August 10, 2025 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our Great Journey

This week our theme is “Be Ready for Jesus” based on Luke 12:32-48, Lucas 12:32-48

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Opening Prayer:

All pray the Sign of the Cross

Loving God, you alone are the source of every good gift, of the vast array of our universe, and the mystery of each human life. We praise you and thank you for your tender, faithful love., Amen.

Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.

Things to talk about:

What does it mean to have an active faith?
What are some things that distract you from making faith a priority?
Have you ever felt spiritually lazy? What caused it, and how did you overcome it?
Jesus tells us to be ready for His return. What do you think that means for your daily life?
What are some small ways you can grow in your faith each day?

Things to do:

Luminaries Two Ways: As a family make these lanterns to remind you of the importance of being prepared. Display them in a prominent place in your home.
Option 1
- Supplies: Baking paper or wax paper; oil pastels; and battery-operated tea light candles
- Instructions: Cut strips of wax paper 5 inches wide. Fold the wax paper strip in half, then into quarters. Open up the wax paper and draw crosses or other Christian symbols using the oil pastels. Smudge the drawings with your fingers for a more translucent artwork effect when lit up. Shape the wax paper into a square and tape the 2 outermost sides together where they meet. Place it on your dinner table and then put a battery-operated tea light in the middle.
- Option 2
  - Supplies: Empty Jars (baby jars or larger ones), cleaned and dried; Glue; Scissors; Tissue Paper (cut into crosses or Christian symbols); Glue Spreader/Paintbrush; Battery-operated tea lights
  - Glue the tissue crosses and symbols to the outside of the jar. Place a tea light inside the jar.
This week, challenge yourself to take one step toward active faith. Don’t just think about your faith—do something to make it stronger. Faith grows when you put it into action, even in small ways. Choose one thing you will commit to this week and stick with it. Share it as a family so you can help each other stay accountable.
- Here are a few ideas to help you get started. First, set aside five minutes every day to pray. It doesn’t have to be long—just a quick conversation with God. Second, do one act of kindness for someone without expecting anything in return. It could be helping a friend, saying something encouraging, or serving at home. Third, make a real effort to pay attention at Mass this Sunday. Listen to the readings, think about the homily, and really participate.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord, Fill our minds with his truth and our hearts with his love, that in his spirit we may be bonded together as a family and in a community of faith a parish family, a caring people.

In the name and Spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talents, and our material gift, as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus. Amen

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

Catholic Insights

Stay Awake and Be Ready

The readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time call us to live with trust and to stay ready. They remind us that God keeps His promises. We are part of His plan, just like the people in the Bible.

In the first reading, the people of Israel waited for God to act. They knew He would save them, so they stayed strong and faithful. In the second reading, Abraham followed God without knowing where he was going. He trusted that God would lead him.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel to be ready at all times. He may come when we do not expect it. We must live with care and take our responsibilities seriously. These readings help us remember that faith is not just about believing. It is also about how we live each day.

Let’s be real—faith is not always easy to keep up with. Life is busy. School, sports, family, and friends take up so much of our time. Sometimes, faith feels like just another thing on the to-do list, and it’s easy to put it off. But Jesus calls us to be ready and stay faithful. Active faith means making God part of your everyday life, not just something you think about on Sundays or at faith formation.

So, what does active faith actually look like? It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It means you try. It means making an effort to pray, even when you don’t feel like it. It means choosing to be kind when it’s easier to ignore someone. It means showing up to Mass and paying attention, even when you’re tired. It means asking questions when you don’t understand something about your faith.

So, what will you do today to stay active in your faith? Will you take a small step toward growing closer to God? Think about it, talk about it, and make a plan. Your faith is in your hands. What will you do with it?

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