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January 23, 2022
3rd Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus, Our Intimate Friend
PDF DownloadWe have good reason to share with our children the moral teachings of the faith and how Jesus calls us to do the right thing. However, we should never miss the opportunity to let our children know that Jesus is much more than just a teacher. Jesus is God’s word. That’s why Jesus makes such a bold proclamation in this Sunday’s Gospel reading.
Jesus intends to do much more than teach us good behavior. He intends to be our close friend, present to us every day. The best way for us to communicate who Jesus is to our children is to cultivate an encounter with him in our own lives and let that encounter flow over into our relationship with our family.
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Year of the Family: Live the Joy of God's Love
“The example of Jesus is a paradigm for the Church … He began his public ministry with the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. He shared in everyday moments of friendship with the family of Lazarus and his sisters and with the family of Peter. He sympathized with grieving parents and restored their children to life. In this way he demonstrated the true meaning of mercy, which entails the restoration of the covenant. This is clear from his conversations with the Samaritan woman (cf. Jn 1:4–30) and with the woman found in adultery, where the consciousness of sin is awakened by an encounter with Jesus’ gratuitous love.”
Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) #64Pope Francis won’t let us dismiss Jesus, the Word of God, as only a moral teacher. He constantly reminds us that Jesus is a true friend who wants to be part of our lives.
Jesus intends to be close to us in the same way that he was close to the Lazarus, the family of Peter, and the Samaritan woman. Of course, he won’t force us to be close to him. Like the people of Nazareth, we have a choice about whether we invite Jesus into our lives. Let’s teach our children to do this in prayer.
Parish Resources Available!
If you are a pastor, parish staff member or volunteer looking for Year of the Family resources for your parish, please visit this link.
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Take time to read and reflect on the Scriptures for this Sunday.
Don’t have access to a Bible?
Visit www.usccb.org/bible/readings or download an app such as Laudate or iBreviary to access the Mass readings.
Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
All the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Psalm 19Your words, Lord are Spirit and life!
1 Corinthians 12:12-30We are many parts of one body.
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21Today, this is fulfilled in your hearing.
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Model and encourage growing in relationship with Jesus through prayer:
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Begin your day with prayer: Begin your day with a prayer like Morning Prayer from the Divine Office, the Morning Offering, or a verbal prayer you offer to Jesus at the start of the day. Our own relationship with Jesus provides the foundation that enables us to invite our children into a relationship with him.
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Go deeper with grace at meals: Saying grace at each meal with your children is an important way to invite Jesus into your lives. Once you have made it a regular habit, go just a little deeper by using grace as an opportunity to ask Jesus to bless your family through the healing of sick family members, help in school and gratitude for blessings in your lives.
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Go deeper in night prayer with your children: When praying with your children at the end of their day, encourage them to thank Jesus for ways he was present to them in the day. Also encourage them ask Jesus to be with them tomorrow.
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Conclude your day with prayer: Wrap up the day with an evening prayer, maybe from the Divine Office or something you offer on your own. Keep close to Jesus and that relationship will flow over into your children’s lives as well.
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Coronavirus, anxiety and children
Buiding Family Bonds during the Coronavirus
A collection of resources to help families build stronger bonds in spite of the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus, Anxiety, Children and the Church
A helpful guide for parents who wish to talk to children about COVID-19 in an empowering and reassuring way.
Explaining the News to Our Kids
This article provides parents with guidance on how to talk with our children when there are disturbing things in the news.
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Caring for those who are alone
The Office of Pastoral Ministries offers excellent resources that can help us care for those among us who are lonely or suffering from anxiety during this time.
Want to call someone in need, but not sure what to say? Click here for a guide (available in English and Spanish).
Want to pray for someone who is experiencing anxiety? Click this link to find text for prayers that can help (available in English and Spanish).
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Domestic violence during the pandemic
Domestic Violence is an all too real part of the lives of many families. Parish leaders can and should play a role in protecting those at risk. Below are some resources that can help us begin to respond:
Archdiocese of Seattle Domestic Violence Resources
When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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