Hello Families,
In today’s Gospel, Matthew points the separation between the disciples and their families because he wants to show that Christian discipleship can require a change in our lives and even our family relationships. Perhaps the message for us today is to balance the radical call to be a follower of Jesus with the challenge to be “fishers of men” even within our own families. Creating this balance may require that we change some of the priorities of our own family life.
As a family, detail the activities of a typical day. Discuss together what priorities are reflected in this daily schedule. How does your family respond when your daily plans are interrupted or must be changed? Together read today’s Gospel, Matthew 4:12-23. Reflect together on the example of the first disciples who dropped everything to follow Jesus. Ask: Does our family schedule give evidence that we put God first in our family life? What might we do to better reflect that God is our priority? Pray together that your family will always give evidence that God comes first in your family life. Pray today’s Psalm or the Lord’s Prayer.
Liturgy Link – In the early Church, the fish was a secret symbol of Christianity. Look around the church and vestibule to see if you can find any fish in the art, decor, windows, or books.
www.loyolapress.com
Partners in Faith,
Phyllis Chudzinski