Family Spirituality
Families
can get more out of Mass
At Home with our Faith
offered a series of 10 short articles on how your family can get
more out of the Mass. We walked through the chronology of the Mass,
from preparation and gathering through the final blessing and
sending forth. Each week for ten issues we suggested ways that you
and your family can better appreciate how the Mass can deepen and
enrich our life together. What follows are the ten installments.
What’s on your mind?
I was recently on a
business trip to Spain where I attended Mass in the lovely town of
Vic. Because of my meager knowledge of Catalan (the language in
which Mass was being celebrated), I understood little of what was
being said. But as the priest got up to proclaim the gospel, I was
able to join in happily with the whole congregation as we each
traced the sign of the cross on our own forehead, lips, and heart.
Though I would catch only occasional words of the scripture readings
and homily I was able to signify my own hope that the Word of God
would live in my thoughts, in my words, and in my desires.
I learned this practice
as a kid by watching the adults around me, and it retains great
meaning for me today. Actions can speak louder than words. They can
also amplify the words we speak and hear. This three-fold blessing
is such a specific action that I rarely take it for granted. I find
it challenges me to listen with an open mind and heart, ready to
take action on what I hear.
This is a great way to
teach your children a valuable lesson about our faith. If you teach
them to take on the habit of this triple blessing before the gospel,
they’ll know that the words they are about to hear and absorb are
not merely ordinary words. It will help them remain alert.
Because the Sunday
readings were written long ago and far away, they can sometimes be
obscure and difficult even for adults. Here are some suggestions on
how to help your children be more attentive to the Liturgy of the
Word and to get more of the richness they have to offer:
1.
Read the
readings ahead of time. A good time would be at dinner during
the week. You can discuss what they mean to you and raise any
questions people have about them. The book At Home with the Word
is a great resource; it costs $7 and contains the readings for the
coming Sunday along with helpful reflections. You can call Liturgy
Training Publications at 800-933-1800 to order. For daily
meditations on the readings, try the Bible Diary from
Claretian Publications of the Philippines, $14.95 plus shipping
(800-328-6515).
2.
Discuss the
readings and the homily with your children after Mass. Ask, "What
one thing struck you the most about the readings and homily?" If
you do this consistently, your children will be more likely to
listen. Share your own thoughts.
3.
Ask your
children if they have ever heard or talked about these particular
readings in religious education class. Ask what lessons or
exercises they remember about it.
4.
Have younger
children draw pictures based on the readings. This will be
especially easy when the gospel features one of the parables like
the Good Shepherd, the sower in the field, or the prodigal son.
5.
Let your kids
see you discuss the readings with other adults (your spouse,
older children, friends) so your children get the sense that these
words are worthy of at least as much interest as the latest episode
of ER.
6.
Use biblical
examples when you correct your children or explain moral questions
to them. For example, if they fear they did something so wrong
they’ll never be forgiven, remind them of the forgiving father
racing out to greet the prodigal son on his way home.
7.
Encourage your
parish to invite talented young people to be lectors, too.
Especially at holidays like Christmas or the feast of the Holy
Family, having young people read would generate new interest. TJM
