LIFE NIGHT: PRONE TO WANDER
DEAR PARENTS AND FAMILY
The last two commandments we are going to work through in this series are the seventh and the tenth commandments. These two commandments concern our relationship with each other as we respect the possessions of our neighbor. These two commandments give direction on how to properly order our use and desire of possessions. Both can be put simply — do not steal from others and do not desire what other people have for yourself — but these are tough to live by. We are easily distracted by material goods and it is difficult to be detached from worldly things and the comforts that they bring and to put all our trust in God.
DEAR PARENTS AND FAMILY
The last two commandments we are going to work through in this series are the seventh and the tenth commandments. These two commandments concern our relationship with each other as we respect the possessions of our neighbor. These two commandments give direction on how to properly order our use and desire of possessions. Both can be put simply — do not steal from others and do not desire what other people have for yourself — but these are tough to live by. We are easily distracted by material goods and it is difficult to be detached from worldly things and the comforts that they bring and to put all our trust in God.
The goal of Prone to Wander is for teens to understand what it means to practice charity through breaking open the seventh and tenth commandments. The conversation starters below will help you begin conversations with your teens about the content they learned during the Life Night.
KEY CONCEPTS
• We all have the right to private property, but we should also use what we have to uplift the poor and marginalized.
• We are meant to place our hope solely in God rather than relying on material possessions to make us comfortable.
• We can be more charitable to God and neighbor through practices of fasting and sacrifice.
• We all have the right to private property, but we should also use what we have to uplift the poor and marginalized.
• We are meant to place our hope solely in God rather than relying on material possessions to make us comfortable.
• We can be more charitable to God and neighbor through practices of fasting and sacrifice.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
“Jesus said: ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.’” (Matthew 6:19–20)
“Jesus said: ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.’” (Matthew 6:19–20)
CATECHISM REFERENCE
“‘The Church’s love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition.’ This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to ‘be able to give to those in need.’ It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.” (CCC 2444)
“‘The Church’s love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition.’ This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to ‘be able to give to those in need.’ It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.” (CCC 2444)
CONVERSATION STARTERS
• Are there things at home that we need to return to their respective owners?
• How can we become more attentive to the needs of the community as a family?
• What three items can we donate right now to those in need?
• Are there things at home that we need to return to their respective owners?
• How can we become more attentive to the needs of the community as a family?
• What three items can we donate right now to those in need?