The breaking of the bread.

Lectionary: 263

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel 
John Baptiste de La Salle


"he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." Again today we find Christ's disciples unable to recognize Him resurrected among their midst. Are you ever so overwhelmed by your own life drama that you can't even find Christ? He is always there for you, ever present in the Eucharist. 
One more thing:  Try to imagine the resurrected Christ walking with you this week as He did in Emmaus. He's in the passenger seat when your are driving the kids to school and practice; sitting at the counter while you prepare the family meals; and with you while tucking the kids into bed at night. 
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for walking with me this week. Help me to give to my family that which is you, just as Peter and John did. St. John Baptiste, pray for me. Amen. 

Called by name.

Lectionary: 262
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Celestine


Mary was so sad at the loss of Christ. She felt completely abandon and alone. And yet, there He was, by her side the whole time. She only recognized Him when he called her by name. 
One more thing: Do you ever feel that God has abandoned you? Sometimes parenting can be a difficult and lonely job. Remember that Jesus is there beside you all the time. He may even be calling your name! When your patience is thin, take a moment to look for Christ. 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you were there for Mary in her loneliness. Help me to remember that you are here helping me through the joys and challenges of parenting. In your name I pray. St. Celestine, pray for me. Amen. 

Honoring women.

Lectionary: 261

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel


Jesus appeared first to the women! What an honor He bestowed on our gender. And the women did Him homage and were His messengers. 
One more thing: Christ chose a special place for the women in His new church. They bore His message of the resurrection to the others. Christ still counts on you to do the same by teaching your family about Him!
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the very special gift of motherhood. Help me to be your messenger and share the good news with my family. In your name I pray, Amen. 

Alleluia!

Lectionary: 42, Gospel: 41 or 46
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2

Gospel

Easter Sunday

Today is a day of celebration! Christ has died and now is risen for you! Rejoice and be glad!

One more thing: If there were ever a day for spending time with your family, today is the day! Spring is here and the lovely weather and blooming flowers remind us of a new life in the resurrected Christ. Make today a special celebration of Christ's love for you and your family. 

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son to save me. Help me to share the joy of the resurrection with my family every day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

Waiting.

John 19:38-42

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea,

secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews,

asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus.

And Pilate permitted it.

So he came and took his body.

Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night,

also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes

weighing about one hundred pounds.

They took the body of Jesus

and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices,

according to the Jewish burial custom.

Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden,

and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried.

So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day;

for the tomb was close by."


Today's lectionary is from the Easter Vigil mass, so I have included this passage from Friday's passion gospel. It's a great one to meditate on today as we wait for the resurrection. My favorite thing to do with the kids today is to prepare resurrection rolls. I take frozen roll dough and let it thaw and rise according to package directions. I then let the kids punch down and flatten each roll and fill with a large marshmallow which has been rolled in butter and then cinnamon sugar. Be sure to seal the dough around the marshmallow well or it will seep out while baking. I place each roll in a muffin tin, just in case the marshmallow does leak, then let the second rise happen in the fridge overnight. Pop them in the oven in the morning and bake according to package directions. When they are done, the rolls will be sweet and hollow on the inside. You can also use refrigerated crescent rolls and make them in the morning with no rising. I advise using two triangles per marshmallow and bake according to package directions. 


The marshmallow symbolizes Jesus and the cinnamon sugar the spices they used to prepare his body. The roll is the tomb. When the rolls are done, the hollow center represents his rising and the sweetness our new life in a resurrected Christ. 


Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your rising. Help me to show my kids the joy of this new life in you. Amen. 

No greater love.

Lectionary: 40

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2
Gospel
Good Friday

"For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin." 

Whatever your shortcomings, Christ knows. Whatever your hurts, Christ knows. Whatever your challenges, Christ knows. 

One more thing: Today is not about sorrow, but about love. A greater love no man hath, than the love Christ has for you. Share the message of that love with your kids today! 

Prayer: I adore you oh Christ, and I bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world! Amen. 

A model to follow

Lectionary: 39

Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2

Gospel

Holy Thursday

"As I have done for you, you should also do." Christ did so much more for us than just wash the feet of the apostles. He gave his very life for us! He also dined with sinners, showed compassion to the lowly, and comforted the sorrowing. He fed the multitudes, was never too busy for the children, and healed the sick. As a mom, you have so many opportunities to model Christ, doing just what He did! What better way to teach your kids about Him?

One more thing: If you have the opportunity to attend the Holy Thursday service tonight, please do! Especially if you have never attended before. Sure it might be a late night, but the kids don't have school the next day. Watching the clergy washing the feet of the new candidates and catechumens is so beautiful! 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to model you and serve my family at every opportunity. In your name I pray, Amen.