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8/27/23 - Who do you say that I am? - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asked his disciples who people thought the he was. They responded, that some people thought he was someone special, but none of these people understood who he really was. Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answered “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus tells Simon that God helped him see that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus tells Simon that he would now be called Peter, which means rock, he would be a strong foundation to build his Church.
Peter played an important role in the early Christian community. Jesus gave the teaching authority to Peter and it has been passed down to all those who have followed him as leaders in the Church. Like Peter, Pope Francis reminds us that we are people united in the faith that Jesus is God’s Son.
Today’s Gospel should remind us that the Church is built on a foundation united in faith that Jesus Christ is God’s Son. The family, as domestic church, has this same faith as its foundation.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How would you respond to Jesus if he asked you “Who do you say that I am? How would you respond if you were asked “Who is Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us receive the grace to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. As a family, help us build a strong foundation in our domestic church. Amen.
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Read more: Who do you say that I am? Cycle A / ¿Quién dices que soy? Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
9/3/23 - God Forbid! - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In last week’s Gospel, Peter tells Jesus he is the son of the living God. This week Peter tells Jesus God forbid he shall suffer when he hears Jesus predict his death. Jesus who had just given Peter authority in the Church, scolds Peter for his lack of trust. Even someone as important as Peter needs to be corrected. Peter would learn that if he wanted to be like Jesus, he would have to trust Jesus, pick up his cross, and follow him.
Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him. Sometimes it is easy to be a disciple of Jesus. Other times it is difficult to follow Jesus. During difficult times we need to trust Jesus. Faithful disciples are called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Have you ever behaved like Peter and been an obstacle to others in their following Jesus? How does God use others to correct you or teach you?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to think of others before ourselves. With God’s love, let our little crosses of each day be offered up to you for the love of others. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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Read more: God Forbid! Cycle A / ¡Dios No Lo Quiera! Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
9/10/23 - Is Judging Wrong - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn how Jesus knew that disagreements would happen. Even when we love and care for our friends and family members, we have disagreements. Jesus teaches us that when we disagree with someone, we should speak to them first. If that person isn’t willing to listen and solve the disagreement we might need to ask for help from other people.
When you have a problem with another person, pray to Jesus. Pray that he will help you be calm, listen to the other person, and bring peace to the situation.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do you handle disagreements? What can you learn from Jesus’s teaching on how to handle disagreements?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us have loving and forgiving hearts so that we may always live in good relationships with others. Amen.
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Read more: Is Judging Wrong Cycle A / ¿Deberiamos Juzgar? Ciclo A
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9/17/23 - The Lord's Call to Us - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times he needs to forgive others. Then Jesus tells the story of the king who forgave someone’s debt and how this person did not forgive the person who owed him. Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.
It is not always easy to forgive someone who hurts you. Jesus tells us that we must forgive, just as God the Father forgives us. When we hurt someone, we should ask for forgiveness right away. When someone asks for our forgiveness, we should not answer, “It’s okay,” but rather say, “I forgive you.” We must forgive one another from the heart.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we answer Jesus’ call? Are we afraid to answer his call? When others hurt us, do we truly forgive with our hearts?
Family Prayer: Help us Lord to answer your call. And, to offer and ask for forgiveness when we have hurt each other. Amen.
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Read more: The Lord's Call to Us Cycle A / La LLamada del Señor Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Praying for you. This Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus is gentle and humble of heart.
In the First reading the Prophet Zechariah’s message is that our King would come as a savior, not a ruler. Our Responsorial Psalm is a prayer of praise to God our King. St. Paul in the second reading tells us that when we find rest in Jesus, we are not in the flesh but live in the Spirit. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for the things he reveals to his little ones. He also tells us “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give your rest”.
Jesus knows all our weakness and that at times the little strength we have can fail us. Jesus is inviting us to go to him with a humble heart and tell Him all our problems, because it is only in Jesus that we can find rest.
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
This Sunday Jesus tells us a parable. Parables are stories that teach a lesson. He speaks about a sower, a person who plants seeds. This sower throws seeds all over and they land on paths, in rocks and thorn bushes, and on good soil. Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like seed that has been planted on good soil.
As a family, watch video in its entirety, then ask each other. What type of soil do you think your faith is growing in? Do you need to change it? If so, how might you?
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus says Heaven is like a rare pearl and so precious we would want to give up everything to have it!
This parable also helps us to realize that to God, we are that pearl. Jesus gave up his very life because he thinks we are precious too.
As a family watch video in its entirety.
The goal of family life is to help each other get to Heaven.
How can you help your family get to Heaven?
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus taught thousands of people about living a holy life, and then he fed them by a miracle of multiplying five loaves and two fishes.
Jesus still wants to feed us both spiritually and physically. At Mass he comes to us in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Jesus shares himself with us through the Gospel and then in the Eucharist.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you recognize the needs of others, whether they are spiritual, emotional or physical?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to notice when others need our help, whether it is with their spiritual, emotional, or physical needs. Amen
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The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Cycle A / Parábola de los Trabajadores de la Viña Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
9/24/23 - The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a story of a vineyard owner who went out at different times to find men to work. At the end of the day, he gave each man a whole day’s wages, even though some worked all day and some only worked one hour. He started paying the workers that started working late first and the ones that came in first last. The ones who worked all day complained and were not happy because they all received the same wages. This story is not about wages or fairness.
Jesus is teaching us about God’s love and generosity. It can feel unfair when someone gets paid when they did not work as hard as you did. Jesus says, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” Some people spend their whole lives working for God, and some people only turn to Him at the last minute. He teaches us that there is room for everyone in his Church and in Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is a family activity in which each member does his or her part? When did you want to be first, but did not get to be? Name something positive about putting others first?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us how to put others first. Remind us that you love all of us and you want us to love each other. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calms the storm surrounding the Apostles. Jesus also calms the storms in our lives.
Jesus reminds us that we must trust in him even when things look scary, because he is always in control.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
In what area of your life do you need to trust Jesus more?
Family Prayer: Lord, we all experience storms in life. Help us to trust you even when life seems difficult. Amen
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Queridas familias,
En el Evangelio de este domingo, Jesús calma la tormenta frente a los apóstoles. Jesús también calma las tormentas en nuestras vidas.
Jesús nos recuerda que debemos confiar en el aun cuando las cosas parezcan turbulentas, porque El siempre tiene el control.
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This Sunday’s Gospel is often misunderstood. Jesus is not saying the woman is a dog. He is trying to explain that she is not a person who was raised in faith
and yet she shows great faith. To some, she was invisible. The woman is persistent and faithful, two things we are reminded to be.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Who is invisible to you? Who do you ignore? Why do you choose to do this?
Family Prayer: Jesus, sometimes it can feel as though you cannot hear us. Help us to keep asking for help and to be patient,
waiting with trust, knowing you will answer our prayers at the right time. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/1/23 - The Parable of the Two Sons - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable (story) of two sons whose father asked them to help in the vineyard. The first son said no to his father and then changed his mind and helped. The second son said yes, he would help but he did not. Both sons were asked to help. The difference between the two sons is that the first son that said no disobeyed with his words but obeyed with his action. The second son said yes with his words but disobeyed with his action.
There are times when we are asked to do something and say yes and plan not to do it. Other times we might say no and then realize we need to do it. Jesus teaches us that our actions are as important as our words. When we go to Mass each Sunday, we learn God’s love for us and how to love one another. It is important that our actions match what we learn and say at each Mass and live God’s love through our words and actions in our world.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What makes you say no instead of yes when you are asked to do something? What do you say yes to and do?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to hear what you want us to know and to say yes to you. Amen.
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Read more: The Parable of the Two Sons Cycle A / Parábola de los Dos Hijos Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/8/23 - Bad Tenants and Wild Grapes - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable about a man who plants a vineyard, and then leased it to tenants. When the owner’s servants go to collect the produce from the tenants, they rebel and kill the servants. Then he sends his son, and they killed him also. The tenants thought they would be able to take the vineyard if the son was dead. When he finishes the parable, he questions the chief priests and elders. He asks, what would they do? And they answered that they would kill the wicked tenants. Jesus is speaking about the failure of Jesus’ own people not accepting him. When God sent His Son Jesus, the leaders were like the tenants. They did not listen or respect him. They killed Jesus on the cross.
Jesus’ parable teaches us to be part of God’s vineyard, the Church. Jesus is asking us to make good choices. Not to be like the bad tenants who were selfish. He is calling us to be a part of God’s kingdom. To be a part of God’s kingdom we need to love, not be selfish, listen to Jesus’ teachings, and be responsible to what we say we will do.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is God like the owner of the vineyard? How are you responsible at school, home, church, and with other people?
Family Prayer: God our creator, thank you for making us and sharing your wonderful world with us. Amen.
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Read more: Bad Tenants and Wild Grapes Cycle A / Malos Viñadores y Uvas Agrias Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This Sunday’s Gospel is very important to Catholics because it describes when Jesus gave his Church the papacy (pope).
Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter and gave Peter the ability to bind or forgive sins
(the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation).
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift Jesus gave us?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to always run towards you and change anything that
keeps us from you. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tries to explain that he will die and rise again three days later. This frightens the Apostles.
Peter doesn’t want Jesus to say these things. Jesus (who just gave Peter authority in the Church) scolds Peter for his lack of trust.
Even someone as important as Peter needs correction at times.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How does God use others to correct you or teach you?
Family Prayer: Jesus, you always know the right path for us.
Help us to trust that you will help us find our way. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/15/23 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Cycle A
Dear Families,
If you were invited to a party, would you go? In today’s Gospel of Matthew, guests who were invited to the son of the king's wedding did not come, so the host invited strangers. Every Sunday, we are invited to come to God’s house. Sometimes we may not feel like going or we are too busy, but the feast is ready and God is waiting eagerly for our arrival.
Jesus tells this parable to teach us about being invited to the greatest celebration of all, the gift of the Holy Eucharist at Mass. Some people accept his invitation and some people don’t. When we don’t attend Mass, we are saying no to his invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why is Sunday Mass such an important and special celebration?
Family Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending us an invitation to be a part of your family and come to your celebration every Sunday. Amen.
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Read more: The Parable of the Wedding Banquet Cycle A / La Parábola del Banquete Nupcial Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/22/23 - God and Caesar - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, some religious leaders want to trap Jesus into taking sides on the question of paying Roman taxes. They believe that accepting Roman rule in their country means they are not loyal to God and his rules. Jesus tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Jesus calls them and us to obey both civil and religious laws, however, we need to examine our allegiances when the two conflict.
We have God’s laws and government laws. Both are for our own good. But we need to remember that what is most important is to love and honor God first.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What allegiance do we owe to God? What allegiance to Caesar?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to always remember to keep God first in our lives. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This week’s Gospel teaches us we belong to God. He created us and loves us. When Jesus tells us to give “to God what belongs to God,” he reminds us that we are God’s children! We should give ourselves completely to Jesus and do what he wants us to do.
As a family watch video in its entirety than ask each other this question. How do you show God that you belong to him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to see you in everyone we meet! Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/29/23 - The Greatest Commandment - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, the Jewish religious leaders are still trying to test Jesus. In today’s reading they question him about the Ten Commandments and the many additional rules that numbered over six hundred by asking him which is the most important one. Jesus answers them that the first greatest commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself. The whole law depends on these two commandments.
Jesus teaches that the heart of God’s Law is love. When we keep the great commandments, we also keep all the other commandments. Sometimes we think that the commandments restrict us but they free us from those things that get in the way of loving. Jesus shows us this love in a powerful way by his life, Death, and Resurrection.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are the rules or laws in your family? How do they show love for God? How do they show love for you and others?
Family Prayer: Dear Lord, show us how to love you, ourselves, and others. Amen.
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Read more: The Greatest Commandment Cycle A / Los Mandamientos Mas Importantes Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel we learn that it is not always easy to forgive someone who hurts you.
Jesus tells us that we must forgive, just as God the Father forgives us.
When we hurt someone, we should ask for forgiveness right away.
When someone asks for our forgiveness, we should answer:
“I forgive you” and not say “It’s okay”.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why is it better to say: “I forgive you,” than “it’s okay,” when someone asks for forgiveness?
Family Prayer: Help us Lord, to offer and ask for forgiveness when we have hurt each other. Amen
