Walking Forward with Our Families May 2, 2017

Walking Forward Together - Song 1. Let us walk humbly with God. Go forth and be renewed. Let us grow in love with our family with faith and gratitude. 2. Let us walk with each other to heal and forgive. We are one in creation, The world in which we live. We’re walking

STEP BY STEP GOING FORTH AS ONE HAND IN HAND IN THE WARMTH OF THE SUN SIDE BY SIDE WITH ONE ACCORD WALKING FORWARD TOGETHER IN THE LOVE OF OUR LORD (X2)

3. Let us walk in the spirit of hope, rejoicing in the truth. There’s a longing in our hearts, a promise of peace, God will always be with you. We’re walking…

Bridge: Where we are gathered in your name, You are here with us. May your love continue to light the path, the path on which we walk… we’re walking

STEP BY STEP HAND IN HAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH ONE ACCORD WALKING FORWARD TOGETHER IN THE LOVE OF OUR LORD, WE’RE WALKING STEP BY STEP GOING FORTH AS ONE HAND IN HAND IN THE WARMTH OF THE SUN JOURNEY ON WITH ONE VOICE WE ARE COMING HOME WE ARE NEVER ALONE

Let us pray together slowly Jesus, You know what it is like to growing up in a family. Some times are good and some times are stressful. Help us to walk with our families in understanding and hope.

A reading adapted from the Gospel of Luke A reading adapted from the Gospel of Luke.Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me when you die.’ So the father divided his property between them.

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there he gambled a lot, ate rich foods, stayed up all night. And he lost all his possessions. Then a severe famine took place throughout that country, and the son had nothing. So he hired himself out to one of the citizens as a servant.

The younger son was hungry and tired The younger son was hungry and tired. Then he remembered his loving father and older brother. And he missed them. He thought, “How many of my father’s servants have enough to eat, but I am hungry and tired. I will go home and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” So he set off and went back to his father.

But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arm around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out some good clothes, put a ring on his finger and good shoes on his feet. Let’s have a feast and celebrate; for this son of mine was lost and is home again. And they began to celebrate.

The older son was working in the field and when he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come home and your father is having a party to celebrate his return.”

The older son became angry and refused to go in The older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a servant for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me a party for my friends. But when this son of yours comes back, the one who took his inheritance and squandered it, you throw a big party.’

The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because your younger brother was lost and has been found.’

Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, I love my family. And I want what’s best for them. Help me, Jesus, to find the words. But while I am looking, will you hear my prayer for them and bless them, and let them know that you love them too? Amen+ The Catholic Youth Prayer Book p. 24