Family of Faith III – March Session

As we begin the season of Lent, our March topics, The New Commandment and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, invite us to contemplate our relationship with God, our family and our neighbor. The ashes we received on Ash Wednesday are a physical reminder of our Lenten journey, that we strive to turn away from sin and refocus our lives on following God’s commandments and the teaching of Jesus!

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his Apostles the New Commandment:  “I give you a new commandment:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.  This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus has set an example for us in everything he asks us to do.  He calls us to serve others, taking into account people’s physical and spiritual needs.  Some concrete ways we live out the New Commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us are the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.  We are to imitate Jesus and serve others by giving of ourselves, which is the true meaning of love. Just as Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles, we are called to serve others with humility, and at times we are called to pick up our cross and unite our suffering with Him.  The Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to “help our neighbor in their spiritual needs.”

In Matthew’s Gospel 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus tells us the path to eternal happiness is not found in temporary pleasures and comforts of this world but in love and service to others.  He reminds us that to love God is to love our brothers and sisters. If we neglect our brothers and sisters, we neglect Jesus.

Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Family assignment for the month of March:
Your Catholic Home, Solemnity of St. Joseph, Parent Guide, page188

Parents, please complete your choice of one activity from the lesson.
Lesson 10

Complete the Journey Board Activity
Parent Guide, page 206; Children’s Activity Book, page 147

Reminder:
The next Family of Faith session dates are Sunday, March 29, or Monday, March 30.

March Parent Essays, Parent Guide pages 283-286
March Fridge Page, Parent Guide page 189
March Car Conversation, Parent Guide page 191

Lent: A time of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving
Lent: Catholic Central
40 Lessons on the Mass (sign up)

Additional Resources:
Video:  Fr. Mike Schmitz, An Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

The Corporal Works of Mercy
Video: The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Nourishing the Needy
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Clothing the Naked
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Sheltering the Homeless
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Visiting the Imprisoned
Video:  Redemptorist TV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Helping the Sick
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Corporal Works of Mercy: Burying the Dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Challenge the Sinner
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Counsel the Doubtful
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Comfort the Sorrowful
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Bear Wrongs Patiently
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Forgive All Injuries
Video:  RedemptoristTV, Spiritual Works of Mercy: Pray for All
Article: Ed Broom, Practicing the Spiritual Works of Mercy