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DAY 56 - CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
In the Gospels Jesus constantly identifies himself with the poor. In fact, in Matthew 25 he goes so far as to bind up Heavenly Reward with those in need. Today's discussion will be the imperative to take caring of those with physical needs, called the Corporal Works of Mercy.
From Our Spiritual Director ✝
Wednesday Reflection
Readings
Acts: 15:1-6Psalm: 122: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5John 15:1-8Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower…” We understand that we are the branches. God the Father prunes away those branches within us that fail to bear good fruit. By this action, God helps us to grow, but we know that being pruned causes pain.
We need to ask the question “are we willing to be pruned?” None of us embraces criticism, correction or critique easily, but we must be able to listen to God when He corrects our actions, often times through others. Just as we prune a wayward plant, our being pruning is for our own growth. Without this loving act by our God, we fail to grown in spirituality and goodness, and can become more self-centered and consumed by sin.
During this past Lent and current Easter Season, do we recognize the pruning within ourselves that has taken place? As new growth strives to overcome the old our faith will flourish, and perhaps, we can come to see our relationship with our Risen Lord in a new light!
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
Final Trivia Quiz 💯
As this is our final week of the The Crown Retreat, this is our last trivia quiz which means there's more questions and more points on the line. Go ahead and test your knowledge. Check out the student leaderboard to see who is in the lead!
Final Weekly Challenge 🙌
Our final contest is "Sidewalk Chalk Challenge" Just for fun, we're challenging you to an outdoor art contest. Send in photos or videos of your sidewalk chalk creations! Use this form to send in your submission. We're moving the deadline Thursday, May 14th. All participants receive House Points and the winner gets extra points for their house!
Elementary (Grades 1-4)
Pray
Find all the prayers here.
Mealtime Prayers & Night Time Prayers
5 mins - Praying for Others
Learn
Watch the video below
The Main Points to Teach Your Child: the Corporal Works of Mercy
feed the hungry
give drink to the thristy
clothe the naked
give shelter to travellers
visit the sick
visit the imprisioned
bury the dead
Discuss with your children how you and your family live the Corporal Works of Mercy in your daily lives.
Sharing past experiences of works you may have done, along with current works.
Explain how service to those in need is an intrical part of living and following Jesus.
"What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the bodym what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, id dead. - James 2:14-17
A Note from Julie:
Dear Parents,
Our daily living, the daily living of our faith, offers numerous opportunities to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy if we are open to seeing Christ in those around us. I hope you do not find sharing or teaching your faith to your children to overwhelming or difficult, but rather a blessing. We are not perfect, and we do not know all there is to know and discover about our faith. But, with each lesson, each experience, faith is renewed and strengthened. I pray that you look for the blessings in each day, the opportunities within the every-day moments to share faith family, friends, and all those whom you encounter. The Corporal Works of Mercy come alive as we interact with compassion and love with others throughout out our lives.
Faith is life. Faith is meant to be lived and learned over a lifetime. We, even as adults, grow in grace and understanding each day, not just through lessons of our childhood and youth, but through our on-going, life-long learning and desire to know and love God more deeply. We continue to grow through our experiences, acquiring new insights and deeper understanding as we age and through a lifetime of encounters.
When we truly embrance our call as parents, truly live, teach and nurture faith openly and honestly with our children they will see and know Christ's love. We pray that that love for Christ and His Church will continue to grow as the desire to serve others' needs in Christ's name takes is planted within our children.
Be kind to yourself. Take one day at a time. Embrace each day as a gift from God, as an opportunity filled with grace to grow in faith, to know Christ more intimately, and to share that faith and love with your children confidently.
God bless,
-Julie Sheridan
Additional Resources & Activities to do at Home
Video:
Sheep and Goats - Matthew 25 2:53 LifeKids
Resources
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn
Find a list of all these prayers here.
Pray
Find all the prayers here.Basic Prayers
Ten Minutes of Silence
Intercessions
Thanksgiving
Reading the Bible
Learn
Watch the video below
The Main Points that need to be learned or taught from this lesson
Explain The Corporal Works of Mercy and how students can fulfill this command of Jesus:
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Give shelter to travelers
Visit the sick
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead
Find a list of all these prayers here.
Adults
Adults
See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn
Pray
Basic Prayers
A list of all these prayers are here.
For those new to prayer
First 10 mins - Talk to God
Second 10 mins - Listen to God
Praying with the Bible or the daily mass readings.
For those more experienced in prayer
20 Mins of Silent Meditation – Suggestions:
Lectio Divina/Meditating on the Bible
Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, & Praise
Journaling
Reflecting on the Daily Readings
Learn
Watch the video below
Learn
Watch the faith formation resource video below to learn more about your faith.
"Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
- Matthew 25:40
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