Things to talk about:

• Why is it so hard to forgive?
• How does today’s Gospel remind you of the Our Father prayer?
• Why do you think the servant went after his debtor, even after he was forgiven?
• What did you learn about forgiveness in this story?
• · How do you feel after you forgive someone?

Things to do:

• Take this Gospel to heart and forgive someone or a debt that someone owes you.

• Did you know…. Kneeling is a gesture of reverence. How many times do we kneel at Mass? When does this happen? The Mass is truly our perfect prayers. At Mass, listen for the words, sorry, forgive, mercy and peace.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank you for forgiving us when we make bad choices knowingly. Give us the strength to extend forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Our Father, who art in heaven…

Song for this week, Holy Water

Catholic Insights

Peter is looking for a definite line beyond which there is no hope of forgiveness. But as Christians, we know that God’s forgiveness is limitless, and if we hope in God’s eternal forgiveness, we must also offer that forgiveness to others. God forgives, and so must we.

When we hold onto our grudges and resentments, we are like the servant who was forgiven but refused to forgive the very small debt owed to him.

Forgiveness is the fruit of prayer; it bears witness to the world that love is stronger than sin (CCC, 2844). Forgiveness is a particularly important in family life, promoting mutual affection and teaching children to grow in this virtue (CCC, 2227). This is where our children learn to forgive.

For our kids, a short video about Matthew 18:15-20

Things to talk about:

• What is Jesus saying to us in this Gospel about forgiveness? What are Jesus’ step by step instructions for reconciliation? Why is it so hard to forgive sometimes?
• Share a time when someone has sinned against you. How did you handle it?
• Jesus says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” When have you felt the presence of Jesus in a group of two, three, or more?

Things to do:

• What action do we do with our hand before the Gospel is read? What does it mean? (Answer in video)
• Practice listening this week. Listen intently when someone tells you something, and then silently count to 5 before responding, giving yourself time to think about what you’ll say.
• Teens: do some research on Pax Christi, www.paxchristiusa.org. Is there anything you can do to support this group?

Did you know…. that restorative justice is a system rooted in biblical tradition? It is an approach to seeking justice that tries to engage all of the people affected by a crime, violence or offense. It seeks to bring offenders to a point of rehabilitation and reconciliation with their victims and with the wider community.

Catholic Insights

This week’s Gospel focuses on listening with open hearts and minds. Jesus outlines ways for seeking reconciliation with each other. This process involves a spiritual component and Jesus says that he is present when we gather in his name.

As human beings and especially as members of Christ’s Church we are responsible for the welfare of one another and for the good of society. (CCC, 1914). The fourth through the tenth commandments outline our responsibilities as members of the Church to care for the common good. (CCC, 2197-2250, 2196, 2822).

How might you set aside negative feelings (of hurt or anger or sorrow) in the midst of conflicts and really try to listen with an open heart and mind? What could happen?

Song for this week: Alleluia! Give the Glory

For our kids, a short video about Matthew 18:15-20

Things to talk about:

• What do you think the apostles thought when Jesus told them that he was going to suffer, die, and be raised from the dead?
• Jesus told Peter he was an obstacle to him. Why do you think he said that? 
• What does it mean for us when Jesus says, that everyone has to “take up his cross”?

Things to do:

• In this Gospel, Jesus predicted his suffering and death. The Stations of the Cross show how Jesus suffered and died in the last moments of his earthly life. Find the stations in our church. How many stations are there?
• As a family create a poster or video commercial advertising for Disciples of Jesus. Think of qualities of the kind of people you are looking for and write a description of the requirements.

Close with Prayer

Emmaus Prayer (adapted)

Lord, as we walk down the journey of life, we ask that you would be our constant companion, especially on those days when we are disheartened or when we have strayed off your path. When we are downcast, we ask that you lift our spirits. When we are confused, we ask that you enlighten our minds. When we are disappointed, we ask that you give us hope.

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.”  Close with the Sign of the Cross.     

Catholic Insights

In last week’s Gospel, Jesus calls Simon Peter the “rock” upon which his Church would be built on. But in today’s Gospel, we hear about the limitations of Peter’s faith.

Jesus confides in his disciples that at the end of his ministry, he must suffer, die, and rise again for the good of his people. Alarmed and frightened, Peter speaks out in rejection of Jesus’ words: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

Jesus reprimands Peter and says that to reject such an outcome is to no longer think like God but like man. It’s here that Jesus teaches the disciples two lessons. The first clarifies their understanding of Jesus as the Messiah. Rather than the political leader they likely envisioned, Jesus is the suffering servant.

The second lesson teaches about the difficult path to discipleship. Just as Jesus makes sacrifices to serve, his disciples are expected to do the same. Being a disciple means we will be living a life of love, compassion and joy. Sometimes living this life is counter-cultural. Everyday we have opportunities to give our time, talents and treasure, and sometimes this is not as easy as donating money to church or charities or racking up service hours. Jesus is telling us there is a price to pay when we follow him. But we also know God is in control, not us. Sometimes it’s hard to surrender control and trust in God’s providence… but that’s what true disciples do. Amen.

Song for this week: Come and Follow Me

Things to talk about:

• What are the most important qualities a leader must possess?
• What is the importance of Jesus calling Peter “the rock” on which he would build his Church?
• Who do you say that Jesus is?

Things to do:

• Did you know? … that the keys of St. Peter are an image of two crossed keys representing the ones that Jesus says he is giving to Peter. The image of these keys appears in the coat of arms of the Vatican.  Almost all of the popes’ coat of arms since the Middle Ages have included the image of St. Peter’s keys. Locate the papal flag in the foyer. Look at our Transfiguration window in the Church. Peter’s keys are around his waist. For older children, introduce the word, “magisterium,” the teaching authority of the Church to give authentic interpretation of the Word of God.

• If you haven’t already, create a home prayer space with a cloth representing the liturgical calendar (currently green for ordinary time), a candle, a Bible, rosary and any other sacramental items you’d like to add. Most churches have a gold and white flag of Vatican City on their grounds. The white band of the flag contains the papal coat of arms which contains the keys of Peter and the papal tiara. These keys represent the keys to the kingdom of heaven mentioned in today’s Gospel. See if you can find the Vatican City flag in your church. Draw a papal flag to add to your prayer table.

• As a family, make a list of people you know who stopped going to church or have never attended church. Each day this week, pray for these people by name so that they may be converted to Christ. Add their names on the back of the papal flag and remember to pray for them.

Catholic Insights

This Gospel clarifies who Jesus is. Jesus asks his closest friends to tell him who they think he is. They tell him what other people are saying. Peter, though, identifies Jesus as the Messiah — the holy one sent by God to redeem the people. Jesus recognizes that Peter could not have identified him so definitely were it not for the power of God within him. The truth about Jesus would not become clear until after the Resurrection. Jesus realizes that the presence of the Holy Spirit in Peter is strong.

Jesus appoints Peter as the first leader — the first pope — of the Catholic Church. The  “keys of the kingdom” Jesus gives to Peter is the authority to lead the People of God after Jesus ascends to the Father. Peter is not perfect; all the Gospels point out Peter’s failings during the passion account. But Peter has the humility to allow God to strengthen, support, and work through him.

We are called to be Jesus’ disciples; we need to think about who Jesus is for us in our own lives. How do you answer Jesus’ question, “But who do YOU say that I am?”

Song for this week: Matt Maher,  You know who I am 

For our kids, a short video about Matthew 16:13-20