Archives for September 2018

Lectio Divina Mark 9: 38-48

By Catechist's Aide on September 26, 2018 2

The post will guide you and your students through a brief study of the Gospel reading from Sunday’s Mass.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mark 9: 38-48

Silence

Before reading God’s word in Scripture, instruct students to settle down and wait for silence, remembering the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta that, “it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.” Allow for a brief period of silence then pray.

Prayer

Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So we ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts. Amen (Attributed to Origen Adamantius, 184-253 AD)

Reading (Mark 9: 38-48)

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone
driving out demons in your name, and we tried
to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed
in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ, Amen, I say to you,
will surely not lose his reward.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”

General Reflection Questions

(Ask these questions to the group, and all can participate in answering. The purpose is to discuss, in general, what happens in the text. In other words, what is the message God is saying to everyone in this Scripture passage?)

Last week the disciples were concerned with their own standing, arguing about who among them was the greatest. In today’s reading, we have the apostle John shutting down a man of faith because he is not “one of us.” We don’t know anything about this man that John speaks of. We are only told that he was an outsider – not one of the official disciples – and he used Jesus’ name to cast out demons. And, this doesn’t sit right with John.

Why do you suppose this man’s actions upset John to the point that he stopped him from speaking (verse 38)? John is upset that the man is not part of their group. Perhaps John didn’t want to share his position as part of Jesus’ inner circle with a stranger.

How does Jesus respond to John’s actions (verse 39)? Jesus corrects John and tells him not to stop the man. Jesus says that “whoever is not against us is for us.” The important thing for Jesus is the faith the man showed in speaking in his name, not whether the man was a member of the right group. He was more concerned with the man’s heart and his intentions.

Jesus goes on to say that every step of faith, no matter how small, will yield rewards. Even offering something as simple as a cup of water to someone, because they belong to Christ, will be rewarded. And then Jesus speaks about the “little ones,” but they aren’t necessarily children. Jesus could be referring to anyone whose faith, like a child’s, is still being formed. This might also apply to the man that John tried to stop from speaking in Jesus’ name.

What does Jesus say about those who cause “little ones who believe in me” to sin (verse 42)? He says they would be better off to put a millstone around their necks and be thrown into the sea.

A millstone is a large round, very heavy stone used for grinding grain. If someone were to tie one of these large stones around their neck and be thrown into the ocean they would surely sink to the bottom and drown. The point that Jesus is making here is that, as his followers, we all have a responsibility to those learning the faith. We should encourage and support the growth of faith in these little ones and do nothing that might cause them to turn from God.

Jesus then turns the conversation to our own sins and we hear him use some rather strong and graphic language. What does he say we should do if our hand causes us to sin and why (verse 43)? He says to cut it off because it would be better to be maimed and enter into life than have our two hands and go into Gehenna.

Jesus talks about two different places – one where we enter into life, and the other Gehenna. We are already alive, so this life is not the life he’s talking about. The life that Jesus refers to here is eternal life in heaven. Gehenna was the word used at the time to represent hell or a place of punishment and eternal fire.

Jesus repeats this notion of cutting off body parts that cause us to sin by including the feet and the eyes. Do you think Jesus intends for us to literally cut off body parts to avoid sin? Would cutting off our hand or foot or eye prevent us from sinning? No. We can sin with our hands or our feet or our eyes, but they are not the cause of our sins.

Personal Reflection Question

(This question is for individual, personal reflection, and students can write their response privately in their journals.)

Jesus calls us to examine our actions. He wants us to look closely at whether we live up to what we proclaim to be – Christians. He also calls us to examine what part of us is causing us to stumble and fall into sin, and to then detach from that part of our lives.

So, for instance, I might recognize that pride is a source of sin in my life. Perhaps pride causes me to think highly of myself and put down others. Pride may cause me to be overly competitive and want to win at any cost. It can cause me to point out the faults in others in an effort to make myself look better. To detach myself from pride I can begin practicing humility. I can humble myself by giving others an opportunity to lead, and by serving others. Prayer to the Blessed Mother, the model of humility, can help me detach from feelings of pride that are out of control.

Feelings of fear, anger, envy or jealousy can be perfectly normal and healthy, but they can become obstacles that lead us to sin when they are out of control. Sometimes even our friends can lead us to sin. Does this describe anyone in my life? Is there something or someone in my life that is a source of sin for me? What is something I can do to “cut off” the control that this person, situation or feelings have on my actions?

After writing in your journal, take a moment to be silent, thinking about what you have written. Pray silently to yourself:

Thank you Father for the gift of Your Word. With the help of your Spirit, help me to hear Your voice in Scripture, and to let it enter my head and my heart. Give me the strength to be transformed by Your Holy Word, and to live my life according to Your will. Amen.

Featured Song – September 2018

By Catechist's Aide on September 25, 2018 0

This month’s featured song comes from Jamie Grace, a talented young singer/songwriter from Atlanta. “Hold Me ” is her first hit from 2011 which earned Grace the 2012 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. The song is light and infectious but still carries an important message about the security awaiting us in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

“The song came from my yearning that I want to be held and I want to feel important to someone. I ended up trying to write a love song, and I didn’t know where to go with it because I’ve never been in love. I got a little bit of the song written, and I knew I wanted to sing “I love the way You hold me.”
My confidence and my understanding grew as I started to really understand the greatest love I’ve ever known. It has nothing to do with needing the coolest car or a boyfriend or awesome clothes. Love is all about trusting in God to hold you no matter what you are going through. I’ve had a lot of experiences in my life of needing to trust in God to hold me. He’s the only one who is going to be there. That’s what the song is about, knowing that God is there to hold you and the joy that comes with that knowledge and understanding.” (Davis. “Behind the Song with Kevin Davis”)

The Marks of the Church: The Church is Catholic

By Catechist's Aide on September 25, 2018 0

This post is part 3 of a 4-part series on the marks of the Church. In the first post I discussed the Church’s unity (found here) and in the second post, its holiness (here). Today’s post is about the third mark of the Church.

The Church is Catholic

When we say that the Church is catholic, we are saying that it is universal. In essence, we are referring to the wholeness of the Church on multiple levels. The Youth Catechism explains,

“’Catholic’ means related to the whole. The Church is catholic because Christ called her to profess the whole faith, to preserve all the sacraments, to administer them and proclaim the Good News to all; and he sent her to all nations.” (YouCat 133)

And from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

“The Church is catholic in a double sense:
First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church.” In her subsists the fullness of Christ’s body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him “the fullness of the means of salvation” which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession. The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be so until the day of the Parousia.
Secondly, the Church is catholic because she has been sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race.” (CCC 830-831)

On a mission from God

Before his Ascension into heaven, Jesus tasked his apostles with a mission. “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Matthew 28: 19-20 emphasis added). In Christ’s words, we see the dual sense of wholeness and universality. Their mission is universal. It is intended for the whole world, and they are to teach others to observe the whole of what Jesus has commanded. The task given to the apostles is the same for the Church and all her members throughout the ages. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church that Christ founded has grown from a small group of followers to more than a billion members worldwide.

Takeaway for Teens

When we talk about the mission of the Church, we are really talking about our personal mission as Catholics. How can young persons be missionaries? How can they spread the Gospel message? Although many young Catholics are involved in missionary work across the globe, getting on a plane is not a requirement for the job.

There are many ways to support the missionary efforts of the Church universal or your local parish. Helping with fundraising efforts for the missions is an excellent way to start. You can also help by providing for people’s physical needs. Many missions are located in impoverished areas, where young children lack essentials. Organizing clothing drives, or even toys and sports equipment can bring great joy to these children. There are many other ways that teens can help. Ask your Parish Youth Director or read the bulletin each week to see if there is a way to put your talents to use. Finally, perhaps the best way to spread the Gospel message is to live the Gospel message – be an example, a witness.

Lectio Divina: Mark 9: 30-37

By Catechist's Aide on September 21, 2018 1

This is the first installment in a series of blog posts that can be used as a Lectio Divina for middle school students. The post will guide you and your students through a brief study of the Gospel reading from Sunday’s Mass.

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Mark 9: 30-37

Silence

Prayer

Reading (Mark 9: 30-37)

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

General Reflection Questions

(These questions are asked to the group, and all can participate in answering. The purpose is to discuss, in general, what is happening in the text. In other words, what is God saying to everyone in this Scripture passage?)

What is happening in the Gospel reading? Jesus and his disciples are journeying through Galilee to Capernaum.

What is on Jesus’ mind as they travel to Capernaum? Jesus is telling his disciples about what will soon take place. He will be handed over to the authorities and put to death, but he will rise on the third day.

What is the reaction of the disciples to what Jesus tells them? They don’t understand but are afraid to ask any questions. Part of their lack of understanding stems from their perception of what a Messiah is. How can a Messiah, a Savior of the world, lower himself to be subjected to ridicule, arrest, and death?

What do the disciples talk about instead? They argue about which of them is the greatest.

How does Jesus respond? He says that “anyone who wishes to be first, shall be last – a servant.”

Why does Jesus compare himself to a child? A child is usually not given a place of great honor in society. Those who think highly of themselves would disregard children and have no use for them because of their lowly status. Jesus is the Messiah, but he didn’t come for honor or glory. He came only to serve, to do his Father’s will.

Personal Reflection Question

(This question is for individual, personal reflection, and students can write their response privately in their journals.)

In telling the disciples about his death and Resurrection, Jesus wants to show them what it means to serve. At the same time, they just don’t get it and can only argue about who is the greatest! What motivates me in life? Is it honor and prestige among my friends and classmates? Do I seek honor and glory for myself, or do I seek to serve? What is something I can do this week to serve others (be specific)?

The Marks of the Church: The Church is Holy

By Catechist's Aide on September 18, 2018 0

Last week I began a blog post series about something every Catholic should know – the marks of the Church. Today, we will look at the second mark, which says the Church is holy.

Source of holiness

The Church is holy because Jesus, who founded her, and the Holy Spirit, who dwells in and guides her, are holy. In the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, it explains that “The Church is holy, not because all her members are supposedly holy, but rather because God is holy and is at work in her” (YouCat 132). This is part of the “mystery” of the Church, that although comprised of sinners, she remains holy, sanctified by Christ. The Catechism refers to this as the “real, though imperfect” sanctity of the Church (CCC 825). Even if members and clergy within the Church are corrupt, the Church can never be corrupt. In fact, in the Catechism we read that the Church is “unfailingly holy” (CCC 823).

Whose purpose is to lead us to holiness

St. Paul wrote in his 1^st letter to Timothy, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He has given us the Church as the means to obtain the salvation He offers and the sanctification to which we are all called.

United with Christ, the Church is sanctified by him; through him and with him she becomes sanctifying. “All the activities of the Church are directed, as toward their end, to the sanctification of men in Christ and the glorification of God.” It is in the Church that “the fullness of the means of salvation has been deposited. It is in her that “by the grace of God we acquire holiness” (CCC 824).

If we think about holiness as being united with Christ, then surely the Church, whom he loves and fills with his spirit, is a means to bring us into a closer relationship with him. Christ has uniquely equipped his bride, the Church, for this purpose. Through the divine grace offered to us in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we are brought into Communion with Christ.

Examples of holiness

The Church also gives us the saints, ordinary men and women of extraordinary faith, who have lived holy lives, and have been officially recognized by the Church as examples of holiness. But there are many holy people who may never be canonized as saints. Pope Francis, in an address on All Saints Day, said that “the mark of true holiness is living each day as a child of God, imitating both Jesus and the saintly individuals we encounter in the ordinary moments of life.” He focused his comments, not just on canonized saints, but on what he called, “the saints next door” who are “contagious examples of how to live and die in fidelity to the Lord Jesus and his Gospel.”

Takeaway for Teens

As members of the Church, we too are called to be holy. Unfortunately, we rarely see holiness as something attainable for us. Perhaps because it’s unclear what we must do to live holy lives? Does it mean we have to pray all the time and never have any fun?

The acronym WWJD stands for What Would Jesus Do. Since Jesus is our model for holiness, it’s a serious question to ask ourselves. Fortunately for us, Jesus showed us how we can be holy by the way he lived. In fact, you could say that he left us instructions. Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes everything we need to do to live a holy life. He has given us all the answers, all we need to do is look to Christ and imitate him.

But it’s not always easy, which is why God gives us the Church and the Holy Spirit to help guide us to holiness. Receiving the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and praying to the Holy Spirit will help keep us on the right path.

The Marks of the Church: The Church is One

By Catechist's Aide on September 14, 2018 0

At every Mass, after the homily, we stand together and pray the Nicene Creed as our Profession of Faith. In it, we proclaim, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” These four characteristics (one, holy, catholic and apostolic) are the “Marks” of the Church. As Catholics struggle with the current crisis in our Church, I believe these marks take on added significance, reminding us what our Church is, her mission (our mission) and most importantly, that she is worth fighting for.

What do we mean when we say “mark?”

You (or your students) may be familiar with the meme, “That’s gonna leave a mark!” The internet is full of examples, like this one:

As the woman in the GIF is about to find out, a mark is a visible sign.

So, when we say that the marks of the Church are one, holy, catholic and apostolic, we’re not only describing the Church, we are saying that these attributes, which were first shared with the Church by its founder Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, are visible within the Church today. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church,

“These four characteristics, inseparably linked with each other, indicate essential features of the Church and her mission.” (CCC 811)

Today we’ll look in detail at the first of these marks.

The Church is ONE

When we say that the Church is one we are referring to the unity of the Church. The Church is a community of believers. It is us, and we are a unified community.

What does a unified group look life? It is a group of people who are united in beliefs, in purpose, in goals, in vision, and in spirit. Other examples that your students might relate to would be a sports team or the military.

It’s important to recognize that not every group is a unified group. Most teens will relate to being assigned to a group for a project at school. However, these groups can produce mixed results. Just because a group of people comes together does not make them unified. Unfortunately, because some groups are chosen randomly, they may lack unity. The result is usually a subpar effort, not to mention frustration and bad feelings as well.

But there is a perfect example of true unity, and that is the source of the Church, God himself, in the Holy Trinity. God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is ONE.

Unified at its founding

The unity of the Catholic Church goes back to its earliest roots. The Acts of the Apostles details these early days and tells us the “The community of believers was of one heart and mind.” (Acts 4:32; emphasis added) Jesus had been the unifying source in the Church while he lived on earth. But, Jesus knew that he would be leaving his apostles to carry on without him. He knew that they would need the presence of God to unify them in their mission to grow the Church and live as Christians. So Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to unite the Apostles and strengthen them to carry on in His name. The Holy Spirit remains the unifying force of the Church on earth today.

The Church is one because of her “soul”: “It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ that he is the principle of the Church’s unity.” (CCC 813)

Wounds to Unity

Of course, the Church can suffer wounds to its unity, its oneness. History has shown, and we see evidence today, that there can be disagreements, divisions, separations, and scandal within the Church. The Catechism reminds us that,

“Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose, … but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce and protect the unity that Christ wills for her.” (CCC 820)

I was recently reminded of the importance of the laity in our Church, and our duty to help preserve her unity. In a blog post for Word on Fire, Elizabeth Scalia recalled the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen which, as she points out, although written in 1972 are “most relevant to our times:”

“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops, and your religious act like religious.”

Takeaway for Teens

The best way for all Catholics to “maintain, reinforce and protect the unity” of the Church is through fervent prayer and a better understanding of the faith that we profess. Learning what we believe, and why we believe doesn’t stop with Confirmation. We must continue our education in the faith throughout our lives, preserve it, and live it, bringing it out into the world.