Religious Education - Children
Catechist BlogFor what should we pray?
The first reading all week is from the Letter of James. Today’s “installment” is just one of many insights the letter carries about the human condition: “Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation” (James 1:12). Temptation: no one wants it, no one can avoid it, and it...
Rich and Poor
In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus declared: “woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). In today’s first reading James exhorts his brothers and sisters, “Those in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in...
Journeying Together: the synod process
Pope Francis has invited the Catholic Church throughout the world to participate in preparations for the next Synod of Bishops in Rome, in October 2023. What is a synod? Synod comes from the Greek word “to journey together.” This synod is a gathering of bishops called...
Ephphatha – Be Opened
Today’s Gospel contains the strange word “Ephphatha.” This Aramaic word is translated “be opened.” Aramaic was the language that Jesus and his fellow Jews spoke in their everyday discourse. Hebrew, which is similar to Aramaic, was reserved for religious services,...
A Savior for All
One of the main messages of today’s Gospel passage is that Jesus is a Savior for all, both Jews and non-Jews. Remember, the gospel of Mark was mainly written to share the gospel with non-Jews, so this passage would have special meaning for them, but also for us today....
Finding the Soul Inside of Us
In a venerable synagogue in Prague, there is a display of paintings and drawings by children. It’s a lovely exhibit – until you realize that the children who created these pictures all perished in the Holocaust. There is one sketch in the exhibit that’s especially...
Prayer
Why do we pray? We have many different reasons to pray. At times we pray to give glory and praise to God and to thank God for the many gifts God has bestowed on us. We also pray to make our needs and petitions known to God. In today’s first reading King Solomon...
In our midst
In the first reading today, we witness the Ark of the Covenant being moved into the Temple built by King Solomon. To know the story of the Ark of the Covenant is to enter into a geography and history lesson regarding Israel. From its making in the foothills of Mt...
Human Trafficking: modern slavery
The Parish Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Committee is a dedicated group of parishioners who actively support and participate in the awareness campaigns of several Prince William and Stafford County (and national) AHT initiatives. Does that surprise you human...
The Heartbreak of John the Baptist
In today’s Gospel we heard the well-known account of the beheading of John the Baptist. I have to admit, I wonder if John should have played the long game. He didn’t need to call out King Herod. It is not as though Herod was popular with Jewish people. He was thought...