Our Great Journey

Welcome to our weekly summer blog, designed to share ideas for Living the Gospel at Home. This blog is meant to be interactive, so please share ideas, photos and resources that you have tried at home. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most meaningful.

In today’s Gospel, Matthew 10:37-42, Jesus explains the cost and rewards of discipleship.  The conditions outlined for discipleship may sound harsh at first, but Jesus is helping those who choose a life of discipleship to understand that our relationships must be looked at through a lens of love for Christ first.  When we choose to love Christ, our relationships with our family and our friends should reflect that love as well.  Jesus explains that his disciples are hospitable and welcoming of others.  This is one way we can show others Jesus’ love through our kindness.

Things to talk about:

• What do you think Jesus means when he says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it?”
• How would you describe a disciple of Jesus?
• How can you become a better disciple?

Things to do:

In today’s Gospel Jesus explains that we should be hospitable and welcoming to others. Think about when you have guests over to your home. What are ways you make them feel welcomed?

• As a family, plan a play date or get together with family friends. Plan what you will do, what foods and beverages you will serve, how you will invite your guests, and what will you do to make your guests feel welcomed in your home.

As disciples, we are called to help others to feel Jesus’ love.  Who is someone you know that needs help today?  How can you help them?

Fireworks!  Tuesday is July 4^th, Independence Day.  Take the family to a fireworks display and enjoy celebrating our freedoms.  Take time on this day to pray for our country.

Happy 4th of July!

Prayer for Our Nation

God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The United States is in the midst of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival to remind us of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and restore our understanding of, and devotion to, the Eucharist. Come as a family to the Chapel and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is truly present. READ MORE

Looking for some family faith fun for the summer?  Check out the Summer Bucket List for Families from CatholicMom.com. 

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