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Fr Moser's Bulletin Reflection for the week
Oh, my goodness! We hear in the gospel this Sunday other challenging parable by Jesus. He is speaking about the complacent, those who presume that things are good enough. I am “good enough” in my current relationship with God, fine or “good enough” in my communication with my spouse, okay or “good enough” in how I treat my friends and classmates, I am “good enough” in my discipleship to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is insisting that words alone do not prove that someone is his disciple. Your life of discipleship will be judged not on your words alone, but on your actions. Perhaps it is Jesus’ way of saying that actions speak louder than words. While words indicate our intentions, actions make things happen and demonstrate our commitment to the kingdom of God. While our words of faith and love are good, they must be accompanied by action (Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:1-13). So do not just talk about being a disciple or follower of Jesus, put your faith into action!
In today’s parable the first son replies, “I will not (go and work).” However, he changes his mind later and goes. The second son agrees to go work saying “Yes, sir” and just goes about his usual daily activities at home.
Which son in this parable are you most like? Do you initially respond “I don’t want to” but then change your mind and go forth to be loving, charitable, and compassionate? Or do you say “Sure, I will do that” then just go on doing what you want to do? Are you the person who makes promises but will rarely honor them? Continually make resolutions that you do not keep? Create plans in your mind for helping others and making the world a better place but never fulfill them?
Next Sunday’s gospel passage ends with a chilling line spoken by Jesus: “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” [Matthew 21:43]
Questions to reflect on this week:
Adults: When have your actions not measured up to your promises? What was the outcome?
Children: Why is it important to follow through on your promises to others?
Choose one of the following activities as a way to further reflect on the Sunday readings:
- To focus on how faith is lived in your family, brainstorm Christian actions and list them on a poster board. Place the poster in a prominent area of the house for all to see. Have the family place a sticker next to each action as they demonstrate it during the week.
- Each day for family prayer this week, pray the "Prayer of St. Francis."
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
- Look through the newspaper this week to find stories about people who actively live their faith.
- Discuss a problem that is not being addressed that needs an immediate solution. This can be something at home or in the community. Talk about possible solutions. Pick out one thing that you can do this week. Decide on a time when you will do it together.
What is the Domestic Church?
Two videos to help kids reflect on the weekly readings
This weekend's Gospel challenges us to be intentional about following Jesus. Here are two videos about what it means to follow Jesus