
Our Great Journey
The theme is “Give it ALL away” based on Mark 10:17-30 / Marcos 10:17-30
All pray the Sign of the Cross
Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your Apostles, “Come Follow Me. You say the same words to us. Help us to follow you faithfully, to live the commandments, to help those who are struggling and to love like you love. Amen.
In addition to our prayers from the heart, our prayer for October is the Act of Contrition. Please pray this prayer daily to learn it..
Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.
Things to talk about:
- Think about all the things you have in your life that you believe you can’t do without. Think about whether you can let them go and live without them. Would you be able to do it?
- Imagine you are the man in this Gospel. Close your eyes and imagine Jesus looking at you with love and stay in his gaze for a few moments. Share your experience.
- The Rich Man was asked to give up his possessions. What are you willing to give up in order to focus more on God?
Things to do:
- In this Gospel, Jesus asked the Rich Man to give up his possessions. Consider giving up technology for the evening and spending time doing a jigsaw puzzle or another game together as a family or with some friends.
- This week clean out your closets and garage and donate gently used items to St. Vincent de Paul or Good Will.
- Altar servers assist the priest during Mass. What are some things they do?
- Have a family debate. Imagine you come into some money. Should you spend it on a new game system, vacation or donate it to an organizations that helps those in need. Discuss arguments for both sides and make a final decision. Do you have a better understanding of how the rich man felt?
- As a family register to help at Transfiguration Serves weekend. There is something everyone can do! Help with Hands On, donate cookies/candy for Sweet Care Packages, bring something for Priesthood Sunday, sign up to bring a food item for SVdP Third Saturday dinner.
Closing Prayer
While often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the Peace Prayer wasn’t written by the saint. However, it remains a popular traditional prayer.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Name those who need our prayers. Pray the Act of Contrition.

Catholic Insights
Jesus poses a challenge, to the rich man in the Gospel and to us. Living as a disciple demands that we not only do what is expected, but that we go beyond and give all of ourselves.
Practically speaking it doesn’t mean having nothing. Jesus is emphasizing making God the most important thing in our life. We are all on a journey to heaven. The Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teachings are our GPS. Review the commandments with yourself & your family. Jesus also gives us more direct route; it isn’t easy but the treasure waiting for us in heaven makes the journey worth it.
Jesus reminds his disciples that nothing is impossible with God. Salvation is determined by our ability to rely completely upon God. Give it all away!
Did you know?….. Some claim that Jerusalem’s city wall had a narrow gate known as the “eye of the needle.” The size of the gate made it impossible for a fully loaded camel to pass through it. The animal would have to be fully unloaded or walk on its knees, in a vulnerable position, in order to get through the opening.
Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection
Subscribe to our Blog
Upon subscribing, you will be sent a confirmation email - click the link in the email to complete sign-up.
← Back to Blog Archives