Reflection for Sunday July 31st​

Sunday Gospel:  Luke 12:13-21

This Sunday’s gospel passage includes a teaching of Jesus against greed. If you read the Gospels you will come across several passages about the dangers of money and greed. These passages always make me nervous given how wealthy our country is and even my own financial situation. Very few of us are actually in poverty. Often we perceive poverty as not being able to do the things we want rather than having to choose between competing needs. How do we combat greed and a distorted view of money? By doing the opposite. When we are generous and give away our money and the things we have we become less attached to it and more dependent on God. Jesus constantly calls us to conversion and that means changing the way we measure success and view money. What is your relationship with money and how is God calling you to be more generous and dependent on God?

 Let Paul know if you know a teen that would like to write a brief reflection.​

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Reflection for Sunday July 3rd

Sunday Gospel: Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

During ordinary time we travel with Jesus and hear Gospel passages focused on his teachings and actions prior to his passion. In our passage this week, Jesus sends out 72 disciples in pairs ahead of him to prepare the towns that he will visit. They are sowing the seeds of the gospel and curing the sick. Since we are called to follow Jesus as disciples we should pay special attention to anything he says or teaches to the disciples. A few things struck me for the first time when I prayed with this passage.  First, the disciples are sent ahead of Jesus not in place of Jesus. Sometimes we can think that it is up to us to spread the Gospel and that God needs us to convert people. While we certainly play a role, it is ultimately God that brings about conversion. Jesus is the one that saves us and beckons us to follow him. The second thing that struck me is the last line of the passage, “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  After the disciples return to Jesus they share with him their accomplishments. His response is to remain humble and to focus on what is promised to them in heaven rather than on what they accomplished or can do now.  How can you help prepare the way for Jesus among your friends and family? What can you do to remain focused on our destination, union with God forever in heaven?

Let Paul know if you know a teen that would like to write a brief reflection.

Reflection for Sunday July 10th Reflection by Ruth R. in 9th grade

​Sunday Gospel: Lk 10:25-37​
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​The Good Samaritan is likely a familiar passage, in which we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. But this passage not only calls us to corporal and spiritual works of mercy, but can also be a very personal analogy to our Christian lives. 

As we travel the road of life, we are burdened by sin. At times we are completely helpless. What are the “robbers” or “thieves” in your life who steal your freedom? What are the priests and Levites in your life who claim to help, but actually ignore or make our condition worse? And who is the Good Samaritan, who loves us so deeply as to heal, carry and care for us without getting anything back? Surely He is the one to follow, trust, serve and love with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.

Reflection for Sunday July 17th by Jack F. 10th grade

Sunday Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

In the Gospel passage for this weekend, Jesus enters a village where a woman named Martha welcomes him. Martha has a sister named Mary who sits and listens to Jesus preach while Martha is burdened with preparing and serving a meal for Jesus. Martha is frustrated at being burdened by all the work while Mary sits and listens to Jesus so she asks Jesus to tell her sister to help. Jesus replies by saying that Mary has chosen the better part and that Martha is too worried about many things when only one thing matters. After reflecting, I believe that this passage is telling me that Mary has chosen correctly by listening to the only thing that does matter, the word of God, while Martha is too worried and anxious about her many burdens which are not nearly as important as taking the time to listen to God. This passage also tells me that I should give without counting the cost. This is shown by Martha being too worried about Mary helping her and being fair rather just by doing and not thinking about fairness or the cost of her burdens. This passage challenges me by questioning, how can I put my burdens and worries aside and take time to listen to God?⁠
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This week's reflection is by Jack F. Saint Joseph's Prep class of 2025.

 Reflection for Sunday July 24th By Martha R. in 12th grade

Sunday Gospel:  Lk 11:1-13
Ask. Seek. Knock.
When we ask, seek, or knock, we will be given the fruit of our quest and the door to a relationship with God will be opened to us. Why can we be so sure that we’ll find an answer to our prayers? The reason is simple: in order to gain eternal life, we must be proactive about it. We can’t sit around like vegetation waiting for God to come and reveal Himself for us, because the evil forces are less nuanced than He is and always hungry to snatch someone up, so they will come to tempt us and sway us first. However, if we want to find the true way, the narrow way, we must keep our eyes peeled, guard our hearts, and try to find God’s presence in as many situations and experiences as possible. No matter how hard it may be for us to feel His presence, He is always there, and His heart overflows with pride that we have journeyed to Him so alertly. Therefore, He will always reveal His gifts to us- we just have to have hearts on fire to find them. How are seeking God this week?