7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Be Perfect?
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Better yet, ask someone to read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Matthew 5.38-48 In the Gospel...
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The Better Part Podcast
Listen to weekly reflections prior to Sunday Mass!
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Right-Relationship
thebetterpart
- Feb 9
- 2 min
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Yes If Yes
(Adults, the Gospel reading is extremely long. For the 6-9 year olds, I am focusing on the first and last verses.) Matthew 5.17, 20-24,...
32 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 9
- 4 min
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): The Fullness of the Law
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Better yet, ask someone to read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Matthew 5.17, 20-24, 27-28,...
28 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 2
- 3 min
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Salt and Saltiness
(Adults, you could begin by lighting a candle and reading the Word of God to your child. Alternatively, you could read the first...
70 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 22, 2022
- 2 min
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 3-6): Making Ourselves Small
(Adults, this week we hear another moral parable. Our 3-6 year olds do not need to hear this yet. But as small little people, they know...
35 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 22, 2022
- 3 min
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Who Are Our Eyes On?
(Adults, after you have settled yourselves, you could begin by listening to the full scripture passage. Alternatively, you could read the...
28 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 22, 2022
- 3 min
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): The Jesus Prayer
(You could begin by reading the scripture passage. Better yet, ask someone to read it to you. The Word of God is meant to be heard.) Luke...
37 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 21, 2022
- 2 min
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): We Have Been Named
(Adults, the parable in this Sunday's Gospel presents us with two very different people. With the 6-9 year old, we can consider which...
22 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 16, 2022
- 3 min
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Faithful and True
(Adults, the Gospel for this Sunday contains a parable that is difficult for both adults and children to understand. This reflection...
15 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 16, 2022
- 3 min
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Acting Shrewdly
(Before reading the reflection, take a moment and read the Gospel, or better yet, have someone read it to you. The Good news is meant to...
25 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 10, 2022
- 2 min
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 3-6): The Good Shepherd Finds
(Adults, the Gospel for this Sunday includes all three lost and found parables. This reflection looks at only the first. Because the...
29 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Aug 27, 2022
- 3 min
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): The Right Order of Things
(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel to your child.) Luke 14:1, 7-14 In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus and his friends are...
16 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Aug 27, 2022
- 2 min
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): We Are Invited
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Better yet, ask someone to read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 14:1, 7-14 In the Gospel...
13 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Aug 20, 2022
- 4 min
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Hands Free
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 13.22-30 In the...
26 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jul 30, 2022
- 3 min
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Possessions or Gift?
(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to...
16 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jul 30, 2022
- 3 min
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Right and Just
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 12.13-21 The...
18 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jul 21, 2022
- 3 min
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Persistent Prayer
(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to...
20 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jul 21, 2022
- 4 min
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Just Ask! (and keep on asking)
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. It is good to hear the Word of God.) Luke 11.1-13 In...
31 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Mar 31, 2022
- 4 min
5th Sunday of Lent (Ages 6-9): The Face of Mercy
(Adults, this is a difficult passage from the Gospels—for adults as well as children. In this reflection, I try to explain briefly why...
31 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Mar 4, 2022
- 4 min
1st Sunday of Lent (Ages 6-9): God's Time
(Adults, you could begin by reading the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the...
21 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 16, 2022
- 4 min
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Merciful Givers
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 6:27-38 Last...
20 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 10, 2022
- 3 min
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 3-6): Jesus Looks Up
(Adults, you could begin by reading the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the...
36 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 10, 2022
- 3 min
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Level is the Kingdom
(Adults, you could begin by reading the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the...
27 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 10, 2022
- 4 min
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Blessed Are You Prophets
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 6:17, 20-26 The...
22 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jan 28, 2022
- 2 min
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 3-6): Who Does Jesus Belong To?
(Adults, you could begin by reading the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the...
33 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Dec 24, 2021
- 4 min
Feast of the Holy Family (Ages 9-12): Taking Ownership
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 2.41-52 The feast...
20 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Dec 2, 2021
- 3 min
2nd Sunday of Advent (Ages 9-12): The Work of God
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Luke 3.1-6 This Sunday...
13 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Nov 4, 2021
- 3 min
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Math With Jesus
(Adults, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)...
17 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 27, 2021
- 3 min
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Simple, Perhaps
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 12.28-34 In the...
22 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 14, 2021
- 3 min
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): The Dream of God
(Adults, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)...
29 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 14, 2021
- 4 min
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Sharing in His Mission
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 10.35-45 As Jesus...
32 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 6, 2021
- 3 min
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Empty Hands
(Adults, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)...
18 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Oct 6, 2021
- 4 min
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): God Alone
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 10.17-30 In the...
39 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 29, 2021
- 4 min
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Treasure
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 10.2-16 The...
20 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 22, 2021
- 5 min
26th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Power of the Name
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 9.38-43, 45,...
46 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 15, 2021
- 3 min
25th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Focus
(Adults, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)...
16 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 15, 2021
- 4 min
25th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Ask a Good Question
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 9.30-37 In the...
22 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Aug 27, 2021
- 3 min
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Sanctifying
(Adults, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)...
35 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Aug 27, 2021
- 4 min
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Hearts That Desire Cleansing
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Mark 7.1-8, 14-15,...
39 views2 comments
thebetterpart
- Jul 2, 2021
- 4 min
14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Take Delight in God
(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to...
16 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Mar 4, 2021
- 5 min
3rd Sunday of Lent (Ages 9-12): A Two-part Cleansing
John 2.13-25 In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Each year at the time of Jesus, the...
22 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Feb 3, 2021
- 4 min
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Seeking or Hunting?
Mark 1.29-39 Last week, we heard about Jesus at the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath day. His disciples, Simon and Andrew, James and...
27 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Jan 7, 2021
- 3 min
Baptism of the Lord (Ages 9-12): Desire for God
Mark 1.7-11 At the close of the Christmas season, we leave the secret years of Jesus' childhood behind and join the grown-up Jesus in the...
36 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Nov 18, 2020
- 3 min
Feast of Christ the King (Ages 6-9): Helping the Least, Serving the King
(Adults, begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the...
43 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Nov 18, 2020
- 3 min
Feast of Christ the King (Ages 9-12): Sheep and Goats
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. It is good to hear the Word of God.) Matthew 25.31-46...
34 views1 comment
thebetterpart
- Nov 12, 2020
- 6 min
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Into the Heart of God
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. It is good to hear the Word of God.) Matthew 24.36;...
61 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Nov 4, 2020
- 3 min
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 6-9): Light for the Banquet
(Adults, I think of the 6-9 year old as in a time of KNOWING--knowing who calls them to build the Kingdom, knowing the rules of the...
55 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Nov 4, 2020
- 4 min
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ages 9-12): Taking the Time
(Begin by reading the Gospel. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. It is good to hear the Word of God.) Matthew 25.1-13...
94 views0 comments
thebetterpart
- Sep 23, 2020