Lectionary: 67
Read Sunday’s Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
Gospel Summary
The reading today from Matthew’s Gospel takes place early in Jesus’ ministry. Several ideas are clear. First of all, Matthew strived to connect his Gospel for the early Christians to their Jewish heritage. He made several references in his Gospel like the one today in which prophecies of old are fulfilled in Jesus. The second thing was that Jesus learned of John the Baptist’s arrest and resolved to begin his ministry away from Herod. Finally, Jesus called with some urgency, his first four disciples. The common thread to all this was that God’s Kingdom was at hand.
Reflection for Families
There are few people in the world who understand the immediacy of today’s Gospel like a parent does! The demands of the day are genuinely important, from the first stirrings of the morning, into the commitment-filled day, to the evening and bedtime routine. A huge part of our day requires a “stop-on-a-dime” reaction from us. Many things we “stop-on-a-dime” for are important, but have we thought today how the urgency of our day-to-day decisions compares to the urgency of Jesus calling his disciples? With what urgency do we call our children to discipleship? How do they recognize us as disciples of Jesus?
Bringing the Gospel into Your Family
Following the evening meal or when your family gathers for bedtime prayers, share one thing about your day that indicates you are a “fisher of people.” Encourage all members of the family to think about how they are disciples for Jesus—how they carry the Good News into the neighborhood, their school, or their work.
Discussion Starters
- Other people (especially my family members) know that I follow Jesus when . . .
- One of the most important reasons I follow Jesus today is because . . .
- Like the fishermen, one thing I find uncertain about following Jesus is . . .
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 14
Kindergarten, chapter 5
Grade 1, chapter 15
Grade 2, chapter 21
Grade 3, chapter 21
Grade 4, chapters 5 and 18
Grade 5, chapter 20
Grade 6, chapter 19
Junior High, Morality, chapter 4
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapters 8 and 10
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