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 Father Moser on this Weekend's Readings
The theme this Sunday is a four letter word-LOVE. Unfortunately, from my perspective, “love” is a word that the current world has denigrated and abused, redefined and misused. In the scripture readings this Sunday, though, we have a definition and explanation of love from God’s perspective.
Jesus replies that all the 613 commandments in the Jewish law can be wrapped up in one word-LOVE: Love the Lord (with your whole being) ... and Love your neighbor as yourself. Thus, the divine law is summed up in a love that is total: a loving relationship with God, neighbor and self.
Did you catch what person you are to love besides your neighbor? In addition to loving God.
Yes! LOVE yourself. I
agree with
Caryll Houselander who wrote, “Love is the heartbeat of sanctity (holiness).” How can we grow in our love of God and of neighbor if we fail or refuse to grow in our love for ourselves?
When we realize and know that we are loved by God this moves us to love our neighbor and ourselves more deeply. Therefore, we can become “imitators of the Lord” as Saint Paul wrote in his letter to the Thessalonians; he encourages the people in Thessalonica and us today to live our faith and the commandment of love in a way that makes God’s love known.
So how do you plan to apply the law of LOVE in your life? I admit that divine love can seem hard, difficult, messy, demanding and requires self-sacrificing. Yet it is so fulfilling, rewarding and enriching. It is awesome! This week make an attempt to work on loving yourself more and offer this prayer:
Jesus, teach me to love God above ALL things, to love ALL my neighbors, and to love myself as much as you love me
Questions to Reflect upon this week:
Adults- In a practical sense, what is one thing that would change in your life if you loved your neighbor as yourself?
Children- Why is it hard sometimes to love your neighbor?
Choose one of the Following Activities to help your family live the readings this week:
- God asks us to love our neighbor. As a family, investigate the treatment of refugees or other immigrants in your community. What difficulties do they experience? Talk about what you as a family can do to help.
- Collect and write down family stories about your ancestors who first came to this country. What do their experiences teach us about the way we should treat others?
- We show our love for God by imitating God’s compassion in caring for those who are poor. Use this time to evaluate your family’s concern for those who are poor in your community. Remind your family that you also need to be aware of the sufferings of those who are poor throughout the world. Gather together as a family, and vote on a family project to help alleviate suffering in your community or in the world.
- Together with your family, draw a large heart on a blank sheet of white paper. Cut out the heart and write the passage from Matthew’s Gospel 22:37-39 inside. Hang the heart in a special place to remind your family of Jesus’ Great Commandment each day.
Saints of the week:
Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast Day Oct. 28)
Click on the image below for biography and reflection