Our Great Journey
The theme is “The Beatitudes” based on Luke 6:17, 20-26 / Lucas 6:17, 20-26
All pray the Sign of the Cross
God of life and love, in every time and place you call people to serve you. No one is too young or too old to respond to your call. Help us answer your call with all our hearts, to follow Christ’s example and share the Good News with others in our words and actions. Amen.
In addition to our prayers from the heart, our prayer for February is The Memorare. The Memorare is a prayer that asks Mary to hear and answer our prayers on behalf of her Son. Please pray this prayer daily to learn.
Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.
Things to talk about:
- Who are the people that Jesus describes as blessed? Is this teaching surprising to you? Why or why not?
- When Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor,” did Jesus mean that the poor must always be poor? Did he mean that those who are miserable, hungry or sad must always live in those circumstances?
- In this Gospel, Jesus is trying to teach us that true happiness comes when we rely on God. Share a time when you relied on God.
- Have you ever been insulted or laughed at? What would Jesus say about this situation?
Things to do:
- Decorate Placemats – In the Bible, meals are an important time for relationship and faith sharing. Use large paper (such as 11 x 17) and decorate the placemat with fun pictures, a shout-out to other family members or prayers before and after the meal. Use them for your family meal today. Consider making extra so that you can donate them to your local Meals on Wheels, nursing home, or other organizations that serve meals. For these placemats, consider offering words of hope, encouragement, and love. You can also drop them off at Church and we’ll donate them to Shady Grove &/or The Table on Delk.
- Discuss the Beatitudes. Who are the members in our community who are poor, hungry, weeping and hated? What are some ways we can reach out to help with their suffering? Are there members in our own families who reflect these struggles? Come up with a plan to some good works to reach out to others. For community/ church based organizations, consider St Vincent de Paul, Transfiguration Warming Center, Family Promise, Walking with Moms, Habitat for Humanity, Read more...
- Identify one person discerning a vocation to either marriage, priesthood, or religious life. Discuss as a family one thing you can do to support that person in their journey (i.e., pray for that individual, send him/her a card with prayers and good intentions, invite them over for a meal, cover the cost of a class or supplies for a class they are taking, etc.). Remember our summer seminarian, Quinton Tran? I’m sure he’d love to hear from us. Click HERE to see the Archdiocese of Atlanta Seminarian Class. Also pray for our deacons in formation, Wayne Morrison and Martir Machado.
Closing Prayer
Prayer for Vocations
In this Gospel, Jesus ministered to a great multitude. He needs people today to continue the work he started on earth. As a family, pray his prayer for vocations to call forth more people to serve God.
Father, we are your people, the work of your hands. So precious are we in your sight that you sent your Son, Jesus. Jesus calls us to heal the broken-hearted, to dry the tears of those who mourn, to give hope to those who despair, and to rejoice in your steadfast love.
We, the baptized, realize our call to serve. Help us to know how. Call forth from among us priests, deacons, lay ministers, and religious sisters and brothers. With our hearts you continue to love your people.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Adapted from Prayer #8 from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayers-for-vocations.cfm
Name those who need our prayers.
Catholic Insights
This Gospel features Jesus teaching the Beatitudes to a large group of people, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Jesus preaches about a series of blessings and woes. Blessings for those who are suffering, woes to the rich. Jesus speaks about the economic and social realities of humanity, through his prophetic word, he speaks of how these conditions will be overturned in God’s kingdom.
These blessings and woes do not mean that we should go hungry and endure suffering, his teaching is that those who do not consider the needs of others will be punished. Lots to think about in reference to the realities happening on a daily basis in our lives. Living the Beatitudes offers hope to all who struggle.
Did you know….that Jesus preaches about the Beatitudes in Matthews’ Gospel too? In Matthew the Beatitudes begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is a much longer sermon than the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel. Luke’s version focuses on the economic and social conditions of the day, while Matthew emphasizes religious and spiritual values.
Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection
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