(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to tell us about the Kingdom of God.  In the first parable, the seeds planted grew into a healthy crop of grain, but it took many days and nights.  In the second parable, the mustard seed which is the size of a teeny dot on a sheet of paper grows into a tree.  Both these parables focus on seeds.  Seeds sown take time to grow.  When things take a long time to happen, we have to be patient and have faith.  When we learn about our faith and practice it well, it will grow so that everyone will see its effect in our lives.  We must sow seeds by spreading his words.

God wants us to know that if we live as Jesus tells us, we can look forward to happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What actions start small but can grow into larger things?

(Good: kindness, love, forgiveness)

(Bad: anger, not forgiving, judgment)

Family Prayer:  Jesus help us to grow in faith, love, positive attitude, and kindness.  Amen

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear of a great storm.  Jesus is on a boat with his disciples and has fallen asleep.  His disciples are afraid of the storm and they wake up Jesus.  Jesus wakes up and orders the wind and sea to calm down.  Jesus asks his disciples: “Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?”

We all face personal storms of fear, anger, loneliness, rejection, loss of a loved ones.  We can share our worries and concerns with Jesus.  When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, he can help us see our worries from a different perspective.  He can help us face our worries with faith in God’s love and protection.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions:

When you are afraid, do you remember that Jesus is with you?

How can Jesus help you when you are afraid?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, increase our trust in you especially when we are afraid.  Help us to trust that you will help us at all times. Amen.

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles.  He cured the sick and even raised the dead.  In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle.  We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways.  We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day.  Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, please help us to have faith.  Teach us to ask for what we need with faith.  Amen

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles moved by the faith of people.  The raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage.  This Sunday is quite different.  People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was.  They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger.  Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform many miracles.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?

Family Prayer:  Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes.  Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything.  Amen

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus selects his 12 Apostles giving them special authority to preach and heal the sick.  He did not send them alone.  He sent then out two by two, and gives them specific instructions to take nothing with them for the journey, except a walking stick, a pair of sandals and one tunic.  The Apostles trusted everything Jesus told them to do.

By virtue of our Baptism, we are called to trust Jesus and in his name tell people about his love for us.  But he doesn’t expect us to do this mission alone.  He wants us to work with others.  Our Church is a community of disciples who teach people about Jesus and helps others in Jesus’ name. 

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question? 

How will you share Jesus’ mission as his disciple?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help me to listen, hear and share your word.  Amen

 

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