Sunday Gospel Message - Feast of The Holy Family

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
In the Gospel we do not find speeches on the family
but an event that is worth more than any word: God willed to
be born and to grow up in a human family. In this way, He
has consecrated the family as the first and ordinary way of
His encounter with humanity. This Gospel episode reveals
the most authentic and profound vocation of the family: that
of supporting each one of its members on the path of
discovery of God and of the plan he has ordained for them.
Mary and Joseph educated Jesus above all by their example:
From his parents, he learned all the beauty of the faith, of the
love of God and of his law, as well as the exigencies of
justice, which finds its fulfillment in love.
From them He learned first of all that one must do
God's will, and that the spiritual bond is worth more than
that of blood. The Holy Family is truly the "prototype" of
every Christian family that, united in the sacrament of
marriage and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, is
called to carry out the marvelous vocation and mission of
being a living cell not only of society but of the Church, sign
and instrument of unity for the whole human race.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Feast of The Holy Family

Gospel Passage
Matt. 2:13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain
there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14
Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15
and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been
spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 19
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt and said, 20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of
Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up,
took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard
that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go
there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23
There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken
through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
Questions for discussion:
1. Why did Jesus, Mary and Joseph need to go to Egypt? Why was Herod trying to kill Jesus?

2. St. Joseph always did what God, through his angels, asked him to do. Do
you do what God wants, following his commandments and obeying the
parents he gave you?

3. This weekend is the feast of the Holy Family. Who is the Holy Family?
Every family is called to be holy. What could you do to make your family more holy, more like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Christmas Day!

Gospel Passage
Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius
was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He
went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were
shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I
am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for
you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God
and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among
those whom he favors!”
Questions
1. On Christmas day, what gift are you planning to give Jesus for his birthday?
2. When you think about Jesus and your Catholic faith, are you very happy
like the angels? Do you tell your friends and others how happy Jesus makes
you?
3. We celebrate on Christmas that God the Son became a little baby, just like
you once were. When you sing Christmas songs, do you think about Jesus?
What are your favorite songs about Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - 4th Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Matt. 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but
before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the
Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and
unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her
quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from
their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken
by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall
conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from
sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her
as his wife.
Questions for discussion -
1. What does the name “Jesus” mean? (Hint: the Angel tells St. Joseph what it
means in verse 21.)
2. We also call Jesus “Emmanuel.” What does this mean? How is this true in
your life? Is God with you, too?
3. What was miraculous about the birth of Jesus?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Fourth Sunday of Advent

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the
people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto
whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver
us, and tarry not.
The flower which springs up from the root of Jesse
is another figure of Christ. Isaiah prophesied that the Savior
would be born from the root of Jesse, that He would sit upon
the throne of David, and in Christ this prophecy is fulfilled.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Matt. 11:2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent
word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look
for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf
hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6
And blessed is he who takes no offense at me." 7 As they went away, Jesus began to
speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to
behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 Why then did you go out? To see a man
clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. 9
Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who
shall prepare thy way before thee.' 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of
women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Questions for discussion:

1. Jesus says, “Blessed is he who takes no offense at me,” which means that he
is happy when people are not embarrassed to talk about him. Do you ever feel
silly or ashamed to tell people how good Jesus is?

2. Jesus listed a lot of miracles that he did. Why do you think he did this?
(Hint: see in your Bible, Luke 4:16-21). Was he telling John, do you think, that
he was the Messiah?

3. Why do you think Jesus said that the least in God’s kingdom is greater even
than St. John the Baptist? (Hint: see in your Bible, John 3:5-6).
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - Second Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of
by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." 4 Now John wore a garment
of camel's hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and
wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about
the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their
sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming for baptism,
he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? 8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to
yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these
stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the
trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into
the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me
is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear
his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn
with unquenchable fire."

Questions for discussion -

1. John the Baptist tells us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” What are you
doing this Advent to get ready to receive Jesus at Christmas?

2. John also tells us that we have to “repent, for the kingdom of God is at
hand.” How do you repent and say you’re sorry to God? What sacrament did Jesus give us to forgive us?

3. John the Baptist says that someone mightier than he will come after him to
baptize “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Who and what is he talking
about?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Second Sunday of Advent

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The prophets, especially Isaiah, spoke of the coming of
the Messiah. This Messiah would be anointed with the Spirit;
the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit would be upon Him. He would
bring about justice. He would touch hearts so that the fiercest
of enemies would become friends, as the image of the animals
being together.
The last and the greatest prophet, John the Baptist,
reminded his followers that the Messiah was coming soon and
that they should repent for their sins.
We no longer have to wait for the Messiah for He has
already come. Now it seems that the Messiah is waiting for us
to come to Him that He may anoint us with His Spirit and that
He may give us His daily forgiveness and that He would give
all the power of the Spirit to be friends of one another.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence