LENTEN EVENING OF REFLECTION

Lk 14:1-6 The people are observing Jesus, presumably to catch him in an unlawful act. Jesus confronts them with a challenging question. No one answers. Jesus answers his own question by healing the man. Then he asks if one of their own had an accident wouldn’t their response be to rescue even if on the Sabbath. Again, there is silence. Jesus, you open our minds to serve you by serving others no matter the circumstances. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.

Great Catholic families make mistakes: As Catholics, we believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God ... but this doesn’t mean that we are gods. The older we get, the more we realize how human we all are. We let each other down. We fail. We sin. And yet, to thrive as individuals and as a family, we have learned that there is a fine line between making a mistake and believing that you are a mistake. God does not make mistakes. We are each created with dignity, and we are all special in God’s eyes. Great Catholic families know that shame is hard to undo once it’s done. Even the biggest mistakes require a healthy dose of patience and love in order to ensure that they don’t become weak spots in an otherwise strong family. Faith Builder: Does your family keep alive old wounds? Take some time together to bury old mistakes and genuinely move on from them. Great Catholic families fight fair: As much as we wish family life were perfect, the reality is that all families experience conflict. We’re going to fight. Not selling siblings into slavery like Joseph’s brothers did is a good start, but even fighting has rules. Families that fight fair carry with them an application of the Ten Commandments, even when they are in the middle of a family crisis. Some examples: Steering clear of using the Lord’s name in vain in a heated debate. Honoring mothers and fathers (and daughters and sons and sisters and brothers and so on). Telling the truth, gently, even though it may hurt. Family members who fight for personal victory miss out on how great it feels to work through a struggle together, and win as a team. Great Catholic families check tempers, are respectful of one anothers’ strengths and weaknesses, and always remember that obstacles make us stronger Faith Builder: Create and display your family’s rules for conflict: “No sulking, no lying, no grudges, etc.” This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.

Gracious God, your ways are greater than our hearts can comprehend; Your love is immense; your mercy and forgiveness stretch beyond the limits of our understanding. Teach us to know your ways, and give us the grace to focus always on your love, so that we may share that love in the world through our stewardship of all we are and have and will be. We ask this in the name of the One whose way is our way, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. This article comes to you from Grace In Action ( Our Sunday Visitor ) courtesy of your parish or diocese.