Services
(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.
 |
(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,
In last week’s Gospel, we heard Jesus chose 12 Apostles and sent them to preach and heal in his name. In today’s Gospel, we hear what happens when they return from this important work.
The Apostles gathered with Jesus and reported all they had done. Jesus saw that they were very tired and told them to take a break, but the crowds found out and followed them. Even though they were tired, Jesus and his Apostles were moved with pity and continued to help the people.
Family demands can make us feel like Jesus and the twelve Apostles. When we pray, we can talk to Jesus about our own needs and the concerns for others. Jesus will renew and strengthen us to live as his disciples.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you find the energy to do things you need to do when you are tired?
Family Prayer: Jesus, we know your grace is sufficient for whatever we need to do. Please help us turn to you when we need rest and when we need strength. Amen
 |
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
No one is ever too young to help Jesus! In this Sunday’s Gospel, a little boy gave all the food he had to Jesus. Jesus performed a miracle and fed thousands of people with the little boy’s gift. Jesus was showing us that later he would feed thousands of us with the Holy Eucharist.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What gifts do you have that Jesus could multiply to help others?
Family Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we are hungry too! We hunger for love, encouragement, or peace. Please help us to turn to you to give us all the things we hunger for. 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
