catholic family faith

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 27, 2009

Why do we get jealous when someone else does or experiences something good?

 

In the Old Testament reading from Numbers, the elders are jealous of Eldad and Medad because they were prophesying in the Spirit, but they weren't present at the "official" Spirit-descent event.

 

In the Gospel reading, John brings to Jesus' attention someone driving out demons in his name.  John, like the elders in Moses' time, was jealous.

 

Why do they get to do that?  They weren't here when they were supposed to be.  They didn't put in their time.  They are too young.  They are too old.  They don't do what we do.

 

Jealousy and envy are works of the "flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21) and "darkness" (Romans 13:12-13).  These emotions keep us from appreciating God's goodness that flows through other people. 

 

When we put aside jealousy and envy, we will be able to rejoice in God's work being done in every person, regardless of their faith, creed, race, nationality, gender.  God works through whomever God wishes to work.  We cannot limit God because God cannot be limited.

 

May we rejoice in God's grace as God is revealed through the works of other people.  May we appreciate the good works that others do and lift them up to God in love.

 

 

Faith Chat Question:  Recall an event when you witnessed God working through another person.  What happened?  How did you experience God in that event and in that person?

Faith Response: Have available some sticky notes or small pieces of paper and tape.  Throughout the week, as family members observe one another doing good things, write the action on a sticky note or piece of paper and stick it/tape it to the person’s bedroom door as an affirmation of their good deeds.

 

Pray:  Loving Jesus, help us to recognize your goodness in one another.  Amen.

"Whoever wishes to come after me...must take up his cross..."

In the Gospel of Mark for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2009, Jesus says, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."  (Mark 8:35)

As I reflected on this during Mass this weekend, the thought struck me that the idea of the cross would have been very difficult, painful, confusing for the people of Jesus' time.  Crucifixion by cross was the primary method that the Romans used to torture non-Roman dissenters.  The roadways around Jerusalem often had rebels hanging from crosses, rough crossbeams nailed to trees.  These crucifixions were very public, to attempt to dissuade other rebels.  So for Jesus to say that to follow him meant to take up one's cross would be very challenging for his listeners.

What would I have felt if I lived then as I heard Jesus say, "To follow me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross?"  I don't want to be nailed to a tree!  I don't want to die a horrible, suffocating death!  Why would I have to do that to be a disciple of Jesus?

While we in the 21st century do not have to literally carry a cross, be nailed to and hang from a cross, we do have crosses that we can, and should, bear in Jesus' name.  Our parish priest asked the congregation, "What crosses do you bear?"  I immediately thought of all the parents who deny their own wants and needs for the best interests of their children:  sleepless nights staying up with a frightened or sick child; eating macaroni and cheese at least three times a week; staying home rather than going out with friends; driving all around town rather than sitting quietly at home...the list could go on and on. 

Parents are such a profound experience of God to their children.  By their unconditional love, they express God's love for their children.  By their sacrifices, taking up their crosses, they show their children that they are the most important thing in their lives, just as God showed us that we are the most important things in God's life by coming to earth and becoming human.

Parenting is such an overwhelming responsibility, an amazing ministry.  May all parents find strength in the example and love of Christ Jesus, as they take up their crosses and sacrifice themselves for their children.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 13, 2009

"Who do you say that I am?"  This question that Jesus asks is relevant for all believers.  It challenges us to really ask ourselves, "Do I really believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, God Incarnate?"  So often, we can blindly repeat our Christian Creed, "We believe in the Father...Son...Spirit..." but do we really mean what we say? 

This week consider, if a friend asked you "Who is this Jesus that you say you believe in and why do you believe in him?" how would you answer?  Would you simply give a rote answer or truly speak from your heart?

Faith Chat Question:  Who do you say Jesus is?  How would you describe Jesus to a non-believing friend?

Faith Response:  To help your family understand what it means to follow in Jesus' footsteps, use the following activity: Take off your shoes and trace one of your feet on a sheet of paper. Cut out the outline of your foot. Write on the paper foot how you can follow in Jesus' footsteps at home, at school or at work. After each family member has completed the activity, place each person's foot on the floor to create a path. Gather around the footsteps and talk about what it means to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Pray:  Jesus, help us to know, love, and serve you better.  Amen.

 

Catholic Family Interests & Issues

In order to help me improve my blog, I'm inviting families to share their interests and issues that they are facing.

What challenges is your family currently facing?  Job loss, divorce, getting along, adult children moving out, school issues, others...

What does your family like to do?  What helps you stay connected?

What would you like to learn or do to better live as followers of Jesus Christ and members of the Catholic Church?

What are your hopes and dreams?

Share your thoughts and suggestions by clicking "Comments" at the end of this post.  Then watch catholicfamilyfaith.com for ideas, suggestions, prayers, and more.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sept. 6, 2009

  What makes you feel welcomed?  A smile...a handshake...music...  How do you feel when you are welcomed?  Comfortable...wanted...

St. James reminds us that we need to be welcoming not only to those with "gold rings and fine clothes," but also to those in "shabby clothes." 

Jesus made everyone feel welcome.  He helped people fit in.  When the people brought the deaf man to him, he opened the man's ears so that the man could hear and fit in with everyone else.

It can be easier to welcome someone we know or who looks and acts like us, but as followers of Jesus Christ, we are welcome everyone in our midst regardless of what they look like or how they act.

We learn hospitality first and foremost in our families.  Parents actions toward visitors and strangers will influence how children respond to visitors and strangers.  In order to create a more welcoming society, families must reach out to their neighbors and to strangers, to welcome them, to see the face of Jesus in them.

Faith Chat Question:  How do you choose your friends, the people who you want to be with?

Faith Response:  As school begins this week, challenge students to notice and introduce themselves to other students who may be new to the school or not have any friends.   Each evening at dinner or bedtime, talk about the new and old friends your children have made.

Pray:  Jesus, help us to be welcoming to all people.  Amen.

The Prodigal Son, the Forgiving Father, and the Jealous Brother

This story can be found in Luke 15:11-32.

We all know the story of the prodigal son, the son who asked his father for his share of the inheritance so that he could go off and see the world.  We know what happened when the son ran out of money and decided to return home and ask his father for forgiveness.  We know how, when the father saw his son returning, he ran down the road to greet him back.  Then he dressed his son in royal clothing and threw a party.

We know that this part of the story is a reminder for us parents to be forgiving of them even if they go against our wishes.  We also should be like the forgiving father in that we need to let our children make their own mistakes, just as we did, despite how difficult it is to let them go.  Our love for our children should be unconditional.

We know what happened with the prodigal son and the forgiving father.  But what about the jealous brother?  Did he accept his father's invitation and go into the party or did he hold a grudge against his brother?  And what happened after the party?  Did the prodigal son stay on the straight-and-narrow?  Did they all live happily-ever-after?

How would you respond if your child was the prodigal son or daughter?  Would you be as tolerant and forgiving as the father in this parable?

How do you think your kids would respond if they were the brother or sister who stayed while their sibling went off to see the world only to return after losing everything? 

While we hear this story in the cycle of Mass readings of the Liturgical Year, often we don't take the time to really ponder it and apply it to our lives.  This story is rich with conversational pieces for parents and children, especially teens.  Take some time to ask the question of yourself, your spouse, and your kids:  What would you do?  How would you react?

The Bible contains all kinds of conversational items for families.  I am hoping to offer a Bible story each week for at least the next year as a conversational piece for families.  I hope you enjoy the stories and the conversations you may have with your family members as you explore these stories more.