EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The Flight to Egypt & The Return from Egypt
When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
"Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod had died, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt and said,
"Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,
for those who sought the child's life are dead."
He rose, took the child and his mother,
and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea
in place of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go back there.
And because he had been warned in a dream,
he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth,
so that what had been spoken through the prophets
might be fulfilled,
He shall be called a Nazorean.
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Feast Day January 4)
August 28, 1774-January 4, 1821
Elizabeth was raised in a home of wealth and privilege in New York. She married a prominent young businessman, William Seton. When William's business went bankrupt, and he contracted tuberculosis, they moved to Italy, where they hoped the climate would improve William's health. This was not the case, and he passed away a short time later. Now a widow, Elizabeth and her children became completely dependent on the kindness of her husband's business partners in Italy. She went to Catholic Mass with friends in Italy while they awaited the opportunity to return home. Elizabeth was touched deeply by her Catholic friends' belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Five months after she returned to America, she converted to the Catholic Faith. Elizabeth's conversion represented no small challenge or sacrifice. At a time when she needed the support of family and friends most, she was criticized and rejected for her newfound faith. Yet, she took up the task she believed God was calling her to do. Years later, Elizabeth took up a second calling as a religious and founded the Sisters of Charity. Mother Seton established the first free Catholic school for girls in Baltimore. The order she founded has expanded to include work for the poor in hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions.
In 1975, Elizabeth became the first American-born saint to be canonized. In his homily, Pope Paul VI gave a great definition of a saint: "A saint is a human creature fully conformed to the will of God." St. Elizabeth conformed her life to the will of God in multiple vocations: as wife, mother, and later as a religious sister.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
God speaks to Joseph through dreams in today's Gospel. What are some ways God speaks to you?
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus had to live in a new country. What do you think that experience was like?
Joseph and Mary trusted where God was leading them. Share about a time you fully trusted God.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was impacted by her friend's belief in the Eucharist. Explain your understanding of the Eucharist.
FAMILY FUN
Make a Prayer Corner
Having a dedicated prayer space in your home helps us to call on Jesus and be thankful for all he does for us.
Here are some tips on how to create a prayer corner within your home:
- Pick a quiet spot away from the main traffic areas of your home.
- Place a chair or kneeler in your prayer corner.
- Place a Bible or other spiritual reading, a Rosary, and a journal on a side table beside your chair or kneeler.
- Place a lamp on your side table for soft lighting.
- Surround yourself with holy images or religious art created by the kids.
- Ask your parish priest or deacon to bless your house and, specifically, your prayer corner!
- Use it daily!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
As the year draws near to an end, prepare for the New Year by slowing down and taking time to reflect on Jesus as this meal is slowly cooked and prepared.
2-3 tsp olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper
2-3 onions, peeled and halved
Baby carrots
2-3 potatoes, peeled and cut in quarters
2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 can beef broth
3-pound roast
Heat skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil or butter. Salt and pepper the roast, being more generous with the pepper than the salt. Once the oil is hot, brown 1 side of the onion and then the other. Remove from heat. Brown carrots for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Sear all sides of the meat for about 1 to 2 minutes until brown. Add the garlic, potatoes, onions, carrots, and meat into the crock pot. Pour a can of beef broth on top. Cook on low all day or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
FAMILY PRAYER
Prayer to the Holy Family
Each family is a domestic Church - they do on a small scale what the Universal Church does on a large scale. We can turn to the Holy Family to help us build up our own domestic Church.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love;
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God's plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.
-By Pope Francis, Amoris laetitia
FAMILY CHALLENGE
When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30th. Otherwise, it is celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Have a special family day in honor of the Feast of the Holy Family. Pick a special family activity to do together. Make it an annual event.
FUN FACTS
Amoris laetitia is an apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis addressing the pastoral care of families.
