Friday, June 21, 2013

June 21: St. Lazarus

History

In the Bible, Jesus tells a story about a poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus is sick and hungry, lying at the gate of a rich man who has everything he could want but won’t share with Lazarus. Because Lazarus is mentioned in a parable, we can’t know if there was an actual poor man named Lazarus who lived and died this way. However, there are many poor people who suffered like Lazarus did. Lazarus is celebrated as a saint because he represents all the poor people who accept suffering without complaining or getting angry at God.

Activity

Read Luke 16:19-31 together in a Children’s Bible. If you were as sick and hungry as Lazarus was, how would you feel about the rich man on the other side of that gate who wouldn’t give you anything to eat? What do you think Jesus would have wanted the rich man to do for Lazarus? Why do you think the rich man never did it? Most of us are very lucky that we have plenty to eat every day, but there are people who don’t have enough food all over the world. What can your family do to help hungry people in your hometown?

Saint Lazarus and all the saints who have died from hunger, pray for us!


 More reading for parents:

365 Rosaries 


REMINDER

Today starts the Fortnight for Freedom, the USCCB's call for all U.S. Catholics to fast and pray for religious liberty. In my diocese, the bishop has asked us all to observe fasting and abstinence today, as well as family prayers. Find out what your bishop has recommended and get your family involved. Prayer is our best tactic for protecting the freedom to worship and live as Catholic Christians! 

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