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7/16/23 - God's Word Grows in Good Soil - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seeds.  He teaches about the different types of soils the seeds fall on and compares them to how we listen to the Word of God.  The seeds are all the same, but depending on how each person receives the message it grows different.  Jesus wants us to be like good soil so the seeds of God’s Word can grow strong.

 

When we open our hearts to the Word of God, our faith grows.  Jesus teaches us that the kingdom of heaven is like seed that has been sown on good soil.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What are some things we can do so that we are like good soil, and grow in God’s Word?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, we pray that we will become the good soil needed for God’s Word to take deep root in our hearts.  Amen.

 

 

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11/19/23 - The Parable of the Talents - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us another parable.  Jesus tells about a master who went on a journey and trusted three of his servants to take care of large sums of his money (talents).   When he came back and asked, two of them used the talents and earned more but one didn’t use it at all.  He rewarded the two servants who had used their talents, but he punished the servant who was afraid and had not used his talent.

 

We learn from Jesus in this parable the importance of using the talents that God has given us.  God has given each of us particular skills and abilities and we must not hide them or be afraid to use them.  By using the talents God has given us for his glory, we serve God and bring people closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What talent has God given you?  How can you use it to tell others about Jesus?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us to discover our talents.  Show us how you want us to use them.  Amen.

 

 

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/29/23 - Jesus Wants Us To Be Happy - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes.  Jesus tells us that we are “blessed” when we are sad, meek, looking for righteousness, poor in spirit, merciful, and even when people are mean to us because we believe in God.  We also learn something else important:  Jesus wants us to listen to what he says and learn from him.

 

People can be rich in material things, successful, or famous and not consider themselves blessed or happy.  The Beatitudes are blessings that tell us how Jesus wants us to live.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Who does God bless according to Jesus?

 

Family Prayer:  Dear Jesus, help us to listen and learn the things you want us to know.  Give us the grace to live out the Beatitudes.  Amen.

 

 

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/23/24 - Jesus Calms the Storm - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus is in a boat sleeping with his Apostles when a big storm came up and they were afraid they were going to sink.  They wake him and ask him if he is not afraid, they will sink.  Jesus stops the storm and asks them “Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?”

 

There are many times and reasons as to why we worry and are afraid.  Remember, that whatever storms we face in our lives, when we have faith and trust Jesus his peace will calm our storms.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then 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 when we are afraid.  Amen.

 

 

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