DIP "Hard Sayings of Jesus" Series - Part 1 Discipleship Homework

During your Scripture Reading Time, try doing a lectio Divina (Prayerful reading, conversational with the Holy Spirit) about the following "Hard Sayings of Jesus" Scriptures.  Do one or two a day -- ask the Holy Spirit to draw you to one from this list each day (they are not necessarily in any order).

John 15: 1-17
Matthew 7: 1-20
Matthew 7: 21-23
Matthew 17: 15-17
Mark 8: 34-38
Mark 9: 42-48
Luke 6: 28-49
Matthew 6: 14-24
Matthew 25: 32-46
Revelation 3: 14-19
Sirach 17: 11-32
Sirach 18: 1-33
Matthew 19: 1-9
1 Cor 6: 9-20

Ask the Holy Spirit questions about any Church teaching that you don't understand, don't believe, or don't live.  Dialogue with Him.  Perhaps start by asking Him to remove any offense from your heart and help you to have His lens to see the truth...tell Him your issues with issues and ask Him what He thinks about them...ask for the grace to be open to hear, obey and conform to God's word over your own.  

If you haven't yet....Re-watch and pray through the examination of conscience with Fr. Mark Mary, or read and pray through this one you received in class.  Make a commitment to God (with a smart goal of date and time and preparation in prayer) to go and make the best confession of your life before Easter (this is necessary and required for all candidates who will receive sacraments at Easter Vigil, but recommended for all).  Also, make a commitment to Jesus for a regular cadence of Confession in your life....talk with the Holy Spirit about it, but a good recommendation is once every 2 - 6 weeks.  Also pray about going to a regular confessor that can get to know you and give you counsel to truly repent and help you in the process of leaving sinful habits behind and creating virtue.

Reminder: Confession once per year is the required minimum from the Precepts of the Church, but more is recommended.  And of course, it is necessary to go to Confession before receiving Communion whenever you commit mortal sin, so also consider intentionally committing to/planning on going to Confession right away should you commit mortal sin.