Gospel Summary
While Jesus' words may seem harsh in this Gospel where he tells his followers to leave their families in order to spread the Good News, he simply stresses the value of being a missionary. Whatever our sacrifice, our reward will be great beyond measure.
Reflection for Families
As parents we spend most of our missionary work offering a cup of cold water to our children. That is to say our actions are not great feats, rather they are the simple and ordinary ways we live our lives doing simple but good deeds that witness the present and coming Kingdom of God. We shouldn't worry that we don't know a lot of theology to pass on to our children. What we pass on to them in our everyday living out of our beliefs is far greater.
Bringing the Gospel Into Your Family
For one week, have each family member keep track of strangers they encounter–either in check-out lines, waiting for something (elevator, bus, to cross the street, etc.). Be proactive in welcoming these people to God's Kingdom. Maybe you let them in, on, or across first. Perhaps you smiled and greeted them with friendly words. If they needed assistance, you came forward. At the end of each day, share these experiences as a family. Lift up those strangers in your family's evening prayers.
Discussion Starters
- One thing our family always does to help people feel welcome is . . .
- The person I love to visit most is . . . because . . .
- One person (or group of people) that is hard for me to welcome is . . . because . . .
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