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Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
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Visions and dreams can be a great source of hope for people when they are suffering or afraid. This first reading communicates a vision of a great crowd gathered in heaven.
The author shares his vision with the early Christians who were being persecuted. He wants them to know about the wonderful reward they will receive from God if they remain faithful. They will belong to a vast community of people from every race and nation. They will be robed in white and marked with the seal of God's servants. And they will rejoice together before the throne of the Lamb of God.
On this Feast of All Saints we too rejoice with all who have followed Christ faithfully in the past and who serve him faithfully as we do today.
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When you hear the word "saints," who are the people who immediately come to mind? Why? What are some of the virtues or other qualities you connect with the saints? Look back at the reading to find out what the saints are doing as they gather at the heavenly throne. Describe the scene. How does the elder answer the question about who these people are and where they come from?
How do you think this vision might encourage Christians today who are being persecuted or who are not allowed to practice their faith openly? What can we do to help these Christians?
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One of our deepest needs as human beings is to belong to a family or a community in which we are loved. This letter from Saint John assures that we are the beloved children of God. Because we belong to God, we want to be like him. In the future which has not yet been revealed, we will see God as he really is. If we live holy lives, we will see how like God we really are.
John's letter is as encouraging to us as it was to the early Christians who were being persecuted. It reminds us that we are never really alone or disconnected. We belong to the family of God now and forever.
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What characteristics do the members of your family share? What activities do you enjoy doing together? In what ways is your parish like a family? How do you help others to feel like "members of the family" at school and in the parish?
For people your age, what does it mean to live a holy life? Who is your favorite saint? Why? In what way do you most want to be like Jesus at this time in your life?
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How do the saints get to be saints? They live by the attitudes and actions of Jesus. In this gospel story, Jesus teaches his beatitudes. These are guidelines on how to be a blessed or holy person. Each beatitude describes a group of people who share a certain quality or activity like mercy or peacemaking. The second half of each beatitude tells how that group will be rewarded. These guidelines assure us that there is more to life than meets the eye. For example, those who are being persecuted for their faith now will rejoice and be glad when they receive their reward in heaven.
Knowing and living the beatitudes is a secure path to holiness. If we follow that path, we will be numbered with the saints before the throne of the Lamb of God.
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To be poor in spirit means that we recognize our dependence on God. How do you think we can show that we are poor in spirit? To be meek means to avoid retaliating against enemies and to be generous to those who seek our help. How can people your age practice meekness? To be clean of heart means to avoid impure thoughts that lead to sinful actions. Name one way you can practice being clean of heart.
Which of the beatitudes do you believe the world needs most right now? Why? How will you practice that beatitude? What saint might you call on to help you?
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| Proclaiming Faith Activity |
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Living the Sunday and Holy Day Readings
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John's vision of the gathering of the saints includes angels who place a seal on the foreheads of God's servants. This special seal shows that they belong to the family of God.
Design a seal that you would like to have imprinted on your forehead to show that you belong to God.
If face paints are available, have a partner draw your seal on your forehead. Then do the same for your partner.
Gather in a circle and offer the prayer from the first reading that begins and ends with "Amen."
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Read each of the following ways of being blessed. Choose any three beatitudes. Write one way you will practice each of these three beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are those who mourn (for those who have died or for those who are suffering).
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are the meek.
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are they who hunger for righteousness (God's will).
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are the merciful.
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are the clean of heart.
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
I will practice by _____________________________________.
Blessed are those who are insulted or persecuted (for doing God's will despite opposition).
I will practice by _____________________________________. |
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