Page 17 - Venture - Program Preview

October 15, 2023 • 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25:6–10a; Philippians 4:12–14,19–20; Matthew 22:1–14
Sunday Gospel Background
Jesus continues to use parables in this Sunday’s Gospel, telling of a king who wants to share the joy of his
son’s wedding. Don’t we all want to share good times with others? This parable, however, has a deeper meaning. Jesus invites us to share in the greatest celebration ever, the gift of the Holy Eucharist. This parable asks us what kind of guests we are. Do we ignore the invitation, or do we go with joy? Do we participate in Holy Mass, or are we like statues in the pews? Do we welcome everyone, remembering that God invites all people to the banquet table of the Eucharist on earth and to his heavenly banquet?
Share Experiences
Check off the boxes as you complete each part of the lesson.
Pray together “Today we pray for children who regularly do not have enough to eat. We pray for hungry refugee children and children in shelters. We pray for children in... [invite your child to mention places where children are hungry]. We will carry these children in our hearts throughout the day. Jesus, we ask you to care for them and help us find ways to share with them. Amen.”
Cover Activity l Jesus Cares for Everyone (page 1) Give your child time to work on the quiz, then discuss the answers together. Answers: 1. A. True (worldhunger.org); 2. A; more than 60 percent of senior citizens who use food pantries report that they must choose between paying for groceries and medical care; nearly 5.5 million seniors in America face hunger (feedingamerica.org); 3. A; while access to nutritious, affordable food is a greater challenge in urban and rural areas,
the number of hungry families is growing fastest in the suburbs (U.S. Department of Education, frontiergroup.org); 4. C; hunger and malnutrition make children more vulnerable to contracting diseases; they are also likely to be more adversely affected by disease (worldhunger.org, UNICEF); 5. C; 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, experience food insecurity (USDA, feedingamerica.org); 6. A. Though these items are commonly on their “wish lists,” many food pantries publish lists of most needed items; 7. A (hungerfreeamerica.org)
Article l Cynthia’s Kitchen (pages 2-3) Explain that this story is really two stories in one. The first is the story of Mary’s Meals, an organization that provides a good daily meal to two million children around the world. The other story is about Carlin and his friend Cynthia. Take turns reading each paragraph of the article aloud.
Discuss the Think questions on page 3. Answers. 1. This meal can remind us of what we have—and what others don’t. It can teach gratitude and raise awareness. 2. Carlin was sad about his friend’s death; it was the opportunity to raise money for Mary’s Meals that made Carlin feel God was calling him. 3. Open-ended; this Sunday’s Gospel is about Jesus inviting us to a feast. Discuss ways your child might use talents or interests to help others. 4. Open ended; prayer can give you the courage, guidance and strength to do something that might seem too big or too hard; it can open your heart to what God has in mind for you. 5. Open-ended. (You can find some ideas under the “Get Involved” tab at marysmeals.org.)
Discover Gospel and Doctrine
Sunday Gospel l Jesus Invites Us to a Feast (page 4) Read aloud the parts of Narrator, Jesus, and King with your child. You may have to take two parts, or invite other family members to participate, if available.
Discuss the Think questions on page 4. Answers: 1. Refusing means that a person regards the invite as unimportant or that they don’t care for the host or others who have been invited. The king wants to share his joy and have a full house. 2. Jesus uses parables to help people recognize their own poor choices. By not accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the chief priests and Pharisees are rejecting God’s
Unit 1: We Are the Church l TG1-7