Archive | Question of the Week

Palm Sunday starts with an upbeat gospel recounting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is a festive affair, complete with a parade route strewn with palm branches instead of ticker tape. Yet, the same crowd that was cheering during the parade were jeering a few days later asking for Christ to be crucified. Adults: Have […]

Jesus’ promise of eternal life is a central element of our Catholic faith. Even though Easter is still two weeks away, our Gospel today invites us to acknowledge Jesus’ power over death, evidenced in teh raising of Lazarus, and to anticipate Jesus’ conquering of death once and for all in his death and Resurrection. We […]

As Jesus helped the blind man understand, it is not enough to see only with our eyes. We need also to see with our hearts and allow our every action to reflect this sight. Jesus healed the man of his blindness, but in the end the man recognized Jesus as the Messiah and worshiped Him. […]

Jesus offers us living water just as he did the woman at the well. It is the water of salvation so when we stumble, we know that Jesus refreshes us with forgiveness. This is helpful to remember on days when we are disappointed by our anger, impatience, and discouragement. Adults: where are you found a […]

Perhaps the most important part of this week’s gospel passage for us to take along with us on our Lenten journey are the words of the Father directed to Jesus, but also directed to His disciples. “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” As beloved sons and daughters of teh Father, how are we […]

At the very beginning of his campaign for this world and for each one of us, Jesus openly confronted the enemy. He began his fight using the power of Scripture during a night of doubt, confusion, and temptation. It will do us well not to forget Jesus’ example, so that we won’t be seduced by […]

Matthew’s Gospel this week continues the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus encourages his disciples to notice how the Father cares for even the smallest of creatures, and assures them that their heavenly Father provides even more for their needs. Adults: What things do you worry about most frequently? How do you deal with your worry? […]

When difficult times and strife occur in our lives, what are our natural tendencies? Taking the perspective of the other person is a great challenge, yet a necessary skill for a healthy relationship. Consider the challenge of Jesus to turn the other cheek during the difficult times. Jesus is not asking us to accept or […]

Matthew’s Gospel this week highlights what seem to be an unattainable ideal. What Jesus asks of his followers requires an extraordinary interior conversion of heart. Mere external compliance seems impossible; only love as the basis for action could render possible the ethic proposed here by Jesus. Jesus’ teachings – how he deliberately pushes his hearers […]

Our greatest challenge is to be a living witness to the first beatitude. If we understand and live out being “poor in spirit,” the rest falls into place. For to be “poor in spirit,” we rely completely on God. We know what the present situation holds, but recognize that there is a greater glory to […]