0

Breaking Open the Word at Home: Sunday, November 4, 2018

by on Nov 04, 2018 in Catechesis, Featured, Parenting
Print This Article

Mass Readings for the Ministry of Parents and Godparents

The Church calls Christian parents to be the “first” teachers of the faith and the “best” teachers of the faith (The Rite of Infant Baptism). Godparents agree to assist in this ministry of parents. This resource from Catholic Lane is to assist you, parent or godparent, with using the Sunday Mass readings to teach the Catholic Faith and live the Catholic Faith as a family.

November 4th, 2018: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Deuteronomy 6:2-6, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 12:28-34

SUMMARY OF READINGS:

Deuteronomy 6:2-6 invites us to follow God’s law through love. Love motivates us to follow God’s commandments; when we love God we follow Him.

Hebrews 7 explains that the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial offering of love is everlasting.

Mark 12 builds upon both the first and second reading. Jesus develops the understanding of love for God to include the love of neighbor made in the imago Dei (image of God). This love is the true heart of sacrifice, and this is shown in the sacrificial death of Jesus who loved till the end.

CATECHETICAL TALKING POINTS:

The readings for this Sunday provide an opportunity to talk about the nature of love, the nature of sacrifice, and the importance of God’s commandments. Below are some places in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to help with these catechetical conversations as a parent or godparent. “CCC” refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

TRUTH IN ACTION:

Parents or godparents can also put the catechetical content into action through various activities. Here are just a few examples:

  • Prayerfully give thanks for God’s love.
  • Pray for an increased ability to love as Christ loves.
  • Perform an act of love for a neighbor on your street.
  • Ask your child or godchild, “What is love?” and “How is the Cross an example of love?”
  • Ask your child or godchild to put the 10 Commandments under either the category of Loving God or Loving Neighbor.
  • Make an Examination of Conscience using the Ten Commandments.
  • Light a candle and spend some time gazing upon a crucifix while meditating upon the Cross as the definition of love.

Bookmark Catholiclane.com for future Sunday Mass Readings for the Ministry of Parents and Godparents

 


Brandon Harvey is a Teacher, Speaker and Theological Consultant who resides in Omaha, Nebraska. He is married and is blessed with four children. He is the host of the Home Catechesis Podcast and the Home Catechesis Review (Vlog) on youtube.