How to Transmit the Faith in the Family
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.”Ps. 98
It is of vital importance to fulfill this commitment that we make before God and His Church when we baptize our children: to transmit to them the most valuable thing a human being can have and know in this world —the faith in the one true God. In fact, it is essential for the Church to be present and alive in the home, and thus in the hearts of each one and in society, wherever Christians who know and love God may be.
We know that if there is a lack of vocations, it is not because of a failure on the part of evangelizers, missionaries, and priests, but mainly because of the lack of education in the faith that is received and nurtured in families. If we do not know how to pass on our faith to the next generation, they will live in a paganism even worse than the one we currently suffer.
For this reason, let us look at some ideas that can help us live the faith and transmit it in our homes, so that faith in God does not remain a taboo subject that no one wants to talk about, as the world and the devil would want. We must make our faith present and evident everywhere, but especially in the family, since it is what is most valuable. Let us therefore think of some simple and practical ideas to be able to transmit the faith:
- The first thing is to live in the light of faith, in communion with God, because one cannot transmit what one does not live, nor teach others to value what one does not value.
- Living the faith must be visible and explicit, because no one can see the heart; they will only see what we make visible with gestures such as making the sign of the cross in the morning or at night, blessing food, the home, vehicles, etc.
- Let them see us pray and invite them to join us. It can be something simple, such as a decade of the rosary or the Divine Mercy chaplet, a Bible reading, inviting them to share what each one understands from it, inviting them to give thanks for something specific from the day, or to ask God for some intention before going to rest.
- Have religious images in the rooms at home; give them medals or crucifixes that they can wear.
- Invite and encourage them to participate in retreats, parish groups, Masses, etc., and share what helped you the most in any of these events.
- Faith is transmitted by talking about it, for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. Many people speak of their idols or hobbies; for us it should be more passionate to speak of God.
- Obviously, baptize our children as soon as possible, take them to catechism and later to youth groups. Let them see us concerned and dedicated to their living of the faith.
Saint Luke | October 18
Saint Luke, sometimes called The Evangelist, is the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles and a physician. There is some debate about how he came to Christianity, though many believe he was a gentile convert. Tradition holds him to be a native of Antioch, Syria, possibly a slave. Most of what we know of Luke comes from Scripture, he was an eloquent and proficient writer, penning with accuracy the events he recounted. He is viewed as one of the best historical sources of the time.
Luke was a close companion of Paul’s, joining him at Troas about year 51 and going with him to Macedonia and Philippi. Their paths diverged and met again as they journeyed to spread the Good News. Luke remained with Paul until the latter was martyred in Rome.
Saint Luke’s Gospel is viewed as one of social justice, giving special attention to the poor. He also emphasizes gentiles hearing the message of Christ. It is the only Gospel with Mary’s Magnificat, and spends the most time illuminating the lives of the other women around Jesus.
Accounts of Luke’s death are conflicting, some say he was martyred shortly after Paul others that he lived a long life completing his Gospel in Greece and dying at 84. He is the patron saint of physicians.
Readings of the Week
Sunday: 2 Kings 5:14-17/Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4/2 Timothy 2:8-13/Luke 17:11-19
Monday: Romans 1:1-7/Psalm 98:1bcde, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Luke 11:29-32
Tuesday: Romans 1:16-25/Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5/Luke 11:37-41
Wednesday: Romans 2:1-11/Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9/Luke 11:42-46
Thursday: Romans 3:21-30/Psalm 130:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab/Luke 11:47-54
Friday: Romans 4:1-8/Psalm 32:1b-2, 5, 11/Luke 12:1-7
Saturday: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b/Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18/Luke 10:1-9
Next Sunday: Exodus 17:8-13/Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8/2 Timothy 3:14-4:2/Luke 18:1-8
Observances for the Week
Sunday: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday: Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Friday: Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Next Sunday: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
