.

Things to talk about:

• Why was it necessary for God to send his Son into the world to die for our sins?
• Jesus refers to himself as “light” and says that some prefer darkness to light. Why would someone prefer darkness (to do evil works) rather than follow Jesus?
• How does knowing that God loves you no matter what affect how you make choices in your life?

Things to do:

• Make a John 3:16 sign and place it in a prominent place in your home. Invite each family member to memorize John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
• Register your family for Transfiguration Serves, March 16-17, you can help at Hands On, March 16, 9-noon or sign up for other service projects throughout the weekend. www,transfiguration.com/news/transfiguration-serves.
• Practice a corporal work of mercy by having a spring-cleaning day at home. Each family member should find 3 good things that would be appreciated by those who have less. Bring them together to St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Kennesaw or Goodwill. Pray for those who will receive your donations. (more about corporal works of mercy, www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/the-corporal-works-of-mercy)
• 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.

Breastplate of St. Patrick

The breastplate of St. Patrick reminds us that Christ is always with us. Pray it together as a family.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness

of the Creator of creation.

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

Catholic Insights

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is Latin for rejoice. The color rose may be used as the liturgical color. We are joyful and hopeful because Easter is near.

John 3:16 reminds us that the whole reason Jesus came into the world was not to die but to love. In accepting death on the cross, Jesus showed how much he was willing to do to redeem all human beings. In the Resurrection, he shows that God’s love is so strong that even death cannot overcome it.

Some people might unfortunately choose to stay in the darkness instead of the light. Jesus is the Light of the World. We can choose darkness or live “In the Light.” Whatever we decide, God doesn’t stop loving us or inviting us to come back to him. God wants eternal life for all.

Did you know? …Christians started holding “John 3:16” signs at sports stadiums beginning in the late 1970s as a way to spread the Gospel.

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