Services
(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.
 |
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am”, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then tells his disciples something they may not have wanted to hear. That he was going to suffer and die. Peter objects to what Jesus has said. Jesus tells Peter you don’t understand you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do. Like Peter we too may not understand. We also may have ideas about what we think God should be doing in our world. We risk limiting God’s plan by thinking only in human ways. God’s plans are always more than we can ever imagine. Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and is Risen!
As followers of Jesus, we need to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus gave everything for us, and he wants us to love him and trust him with our whole hearts. Jesus wants us to offer our lives in service to others. As James tells us in today’s Second Reading, we can’t just say we have faith. We need to show our faith by works of love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen
 |
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Jesus did many wonderful miracles! This Sunday’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus healing a man who is deaf and could not speak clearly. Jesus touched him and healed him. Being able to hear is a wonderful gift from God. Listen to how the deaf man’s friends brought him to Jesus to heal him. Today’s Gospel invites us to think how we witness the healing presence of God to others. Jesus loves us so much that He takes care of all our needs.
God has given us the gift of hearing to be able to talk with and listen to other people. Let us thank God for the gift of hearing. Let us use this gift to hear God’s Word at Mass and share it with others.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How can you use your voice to tell others about Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to hear the Gospel, understand it, and tell others the Good News of Jesus. Amen
 |
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
11/21/21 - Solemnity of Christ the King - Cycle B
Dear Families,
The Feast of Christ the King ends the Church year. The Church celebrates this feast to hold up Jesus as the kind of king and leader the world needs.
This Sunday’s Gospel when Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king, he answers that his kingdom does not belong to this world. He has no army. Jesus is not a king of power and force. He reins his kingdom by being a Servant King. He serves people with God’s truth, love and peace. Jesus has authority over everything, but he humbles himself to serve us and even to die for us.
On this feast of Christ the King, let us remember to allow Christ to rein in our minds, will, hearts, and bodies. Let us be followers of the Servant King.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is God’s kingdom different from a kingdom on earth?
Family Prayer: Jesus, you are a good and loving king. Help us to follow your will and trust that it is always for our good. Amen.
 |
Read more: Solemnity of Christ the King - Cycle B/ Solemnidad de Cristo Rey - Ciclo B
(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.
 |
