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Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
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One of our basic beliefs as Christians was hinted at for the first time in this familiar reading from the Old Testament. (It is especially familiar because we heard it on All Souls Day two Sundays ago.) The prophet Daniel shares his vision of what the future will be like. He foresees an end time when the dead will awaken and be judged. The wise and the just will live forever. Before Daniel, no prophet had spoken of the resurrection of the dead.
We anticipate the day when we too will rise from the dead and be with God in heaven. Daniel's closing lines encourage us to prepare for our future "stardom."
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Who does Daniel say will be the protector of God's people at the end time? How do you imagine this protector might help the wise and the just? Find and read aloud Daniel's words about the resurrection of the dead. How does the prophet contrast the fate of those who have served God with those who have not? What are some of the ways we can show ourselves to be wise and just in today's world? How can we join with others in our parish to identify and work against certain injustices?
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This reading focuses on the one high priest who makes our resurrection from the dead possible. Unlike other priests, Jesus does not need to repeat sacrifices. He laid down his life for us once and for all. He opened the doors of eternal salvation for us.
When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are sharing in the one sacrifice of Jesus. As the celebrant prays in Eucharistic Prayer IV, "We offer you his body and blood, the acceptable sacrifice which brings salvation to the whole world."
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Look again at Saint Paul's letter. Name one important difference he points out between Jesus and every other priest. What did Jesus do after he made his one sacrifice for sins? What does Saint Paul say will happen at the end time? Why is this an encouraging letter for Christians?
One of the titles of the Eucharist is the holy sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharist "makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church's offering" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1330). What offering can we make of ourselves during the Eucharistic Prayer?
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One of the questions that has fascinated Christians since the first century is when and how Jesus will come again. In today's gospel reading, Jesus uses dramatic and symbolic language to speak of that great event. He speaks of the Son of Man's coming in power and glory. However, he insists that no one except the Father knows the day or the hour when the end time will come.
What really matters about the second coming of Jesus is not when or how it will happen. What matters is that we are always prepared for it because we are living in faith, hope, and love. May the Master find us ready when he returns.
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Why do you think Christians have so many questions about the second coming of Jesus? What questions do you have about the end time? What symbolic signs of the Son of Man's coming does Jesus give in this gospel? If someone told you that they know when the end of the world is coming, how would you respond?
What are some of the things you have learned this year about how to be prepared for the coming of Jesus? In what ways have you grown in your faith during this time?
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| Proclaiming Faith Activity |
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Living the Sunday and Holy Day Readings
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Leading others to justice is a lasting way to serve God and others. With your partner or group, design a strategy to use in responding to one of the following injustices. Write your goal, the steps to be taken to achieve the goal, and the difference your campaign against injustice will make.
a) On the school playground, two students whose race is different from the majority of students' are always left out of games or chosen last for teams.
b) The local newspaper reports that a certain company is dumping toxic chemicals in a local waterway.
c) A homeless shelter may have to close its doors because there are not enough volunteers to help the staff.
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No one knows the time or the date when Jesus will come again. The wise will be ready whenever he comes. With your partner or group, role play various ways in which young Christians can show that they pass the readiness test for the end time.
A sixth grade that has saved money for a class trip hears about a local family who lost their home in a fire and had no insurance. They discuss whether or not they should cancel their trip and help the family get back on its feet.
Several students have been involved in a heated argument that included name-calling and other insults. An older student suggests that they need to cool off and consider how they are treating each other.
Two eighth grade athletes have been invited to a party at a high school junior's house. The junior's parents will be away and alcohol will be served. The eighth graders will have to lie to their families and friends in order to attend the party.
Draw some conclusions about what it means to be ready for Jesus' coming day by day. |
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