Special Religious Education
Faith Formation
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am”, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then tells his disciples something they may not have wanted to hear. That he was going to suffer and die. Peter objects to what Jesus has said. Jesus tells Peter you don’t understand you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do. Like Peter we too may not understand. We also may have ideas about what we think God should be doing in our world. We risk limiting God’s plan by thinking only in human ways. God’s plans are always more than we can ever imagine. Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and is Risen!
As followers of Jesus, we need to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus gave everything for us, and he wants us to love him and trust him with our whole hearts. Jesus wants us to offer our lives in service to others. As James tells us in today’s Second Reading, we can’t just say we have faith. We need to show our faith by works of love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is walking with his disciples through Galilee. Jesus tells his disciples that there will be conflict. He explains that he will suffer, die and rise. The disciples don’t want to think about what he is saying, they are afraid to ask questions. Instead, they argue about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus knew what they were talking about, so he tells them that if they want to be first, they must be humble and serve others.
Arguments as the disciples had in this Sunday’s Gospel are common in family life. Ever had this argument? I want to be first. I did the dishes yesterday; someone else should do it today. Why did she/he get chosen and I did not? All of us need to be reminded that to be great in God’s Kingdom is to be the servant of all.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you serve others?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see you when we see people in need.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciple John said to Jesus. “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus teaches the disciples that they should not be reluctant to share Jesus’ healing powers with others. No one who performs good deeds in his name is against him. God’s love is for everyone. Jesus teaches his disciples that goodness and godliness are qualities to be nurtured in ourselves and in others. No matter our race, age, or social status, Jesus wants us to welcome and accept others as he does.
Jesus also says some things that sounds crazy. Why would he say cut off your hand and foot, pluck your eye out if this causes you to sin? He is saying these things not for us to do it. But so that we can realize that our hand, foot and eye are parts of our bodies that can lead us away from God when they are not used for His glory. Pay special attention to the reflection part of this week’s video. It will explain how this teaching applies to our world today.
As a family watch video in its entirety, it’s important to watch video to ask each other this question.
Am I using my hand, foot, or eye to block my relationship with Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to strengthen our weaknesses, and walk in your path.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that from the very beginning of creation God made the union of a woman and a man a blessed and sacred community. We honor this community in the Sacrament of Matrimony. We call this community the family. Jesus teaches us that God’s grace helps a man and a woman honor their commitments to each other. Continuing with the Gospel, people were bringing children for Jesus to touch them, but the disciples were stopping them. Jesus saw this and told them to let the children come to Him, and He blessed them.
Jesus loves children and every member of the family. He calls everyone in the family to follow him, trust God, and depend in Him completely.
As a family watch the video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What are some things that make it difficult to keep promises we have made to each other in our family?
Family Prayer: Lord, show us how to love each other in our family and keep our promises to each other. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
The rich man in this Sunday’s Gospel wants to follow Jesus, but when Jesus tells him he must give up all he owns, he feels sad. It is hard to give up the things we have. Jesus doesn’t want us to hold too tightly to things of the world, but rather desire eternal life with Him in Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What things do you hold onto that might keep you from following Jesus?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to follow you no matter what we must leave behind.
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