Things to talk about:

• In the gospel Jesus says, “Whoever receives you receives me,
  and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Jesus was preparing his disciples to go to peoples’ homes and villages. Have you ever hosted a guest in your home? What are some characteristics of a good host? What are some characteristics of a good guest?
• What would you do to prepare for an event at your home if you knew Jesus was attending?
• Thinking about discipleship and hospitality, in what ways can you work to be a better disciple?

Things to do:

• Jesus said, “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
  to one of these little ones to drink
  because the little one is a disciple—
  amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” Leave some cold waters for the people who serve in your neighborhood such as postal workers, waste management workers, delivery drivers, etc.
• Plan a dinner party so you can practice being a hospitable host. After the party, discuss as a family how being a host helped you to practice being a good disciple.
• Celebrate Independence Day! Take some time to celebrate this week and pray for our country.

Closing Prayer

God our Father, thank you for The United States of America. Please continue to bless our country and to give our leaders wisdom and compassion so our country may continue to flourish. We ask that you help us as Americans to be humble, kind, and committed to helping others in our nation and beyond, everyday.

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.”  Close with the Sign of the Cross.     

Catholic Insight

In today’s gospel we hear Jesus give his disciples a summary of the costs and rewards of being a disciple. Some of the conditions we hear are a little harsh, but we also hear Jesus encouraging his disciples.

We remember that a person who is a disciple, is a person who has chosen to follow Jesus. To learn from him, and to do as he has asked them to do. The disciples in the gospel story were the first disciples of Jesus. We are Jesus’ disciples in the world today and this message is for us too.

When we as disciples choose to follow Jesus, every relationship we have becomes subject to the one we have with Christ. Our love for our family is better understood as an outpouring of the love we have because of our love for Christ.

Because of this, we hear Jesus explain to his disciples the reward of hospitality. This virtue is important to the Christian life. When we treat others with hospitality, it is as if we are offering that hospitality to Jesus himself. We have many times each day to reach out to others, to be a welcoming sign of God’s love to another person. Our spirit of hospitality is a sign of our faith.