Our Great Journey
This week, we gather together at Church.
The theme is “Have Mercy based on Luke 6:27-38 / Lucas 6:27-38.
All pray the Sign of the Cross
Lord Jesus Christ, in your holy face we see the face of God. Help us to keep our eyes always fixed on you. Help us to be merciful like you. We love you and follow you and want to build up your kingdom. 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:
- This Gospel story contains the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Give an example of how to live the Golden Rule. Discuss if it easy or not to follow this rule.
- List the way Jesus teaches us how to treat people. Of the teachings listed, which one is the hardest to do?
- What does “mercy” mean and what does it mean to be merciful? Give examples.
- What holds us back from loving our enemies? How can we work so that we can love or at least be merciful toward our enemies?
Things to do:
- When you are at Mass, count the number of times “mercy” is said at Mass.
- Share one way you can be less judgmental this week. Commit to this for the whole week and discuss how you did at the end of the week.
- Complete the crossword puzzle about Loving your Enemies, click HERE.
Closing Prayer
Love One Another
This prayer echoes the words and teachings of Jesus in today’s Gospel.Heavenly Father, your holiness, revealed in Jesus, challenges us to renounce violence,
to forsake revenge, and to love without discrimination, without measure.
Teach us the surpassing truth of the Gospel, which puts worldly wisdom to shame,
that we may recognize as one with us even our enemies and persecutors
and see all people as your children. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Taken from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.)
Name those who need our prayers.
Catholic Insights
Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and all those who would do us harm. It is more than saying “I love my enemies,” but to actively love and show mercy to our enemies. Jesus offers several examples to illustrate his point. If we are truly injured by someone else, we are not to retaliate but are to give ourselves up out of love. Are we to take Jesus literally in what he is teaching?
Mercy is at the core of Jesus’ teaching in this Gospel. The road we are asked to travel is not easy. We are to truly love our enemies and wish the best for those who harm us. The reward promised for treating others with mercy will be greater than we can imagine here on earth. We are called to be merciful just as God is merciful.
It’s a good week to look at how we can all be more merciful to others.
Did you know….There are many examples in the Gospels when Jesus takes a well-known teaching from the Hebrew Scriptures and turns it on its head. These teachings, such as “an eye for an eye…” were changed by Jesus out of genuine love, before all else. To love one’s enemy is at the heart of being merciful like God.
Wise advice from a great spiritual director, pray for the people you don’t like and it changes your heart.
Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection
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