Education in Faith

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

In the Gospel this week, we hear about another visit. Jesus had been invited to dine at the home of Martha and Mary. 

What happens at our home when someone special is coming for dinner. Like all of us do in today’s world, Martha was working very hard cleaning and preparing a meal, while her sister Mary was sitting with Jesus, listening to him. 

Martha got a little angry about this, and she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But that is not what Jesus did. He told Martha not to worry so much. He said what Mary was doing was much more important.

Personally, we know that we are more like Martha, and would have to make sure that everything was set for the meal before sitting down to chat. It never seemed fair that Martha did all the work while Mary did not help. I always thought that if Mary had helped Martha, they both could have had time to talk to Jesus.

Yet the details about meal preparation and household tasks is not the important thing about this reading. It is about being attentive to God's word and maintaining God's central place in our lives.

When we neglect our prayer time, it is a lot like leaving Jesus in the living room while we take care of what, in comparison, are less important things.

I think that Jesus is trying to show us that nothing is more important than our relationship with God. We can always find things to distract us and keep us busy, but nothing is more important than God.

Each morning when we wake up, remember to think of God and talk to God throughout the day. Let us connect our minds with good things, our faith and relationship with God. Think of making everything we do a prayer by having Jesus in our faith and making it be a part of it every day.

Jesus wants to be our best friend. Jesus IS our best friend. However, it takes two people for a friendship. We have to remember to talk to him, to share our good news as well as sad news. We have to ask for his help when we need it and if we have done something bad we need to tell him we are sorry and ask for his forgiveness.

If we do that, then we will be acting like Mary.

Discussion Starters

Who do you like to visit you?

How do you make them feel welcome?

How can you make people feel unwelcome?

How can we welcome people as we would welcome Jesus?

How can I make Jesus the centre of my life?

When I am tempted to do something bad, how can I ask Jesus for help.

When I do something that is not right, remember that Jesus will always forgive us if we say we are sorry.

Remember: Jesus is your best friend.

What it means to be someone's best friend?

Would their best friend help them if they needed help? 

If your friend did something to hurt your feelings and said they were sorry would you forgive them? 

When you have wonderful news I bet you can't wait to share it with your best friend.

Sacramental News and Dates

Please note the following dates could change due to Covid -19 restrictions.

Sacrament Levy

There is a $15 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost for:

•  a guest speaker to conduct a Parent and Child Workshop for each Sacrament.
• professionally made stoles. 
• a candle for children receiving reconciliation.
• children receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation to travel to St. Kevin’s Church for Reconciliation, Eucharist practice, and reflection day by bus.

This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received before or on the day of your Family Workshop Session.

First Eucharist

Please prayer for these children receiving their First Eucharist on Sunday, 17th July

God Bless 

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au