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August 1, 2021
18th Sunday in Ordinary TimeRenewed in Hearts and Minds
PDF DownloadWe live in what has sometimes been called a “culture of self-invention.” In other words, advertisements and the popular media that carry them often suggest that life is about how we go about defining who we are and getting others to see us as we see ourselves.
St. Paul is talking about something very different when he tells the Ephesians to put on the new self, created in God’s way. He encourages us to set aside all the desires and hunger that we had before in favor of a relationship with Jesus, who is himself the Bread of Life. Only in Jesus, encountered especially in the Eucharist, do we find the answer to our deepest longings.
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Year of the Family: Live the Joy of God's Love
"The covenant of love and fidelity lived by the Holy Family of Nazareth illuminates the principle which gives shape to every family and enables it better to face the vicissitudes of life. . . . Every family, despite its weaknesses, can become a light in the darkness of the world. 'Nazareth teaches us the meaning of family life, its loving communion, its simple and austere beauty, its sacred and inviolable character. May it teach how sweet and irreplaceable is its training, how fundamental and incomparable its role in the social order."
Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) #66St. Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesians, that despite failures of the past, they begin anew in a life changed by Jesus, applies to our families, too. None of our families are perfect and we all have things that we have to get over or move beyond. Jesus is ready to help us do just that.
Let your family know that God wants to help us love one another in a new way, with a pure heart. Remind your family that every time we receive the Eucharist, we are made more like the Holy Family and given a fresh start with one another.
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.
Ezekiel 16:2-4, 12-15
“This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat."
Psalm 78
The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
Put away the old self and put on the new self.
John 6:24-35
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger.”
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Let the Eucharist renew the hearts and minds of your family:
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Make Mass a special time of the week. Do your best to make going to Mass as a family a bonding experience. Try to give your family a little extra cushion of time before Mass so you aren’t too rushed on the way. Also, try to provide your family a fun experience afterwards, whether it’s time for coffee and donuts at the parish or a special activity.
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Let your children know that Mass changes us inside. Make sure your children know that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist changes us inside. Each time we receive the Eucharist, he is transforming us and changing our hearts and minds.
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Observe how you feel different before and after Mass. Sometimes we go to Mass when we aren’t at our best. Whatever may be going on, maybe we are arguing with each other, maybe we’re stressed about something, we might find that going to Mass helps to make us feel better. If you’ve ever had this experience, share it with your children and encourage them to look for it in their own hearts and minds.
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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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