EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
Seed Grows of Itself and The Mustard Seed
Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the kingdom
of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter
seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and
day
and through it all the seed would
sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields
fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then
the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he
wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the
kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when
it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on
the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up
and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can
dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they
were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to
them,
but to his own disciples he
explained everything in private.
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Lawrence (Feast Day August 10)
c. 225 - August 10, 258
Lawrence was a Roman deacon under Pope Sixtus II. We know very little about his life, but he has made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church. In AD 258, Emperor Valerian issued an edict: all bishops, priests and deacons must be put to death. Saint Lawrence, other deacons, and Pope Sixtus II were apprehended. The Pope was killed, but the emperor offered to spare Lawrence’s life, in exchange for his handing over of “the treasures of the Church.” He imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure because of the sacred vessels that were used at Mass. Lawrence acknowledged that the Church was indeed rich and asked for time to get everything in order and make an inventory. After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned, and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the emperor arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasures of the Church.” The emperor was so angry he had a great gridiron prepared with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed upon it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark: “It is well done. Turn me over!”
St. Lawrence is buried in Rome and the basilica built over his tomb has become one of the seven pilgrim churches in Rome.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
· Fill in the blank with your own description. The Kingdom of God is like ___________.
· What is Jesus trying to teach us in the first part of the Gospel reading?
· In the second half of the Gospel reading, Jesus is teaching us about how the Kingdom of God will grow in spite of its small beginnings. In what way does God want to use your family to spread the Good News of Jesus and build the Kingdom of God?
· St. Lawrence presented to the emperor those who were outcast and called them the treasures of the Church. Why are people more important than gold and riches?
FAMILY FUN
Get to Know Your Father
On this Father’s Day, spend some time learning more about your father or someone who is a father-figure in your family. You may be surprised to learn something new! Here are some questions to get the conversation started:
· What is your middle name?
· If you could do anything to help people, what would you do?
· What is your favorite dessert?
· If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
· What was your favorite subject in 2nd grade?
· How old were you when you were Confirmed? What do you remember about it?
· What is your least favorite vegetable?
· What did you want to be when you grew up?
· What is one of your favorite experiences of God?
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Easy Mexican Street Tacos
Think of St. Lawrence while grilling up this meal.
1 lb. chicken thighs boneless, skinless
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
2 cloves garlic minced
3 Tbsp. olive oil
corn tortillas
Toppings:
cilantro
pico de gallo
chopped avocado
shredded queso cheese
corn kernels (roasted on grill or in oven and cut off the husks)
Combine chicken, cumin, oregano, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, and olive oil in a bowl. Marinate at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Grill or broil chicken over medium heat until no pink remains. Once cooked, remove chicken and rest 3 minutes. Chop into ½ inch cubes. Meanwhile, warm tortillas on a skillet. Top tortillas with chicken and toppings as desired. Serve with a side of rice. Enjoy!
FAMILY PRAYER
Litany of Humility
The mustard seed is neither large nor impressive. However, it has its purpose according to God’s will. The Litany of Humility reminds us that we need not be large nor impressive to carry out God’s will for our lives. Invite one family member to lead this litany; responses are in bold.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
LITURGY LINK
The mustard seed is the smallest of seeds yet becomes the largest of plants. What is the smallest thing you see in the church? What is the largest?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Share the story of the Gospel using your own words to someone outside of your immediate family.
FUN FACTS
The Kingdom of God is the manifestation and the realization of God’s plan of salvation in all its fullness. (St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, #15)
