All Things Work for GoodJuly 26, 2020

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

At Home withIn the second reading, St. Paul promises that “all things work for the

good for those who love God.” Let us remember to stay strong in faith, hope and love, knowing that God will use our challenges for good.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

Give your servant an understanding heart

Psalm 119

Lord, I love your commands

Romans 8:28-30

All things work for good for those who love God

Matthew 13:44-52

The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price

ReadTake time to read and reflect

on the Scriptures for this day.

Don’t have access to a Bible? Visit www.usccb.org/bible/readings

or download an app such as Laudate or iBreviary to access the

Mass readings.

We are only halfway through 2020 and we have already experienced a pandemic, social unrest and even murder hornets. It comes as no surprise then that, according to the Pew Research Center, 33 percent of Americans have reported experiencing high levels of stress during this time of uncertainty.

For families disappointed by cancelled summer camps, concerned about sick family members or worried about family finances, St. Paul’s promise from his letter to the Romans that “all things work for the good for those who love God” can be encouraging. God can use even the most difficult of times for good.

Conversa

At Home withFaithARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE

TalkHere are some tips to encourage your families this week:

• Mention to your family that we are halfway through the 2020calendar year. Ask them how this year has been. Give them space tointerpret events in their own terms rather than prompting them tointerpret it through the lens of current events.

• Describe an experience that you or a family member had that wasreally difficult, but turned out to be a time of growth. Perhaps yourparents or grandparents immigrated to the United States, survivedthe war or made it through the depression. You can also describe oneof your own personal stories. Mention how you think God waspresent in that difficulty and how you saw it work to the good.

• Ask your child to think about how God might be at work in ourcurrent situation. What good things might be happening? Is thereanything we can do to help ensure those good things happen?

Here are some reflection questions to help you have Great Conversations with

the whole family.

Movie Night suggestion: Joseph: King of Dreams (1 hr. 5 mins.)

In the book of Genesis, Joseph is hated by his brothers, sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned. In spite of his great difficulties, Joseph remains steadfast in his faith. He starts out as a victim, but he emerges as a great blessing to Egypt and to Israel. Eventually he becomes a trusted adviser to the Pharaoh, saving many from years of famine and hardship.

He even reconciles with his brothers: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Gen. 50:20)

While acknowledging with our children what has been lost this year, we can also encourage them to look for the ways that God might bring good things from our current situation. God is so powerful that, no matter what happens with the Coronavirus or whatever else this year throws at us, God can turn it to good.

For more resources, including previous issues ofAt Home with Faith, visit us online at:

https://marriagefamilylife.seattlearchdiocese.org/athomewithfaith