Faith Formation
(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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
The request of John and James in this Sunday’s Gospel brings to light how even Jesus’ followers had the desire to be approved and rewarded in worldly terms. Whenever human beings gather, we ask who is best, number 1, champion, leader. As a family, we also struggle with disagreements and power struggles. Listen to the Gospel and learn how Jesus teaches us the importance of service and sacrifice in the life of a disciple. Jesus wants his followers to imitate him by being humble and becoming servants of all.
Jesus came to serve, not to be served and gave his life as a sacrifice to save us. Each time you go to Mass, know that the Lamb of God is offering himself for you in the sacrifice of the Eucharist. See the glory of his life being poured out for you, then let it inspire you to go and pour yourself out for others.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
In your family, how do you struggle with authority? How do you put each other’s needs before your own?
Family Prayer: Open our eyes Lord to see the needs of others and grow in our desire to serve them. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, a blind man named Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to cure him. The people in the crowd tell him to stop calling out, but he calls out more loudly. He won’t be silenced. Jesus hears him and goes to him and asks him “What do you want me to do for you?” He replies. “Master, I want to see”. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that his faith has saved him and he receives his sight.
Sometimes we can be blind too. We don’t see the truth about God and are blind to our own faults. Perhaps we are hurting or feeling alone or sad. Like Bartimaeus, we should call out to Jesus to help us and not let anyone stop us. Jesus wants us to believe that he can heal us. He shows us that our persistence in prayer is a sign of our faith.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions?
What do you want Jesus to heal for you? Do you believe that he can heal you?
Family Prayer: Lord, sometimes we don’t even recognize that we need healing. Help us to see where we might be broken and humbly ask you to heal us.
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