a parent, coach or teacher held me to a high standard and how it benefited me.
5.    I will pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary on Tuesday or Friday this week, focusing my meditation on Christ’s obedience.  
6.    I will invite my children to share at dinner this week the positive ways they have seen their siblings change over the past several years. 
7.    I will read the section “I Believe in Everlasting Life” from the Catechism (Par. 1020 – 1065). 
8.    I will sign up to help with an outreach ministry at church and will invite my family to join me.
9.    I will make a plan with my wife to ritually mourn the passing of family members or loved ones in the future.

Previous Resolutions - Numbers 32, 33 & Deuteronomy 31

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.