Religious Education - Children
Catechist BlogCourage and Urgency
“To the Lord our God belongs justice; to us, people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, to be shamefaced, as on this day” (Baruch 1:15) These words from the prophet Baruch are not just a historical lament of the first wave of exiles to Babylon. It is not a...
Word of God
In today’s first reading from Nehemiah, we have a solemn reading of the Word of God. It is the first day of the seventh month which is perhaps the day of the solemn renewal of the covenant. Ezra, the scribe, solemnly processes in front of the assembly. He opens the...
Follow Me
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches the cost of discipleship, the cost of following him. Three people come forward wanting to follow Jesus. The first one makes the bold claim: “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus accepts him but also warns him of the cost of...
Magisterium
In today’s first reading, St. Paul’s words to Timothy are both tender and firm. “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14) They are the words of a spiritual father urging his son in the faith to...
The Son of Man
Our readings today on this Feast of the Archangels, reflect on this figure called the Son of Man. In our first reading Daniel describes his heavenly vision. He sees God, called the “Ancient One”, with thousands of angels ministering to him. Then Daniel sees “One...
The Christ of God
Jesus’ question in today’s Gospel is pointed and personal: “But who do you say that I am?” In yesterday’s Gospel Herod the tetrarch is curious: “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” (Luke 9:9). Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus in...
Who Is This?
Herod’s question in today’s Gospel becomes the defining question for the rest of the Gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" While Herod the tetrarch asked the question, he never allows Jesus to challenge him or his own self-understanding and world...
Without Superpower but with Purpose
In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the Twelve with power and authority to cast out demons, to cure diseases, and to proclaim the Kingdom of God. It’s a dramatic moment. They are given extraordinary gifts and a clear mission. But what about us? Most of us are not sent...
Let us go rejoicing
The year is 587 BC. The armies of Babylon have captured and destroyed the city of Jerusalem - including the Temple built by Solomon. The people are taken into the diaspora that will be known as the Babylonian Captivity. “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat weeping...
Faith That Shines
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” (Luke 8:16) Jesus uses a simple image—a lamp—to teach a profound truth about discipleship. Think about the...