Page 17 - Visions - 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. He tells 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 “Loving God, you invite us to your table to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, just as we gather at our family table to share food and stories. We thank you, Lord, for being with us always. Amen.”
Cover Activity l We Share Meals Together (page 1) Have your child complete the activity. Explain that meals can gather us together into a family, and in this lesson, we will learn about the Eucharist—a sacred celebration in which we gather with God’s family.
Story l The Table of Plenty (pages 2–3) This week’s story is a true description of Sunday night supper at the O’Connor home. Ask what your child likes most about having family dinner together. Read the story aloud together. Alternate the reading between you and your child by switching at each bold, colored section.
Discuss the Talk questions on page 3. Answers: 1. Guests bring new food, ideas, poems, fun. 2. The dinners build connection and belonging. 3. Being able to help cook and participate. The O’Connors like making room for more people. 4. Open-ended.
Discover Gospel and Doctrine
Sunday Gospel l Parable of the Wedding Feast (page 4) To introduce this Sunday’s Gospel, talk about different invitations you have received. Have there been times when you turned down invitations? Why? Read the Gospel together, sharing the parts between you: Narrator, Jesus, and King. You may have to read more than one part. Or, invite other family members to join you.
Discuss the Talk questions on page 4. Answers: 1. Open-ended. 2. The king wants guests, wants to gather together all who will come. 3. The king invites all kinds of people to his party, not just people who are of his social standing. Luke’s family invites people from all parts of their lives—people they meet at church, an international student who attends a nearby college, and neighbors and friends of neighbors.
Connecting Gospel and Doctrine l God Invites Everyone to His Feast (page 4) Ask: What does it mean to say no to an invitation from Jesus? If we don’t attend Mass or pray, we prevent having a strong relationship with God. We say yes to God by going to Mass, praying, and by showing love and hospitality to everyone. Read the doctrine together.
Discuss the Talk questions on page 4. Answers: 1. Open-ended. 2. Possible answers: we can reduce time spent on phones or on social media; we can choose to keep a reasonable schedule to avoid being overly busy or tired.
Unit 1: We Are the Church l TG1-7