A Profound Act of Mercy

My friends and I have been talking a lot this Lenten season about this Year of Mercy, thanks to the 2016 Faces of Mercy Catholic Conference 4 Moms. We began by understanding that mercy is twofold. It is both forgiveness and relieving the misery of others.

Tonight in Catholic churches all around the world, priests will wash others' feet during Mass. It seems an odd thing to do, to wash someone's feet. It's very intimate and kind of stinky. Yet, this is exactly what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The Gospel of John describes it:

1	Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2	And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
3	Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,
4	rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel.
5	Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
6	He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
7	Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand."
8	Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me."
9	Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"
10	Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you."
11	For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean."
12	When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
13	You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
14	If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15	For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

I have been pondering how Jesus' act of washing the feet of his disciples was an act of mercy. They wore sandals, all the time, in the hot, dry desert. History tells us their feet were caked in sweat and dirt, and they walked many miles in a single day. So I imagine that washing their feet in cool, clean water was a relief from the sticky, smelly, achy feeling of unclean feet. Jesus relieved their misery when he washed their feet.

And He insisted upon it. Jesus did not allow Peter to excuse himself from receiving this mercy and still be in His good favor. It was through this act of relieving their misery that He taught them about humility. He needed the disciples to see that true Christians extend mercy to others, even when it's dirty and stinky and requires us to stoop below our position.

To me, that sounds a lot like motherhood. We do dirty, stinky work. We change diapers and wipe noses. We listen to the anger pour out of our teenagers. But that work relieves the misery of our children. Mothers humble themselves to do the menial tasks of daily life to keep our children healthy in mind, body, and soul.

When I go to Mass this evening and observe the merciful act of feet washing, I will try to reflect on how I extend mercy to others, in my family and in my community, by doing the dirty work and bowing down. And I will pray that we will all, like Peter, openly accept the way God's mercy comes to us in our hearts and through the acts of others.

Judas' and Our Betrayals

Lent is coming to a close, and we now enter into the most sacred days of the Church year! Most of us cannot stop our daily lives and focus entirely on the great Triduum celebrations. The laundry, diapers, cooking, and cleaning does not simply pause for the next several days.

But that is the beauty of praying as we work, and I have found that turning my thoughts repeatedly back to the last events in the life of Christ help me to still my heart. When I center my mind on the most beautiful sacrifice of the Holy Cross and the Glorious Resurrection, the daily events of bombings in Brussels abroad and preparations for deployment and moving at home are put into perspective.

With me, consider seeing yourself in today's Gospel from Matthew chapter 26:

14	Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15	and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
16	And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
17	Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?"
18	He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.'"
19	And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover.
20	When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples;
21	and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
22	And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"
23	He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me.
24	The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
25	Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so."

When do we betray Christ? I betray Him when I don't look at my children as precious gifts but as irritating inconveniences. When I choose losing myself in Facebook and Amazon Prime videos instead of turning to Him in prayer. When I neglect to trust in His will and try to control too much, clutching the illusion of to-do lists and schedules. We don't necessarily seek to betray Him, but each of us has the sin of Judas on our hearts when we trade the challenge of His love (the cross) for the easier, earthly way.

Jesus provides for us, just as He provided a place for the disciples to celebrate passover. And yet. Our trust in Him is so fragile, so fleeting. Some worry how all the bills will get paid this month. Some wonder if the timing is right for a new job or a new baby. Rather than accept what the Lord puts in our path, in anxiety we doubt and question. We lack faith.

Then, even knowing the betrayal that Judas has chosen, the Lord accepts the fulfillment of the prophecies. He is sorrowful for Judas! He loves Him, loves us, so much that he is sad when we even think of betraying Him or refuse to believe in His providence. The love of the cross is for everyone, and when that love is rejected, Christ is sorrowful.

Today I will not be perfect. I will betray Jesus and I will doubt God. But I will keep turning back to Him, and I will accept His perfect love. Join me?

Jesus' Questions: Day 26

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Are even you still without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. ~ Matthew 15:16-18

Focus ~ Ew! Gross! Jesus was talking about our digestive system? He is actually pointing out to the Pharisees that they are too focused on following the strict Old Testament dietary laws and not being careful about what they say to one another and to Him.

Littles ~ What kinds of words would Jesus like us to speak all the time?

Middles ~ What would you say to Jesus if you could meet him?

Bigs ~ How do our words, even after they are spoken, hurt our hearts?

Moms ~  Talk about how, in your life, words you have spoken hurt others and how they hurt you at the same time.

Jesus' Questions: Day 25

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He said to them in reply, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" ~ Matthew 15:1-3

 

Focus ~ Just because everyone does it, doesn't mean it's right. Everything must be subject to God's law before common practice.

Littles ~ Can you name one of God's commandments?

Middles ~ Give an example of something a lot of people do but breaks God's laws.

Bigs ~ Give another example of something a lot of people do but breaks God's laws.

Moms ~  Talk about common sins in our culture and the struggle today between tolerating differences and respecting God's laws, appropriate to your children's ages.

Jesus' Questions: Day 24

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" ~ Matthew 14:31

 

Focus ~ Most of us struggle with doubts at some time in our lives. Sometimes we often doubt the power of God to really change things, or even more challenging, to truly change us. But God is all-powerful. He truly can do anything He wants to do.

Littles ~ What can God do?

Middles ~ Name something amazing God has done (perhaps in the Bible).

Bigs ~ Name something amazing God has done (perhaps in your life).

Moms ~ Share about a time you doubted in God and how you overcame your doubts.

Jesus' Questions: Day 23

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Do you understand all these things? ~ Matthew 13:49-51

 

Focus ~ There is a Heaven. There is a Hell. At the end of the world, the final judgment, everyone will end up in one place or the other. Jesus wants to make sure we understand this. We must live our lives remembering this, because we do not know the hour of this end of the age.

Littles ~ Tell me what you know about Heaven.

Middles ~ Tell me what you know about Hell.

Bigs ~ Tell me what else you know about Heaven and Hell.

Moms ~ Explain how you live each day preparing for the end of the world.

Jesus' Questions: Day 22

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

"Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?" He answered, "An enemy has done this." His slaves said to him, "Do you want us to go and pull them up?" He replied, "No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them." ~ Matthew 13:27-29

 

Focus ~ This is a parable, a story that is trying to teach us something.

Littles ~ Have you ever helped pull weeds in your yard or a garden?

Middles ~ Who, in the story, are the good seed? Who are the weeds?

Bigs ~ What does this story tell us about God's love for the wheat that grows from good seeds?

Moms ~ Share how this parable helps us understand our fallen world and how God can allow so much suffering and evil. Perhaps tell of some time in your own life or a story you have heard where God allowed suffering so that good may grow.

Jesus' Questions: Day 21

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? ~ Matthew 12:48

 

Focus ~ We are all a part of God's family. We are children of God, just like Jesus.

Littles ~ Who is Jesus' mother?

Middles ~ Who are Jesus' brothers?

Bigs ~ Who is our Christian mother and who are our Christian brothers?

Moms ~ Share about how the Body of Christ has been a family to you in your life.

Jesus' Questions: Day 20

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

You brood of vipers, how can you say good things when you are evil? For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. ~ Matthew 12:34

 

Focus ~ A hypocrite is someone who says one thing but does the opposite. For example, someone might say they love God but are constantly unkind to others. To some degree, we are all hypocrites, because we are all sinners. But, Jesus condemns those who constantly choose evil ways and yet speak of being good.

Littles ~ Do you say you love God? What do you do to show your love for God?

Middles ~ What do you do to show your love for God?

Bigs ~ Can you give an example of someone doing something hypocritical?

Moms ~ Share a time in your life when you found yourself being hypocritical.

Jesus' Questions: Day 19

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

How can anyone enter a strong man's house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ~ Matthew 12:29-30

 

Focus ~ We have to choose to follow Jesus or not to follow Him. He will make us strong men and women, so our souls are protected for eternal life. If we become apathetic, which means to not care, about God, we are rejecting Him and working against Him. There is no middle ground or grey area. It's black and white; either we follow Christ or reject Him.

Littles ~ Do you want to follow Jesus all of your life? Will Jesus make you strong?

Middles ~ Give an example of how you can choose today to follow Christ.

Bigs ~ Give an example of how you can choose today to follow Christ.

Moms ~ Give an example of how you can choose today to follow Christ.

Jesus' Questions: Day 18

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

And if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? ~ Matthew 12:26-27

 

Focus ~ Jesus was trying to convince people that He was doing good. Some people thought He was doing bad things, but He was really helping others. Satan sends his evil demons to hurt people and push them to do bad things, and Jesus helped those people get rid of their demons. He can help people today, too, and we know that He is doing all things in God's name. When we encounter evil, we can ask St. Michael the Archangel to protect us.

Littles ~ Does God want us to do good things or bad things? Does satan want us to do good things or bad things?

Middles ~ Can you say the St. Michael prayer?

Bigs ~ Was there a time you said the St. Michael prayer to encourage you to do something good or to get rid of evil thoughts?

Moms ~ Give an example from your life when you have asked St. Michael to help you.

Jesus' Questions: Day 17

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Which one of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. ~ Matthew 12:11-12

 

Focus ~ Taking care of others is an important part of being a Christian. Jesus points out this can be done any day, including Sundays, as it is vital work.

Littles ~ If you were watching over some sheep and one fell into a hold, what would you do?

Middles ~ Can you give an example of a way we can serve others?

Bigs ~ What is some way our family can serve others today?

Moms ~ Talk about a service project in which you participated that made a lasting impression on you.

Jesus' Questions: Day 16

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? ~ Matthew 12:3-5

 

Focus ~ The Pharisees were criticizing the disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath to eat, and this is how Jesus responds. Sunday, our Sabbath, is meant to be a day of rest and worship.

Littles ~ What special things does our family do on Sundays?

Middles ~ What things does our family avoid doing on Sundays?

Bigs ~ In what ways could our family do a better job of keeping the Sabbath?

Moms ~ Discuss some options for improving your family's Sabbath and decide on and commit to one baby step towards a better day of rest.

Jesus' Questions: Day 15

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Will you be exalted to heaven? ~ Matthew 11:23

 

Focus ~ In this question, Jesus is actually reproaching some towns who have done bad things and whose people will not go to Heaven unless they repent and reform. These were towns were Jesus taught, but after He left, they did not change their lives to follow His teachings. Even if our world, our country, or our city does not, our family tries to follow Jesus' teachings, and we hope one day to be exalted to heaven.

Littles ~ What is Heaven?

Middles ~ What do you think Heaven will be like?

Bigs ~ What do you think Heaven will be like?

Moms ~ Talk about how we get to Heaven. What do we need to believe? What do we need to do?

Jesus' Questions: Day 14

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' ~ Matthew 11:16-17

 

Focus ~ Perhaps Jesus is speaking here to our generation, as well. Most people today are continually tempted to selfishness. We want everyone to look at us and see what we do. We want others to be happy when we are happy and sad when we are sad. But, Jesus wants us to not look primarily to other people to rejoice or find sympathy. We are first to look to Him.

Littles ~ Name something that makes you happy. Do you think that makes God happy, too? Who else is happy with you about that?

Middles ~ Name something that makes you sad. Do you think that makes God sad, too? Who else is sad with you about that?

Bigs ~ Can you give an example of a time you felt especially happy or sad and shared that feeling with God? Did you share it with other people, too?

Moms ~ Tell about a time you felt especially happy or sad and shared that with God and other people.

Jesus' Questions: Day 13

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? . . . Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.. ~ Matthew 11:7-9

 

Focus ~ Jesus is reminding people that they went into the desert to see John the Baptist, who they heard was a prophet. They took the time and effort to go see him, probably because they partly believed he truly was a prophet and to find out for themselves. Jesus chastises them for so easily doubting and discarding that John was a prophet and reminds us that our natural curiosity about the supernatural is a good thing.

Littles ~ Would you like to go to the desert? What might you see?

Middles ~ Do you remember how John the Baptist dressed? What is the job of a prophet?

Bigs ~ How was John the Baptist more than a prophet? In what ways are you a prophet?

Moms ~ Talk to your children about what supernatural things are not good, according to your comfort level and their maturity.

Jesus' Questions: Day 12

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.. ~ Matthew 10:28-29

 

Focus ~ We are the only creatures on earth made of both body and soul. Both are important. We have to care for our bodies and we have to care for our souls. God cares about what happens to both, but satan desires to attack our soul viciously, to separate us from God.

Littles ~ Who made our bodies? Who made our souls?

Middles ~ How do we properly care for our bodies?

Bigs ~ How do we properly care for our souls?

Moms ~ Share a time when you did not care for your body and what happened. Share a time when you did not care for your soul and what happened.

Jesus' Questions: Day 11

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed, crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!" When He entered the house, the blind man approached Him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?". ~ Matthew 9:27-28

 

Focus ~ Sometimes we can get in the habit of asking God for things in our prayer, and we forget to acknowledge His power and praise His name. He wants us to worship Him and adore Him, not only beg him for help.
Littles ~ Can you say a prayer that tells Jesus you love Him?

Middles ~ What are some ways you can worship and adore God?

Bigs ~ Will you lead us in a prayer that praises God and testifies that we believe in Him?

Moms ~ Maybe you have been taught an acronym for remembering to include praise in your prayers. PAL is a simple one for children. Give them an example of a prayer that P - praises, A - asks, and L - listens to God.

Jesus' Questions: Day 10

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Then the disciples of John approached Him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?. ~ Matthew 9:14

 

Focus ~ The practice of fasting is to bring us closer to the suffering of Jesus. When we fast, we are aware of our sacrifice throughout our day because of the way our bodies react. This feeling should, in turn, make us aware of the spiritual presence of Christ and His generous sacrifice in dying for our sins on the cross. The disciples were very aware of the presence of Jesus in their lives, as they were physically with Him every day. There was no need for them to fast and mourn their sins.

Littles ~ Do you know what it means to fast? (Explain if they do not.)

Middles ~ When have you fasted? How did it make your body feel?

Bigs ~ When have you fasted? Did it remind you of Christ's suffering?

Moms ~ Share about one of the most significant fasts you have experienced and ways you remembered to unite that sacrifice to Christ's sacrifice.

Jesus' Questions: Day 9

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts?" Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? ~ Matthew 9:3-5

 

Focus ~ The scribes did not understand or believe that Jesus was both God and man. It is a difficult thing to believe. They doubted His ability to forgive another's sins, and He asks them why. Why do we doubt? It is human nature to question things, and this is how we learn.

Littles ~ What is a sin? Does God forgive all sins, no matter what?

Middles ~ What things did Jesus do that prove He was God? What things did Jesus do that prove He was man?

Bigs ~ When you have doubted God's power, what things helped you to believe again?

Moms ~ Share about a time in your life when you doubted God's power or tell a true story you have heard about someone believing in God's miraculous power.