Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - C - Sunday, June 23, 2013

Where Do I Fit In Your Life?

When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” he was really asking his followers, “Where do I fit in your life?” He still asks us that question. This is the prime question of faith.

WEEKLY BLOG: Why do Christians try to answer the wrong question about the Lord?

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTIONS FOR THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

MP3 PODCAST In this week’s audio podcast, Jesus asks us the simple, but life-changing question: who do you say I am? That is a question we answer every moment of our lives.

FIRST READING The prophet Zechariah predicted a final battle for Jerusalem. At that time, they would grieve for an “only Son,” but this mourning would lead to a city spring that would cleanse the people.

PSALM Psalm 63 was a morning prayer of longing for God.

SECOND READING In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul argued against the so-called “Judaizer.” The Apostle to the Gentiles insisted that faith in Christ made non-Jews equal to Jews and co-heirs to salvation.

GOSPEL In Luke 9, Jesus asked the famous question about his identity. Some believed Jesus was a continuation of the Baptist’s ministry; others belived he was Elijah returning to usher in the End Times. But, Jesus defined himself by his death and resurrection. This is who he was.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Joey fell to a mean trick by some bullies. That suffering led to the compassion of others and friendship. God promised compassion to the people of Jerusalem for that which they suffered. In the story for the gospel, Darran made a new friend at school, a friend that fit into his life. Jesus asked his followers where he fit in their lives. He wanted to be number one in their lives, and in our lives.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Jesus wants us to make him first in our lives, but he does not force the choice. After all, there is a difference between “want to” and “have to.” To make the point, play a “Want to-Have to” game with your family members.