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PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
A prayer for those who may wish to, but are unable to receive Communion, for whatever reason.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen
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READINGS & QUESTIONS FOR THE 26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 27, 2020Find this week's readings here.
“Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people...”
This story is not addressed to the disciples but to the chief priests and elders? Do you feel that Jesus speaks differently to them than he would to his disciples? How? Do you find that you speak more challengingly to some people than you do to other people? Why does Jesus zero in on the chief priests and the elders? What leaders would you like to be able to have a conversation with? What would you say? What would you like them to know about your experience or that of your community? Have you ever been treated as a “superior” so that you don’t really know how people feel? The expression “it’s lonely at the top” can mean that no one will tell you the truth. If you’re in charge of people, what are some ways that you can encourage people to level with you – even if it’s not always flattering?
“Which of the two did his father’s will?”
How many times in your life did you try to figure out what the right course of action was? Sometimes it’s not so easy. Sometimes there are degrees of rightness and wrongness – and neither seems to be very clear. We’re not always consistent, are we? Maybe we feel one way in the morning and another way in the afternoon. Especially during these weeks and months of the pandemic, we may find ourselves second guessing what used to be routine, small decisions throughout our days. If we rush our decisions, we can sometimes choose unwisely. Can you think of some examples of trying to decide what was right and wrong? What tools do you use to help make some of those decisions? Jesus often asks his disciples questions like in this gospel passage. Sometimes they aren’t sure what the right answer is either.Thanks to Fr. John Ludwig for some of this material in these reflections
Children’s Questions:
Here is a link to the readings for this Sunday from the Lectionary for Masses with Children.
The Lectionary for Masses with Children is an approved liturgical book of the Sunday readings, simplified for the understanding of children.
What is the difference between a “change of mind” and a “change of heart?” Which is more difficult?
Jesus told a parable that talked about how people sometimes change their minds as well as their hearts.
Which son do you think the father was more pleased with? Why? Which response would you prefer from someone? Have you ever heard the expression “Actions speak louder than words?”