St. Francis of Assisi Weekly Reflections

Question of the Week

Based on each Sunday’s Scripture readings, your “Question of the Week” offers opportunities for deeper reflection and faith-sharing. Make the “Question of the Week” your starting point in for small group faith-sharing, family prayer time, and daily reflection.

Basado en las lecturas de la Escritura de cada domingo, su “Pregunta de la Semana” ofrece oportunidades de reflexión más profunda y compartimiento de la fe. Haga la “Pregunta de la Semana” su punto de partida en para el compartimiento de la fe del grupo pequeño, tiempo del rezo de la familia y reflexión diaria.


Love of Neighbor

10-29-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Exodus 22:20-26 (social laws)
  • Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 (a model for believers)
  • Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40 (the greatest commandment)
  • Key Passage: [Jesus] said to him " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37–39)
  • Adult: In a practical sense, what is one thing that would change in your life if you loved your neighbor as yourself?
  • Child: Why is it hard sometimes to love your neighbor?
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Social Responsibility

10-22-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 (rewards to Cyrus, king of Persia)
  • Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 (a model for believers)
  • Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21 (paying tax to the emperor)
  • Key Passage: At that [Jesus] said to them "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)
  • Adult: How much responsibility do you feel the government should take for meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our society? How willing are you to contribute?
  • Child: Who needs help in your neighborhood or community? What could you and your family do to help?
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Living Our Faith

10-15-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Isaiah 25:6-10 (a feast for all peoples)
  • Reading II: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 (generosity)
  • Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 (the wedding banquet)
  • Key Passage: Jesus said, "Many are invited, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
  • Adult: How do you translate your faith into the work of the Reign of God?
  • Child: What three things can you do this week to show that you are a follower of Jesus?
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Dealing with Injustice

10-08-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I:Isaiah 5:1-7 (the vineyard song)
  • Reading II: Philippians 4:6-9 (joy and peace in Christ)
  • Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43 (parable of the tenants)
  • Key Passage: Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." (Matthew 21:43)
  • Adult: How have you used your talents and abilities well for the Reign of God?
  • Child: What can you do in your week to help the love of God grow in the world?
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The Challenge to Forgive

10-01-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I:Ezekiel 18:25-28 (personal responsibility)
  • Reading II:Philippians 2:1-11 (imitating the humility of Christ)
  • Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 (parable of the two sons)
  • Key Passage: A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not"; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir"; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, "The first." (Matthew 21:28–31)
  • Adult: When have your actions not measured up to your promises? What was the outcome?
  • Child: Why is it important to follow through on your promises to others?
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God's Generosity

09-24-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I:Isaiah 55:6-9 (seeking the Lord)
  • Reading II: Philippians 1:20-24, 27 (spreading the gospel)
  • Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 (the laborers in the vineyard)
  • Key Passage: [The landowner] said "Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:14–15)
  • Adult: What lessons do you draw from today's Gospel? How has God been generous to you in this way?
  • Child: Who is generous to you, even when you do not always deserve it?
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Helping Others Grow

09-10-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Ezekiel 33:7-9 (the Prophet a watchman)
  • Reading II: Romans 13:8-10 (love fulfills the Law)
  • Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 (fraternal correction)
  • Key Passage: Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone." (Matthew 18:15)
  • Adult: How have you been able to follow Christ more closely because others patiently loved you?
  • Child: How can you help another person do the right thing?
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Come, follow me

09-03-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Jeremiah 20:7-9 (Jeremiah's interior crisis)
  • Reading II:Romans 12:1-2 (sacrifice of body and mind)
  • Gospel:Matthew 16:21-27 (first prophecy of passion and resurrection; doctrine of the cross)
  • Key Passage: Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
  • Adult: In what concrete ways do you take up your cross and follow Jesus?
  • Child: When has it been difficult to be a follower of Jesus?
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Representatives of Christ

08-27-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23 (Eliakim chosen by God)
  • Reading II: Romans 11:33-36 (praise of God)
  • Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 (Peter the rock)
  • Key Passage: He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15–16)
  • Adult: If you were asked, how would you explain Jesus to a person who had not heard of him?
  • Child: Who do you tell people Jesus is?
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All are welcome

08-20-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 (the Lord's house open to all)
  • Reading II: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 (Israel's final conversion; the triumph of God's mercy)
  • Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 (faith of the Canaanite woman)
  • Key Passage: For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56:7)
  • Adult: The woman in this story was persistent in prayer. For what do you pray insistently?
  • Child: For what do you ask God to give you most often?
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Faith in the Lord

08-13-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 (Elijah's flight to Horeb)
  • Reading II: 2 Romans 9:1-5 (grief for the Jews; God's free choice)
  • Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 (Jesus walks on water)
  • Key Passage: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31)
  • Adult: When have you doubted the loving care of God for you as the apostles did in the boat?
  • Child: How do you know that Jesus is with you at all times?
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The Transfiguration of the Lord

08-06-2017Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (The coming of the Son ofMan)
  • Reading II: 2 Peter 1:16-19 (We have been eyewitnessesto his majesty)
  • Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 (The transfiguration)
  • Key Passage: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. (Matthew 17:1-2)
  • Adults: What difference does your faith in Jesus Christ make in your life?
  • Child: What does it mean to you to be a holy person?
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