Church of the Resurrection

08/24/2026

Bringing Sunday Home
PRAY • REFLECT • LIVE
Family Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Taking up our cross does not always mean doing something extraordinary. Often, it happens in the ordinary moments of family life—when we choose patience instead of anger, forgive when we have been hurt, help when we would rather relax, or put someone else’s needs before our own.
Jesus shows us that real love sometimes asks something of us. Following Jesus means choosing to love even when loving is not easy.

Talk About It:
Ask each other:
“What is something that is difficult for me right now where Jesus is asking me to choose love?”

For younger children, try:
“When is it hardest for you to be kind?”
Talk about one way Jesus can help each of you.

Family Activity:
“Choose Love” Challenge.
Each morning, choose one small sacrifice you can make for someone else.
• Help without being asked.
• Let someone else go first.
• Put down your phone and listen.
• Forgive instead of holding a grudge.
• Do a chore without complaining.

At the end of the day, ask yourself:
“How did I carry my cross and follow Jesus today?”

Family Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You showed us that true love is willing to sacrifice. Help us to follow You, especially when doing what is right is difficult.
Give our family patience when we are frustrated, generosity when we are selfish, and courage when following You costs us something. Teach us to carry our crosses with love and to help one another carry theirs. Amen.

08/17/2026

08/11/2026

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mass on Aug 15th at 8:15am in the Church.

08/04/2026

Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
If there is one thing we all have in common, it is this: sooner or later, we all face storms. Some storms are sudden, while others linger for months or even years. They may come in the form of illness, family struggles, financial worries, loneliness, or uncertainty about the future. Whatever they are, storms have a way of making us feel overwhelmed.
That is why this Sunday's readings are so comforting. They remind us that God's greatest promise is not that we will never have storms, but that He will never leave us in them.
In the First Reading, Elijah expects God to appear in dramatic ways—in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. Instead, God comes in the quiet whisper of a gentle breeze. It is a beautiful reminder that God is often closest to us in the quiet moments: in prayer, in the peace that follows after tears, in the encouragement of a friend, or in the silent strength that helps us take one more step.
The Gospel tells us that the disciples are caught in a violent storm when Jesus comes walking toward them on the water. They are frightened, but Jesus immediately says, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter steps out of the boat with great faith, but the moment he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the wind and the waves, he begins to sink. His simple prayer becomes one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture: "Lord, save me!"
How often have we prayed those same words?
The good news is that Jesus does not hesitate. He reaches out His hand immediately and lifts Peter up. That is who our Lord is. He never abandons us when we call upon Him.
Sometimes we make the same mistake Peter made. We become so focused on the problems before us that we lose sight of the One who is walking beside us. We allow fear to become greater than our faith. Yet every time we gather for Mass, we are reminded that Christ is still with us. He continues to speak the same words He spoke to His disciples: "Take courage. Do not be afraid."
God also reaches out through the people He places in our lives. A caring spouse, a faithful friend, a compassionate neighbor, or a supportive parish community can become the very hands of Christ. We are called not only to receive God's help but also to become His presence for others who are carrying heavy burdens.
The storms of life will come and go, but one truth never changes: Jesus is always with us. Faith does not remove every difficulty, but it gives us the courage to face them, knowing we are never alone.
As you begin a new week, remember this simple lesson from Peter. The more we focus on the storm, the more we sink. The more we focus on Jesus, the more we find the strength to keep going.
May we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, trust in His outstretched hand, and never forget His reassuring words: "Take courage. Do not be afraid."
Fr. Mark