EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
Love of Enemies and Judging Others
Jesus said to his disciples:
"To you who hear I say,
love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give, and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli (Feast Day February 23)
November 4, 1806- February 23, 1864
Carlo Gaetano Samuele Mazzuchelli was born in Milan, Italy. He was the 16^th^ of 17 children. When he was 17, he entered the Dominican Order against his father's wishes, taking the name Friar Samuel. At only 22 years old, Father Mazzuchelli came to the American frontier in 1828. He was assigned to serve as a missionary priest to the entire Northwest Territory. Father Mazzuchelli traveled across the Northwest Territory by horseback, canoe, and on foot. He journeyed the land from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and beyond.
Fr. Mazzuchelli was known as a kind and gentlemanly priest who could break down cultural barriers and appeal to many different ethnic groups. He served native tribes, immigrant settlers, miners, farmers, and political leaders. In 1847, Fr. Mazzuchelli founded a community of Dominican Sisters in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. The following year, he founded a frontier school for young women that later became Dominican University. He went on to design and build over 24 churches and buildings before his death in 1864.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
Today's Gospel story contains the Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Give an example of how to live the Golden Rule.
In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to treat people. Of the teachings listed, which one is the hardest to do?
What does it mean to be merciful? Give examples.
Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli was able to break down cultural barriers and appeal to many different cultures. Why is this an important skill?
FAMILY FUN
Building Blocks Church Challenge
Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli was an architect who built a church that still stands today. Use building blocks to create something today!
Using building blocks such as Legos, K'nex, Lincoln Logs, etc., create things you see at your parish (i.e., altar, organ, pews, etc.). Have different family members create different parts and then bring them all together to see if you can replicate the inside of your church.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Risotto Milanese
Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli was from Milan, Italy. Enjoy this dish in honor of our saint of the week!
5 ½ cups chicken stock
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 ½ cups arborio rice (10 oz.)
Pinch of saffron threads
½ cup dry white wine
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer; keep warm. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring to thoroughly coat. Crumble the saffron into the wine and add it to the rice. Cook, stirring, until the wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup of the warm stock and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until nearly absorbed. Continue adding the stock ½ cup at a time, stirring constantly, until it is nearly absorbed between additions. The risotto is done when the rice is al dente and suspended in a thick, creamy sauce, about 20 minutes total. Season the risotto with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheese, butter and parsley and serve immediately.
FAMILY PRAYER
Love One Another
This prayer echoes the words and teachings of Jesus in today's Gospel.
Heavenly Father,
your holiness, revealed in Jesus,
challenges us to renounce violence,
to forsake revenge,
and to love without discrimination, without measure.
Teach us the surpassing truth of the Gospel,
which puts worldly wisdom to shame,
that we may recognize as one with us
even our enemies and persecutors
and see all people as your children.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Taken from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.)
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Share one way you can be less judgmental this week. Commit to this for the whole week.
FUN FACTS
If you stack or build up around 40 billion Lego bricks, it can reach the moon.
