COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality
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10/23/22 -The Pharisee and the Tax Collector- Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel Jesus tells us another parable about prayer. He tells the story about two men praying in the Temple. One was a Pharisee who was a member of a pious religious group who studied and carefully kept the Law of Moses and taught the written law of the Bible. The Pharisee prayed about his goodness and compared himself to others who were not as good as he. The other was a Jewish tax collector who made his living by collecting taxes for the Romans, and at times charged more to make a better living. People during those days did not like them. The tax collector prayed and asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus praises the tax collector for his humility and admonishes the Pharisee’s self-righteousness.
Praying with humility helps us understand and admit that all the good things we do come from God. It helps us be sorry for the selfish things we have done, be sorry for our sins, and ask God for forgiveness.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When have you been like the Pharisee? The tax collector? What is the difference?
Family Prayer: Lord, show us where we lack humility, and help us to remember to do good deeds in your name. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/30/22 - Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, we hear about a tax collector, Zacchaeus. As we learned last week, tax collectors were dishonest and people did not like them. Zacchaeus being short and probably not wanting to be seen climbs onto a tree for a better view of Jesus. Jesus see Zacchaeus, calls him by name and asks that he be invited to stay at his house. People did not approve of Jesus going to a sinner’s house, but Jesus told them that he had come to save the people who were lost in sin, he wants everyone to come to him. Zacchaeus filled with the joy that Jesus was visiting him, changes, and he asks for forgiveness. Jesus shows him love and forgiveness. Zacchaeus promises to help the poor and pay everyone back for what he had stolen. Like Zacchaeus we are sinners. Jesus calls us to recognize our sins and wants us to make things right. He seeks us and wants to forgive us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How does Zacchaeus change because Jesus becomes his friend and goes to his house? Have you ever felt really bad because of something you did? Do you think there is any sin that Jesus can’t forgive?
Family Prayer: Lord, help me accept you as my friend. Help me make room for you in every area of my life. Amen.
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Read more: Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus Cycle C / La Visita de Jesús Cambia a Zaqueo Ciclo C
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12/18/22 - An Angel Speaks to Joseph - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we learn about Joseph’s dilemma when he learns that Mary, who he is betrothed to, is expecting a child that is not his. He could have accused Mary of adultery and subjected her to punishment. But he was unwilling to take this step, so he decided to divorce her quietly. However, an Angel appears to Joseph in a dream, and tells Joseph to take Mary as his wife for her pregnancy is an act of God. The angel tells him to name the baby Jesus. Joseph trusting God, makes a choice, and does what the Angel tells him. He takes Mary into his home and names the baby Jesus which means “he will save”.
As the prophet Isaiah said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel which means “God is with us”. Let us not forget that God is always with us. He is our Savior.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When has God helped you make a choice when you needed help?
Family Prayer: God, help us make choices that bring us closer to you. Help us to follow your guidance. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
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Read more: An Angel Speaks to Joseph Cycle A / Un Ángel le Habla a José Ciclo A
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11/6/22 - The Resurrection Is The Heart Of Our Faith - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection from the dead, ask Jesus a ridiculous tricky question. They ask him, what would happen if a widow had different husbands throughout her life and they died. Who would she be married to in Heaven? Jesus is not tricked. He teaches that God is God of the living. Jesus tells them that in Heaven people are like angels because they can’t die anymore, so they will not be married. All are alive in God. Jesus’ teaching on the rising from the dead is the heart of our Catholic faith.
It is not easy to imagine what our life will be like after the resurrection of the dead. It will be different, it will not be the same as this world, we will live in great joy as children of God.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What does the word resurrection mean to you? What is the name of the prayer at mass where we profess the belief of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come?
Family Prayer: Pray the “The Creed” together. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
11/13/22 - Jesus Promises To Be With Us - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a message of hope, he tells us not to be afraid. He promises to be with us in the sicknesses, deaths, wars, disasters, and persecutions that will happen before he comes again in glory.
Because of our faith in Jesus, we are able to stand firm during difficult times. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus helps us work for justice, peace, and to support one another. When we stand firm in our faith, and focus on Jesus, we live with the hope of everlasting happiness with God in Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What things do you worry about? How does Jesus help us with our worries? What hope does Jesus give us?
Family Prayer: Jesus, we ask you for your help when things get difficult. Help us to be there for one another. Amen
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Read more: Jesus Promises To Be With Us Cycle C / Jesus Promete Estar Con Nosotros Ciclo C
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