EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The New Commandment
When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another."
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Alberto Hurtado (Feast Day August 18)
January 22, 1901-August 18, 1952
Alberto was born in Chile in 1901. He was only 4 years old when his father died, and his mother was forced to sell their family home. Alberto spent most of his childhood moving around and living with various family members. At the age of 22, Alberto entered the Jesuits, and studied in Argentina, Spain, and Belgium. About 10 years after he was ordained a priest, Fr. Alberto gave a presentation at a retreat where he urged everyone in attendance to do more to care for the poor and homeless in Santiago.
Shortly after that, Fr. Alberto founded El Hogar de Cristo, or "Christ's House." El Hogar de Cristo was a place of refuge for the poor, offering shelter and a home-like environment for homeless children. This was the first of many initiatives Fr. Alberto started. His own experience with homelessness instilled in him love and compassion for the poor, and inspired him to work tirelessly to provide them safety, food, and shelter. Fr. Alberto died of pancreatic cancer in 1952. Even as he experienced much pain and suffering with his illness, he was known to say, "I am content, Lord."
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
In today's Gospel, the word "glorify" is used five times. What does this word mean? In what way does this word describe Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to love one another? When is it hard to love others?
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
St. Alberto Hurtado advocated for the poor and homeless. What are ways we can show care and concern for the poor and homeless?
FAMILY FUN
Spread Messages of Love
A box of sidewalk chalk can fill a day with fun and remind us to love one another!
Use sidewalk chalk to write messages of God's love on your driveway or sidewalk. Be creative using hearts, rainbows, and other symbols. Quote Scripture or write a message from your heart. If you want to be really creative, use painter's tape or masking tape and create a mosaic pattern using different shapes and designs and fill it in with different colors.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Morning Glory Muffins
Jesus reminds us how he glorifies God, and God glorifies him. Reflect on that as you enjoy these morning glory muffins.
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground ginger
3 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup applesauce
(optional) 2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups carrots, washed and shredded (about 3 medium carrots)
1 apple, peeled and finely chopped
½ cup raisins
Zest of 1 lemon
(optional) ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line muffin cups with liners or spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add in apples, carrots, and raisins. In a smaller bowl, whisk eggs, applesauce, orange juice, and vanilla extract together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir. Fill each muffin tin about ¾ full. Add the pecans to the top of the muffins before baking. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Check with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes and remove muffins from tins to put on a cooling rack.
FAMILY PRAYER
Praying for One Another
Jesus commands us to "love one another" in today's Gospel. Take some time today to pray these different intentions for the members of your family.
Prayer for my spouse: Thank you for leading me to my spouse. Lord, help me to love my spouse and see him or her through your eyes today.
Prayer for my children: Lord, I desire my children to live their life serving you. Help them to see the path to which you are calling them. I pray for those who will cross their path and impact their vocation.
Prayer for my parents: Help my parents to continue to live more deeply the vocation that you have called them to.
LITURGY LINK
How many times is the word "glory" or "glorify" said or sung at Mass today?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Inspired by St. Alberto Hurtado, do something for those who experience homelessness. Donate clothes (especially socks), volunteer your time, fundraise, or find some other way to help.
FUN FACTS
A concordance is book that contains an alphabetical list of the words (especially the important ones) present in the Bible. According to Strong's Concordance, the word "love" appears 309 times in the Bible.
