(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

During Jesus’ time on earth, religious leaders liked to sit around and discuss the law.  One Jewish teacher asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  Jesus answered, “The first one is:  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches to love God above everything else.  It may sometimes be difficult to remember all the 10 Commandments.  However, Jesus explains that love is the greatest commandment that sums up all the others.  To love God, we praise God and thank him.  With his love we learn to love each other, share, forgive, and show respect.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question?

How does Jesus show you by example how you can live out the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to not get caught up in our own busyness and forget to put you first.

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus selects his 12 Apostles giving them special authority to preach and heal the sick.  He did not send them alone.  He sent then out two by two, and gives them specific instructions to take nothing with them for the journey, except a walking stick, a pair of sandals and one tunic.  The Apostles trusted everything Jesus told them to do.

By virtue of our Baptism, we are called to trust Jesus and in his name tell people about his love for us.  But he doesn’t expect us to do this mission alone.  He wants us to work with others.  Our Church is a community of disciples who teach people about Jesus and helps others in Jesus’ name. 

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question? 

How will you share Jesus’ mission as his disciple?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help me to listen, hear and share your word.  Amen

 

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Praying for you.  This Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus is gentle and humble of heart. 

 

In the First reading the Prophet Zechariah’s message is that our King would come as a savior, not a ruler.   Our Responsorial Psalm is a prayer of praise to God our King.  St. Paul in the second reading tells us that when we find rest in Jesus, we are not in the flesh but live in the Spirit.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for the things he reveals to his little ones. He also tells us “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give your rest”.

 

Jesus knows all our weakness and that at times the little strength we have can fail us. Jesus is inviting us to go to him with a humble heart and tell Him all our problems, because it is only in Jesus that we can find rest.

 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul by God into Heaven.  The Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement of her pregnancy with Jesus by the Angel Gabriel.  The angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby and Mary immediately leaves to visit her.  In her womb, Mary brings Jesus to her cousin, and they greet each other with joy.  Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leaps with joy in her womb.  Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of God and greets her saying “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Phrase in Hail Mary).  Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting and sings with her song of praise (The Magnificat).  With eyes of faith, they see the power and salvation of God breaking through into their lives and into the world.

Mary’s song of praise reminds us that God is always working for the salvation of the world.  Let us foster a spirit of praise and thanksgiving and bring Jesus to others as Mary brought Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

How do we praise and thank God for the things that God is doing in our lives and in our world today?

Family Prayer:  Let’s make Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving (Luke1:46-47) our own.

Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord.  Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.  Amen

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles.  He cured the sick and even raised the dead.  In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle.  We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways.  We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day.  Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, please help us to have faith.  Teach us to ask for what we need with faith.  Amen

 

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