As I read today’s Gospel last week, it gave me an idea. Jesus in the desert for 40 days being tempted by Satan, made me think about our middle school CCD students. Here’s what I mean. Being that it is the first week of Lent, I thought I would challenge them for the next 40 days.
 
Of course, we are all familiar with “giving something up” during Lent.  I’m sure we have all attempted something over the years… candy, chips, wine, social media, video games, etc.  Not so hard, right? Giving something up we LOVE, for God!
 
So, this “Lenten Challenge” for our middle schoolers really isn’t anything different, except, in addition to giving something up, they need to ADD something as well.  Add something positive to their routine for the next 6 weeks. 
 
Then they had to answer 3 questions…
 
Why are you giving this up/adding this for Lent this year?

What will be the biggest challenges to living out this commitment?

How will you overcome these challenges?    
 
Ah, sort of like what Jesus went through in the dessert. Temptation, challenges, very similar.   I hope they really give it some thought and pray on it.  Jesus knows our struggles first hand and he will help them to find both faith and courage in whatever they decide. It doesn’t necessarily matter what they choose, but that they have the strength to stick to it, don’t give up even when it seems most difficult.  Actually, this is a good life lesson for all of us.

Dear Parishioners,
 
Jesus is revealing to His disciples, and to us, the limitless possibilities of unrestricted love.  He is reminding His disciples that just when you think you have done enough in the service and well-being of others, there is yet more to do.
 
At every turn the Gospel challenges us to nurture our love for all God’s children and He reminds us that in order to be children of God we must try to apply and live the commandment to love one another as God loves us.
 
The singular phrase “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” is powerful language that must cause us to look within ourselves and realize the demanding nature of being a true child of God.  Being a good Christian is easy to say, but hard to live out.  Words can come cheap, but living the Word of God can be very challenging… we are a work in progress.
 
This line in the Gospel reminds us just how hard that work is, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 
 
GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS!!
 

In Christ,

As Catechists of Religious Education, we repeatedly say to our students from 1st grade up through 8th grade, “you are disciples of Christ.” They hear that in the classroom and they hear that at Mass. We want them to know early on that they, that we, are to adhere to His teachings. We learn from Christ and we live it! “A disciple remains true to Jesus’ words and teachings. (John 8:31) “A disciple loves others as Jesus has loved him.” (John 13:34-35) 
 
Today, Jesus reminds us that He has come to interpret the laws, not abolish them. He wants us to dig deeper into them. Being a disciple, a Christian, we are living the Commandments, which simply put, is living the law of love. If we break down the Commandments, we plainly see they all revolve around love. First and foremost, we are to LOVE God. Then we are to LOVE our parents. Finally, we are to LOVE our neighbor. What did Jesus say when asked, what is the most important Commandment of all? “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.” We are not supposed to just “act” like a disciple but do it with LOVE in our heart and be a true disciple by sharing what’s inside, just as our Savior did.