Sunday, October 1, 2023

(Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 

Take a minute to consciously acknowledge that you are in the presence of God and ask him to help you to hear the Word he wants you to hear this week.

 

Here’s a link to Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100123.cfm

Jesus poses a question to the chief priests and elders on the meaning of obedience.

Jesus presents a parable of two sons asked to work in a vineyard. One initially refuses but later obeys, while the other agrees but doesn’t go. The lesson highlights that actions, not words, reveal true obedience and righteousness, and tax collectors and prostitutes enter God’s kingdom due to genuine belief.

 

Read together this Gospel, Matthew 21: 28-32 and discuss the following questions together.

1. Can you recall a specific instance where your actions didn’t align with your words? How did it impact others?

2. In your daily life, which holds more weight: what you say or what you do? Give some examples.

3. Can you relate your own life to Christ’s humility and transformation?

4. How easy or challenging is it for you to adopt a humble attitude in your interactions?

5. If you were an employer, which son would you rather hire? Why? 

6. Do you see any strengths in the son you did not choose? 

7. What do you learn about the heart of each son in this parable?

 

As you gather as a family this week, talk about times when a family member said one thing and then did another. Acknowledge that sometimes the action taken displays a true change of heart. 

 

Share with the family one way you can act on this week’s readings. Suggestion: Try to be aware of how often you say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to God and to people as you go through your day and week.

 

Reflect and share what you are hearing God say to you. Your response will be what you bring to Eucharist on Sunday, asking Jesus to help you respond as he asks of you. 

 

Conclude in prayer

Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me your Father and all humankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me. Amen.

 

Sunday, October 8, 2023 

(Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 

Take a minute to consciously acknowledge that you are in the presence of God and ask him to help you to hear the Word he wants you to hear this week.

 

Here is the link to Sunday, October 8th’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100823.cfm

In today's Gospel, Jesus once again speaks to the priests and elders with a parable.

This Gospel reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. God speaks to us in many ways—through Scripture, through our Church tradition, in our Church's teaching, and through modern-day prophets. Are we attentive and receptive to God's word to us through these messengers?

 

Read together this Gospel, Matthew 21: 33-43 and discuss the following questions together.

1. Who do the different people in the story represent (i.e., the landowner, servants, tenants, the son)?

2. What does the vineyard represent?

3. List some of the “fruit” that Jesus wants you to produce within your family or community.

4. How does the parable emphasize our responsibility to nurture and steward the blessings and responsibilities entrusted to us?

5. How does actively caring for our “vineyards” contribute to honoring God’s intentions and the flourishing of our lives and relationships?

 

As you gather as a family, talk about some of the most important rules of your household. Consider how consistently family members follow these rules. How are family members reminded when rules are not being followed? How do they respond? In today's Gospel Jesus corrects the religious leaders through a parable telling them that they have not heeded God's messengers. 

 

Share what verse or image in the readings caught your attention or drew you in. Was there a verse or aspect of the readings that challenged you?

 

Family Prayer: Family Examen

St. Ignatius Loyola's Examen is an opportunity for peaceful daily reflective prayer. It invites us to find the movement of God in all the people and events of our day. The Examen is simply a set of reflective prompts. The prayer below is adapted for families. Lead your family in this Examen prayer:

1. For what time or event today are you most grateful (thankful/happy)?

2. For which moment are you least grateful?

3. How did you show love today?

 

Family challenge: Often, we hear people say, “Oh my God” or “Jesus” in an irreverent way. This week, show respect to God by trying to not use the Lord’s name in vain.

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Family Bonds

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Being a part of any community changes a person. Families are special communities that come with their own blessings. There is also a cost to being part of a family. What does it mean to be part of your family?

 

Prayer

Loving God, help us claim the beauty of our family and speak honestly about the sacrifices we make to be part of each other’s lives. Give us patient hearts and open ears. Amen.

 

Give each family member a piece of paper and a pen. Ask each person to write down the ups and the downs of belonging to your family—the benefits and challenges that come from being in your specific family. (For example: If a parent is a teacher, he or she can help with homework, but also knows everything going on at school because teachers talk to each other.) Reassure family members that there are no right or wrong answers.

 

Ask each family member to tell the benefits of being in your family. (Save the downside for later.)

 

Read aloud Genesis 22:1-14 from your Bible and discuss the following questions:

1. How would you describe Abraham’s relationship with Isaac? 

2. How do you feel about God’s instructions to Abraham? Why do you think Abraham was willing to go along with the plan? 

3. Do you think God or Abraham would have let anything happen to Isaac? Why or why not?

4. How do you think this event changed Abraham’s relationship with Isaac? How do you think this event changed Isaac’s relationship with God? 

5. How might the story change if a different person were telling it? (For example, how does it change if Isaac or Sarah is the storyteller?)

 

Ask each family member to tell about the downsides or challenges of being in your family. Be patient and listen respectfully to each other. Give everyone a chance to speak their thoughts before any discussion. 

 

Talk about the similarities and differences among the lists of family members. Remember, that just because something is different, it doesn’t have to be bad and it doesn’t have to be changed. 

 

Read aloud Genesis 22:14 and say a prayer of thanks for the family God has provided you:

God, thank you for the people you have placed in our family. It is unique, and it is ours. While we may wish some things were different, there is something special about our family and we give thanks for the blessing that we are when we are together. Amen.