.

Things to talk about:

• Why was Jesus angry about what was happening at the Temple?
• What are some of the “tables” or things that block your connection with God?.

Things to do:

• In the time of Jesus, the temple was the most important of Jewish buildings because God was present there in a special way. Today, Jesus is present in a special way in the Eucharist, which is reserved in the tabernacle. Find the tabernacle in our church.
• This Gospel invites us to reflect on the quality of our worship and prayer at home. If you haven’t already, create and decorate a prayer space in your home that is dedicated to prayer and worship of God. Invite family members to use this space throughout the week and beyond. If someone walked in your home, would they know you were Catholic? Decorate the prayer space with a purple cloth for Lent, the Bible, battery operated candle, crucifix and paper to record prayer intentions.
• This month’s prayer is The Rosary, to remember the important events in Jesus’ life. Gather as a family to pray the rosary, even if it’s just one decade/mystery. Read more about the Rosary….

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Righteous Anger

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows anger over abuses in the temple. As followers of Christ, it is appropriate for us too to get angry over sin. Evils such as abuse, racism, pornography, etc. should incense us. This prayer will help to transform righteous anger into peace.

God of righteous anger and holy healing, We pray for our world and for people who have been hurt by members of the Church. We ask for accountability, change and healing.

God of Peace, We pray for our world where war has become a way of life. We pray for reconciliation and your peace that surpasses all understanding.

God of Creation, We pray for our world. For ocean and mountain, hill and vale, forest and meadow and for all the creatures with which we share this beautiful creation.

We pray for wisdom that we may be faithful and humble stewards of this beautiful planet.

God of Love, We pray for our hearts, And all that we hold dear, Family and friends, Work and rest and play.

We pray for joy and compassion that we may live and share your love.

Amen.

Adapted from: https://worshipwords.co.uk/god-of-righteous-anger-a-prayer-thandiwe-dale-ferguson-usa/

Catholic Insights

This Gospel portrays Jesus as angry which is somewhat surprising. He turns everything upside down! Jesus is so passionate and devoted to the Father, and his mission was to bring people to a relationship with his Father.

The Temple was huge, maybe the size of 25 football fields. You could get in a lot of “steps” going to the Temple. In Jesus’ time, all men over 19 yrs old had to pay a tax to go into the Temple. If you didn’t have the correct amount, you had to exchange it with the money changers. Tradition also dictated that you had to bring an animal for sacrifice and usually purchased it from one of the sellers in the Temple. It was almost stressful to enter the temple and did not create a prayerful and peaceful experience.

Jesus then speaks about destroying the Temple and raising it back up in three days. The people who heard this were even more surprised, they couldn’t know that he was talking about himself—his passion, death and resurrection.

Jesus shows us with his actions and words that he has come to get rid of everything that keeps people from God, like temple taxes and buying and selling sacrifices. He is “turning the tables” to reveal a new world, a world that reveals the presence of God among us.

Did you know? …the Temple Jesus visited was the Second Temple? The First Temple was built  under King Solomon. The Second was under King Herod, destroyed in AD70. All that remains is a portion of the Western Wall, also known as the Waling Wall.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

 

.

Things to talk about:

• Describe an experience when you were truly awed by something. How did it affect you?
• Why do you think Jesus transfigured himself for Peter, James and John?
• In this Gospel, God said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” What do you hear God saying to you in your heart?
• Describe how you would feel if you were with Peter, James and John and witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration.

Things to do:

• Describe how you would feel if you were with Peter, James and John and witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. Find the stained glass window of the Transfiguration in Church and look for the people named in this Gospel.
• Create a Family Lenten Calendar, click HERE for a blank, Click HERE for some suggestions.
• Please click the link to sign up for a few items for the mercy bags for Family Faith @ Church the week of March 3. Click HERE to see the items needed for your family’s session.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Litany of the Sacred Heart (adapted)

Select one person to be the leader, all others read the responses in bold.

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison

Christe Eleison, Christe Eleison

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, our Father in heaven, have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, Lord.

graciously hear us, Lord have mercy on us

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like to yours.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Adapted From: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/adoration/holy-hour-for-life-prayers-before-the-blessed-sacrament.cfm

Catholic Insights

In the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus, we are told that Jesus is God’s beloved Son and also that we should “listen to him.” For a brief moment, the apostles are able to “see” Jesus in his full divinity. They have no idea what to say or do!

             In addition to hearing the voice of God, Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, gave them God’s law and led them through the desert for 40 years until they were ready to enter the Promised Land as God’s chosen people.

Elijah lived during the time of King Arab and Queen Jezebel. The faith of Israel was close to extinction until Elijah provided a witness to the presence and goodness of the One True God that led the people back to their faith. The First Book of Kings tells us that Elijah did not die, but was taken away by a fiery chariot. Because of this story, many people wondered if Jesus might be Elijah who had come back.

Jesus’ glory is even greater than Moses and Elijah. When God calls out of the cloud, he is proclaiming to the apostles that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the divine Son, God himself.

God tells us to listen to his Son. Spend 3 minutes each day in silence listening to God. Begin by quieting yourself and asking God to be with you and speak to you. At the end of the week, share your experience with your family or a friend.

Did you know? … that the Transfiguration appears in the three Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Each year on the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear one of these accounts.

 

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

.

Things to talk about:

• Share the hardest challenge/ temptation you have ever had to deal with. Did you change in any way because of this challenge?
• What emotions do you think Jesus felt while he was in the desert? What do you think he thought or prayed about when he was there?
• How much more often can we pray this Lent?

Things to do:

• On a piece of paper, write and decorate the word, ALLELUIA. Roll it up, place it on your prayer table. During Lent we do not say the “A” word.
• Create a Family Lenten Calendar, click HERE for a blank, Click HERE for some suggestions.
• Please click the link to sign up for a few items for the mercy bags for Family Faith @ Church the week of March 3. Click HERE to see the items needed for your family’s session.
• Purple is the liturgical color for Lent. List all the places you see purple in the Church today.

Closing Prayer

In this Gospel we hear of the angels ministering to Jesus. Close with the Guardian Angel Prayer asking the angels to protect your family.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

The number 40 appears often in the Bible, 40 days Noah was in the ark, the Israelites wondered in the desert for 40 years before they arrive in the Promised Land and know they are God’s chosen people, Jesus fasts and prays for 40 days in the desert to become fully prepared for doing the will of his Father.

This Gospel teaches children that when we Follow the Path even through adversity, we can learn, grow and become stronger.

Jesus comes out of the desert calling for people to repent because the Kingdom of God is near. He knows that God the Father is about to transform the universe. The Church offers us these 40 days of Lent to think about how we can become more like Jesus. We have our own desert experiences and hopefully with prayer and trust in God’s providence we emerge stronger and more joyful.

Did you know? … Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all have Jesus’ temptation in the desert in their Gospels. Mark’s account is the shortest and was the first to be written. Mark lets the facts of Jesus’ life speak for themselves.
 

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

.

Things to talk about:

• Consider the leper in this Gospel story. How strong was his faith in Jesus? How easy or hard is it to have faith today? What prayer have you had answered in an unexpected way? What did you learn?
• Why do you think Jesus didn’t want the leper to tell anyone except the priest that he was healed?
• Why do you think the man told everyone anyway?
• Have you ever felt isolated or alone? How can we show our solidarity with those who have been marginalized?

Things to do:

• ·As we approach Valentine’s Day, find ways to show love by doing Random Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt. As a family create a checklist of 15 acts of kindness and distribute the checklist to each family member. The goal is to complete all 15 acts in a week. Spend time sharing over a special dinner and ask how it made everyone feel. Discuss which tasks were easy and which were difficult. Click HERE for some ideas/suggestions.
• In this Gospel, Jesus shows mercy to the leper. In what part of Mass do we ask Jesus to have mercy on us? What are the words we say at Mass when we ask for mercy?
• Please click the link to sign up for a few items for the mercy bags for Family Faith @ Church the week of March 3. Click HERE to see the items needed for your family’s session.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer for Black History Month

Spirit of Abundance, God of Grace, Mother of Hope, we pause now to remember those stories that are all around us, but so often passed over, Those stories that when told are shared because of what someone is, not who they are.

This month in our nation’s character Is Black History month. Help us to realize that Black history is All our histories. Give those full of fear – hope. May we come to know grace, so that our hearts will not be hardened to the pain around us. We are most human when we see the humanity in others. Amen.            

Adapted from www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/prayers-for-black-history-month1

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

In Jesus’ time people with leprosy had to live apart from the community, which only added to their suffering. Imagine how that felt. When the leper approaches Jesus his words surprisingly express an uncertainty not about Jesus’ ability to heal, but Jesus’ desire to help him. To make a point, Jesus cures the leper through touch, even though touching him may risk sharing a leper’s uncleanliness and marginalization.

Jesus tells the leper to “say nothing.” Jesus is focused on making the work of God known rather than making himself known. When Jesus heals the leper, it is not only revealed to us who he is — one who loves deeply and shows compassion — but also shows that God’s kingdom has arrived.  Like the leper, when we come before God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation we ask to be healed and restored. How does receiving God’s forgiveness change you? Turn to Jesus!

.

Did you know? … Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is an infectious disease caused by a slow-growing bacteria. If left untreated, it can cause nerve damage that can result in crippling of hands and feet, paralysis, and blindness. The bacteria that causes leprosy was discovered by G. H. Armauer Hansen in Norway in 1873. The first effective treatment (promin) became available in the 1940s. In the 1950s, dapsone was introduced. Learn about St. Damien of Molkai who cared for those who had leprosy.
 
 
 

.

Things to talk about:

• Share a time when you asked Jesus to help when you or someone you know was sick.
• Discuss the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life and your own.
• Why do you think it was important for Jesus to go and preach in the other villages?
• In this Gospel, Jesus came into the house or “under the roof” of Simon Peter’s House. Fill in the blank with these words: roof, soul, Word, worthy. Lord, I am not _________ that you should enter under my _______, but only say the ______ and my _____ shall be healed. When do we say this response at Mass?

Things to do:

• Jesus heals and takes care of people’s needs today. Take time to pray for the needs of those in your family. Each family member can name one or more persons they want to pray for. Write all the names down and pray the prayer below, inserting the names as indicated. Add the list to your prayer space.
• Pray for those who are sick and on our prayer list. The list is posted weekly in the bulletin.
• Send a card and pray for healing and comfort to someone on the prayer list. Children’s art and drawings always lift the spirits.
• Today, in the city of Capernaum, you can see the excavation site of Simon Peter’s house, the actual site where this Gospel story happened. A large modern church has been built over the site, but visitors can see the first century home through a large glass window in the middle of the church. Click HERE to see.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, protect [list of names] physically, spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically this day. Help them to know that they can turn to you for strength and guidance. Keep evil far from them and help them to trust you as their refuge and strength.  Make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that with you they can face any challenge. Take care of them in all the circumstances of their lives. Amen.

Catholic Insights

Mark continues to help us learn more about Jesus’ ministry, his preaching, curing the sick, driving out demons to all he encounters. Jesus’ compassion and healing of the sick is a sign of the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus cures Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and she immediately begins to serve everyone… not just Jesus, but everyone. Jesus also cured many others who were brought to him, healing their illnesses and driving out demons. (Note, they did not use the term “mental illness” in Jesus’ time and there was a different understanding of the nature of illness.) Jesus did not permit the demons to speak because they knew his identity and would have revealed it to those who were present.

After all of this, Jesus retreated in prayer. This demonstrates how much value he placed on this relationship with God, which enabled him to love all people with abandon. When we pray we acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our lives and open ourselves to this same transformative power of love. We also bring our decision making to God in prayer, asking for his guidance and direction in our lives.

The Church continues to extend Christ’s healing presence to others in it’s ministry to the sick. In the Sacrament of the Anointing we pray for spiritual and physical healing, forgiveness of sins and comfort. How do we bring our talents of teaching and healing to others? How many band-aids have you put on others? How many prayers, get well cards, phone calls to those in need do you make?

.

Did you know? … that the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick may be received each time we suffer serious illness, or periodically for those with chronic illness or even old age. God’s  abundant gifts of healing power, physically, spiritually, and mercy are received in this sacrament.
 
 

.

Things to talk about:

• Why do you think the people in this Gospel story were astonished at Jesus’ teaching?
• The Gospel tells us that Jesus has authority over unclean spirits. Have you ever thought about how powerful Jesus is? Is there anything that Jesus can’t do?
• What would it be like to see Jesus performing the mighty acts we hear in the Gospels?

Things to do:

• People in Jesus’ time began to recognize that he spoke and acted with such love and compassion that he must be doing so in God’s name. Who do you know who acts with such love that their authority and purpose must be to do God’s work? Write a card or draw a picture to present to these great models.
• In this Gospel, Jesus taught in the synagogue. In what way do we hear Jesus’ teaching at Mass?
• Have a family BINGO night using names, places, words from this Gospel passage or other Bible figures.
• For younger kids… instead of “time out,” try “prayer out” when your child is feeling sad, angry, anxious or frustrated. Pray with your child if he/she is having trouble calming down. Call on Jesus to help bring about peace.

Closing Prayer

In your Name Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that you would cover us, our families, and all our possessions,with your love and surround us with your heavenly angels, saints and the mantle of Our Blessed Mother.For you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray the Nicene Creed.  Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Miracle stories communicate the important truth that whenever Jesus is present, there is peace. This is a critical truth to teach our kids: Jesus is here to free us from everything bad, including negative feelings that take hold of us.

Mark uses the demon as a means to reveal and acknowledge Jesus’ divinity. The demon is forced to confess that Jesus is “the Holy One of God.” or God himself. Mark also contrasts that the demon knows exactly who Jesus is while the onlookers in the synagogue are dumbfounded.

Jesus brings us comfort and peace. Any evil, illness or troubles that occur are vanquished by God because he reaches out to us with love and compassion.

Did you know? Synagogue is a Greek word that literally means a gathering of people. In the time of Jesus, a synagogue was a place where Jews gathered, worshiped, prayed, and learned. In the Jewish religion, the sabbath was observed on Saturday. However, Christians worship on Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday. 
 

Things to talk about:

• What does it mean to “believe in the Gospel?”
• Before the Gospel is proclaimed, we make the sign of the cross on our forehead, our lips, and
  over our heart. What words do we say when doing this?
• Why does Jesus command us to repent? What do you need to change or let go of so you can
  be the person Jesus is calling you to be?
• What is your greatest dream or hope about how you can make the world a better place? What
  is one thing you can do right now to reach your goal?

Closing Prayer

Pray the Nicene Creed.  Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

“The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:15
We are reminded that discipleship and God come first. Jesus always brings freedom. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia. Literally translated, it means “after thought” and was used to refer to a change of mind about something. Repentance is not about feeling guilty or even about saying
you are sorry.
Repentance means a person has recognized that his/her whole way of living needs to change. Repentance is never motivated by punishment; it happens when we realize that there is a fuller,
more joyful way to live. This is what it means to “believe in the Gospel.” If we truly believe that Jesus came to free us from our sins, then we are willing to let go of ways of thinking and acting that hold us back.
The four disciples were successful fisherman. Jesus comes and offers them an opportunity to engage
in something else with even greater possibilities. Rather than simply earn a living, the disciples have
the opportunity to change the world. The time is now for all of us to say, “Gone Fishing!” Jesus is
calling us to bring the Good News of the Gospel to others.

Did you know…that the Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in modern-day Israel? It
is still an important site for commercial fishing, the same industry in which the earliest
disciples were working when Jesus called them. The sea is also Israel’s most important
source of drinking water.

Things to talk about:

• At the beginning of today’s Gospel passage, the two disciples heard John’s proclamation and followed Jesus. Why do you think they followed him?
• Why does John call Jesus the “Lamb of God”?
• Jesus asked the disciples what they were looking for.  What would you say if Jesus asked you the same question?

Things to do:

• Change the World One Hand at a Time—Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 15 this year. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a passionate preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and example, and a martyr for justice. This project can help you reflect on how you can change the world with the gifts God has given you and the desires he has placed in your heart. Use a map or draw a large picture of the world. Individually, trace your hand on construction paper and cut it out. Write on the hand what you feel you could do now to help change the world, considering what God is asking of you. Assist younger children with this project if needed. Decorate the hands as desired. Place all the hand cutouts on the picture of the world. Place it on your prayer table.
• In this Gospel, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” This phrase is spoken by the priest at a particular point at Mass. When does he say it?
• Andrew introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. Ask God to show you one person who doesn’t know Jesus and to give you the opportunity to talk to that person. Tell that person about Jesus. Share about your experience with your family.

Closing Prayer

Adapted form of Lectio Divina. (Latin: Divine Reading) is a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on his words in Sacred Scripture. Typically, the passage is read three times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply and respond thoughtfully.

Choose a family member to read aloud Isaiah 43:1-4.

Have everyone close their eyes and listen again to the Scripture and listen for any words or phrases that seem to jump out. Share with each other what they heard and what they think God is calling them to focus on today.

Pray the Nicene Creed.  Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

At the beginning of this Gospel, Andrew and the other disciple of John decide to follow Jesus based on their relationship with John. John models for us a role we are called to play as members of the Church, leading others to a relationship with Jesus.

John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God” showing his divinely inspired sense of Jesus’ greatness. In the Old Covenant, the Jews sacrificed a lamb and ate its roasted flesh to celebrate Passover. Passover commemorates the time when God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jesus established the New Covenant, when he sacrificed himself (instead of a lamb) on the cross to free us from sin. In the Book of Revelation (7:9-17), the seer John has a vision of Jesus as the Lamb of God triumphing over evil in the end time.

It is also significant to note at the end of this Gospel that Andrew plays the same role for his brother Simon that John the Baptist played for him. He leads Simon to Jesus. This week we focus on extending Jesus’ invitation to “come and see.”

Things to talk about:

• What do you think Jesus was like as a baby?
• What is one thing your family can do to be more like the Holy Family? 
• What do you love most about your family?
• What are the most important things you have learned from your father or mother?

Things to do:

• Select a night to have dinner together as a family and share favorite memories of yours and your children’s early life. Share stories about your children’s’ births and baptisms. Who are their godparents and why did you honor those you asked to be godparents. In this new year approaching, make a family promise to spend time together, pray together and affirm each other.
• If you read this digital post, please type We are Family in the comments below. Thanks.

Closing Prayer

Prayer for our Family – St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Heavenly Father, You have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father, to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace, and joy reign. May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic, revived with joy.

Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins. Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen

Catholic Insights

No details are given in any of the Gospels as to what the life of the child Jesus was like. Only Luke includes a story of Jesus – the Finding in the Temple. Mostly we are left to wonder and imagine. What was life like in that particular home in Nazareth?

From this Gospel we have a sense of how religious and devout the Holy Family was. According to Jewish religious law, a woman who had given birth was required to undergo certain purification rituals before she could reenter the worshipping community. If she had given birth to a son, she and her husband were required to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God at the Temple in Jerusalem.

While the Holy Family may have lived a very ordinary life, the love among Jesus and Mary and Joseph was truly extraordinary. Jesus was God incarnate, but he learned to love within a human family who loved him deeply.

Imagine the Holy Family sitting together at dinner, what do you think their conversations might have been like? Think of Jesus learning a trade from Joseph or laughing with delight at a story Mary told him. Reflect for a moment on the simple joys of family life.

We pray this year, to appreciate and make the time to be like the Holy Family and experience the simple joys, which are the most important.

Did you know? … that this Gospel tells about the first time Jesus appears in the Temple in Jerusalem? Luke uses these visits to show Christianity’s continuity with the Jewish traditions.