Catechetical Sunday!
Catechetical Sunday!
Catechetical Sunday!
Once, I read a story about three men in England who were pouring a mixture of water, sand, lime, and other ingredients into a trough. A passerby asked them what they were doing. The first said, "I am making mortar." The second: "I am laying bricks." But the third said, "I am building a cathedral." They were doing the same thing, but each looked at it differently. And what a difference that made!
Catechetical Sunday is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to this mission as a community of faith. Each one of us is a catechist. There are a good number of people who volunteer to teach our faith to our young people. We recognize them and we thank them for their generosity.
I would like to thank all parents who take the time to walk with your child/youth on their faith journey. Parents are the primary teachers. I encourage you to take a few minutes every week to discuss your child/youth's religious education class, as it helps parents refresh their faith journey. It is called the New Evangelization, which means relearning our faith. Another request is to take time to pray together at home and come to Mass as a family. I would like to thank all the families who come together for Mass.
In an article, "Partnering with Parents to Nurture Family Faith-Insights from Research, John Roberto states, “There is no more urgent task for the Church today than strengthening parental and family faith and practice.” Then he illustrates four points.
#1. PARENTS ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THE RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL OUTCOMES OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
#2. THE PRIMARY WAY BY WHICH CATHOLIC IDENTITY BECOMES ROOTED IN CHILDREN’S LIVES ARE THE DAY-TO-DAY RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE FAMILY AND THE WAYS PARENTS MODEL THEIR FAITH AND SHARE IT IN CONVERSATION, COLLABORATION, AND EXPOSURE TO OUTSIDE RELIGIOUS OPPORTUNITIES.
#3. THE FAMILY IS THE PRIMARY COMMUNITY WHERE CATHOLIC FAITH PRACTICES ARE NURTURED AND PRACTICED.
#4. THE QUALITY OF A PARENT’S RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN OR TEENS AND THE PARENTING STYLE THEY PRACTICE MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN FAITH TRANSMISSION.
You can read the full article on the USCCB website: Partnering with Parents to Nurture Family Faith - Insights from Research | USCCB.
Today’s reading reminds us to be a faithful steward. The first reading from the Book of Amos (8:4-7) reminds us to be God’s faithful stewards and show justice and mercy to all. During the time of Amos, Israel was divided into two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. They were blessed with prosperity. It turned their minds away from God. They worked on holidays so they could make more money. They were new to scripture and aware of what God expects from them, but they disregarded it. Deuteronomy 25 gives various precepts. They knew how to treat each other, but they disregarded it. Injustice against the poor is a sin. So, the Lord warned the people through Amos of the coming downfall of the kingdom because they were not good stewards.
The Gospel of Luke 16:1-13 presents to us the story of the unrighteous steward to teach us the importance of urgency and preparedness. The parable of the dishonest steward must be understood in the context of the Palestinian custom of agents acting on behalf of their masters and the outrageous practices typical of such agents. About the loss of his position, the steward makes use of finding favor with his master’s debtors and preparing for his future. The steward's last-minute effort was successful in winning the favor of the debtors and securing his financial future.
Jesus points to the steward as both an example and a warning. Jesus says, “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic word that is usually explained as meaning “that in which one trusts.” The dishonest steward expresses a tendency for wealth to lead one to dishonesty. Investing in God’s kingdom means investing our treasures properly. Through our baptism, we are called to be good stewards, a life centered on the Eucharist, to be caretakers of God’s gift, to live a life of service, to participate in the Church's mission, and ultimately, to commit to Holiness. Our parish Mission today and tomorrow will be a good opportunity to reflect and discern our faith life. If you didn’t register, there is still time to do it. Thank you.
Catholic Service Appeal (CSA): You might have received CSA envelopes. Thank you, you have already pledged. We will be watching the kick-off video next Sunday. If everyone participates, we can reach the goal. I want to thank you in advance for your commitment.