August 9th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Where do I find God?
Teens: When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, where do I turn first? How might God be inviting me to trust Him more?
Children: Life can be scary sometimes. What is something that causes you to feel afraid? God is greater than this fear. Ask him to help you overcome it.

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

THIS WEEKEND'S LAY MINISTERS

 Focus
Peter said to him…, "Lord,…command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But…he became frightened; and, beginning to sink….  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
One-Minute-Homily
 > OBSERVE… To accomplish anything important we must risk trying and failing.  In fact, to even begin we must first conquer the fear of failing.  But in today’s society, where failure is often fatal, we are more likely to avoid risks and play it safe.
 > LEARN… In today’s Gospel, Peter steps out of the relative security of the boat into the stormy sea, but his confidence falters and he begins to sink.  The fear of failure overwhelms him – too much doubt, too little faith, Jesus tells him.
 > ACT… Living as disciples of Jesus entails risks too – the risk that we will try but fall short.  In fact, it almost ensures that we will fall short; those are times when our fear of failure overwhelms our faith.  The challenge is to try nonetheless, confident that the Lord is there to gently guide us back to safety.
 > REMEMBER,,, The Eucharist is our place of safety and security in stormy seas.  But it is also where we hear the Lord saying to us “Come … replace fear with faith; risk failing to follow me.”
 For Additional Reflection or Discussion
 > Question for Children:  Why do you think it is important to try, even if we might fail?
 > Question for Youth:  The young adult years are a risky time, a time of trial-and-error.  How do you experience Jesus reaching out to guide you as he did Peter?
 > Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  Are we still willing, as individuals and communities, to take risks?  Or are we preoccupied with being safe, secure and comfortable?
 Learn More
 • Read Sunday's readings here
 • Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here
 • Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here:
 • Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(compiled by Dave Cushing)

August 2nd, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: How graciously do I share with others?
Teens: What would true generosity look like this week?
Children: Count all the blessings God has given you. What can you share with someone else?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Jesus said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

One-Minute-Homily
> OBSERVE… At some point most children discover that hoarding what they have and keeping to themselves is not as much fun as sharing their toys and their selves with others.  In children it’s called play, and it’s one of the building blocks of generosity.

> LEARN… Today’s Gospel is a lesson in generosity, too.  At some point, the loaves and fish presumably “belonged” to someone.  By relinquishing their “ownership,” they allowed Jesus to demonstrate God’s generosity, thereby providing for thousands of people.

> ACT… The challenge for us as disciples is to relinquish our “right” to be safe, secure and privileged so that God can exercise divine generosity through us on the just and the unjust.  In children this is called learning to play well; in adults it’s called learning to be just.
> REMEMBER… The Eucharist is a lived experience of God’s generosity, displayed on the cross and incarnate in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion
> Question for Children: What are some of the good things that can happen when you share?
> Question for Youth:  Relationships are all about sharing and sometimes sacrificing what is important to us.  What are some of the challenges of sharing you experience as a young adult?
> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  Are we people who are known for their generosity?  What privileges have we relinquished in order to be instruments of God’s generosity?

Learn More
• Read Sunday's readings here
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here
• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(The Historical/Cultural Context of the Gospel is no longer available)
                                                           (compiled by Dave Cushing)

July 26th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: What wish would I ask the Lord?
Teens: What is the treasure or pearl of great price Jesus wants us to seek? How do you know when you’ve found it?
Children: Jesus talks about treasure, a pearl of great price, and a net full of fish. How does Jesus show that these things alike? What is he saying about them?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus
Jesus said to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

One-Minute-Homily
> OBSERVE… As much as we would like to have it all, we know that’s not possible.  Most of us have to sell one house to buy a new one, trade in one car to buy another, stop doing one thing to do another, leave here to go there.  Life is full of trade-offs.
> LEARN… Today’s Gospel is about trade-offs too.  The person sells all he has to buy the field where the treasure is buried; the merchant sells everything to buy an expensive pearl.  They are like the first disciples of Jesus who left fishing or tax collecting to follow him.
> ACT… We are reminded that there are trade-offs to being disciples of Christ.  We trade one set of values for another-- despair for hope, justice for mercy, sadness for joy, and in the end, death for life.  People will know that we are disciples of Christ by the choices—and the trade-offs—that we make.
> REMEMBER… Eucharist is in its own way a trade-off experience; through Eucharist God replaces separation with communion, hunger with nourishment, absence with presence.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion
> Question for Children: What are some of the choices you have to make between bad things and good things?
> Question for Youth:  Do you experience a tension between being yourself and being a disciple?  What are some of the trade-offs you are being asked to make?
> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  What are some of the concrete trade-offs people see in us and the way we live?  Do these observations encourage or discourage them from being disciples?

Learn More
• Read Sunday's readings here
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click on Historical/Cultural Context)
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here
• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

July 19th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Am I afraid to grow in my faith? Why or why not?
Teens: What are the fruits in your life? What are the weeds? How do you know the difference?
Children: Jesus told many stories to help us understand God and his kingdom. Which story did you like best: the harvest, the mustard seed, or the yeast? What did you like about it?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat.... When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said,...'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest....'"

One-Minute-Homily
> OBSERVE… As a general rule, we like to figure things out and get things settled.  “Justice delayed is justice denied,” people say.  “Let’s get this settled.”  We get impatient with people who can’t make up their minds, won’t come to the point, or want to wait-and-see how things work out. 
> LEARN… In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who is cautious and patient.  He shows us a God who is willing to let things develop, to wait and see, to give everyone a chance, whose motto seems to be “do no harm.”
> ACT… The challenge to us as Christians is to recognize that every individual and every community, is, for the time being, a combination of wheat and weeds—saints and sinners.  It is harmful to expect perfection or demand only the best and eliminate the rest.  We too must be patient, trust that it will all work out in the end, and in the meantime do no harm.
> REMEMBER… As we gather for Eucharist, we are reminded that God isn’t finished with us—or anyone else—yet. We’re living in the “in-between” time.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion
> Question for Children: Why is it hard to wait and see what happens?
> Question for Youth:  Do you struggle with being “in between” being a child and being a full adult?
> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  Are we patient and trusting?  Or do we leave the impression that we must get it all figured out and only the perfect need apply?

Learn More
• Read Sunday's readings here
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click on Historical/Cultural Context)
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

July 12th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Do I try to be “Good Soil” for the Lord? How?
Teens: What “birds”, “rocks” and “thorns” are present in your life? What can you do to cultivate “good soil” in your life?
Children: Jesus told a story about a seed and different types of soil, but the story isn’t really about those things. What is Jesus really telling us in this story?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

THIS WEEKEND'S LAY MINISTERS

Focus

Jesus spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.... Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold...."

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE… We try hard. We do our best.  Some of our efforts succeed but others fail.  One of our children does well, another struggles.  Our relationships struggle.  In some cases, frustrations and failure seem inevitable, no matter how hard we try.

> LEARN… Perhaps Jesus's first disciples felt the same way.  In any case, he told them a parable about a sower who seemed almost careless about where the seed fell -- and still ended up with a bountiful harvest which more than made up for what was lost.

> ACT… We often think of ourselves as the soil, but it is possible that Jesus meant us to think of ourselves as the sower.  In that case, the challenge is to not get discouraged and to keep trying.  To be extravagantly loving, caring, compassionate and merciful -- and to believe that God will, in the end, redeem our shortcomings.

> REMEMBER… The Eucharist foreshadows the Eternal Banquet; it reminds us that there is more than enough for everyone; it assures us that God is determined to have a bountiful harvest.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: What do you do when you try something and it doesn't work?

> Question for Youth: The process of maturing involves alot of trial-and-error.  Where do you experience failure?  Where do you experience success?  How do you balance the two?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  Do we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by our failures and stop trying?  Do we judge those who do not respond to our efforts, or do we trust that God intends to have a bountiful harvest despite our failures?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings

• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings

• Explore the cultural context of the readings (click on Historical/Cultural Context)

• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(compiled by Dave Cushing)

July 5th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: How dependent am I on God?
Teens: How do you know the Spirit of God dwells within you?
Children: How has God shown himself to you in your life?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

One-Minute-Homily
> OBSERVE… The newborn infant is born free, but totally dependent.  As we grow, we gradually assume more responsibility for our lives -- more and more responsibilities,  more and more burdens. As adults we often feel overwhelmed by all these demands and burdens.
> LEARN… In our relationship with Christ, Jesus says in today's gospel, we are always "little ones" – free but totally dependent.  Jesus reveals to us a God who is meek and humble, who walks among us, who shares our burdens, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.
> ACT… As Christians, we are called into relationship with the Body of Christ on earth.  As brothers and sisters, we are called to share one another's burdens and responsibilities; that's what makes the yoke easier and the burden lighter.  And that’s what, in the end, makes us free.
> REMEMBER… Each week our presence at Eucharist reminds us--and the people around us--that we are not alone; we all labor and are burdened but we are given encouragement, support and rest by the Lord living among us in the Body of Christ.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion
> Question for Children: Who helps you do hard things in your life?
> Question for Youth: Growing up means assuming more responsibilties for our lives and finding people who can help us bear those burdens.  What is your biggest "burden" right now?  Who is helping you bear it?
> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities:  Do individuals and the communities where we live – the people we know and the people we don’t know -- experience the Lord's presence within us in ways which lighten their burdens and makes the demands of life easier?

Learn More
• Read Sunday's readings
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings
• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click Historical/Cultural Context)
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel
• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(compiled by Dave Cushing)

June 28th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Do I give help to a stranger? How?
Teens: It’s easy to care about people we know. Jesus challenges us to notice people who are left out, ignored, or different from us. Who might need kindness from you this week?
Children: Jesus wants us to love him more than anyone or anything else in life. How do you show Jesus you love him?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE… Today's world imposes so many demands and offers so many opportunities, it is often difficult to balance all of our responsibilities to a spouse, our children and extended family, our work, our physical wellness, our social and recreational life -- and church.

> LEARN… In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that our first priority is to him -- which is to say that our first responsibility is to being disciples who are dedicated to building up the Kingdom of God in every place and circumstance.

> ACT… When we appreciate the miracle of the Incarnation -- the fact that the Divine Reality permeates the whole of creation -- every aspect of our lives is shaped by that Reality, which is the cause for hope and trust and peace.  Our challenge is to see the whole of life as opportunities to foster sacred living, not as something separate from or in competition with it

> REMEMBER… In the Eucharist, the Divine penetrates the material; the bread becomes the body.  It is both the example and the means for living holy lives.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: In what ways can you be like Jesus in everyday life at home, in school, when you are playing with friends?

> Question for Youth: This is a time when you are intentionally shaping the person you will be as an adult--practicing to be an adult.  How are you trying to integrate being a disciple into that vision of adulthood?

> Question for Adults, Do people experience us as individuals who have integrated faith and life; do we help people understand that being "holy" is not divorced from the rest of life?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here

• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click Historical/Cultural Context)

• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

June 21st, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: How affirming am I toward others?
Teens: Fear can keep us from being ourselves, speaking up, or trusting God – What’s one fear you wish you could let go of?
Children: Jesus says we don’t need to be afraid. What is something that scares you? Ask Jesus to help you let go of your fear.

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE… There is maybe nothing more difficult than to know the truth but be unable or afraid to reveal it.  But we are right to be cautious, because often it turns out that what we think is true isn't--or at least isn't the whole truth.  Truth is complicated, and is usually revealed only over time.

> LEARN… Jesus assures us that, in the end, the truth he came to reveal will be revealed.  We do not need to fear it or those who deny it.  But we do need to be cautious, because the truth is complicated, and we come to understand it only gradually, over time. 

> ACT… Today's world is full of people announcing what they believe (or want others to believe) is the truth.  People of faith too often assume they know “the whole truth and nothing but the truth”; but we would be wise to be more cautious and more humble, knowing that the truth is complicated and sometimes only partially known.

> REMEMBER… The Eucharist reveals to us the fundamental truth about everything: God is a God of love and mercy; most of us come to appreciate this truth only gradually, over time.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: Does it make a difference that God knows and understands everything that happens?

> Question for Youth: Young people are particularly sensitive to hypocrisy--fake people and fake news.  How do you balance confrontation with patience?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: The Gospel shows us a God who confronts us with forgiveness, a God who is both truthful and merciful.  Do we and our communities reflect this complicated nature of God?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here

• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click Historical/Cultural Context)

• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(compiled by Dave Cushing)

June 14th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: What gift or talent do I most freely share with the Lord?
Teens: Think of something you’re really good at – How could God use that gift to help someone else instead of just benefiting you?
Children: Jesus wants us to show we believe in him by giving help to people who need it. What is one way you can help someone?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few...." Then he summoned his twelve disciples [and] sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “…As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.”

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE… The truth is, we are often reluctant to get involved with people who have problems.  Maybe it’s fear or pride; maybe we simply don’t have the time or the energy.  We can’t afford to get involved.  It’s easier to walk on by, pretend not to notice, ignore the phone call or text. 

> LEARN… In today’s Gospel, Jesus is moved with pity for people who are troubled and abandoned.  He instructs his disciples to reach out to them, to announce the Kingdom, to make a difference in their lives.

> ACT… This is the challenge we face as his disciples, too.  Sure, we are busy; our lives are complicated enough as it is, there is always some risk, and sometimes it doesn’t turn out well.  Still, we are challenged to do what we can even though what we can do may actually be more than we are comfortable doing.

> REMEMBER… The Kingdom of heaven is at hand; we encounter it at every Eucharist.  Can we afford not to share it with those in need?

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: Can you think of a time when you stopped to help someone who needed help—or when someone stopped to help you when you needed help?

> Question for Youth: This stage in life is busy and complicated; can you imagine how taking time to reach out to those in need is an important part of your own growth?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: How far are we willing to stretch, how much are we willing to do, to make a difference in the lives of those who are troubled and abandoned?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click Historical/Cultural Context)
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

(compiled by Dave Cushing)

June 7th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Is there a hunger in my life? What is it?

Teens: What’s something you keep chasing that never fully satisfies you – popularity, success, sports, gaming, relationships, likes? What if the “hunger” you feel is actually meant to lead you toward God?

Children: When we eat the bread and drink the wine during Communion, what does Jesus say happens?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.... Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.... Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me...."

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE... For nine months before birth, and for some time afterward, a young child lives on the sustenance provided by its mother's body; the baby literally feeds on the body of its mother.  In nature, premature separation from the body can mean almost certain death.

> LEARN... Jesus says he is living bread, the living body, and whoever feeds on this body has eternal life.  Perhaps in his view, the whole of creation exists in the womb of the Divine, much as the infant exists in the womb of its mother.

> ACT... The Church now is the living Body of Christ ("Corpus Christi") in space and time; its members live in this spiritual womb and feed on the Body of Christ by their participation in the faith community and the celebration of the Eucharist.  In turn, we are called to be nourishment to others.

> REMEMBER... We recognize this relationship between the Body and its members at every Mass; the minister says "The Body of Christ," and we respond "Amen."

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: How do parents use food to show us that they love us?

> Question for Youth: Can you think of ways in which being part of a group -- a family, a team, a group of friends -- gives you new life?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: Do we think of the church as the Body of Christ?  How do we and others experience new life from our participation in this Body?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here
• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Explore the cultural context of the Gospel (click Historical/Cultural Context)
• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here
• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

May 31st, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: How real is God’s love in my life?
Teens: If you truly believed God deeply loves you, what would change about how you see yourself—or the choices you’re making right now?
Kids: What is a time you felt God’s love for you?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

May 24th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Do I allow the Holy Spirit to guide my life?
Teens: If you weren’t afraid, how would you live your faith differently—and what’s one small step you could actually take this week?
Kids: Being a peacemaker is a way to take good care of our relationships with family and friends. What is one way you can be a peacemaker with friends and families?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked where the disciples were...Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "…Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE. True forgiveness is not a transaction or a “deal”; it is not a contractual agreement based on specified conditions, even sorrow or repentance. It is a gift, freely offered and freely received.  I can forgive you even if you are not sorry; even if you don’t deserve it.

> LEARN. It’s not by accident that the church chose this Gospel for the feast of Pentecost.  Mercy is the ultimate characteristic of the God revealed to us in Jesus Christ and the source of all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.  People experience this mercy when it is extended to them; they don’t when it is withheld.

> ACT. God offers mercy freely to each of us; we are forgiven.  The mission of the church is to accept it and to offer it freely and unconditionally to others--to seek what civil society calls restorative justice and the church’s sacramental tradition calls reconciliation.

> REMEMBER. "Peace be with you," we say to one another at Mass; it presumes we are willing to freely accept and to freely offer forgiveness.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: Can you think of a time when someone forgave you for something you did?

> Question for Youth: As we grow up, forgiveness becomes more challenging because people assume we are "old enough to know better."  Do you find it more difficult to receive and give forgiveness?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: What conditions do we or our faith communities place on forgiveness?  Do people experience God's peace as forgiveness freely given without conditions?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here

• Read  a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Learn more about the cultural context of the Gospel:

> Click “Historical Cultural Context”

• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective

May 17th, 2026

GROWING IN FAITH QUESTIONS

Adults: Before I die, what do I need to let go of from my life?

Teens: Jesus sends His disciples out instead of doing everything Himself. What do you think He might be asking you to take responsibility for in your faith?

Kids: What is one thing you can do to this week to show others Jesus lives in your heart?

THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN

Focus

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “…Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit….  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

One-Minute-Homily

> OBSERVE. Although we often deny, repress, or ignore it, doubt is always part-and-parcel of human commitment--and faith.  If the truth be told, we are never completely sure; honest doubt is what keeps us from surrendering to fanatical passion or blind obedience.

> LEARN. In today's Gospel, Matthew notes that at the end the apostles worshiped Jesus but they had doubts--from here on they would live by faith, which Paul says is “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.”  Faith is a response to things we cannot know for sure.

> ACT. As Christians we are challenged to act with prudence and humility; faith distinguishes us from radical political and religious movements which become dangerous because their judgments are based on what they claim is absolute certainty.  This is the crucial difference between ideology and faith.

> REMEMBER. We may teach people about the Real Presence, but in the end it is the perception that “I am with you” that brings them -- and us -- to the Eucharist.

For Additional Reflection or Discussion

> Question for Children: What do you do when you are not sure about something? 

> Question for Youth: Growing up is filled with uncertainty.  Are you comfortable with doubt or does it paralyze you?  Does faith help you be humble and prudent?

> Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: Can we acknowledge the doubt which goes hand-in-hand with faith?  Do our faith communities act with prudence and humility in a way that validates people’s imperfect faith?

Learn More

• Read Sunday's readings here

• Read a commentary on Sunday’s readings here

• Learn more about the cultural context of the Gospel:

  > click on Historical Cultural Context

• Reflect on an image for Sunday's Gospel here

• Hear the Gospel from a Third World perspective