In the first reading, the voice of God warns not to oppress the alien and the widow and take advantage of the needy. How do you promote the just treatment of the vulnerable?

Isaiah tells of how God can make even a foreign king “his anointed,” the messiah, and work through him. Where have you seen God work in expected ways and through unexpected people?

“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!” God provides.

“Have no anxiety at all,“ Saint Paul writes. It’s a tall order. But faith, especially the faith expressed in prayer, really can move us beyond all anxiety to the supreme peace God offers.

One way to think of obedience is in terms “listening”; in fact, “to hear” is at the root of the word obey.

In the gospel parable, the workers protest—justifiably, it could be argued—against the owner of the vineyard for his unfairness.

Not forgiving is an ingratitude. How could we not forgive others, when God has forgiven us so much? Another way of putting it, scripture says this week, is that if we do not show others forgiveness, it cannot be shown us.

What can be the consequences of the prophetic calling to speak the truth? How do prophets have to accept the consequences of their truth-speaking?

Jeremiah felt “duped” by God because the people mocked him. Have you ever felt “duped” by God? Have you been able to examine that feeling more closely and come to a deeper understanding of your life’s purpose?

God is depicted as “pulling down” those in high places because of their arrogance. Why do you think abuse of power and authority is such a perennial temptation? How have you dealt with that temptation in your own life?