Sunday Mass Readings for the Ministry of Parents and Godparents
The Church professes Christian parents to be the “first” teachers of the faith and calls them to be the “best” teachers of the faith (The Rite of Infant Baptism). Godparents agree to assist in this ministry of parents. This resource from Catholic Lane is to assist you, parent or godparent, with using the Sunday Mass readings to teach the Catholic Faith and live the Catholic Faith as a family.
August 18, 2019: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10, Psalm 40, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 12:49-53 [1]
Summary of Readings
The first reading tells of how the prophet Jeremiah, during the reign of King Zedekiah, was thrown into a cistern and left for dead; Jeremiah was saved from death and pulled from the cistern. The Psalm is a sung petition for God’s help during difficult times.
The second reading, from the letter to the Hebrews, mentions the support of the Saints in our journey of faith; it is a call to persevere in faith, and gives Jesus as the supreme model of perseverance.
The Gospel proclaims that some of the challenges that require perseverance will come from be faithful to Christ, as we live in a world marked by unfaithfulness.
Catechetical Talking Points
The readings this Sunday show us that there will be those that will not understand us because of our faithfulness to God, and this should move us to call upon the help of the Lord as we persevere through as pilgrims on the journey to heaven. Below are the talking points to assist parents and godparents. CCC stands for The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- The Saints pray for us on our journey (CCC 946-959 [2]).
- The Love of God (CCC 218-221 [3]).
- We have a specific purpose in this world (CCC 1721 [4]).
Truth in Action
Parents or godparents can also put the catechetical content into action through various activities. Here are just a few examples:
- Pray an Act of Hope [5] for any difficulties that may come in life.
- Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy [6] to grow in trust of God during suffering.
- Pray the Chaplet of Saint Michael [7] for help to be faithful to God at all times.
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