We hope these resources will aid your family in reflecting on the readings for the weekend and inspire faith conversations with your friends and family.
Reflection from Fr Moser on the readings
This Sunday’s readings can teach us about one key to a Christian lifestyle: TOLERANCE. Let’s take a moment and consider the virtue of tolerance. In our first reading from the Book of Numbers. Cultivate tolerance - Moses can teach us to be open when the Lord works in unanticipated ways and through unexpected persons. Moses knew that God cannot be limited to man’s ways - Moses had learned that God’s ways are not the way of humans. How did Moses apply tolerance? Maybe by being tolerant of persons like Eldad and Medad. Moses replied when Joshua complained or sought to intervene - don’t stop these two, rather “Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them (us) all!” Thus Eldad and Medad were treated with tolerance and they were accepted as community elders.
Act with tolerance - for five Sundays we have read from the Letter of Saint James. Actions of a tolerant believer [according to St. James] include humility, gentleness, mercy, kindness, charity, and righteous-ness. In today’s excerpt from his letter James is expressing a warning specifically to the rich who oppress others for their own benefit. They are lacking in tolerance and respect for the poor. When James writes about tolerance, he is telling us that tolerance is like a doorway leading to learning that 1} we are in the boat together! 2} “We are one in the Spirit” and we pray “that our unity may one day be restored.” 3} We must remind ourselves that God is working through every person!
Be an instrument of tolerance Jesus tells John and the other disciples “Be tolerant” of those who are not “one of us” yet are doing my works and being instruments of my grace such as being kind to some-one, giving of themselves to benefit others, comforting the grieving, driving out demons in his name, caring for the weak or afflicted, healing the sick, giving drink to the thirsty and food to the hungry, moved by the spirit of God to speak the truth, and other acts of mercy.
I am suggesting that tolerance is a virtue that will make us see all people as equal in church, in society and in God’s eyes. While tolerance might mean different things to different people, tolerance means for all creation a broadening of vision and an opening of our hearts. We are to possess a welcoming heart. We are to seek to be more inclusive not exclusive in our life, to strive to unify and unite not separate and divide. I know that by being tolerant we can grow to love Christ in others. Ultimately, in the final analysis, one of the things that most matter is that we “belong to Christ” and “enter into eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Therefore, tolerance is to be a necessary trait and virtue of every Christian disciple.
Questions to Reflect upon this week:
For Adults: What are the three most important values motivating your daily decisions?
For children: Could a poor person who is wise be richer in a way than a foolish person who has many things? Why?
Choose one of the Following Activities to help your family live the readings this week
- Jesus tells us that God cannot be limited. How do you limit God in your own life?
- As a family, share your experiences of God. Discuss the following questions: Who is God for you? What brings you closer to God? What pulls you away from God?
- Take a drive. Look at the places of worship in your community. What do you see? How are they alike? Unique?
- The World Peace Prayer is used by people of all religions to create a chain of positive thought and prayer throughout the world. It is based on the belief that the power of prayer can change people’s hearts, so that all people can learn to live in peace. Begin to use the following World Peace Prayer as part of your family prayer. Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.
Weekly Justice Challenge
St. Vincent de Paul’s Feast Day is September 27. This saint once wrote, “I am for God and the poor.” In mid-life, Vincent underwent a transformation which caused him to dedicate the rest of his life to those in need. He taught his followers that we encounter Christ in the needs of our poor neighbors, stating that “The poor are your masters and you are their servants.” Your challenge this week is to interview someone in poverty and let them tell you what they most need. You might consider serving at a soup kitchen or shelter to find your “master,” the person to whom you are going to listen. Then really do listen—with your heart as well as your head—to this person’s wisdom and experience. Try your best to do what he/she recommends to help the poor get out of their situation. ©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center / PastoralCenter.com. All rights reserved.
Saint of the Week
The Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
St Michael is the Patron Saint of: Death, Germany, Grocers, Police Officers/First Responders, Radiologists; St Gabriel is the Patron Saint of: Broadcasters/Communicators; St Raphael(the patron Saint of our Archdiocese) is the patron Saint of: The Blind, Travelers
Feast Day of all three-Sept. 29
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Feast Day of all three-Sept. 29
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Videos for Adults
Videos for Kids and families