GiFT at HOME: SCRIPTURE AVENUE

Weekly Scripture readings with family activities from Our Faith & Family Bible leading us down the road to become who we're called to be.

Readings for May Download
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Readings for April
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Readings for March
March 26
March 19
March 12
March 5

Readings for February
February 6
February 13
February 20
February 27

Readings for January
January 23
January 16
January 2

Readings for December
December 26
December 19
Decmber 12
December 5


Readings for November
November 28
November 21
November 14
November 7

Readings for October
October 30
October 24
October 17
October 10
October 3

Readings for September
September 26
September 19
September 12

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May

5/7
Please read John 15.9-17. “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  This Sunday is Mother’s Day! Talk around the kitchen table how you can honor your mother, stepmother, grandmother and all mothers on this special day including Mary, the mother of Jesus, our national patron and the patron of our parish; write a poem or a prayer; help around the house, call your grandmother, share a hug and a smile!

5/14
Please read Mark 16.14-20. This Thursday is the Ascension of the Lord on the fortieth day after Easter. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “make the connection” on page 1268 and talk around your kitchen table about how you can share the love of Christ with your family, neighbors, friends and community.

5/21
Please read John 20.19-23.  This weekend we celebrate Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Easter.  The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and Mary, bestowing upon them the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Those gifts - wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe in the presence of the Lord helped them to fulfill their mission to preach the Gospel to all nations. For us, too, these gifts help us to live a Christian life.

5/28
Please read Matthew 28.16-20. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “act on it” on page 1238 and talk around your kitchen table how your family can carry on the mission of Jesus.  Look for ways to spread the good news of Christ to others for “hope” is found in Christ and with Him you can accomplish anything!! “Start with yourself. Live as a disciple. Others will follow.”

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April

    4/9

Please read John 20. 24-29. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “pray the word” on page 1349 and talk around your kitchen table about believing without seeing!

    4/16

Please read Luke 24. 13-35. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “act on it” on page 1313 and talk around your kitchen table about the importance of discovering Jesus in the midst of everyday life!

    4/23

Please read John 10. 1-16. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take it to heart” on page 1333 and talk around your kitchen table about hearing the voice of Jesus and following Him.

    4/30

Please read John 15. 1-17. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take it to heart” on page 1342 and talk around your kitchen table about staying connected to Jesus for He is the vine and we are the branches!!  In a time when we are all connected through constant contact, texting, email, Facebook, etc. we sometimes lose our connection to the people that surround us at the table or a gathering.  This week practice being unplugged so that you can connect to Him and those around you.

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3/26

Please read John 12.12-16.  This coming weekend is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.  We celebrate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem the Sunday before Easter. On this day we receive palm branches as a sign of victory, honor and in memory of His passion, death and resurrection. He came into Jerusalem like a king in a royal procession so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 

3/19
Please read John 12.20-33.  This coming weekend is the Fifth Sunday of Lent.   We see signs of new life and new growth all around us; the trees and flowers are beginning to bud! Using the example of a wheat seed Jesus tells the disciples that he must die. A wheat seed by itself is just one seed. However, this same seed planted in the ground dies to itself and becomes something much greater. Jesus will die and through his death there will come an abundance of fruit.  We are the fruit and Jesus is that seed.  We are the followers that carry on Jesus’ mission in the world planting seeds and bearing fruit.  This week serve others in the community by volunteering and helping those in need!

3/12

Please read John 3.14-21.  This coming weekend is the Fourth Sunday of Lent.  Love, it is the greatest gift we are given.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him… may have eternal life.”  Talk around the table how each of us is called to follow Jesus by sharing God’s love with everyone. Show those around you, family, friends, even strangers extraordinary love with your words and actions because when we act with love we do good things; give a compliment, help with chores, read to a younger sibling, smile and say hello! 

3/5

Please read John 2.13-25.  This coming weekend is the Third Sunday of Lent.  Jesus was angry that merchants were in the temple buying and selling instead of praying and showing respect; they had pushed God aside allowing business to become more important.  Jesus tells the people he can destroy and rebuild the temple in three days. They thought Jesus meant the actual temple but he was referring to the temple of his own body that would be destroyed by death on the cross and raised to life again after three days on Easter Sunday. This week be conscious of your actions… What can you do this week to show respect to others, their belongings, and their space.  Remember to be respectful when coming into “God’s home” on Sunday’s for Mass and when visiting someone else’s house!!

2/6
Please read Mark 1.40-45.  Jesus never judged people by their appearance or what others thought of them.  In this scripture reading Jesus changed the life of a leper who asked for his help. Discuss around the table the love and compassion you can show others as Jesus did by showing random acts of kindness to those around you!

2/13
Please read Mark 2.1-12.  After reading the scripture discuss around the table the determination and power of faith.  In this story the faith and determination of the paralyzed man’s friends that Jesus could cure him was so strong that they did what seemed impossible.  Do not underestimate the power of prayer; this week pray for those that are sick, hurt and in pain.

2/20
Please read Mark 1.12-15.  This week begins Lent see you on Ash Wednesday! This weekend is the First Sunday of Lent.  After reading the scripture discuss how easy it is for all of us to be tempted.  God is with us always if we listen to help us make the right decisions.  Lent is a time for us all to think even more about making change in our lives and believing in Jesus. Talk about making small changes and little gestures of kindness this week that will help your family to be more balanced; remember nothing to harsh or burdensome!!

2/27
Please read Mark 9.2-10.  This coming weekend is the Second Sunday of Lent.  After reading the scripture discuss how much Jesus loves us.  At the transfiguration Jesus was giving a preview to John, Peter and James of what he would be like after the Resurrection.  God tells them and us too, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” How can you listen to Jesus today? Remember God is with us always if we listen to help us make the right decisions.  Lent is a time for us all to listen and make changes in our lives that will help bring us closer to God. Talk about making small changes and little gestures of kindness this week that will help your family to be more balanced; remember nothing to harsh or burdensome!!


1/23
Please read Mark 1:21-28. After reading the scripture discuss and share these questions around the table: Where was Jesus? Who came in? Why was the evil spirit afraid of Jesus?  God loves us and wants us to be free from anything that is not good for us.  Jesus lives inside our hearts and is able to free us from what is not good.  Listen to him and have the assurance of God’s love and mercy.

1/16
Please read Mark 1:14-20. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take it to heart” on page 1241 and share around the table how each of us is called to follow Jesus by sharing God’s love with everyone as he taught us to do.  If Jesus came today would you drop everything and follow him

1/2
Proclaiming the Word of God, as found in the Bible, is one of the most important parts of our worship on Sunday.  We learned at GIFT in September the Lectionary is the best way to proclaim the Word. With Advent we began year two or cycle B, the readings from the Gospel of Mark and sometimes John. Mark helps us to answer the question, “Who is God”.  Mark speaks about how human and ‘like us’ Jesus is.  Jesus took up His cross (hardships) and served other people. Please read page 1239-1240 introduction and background. After reading interesting facts and history about Mark’s gospel talk around the table about your own hardships and how you are like Jesus!

 

 

12/26
Please read Colossians 3:12-17. After reading the scripture talk around the table what you did this advent season in preparation to welcome Jesus. Do you have any new traditions? The Christmas season is not over until the baptism of the Lord on January 9th. As “God’s chosen ones” continue the Christmas season with gratitude in your heart, forgiving others and following Jesus as a disciple bringing joy, kindness and compassion in word and actions to everyone around you.

12/19
Please read John 3:16-21.  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take it to heart” on page 1321 and share around the table examples of your family members have showing extraordinary love!


12/12
Please read Matthew 1:18-23. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “meet the people” on page 1195 and share around the table about Joseph’s faith and belief in God that helped him to “hear” God.


12/5
Please read Psalm 95: 1-7. After reading the psalm discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible take to heart on page 707 and talk around the table about coming to Mass every Sunday to renew your spirit and hear the “story” that helps us live where we are in our life today!

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11/28
Please read 2 Corinthians 7:2-13. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take it to heart” on page 1446 and share around the table the joy of giving.  We asked you last week to make a list of what you are grateful for then to go and serve others… Did you and your family express your gratitude and receive the gift of joy?

11/21
Please read Matthew 14:13-21.  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “pray the word” on page 1214 and give thanks around the table.  You are blessed! This week as we prepare for Thanksgiving express your gratitude, make a list of all that you have, then go and serve others as an expression of that gratitude.

11/14
Please read 2 Corinthians 7:2-13.  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “make the connection” on page 1445 and answer the questions around the table.  Be mindful of your heart; is it attuned to God’s compassion? Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation is healing and freeing.  Come this month and receive the sacrament on Saturdays after 9am Mass or before the 4:30 Mass.

11/7
Please read Luke 17:1-4.  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “pray the word” on page 1302.  Forgiveness is a choice and does not excuse another’s harmful behavior.  Pray around the kitchen table to receive God’s compassion and mercy giving us the gift of forgiveness - a loving heart.

10/30
Please read John 8:12.  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “pray the word” on page 1330 and pray around the table for hope in the light of darkness.  Offer prayers around the table and light a candle for each petition.  This is a good time to also remember that November 1, 2011 is All Souls Day and the month of November is the season to pray for our dead. As you light candles light one in honor of your loved ones that have passed away.  Take time this week to go over to Our Lady of Victory and place the names in the book of the dead to be prayed for by our parish community.
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10/24
Please read Matthew 9:35-38. Next Tuesday is All Saints day, November 1, 2011. Saints are people that lived extraordinary lives, who found their gift and gave it to the world. We invite you to live your life seeking to find your gift through your faith and hearing God’s message for you. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take to heart” on page 1206 and talk around your table about what you can do to teach, serve, and respond to those in need as a disciple of Christ.


10/17
Please read Mark 7:17-23. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take to heart” on page 1252 and talk around your table about who you listen to and what influences your life today…television, movies, songs, friends, etc. The “voices” in our lives help us to grow, lead us to become who we are meant to be. Remember that you are mentoring the souls of your children and family members around you. Help them; lead them to “Hear” His voice.

10/10
Please read Hebrews 4:12-13. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take to heart” on page 1518 and talk around your table about what you heard today, this week at Mass? By opening your heart to the Word of God and listening to hear his message…He can see your true intentions and hear your prayers.

10/3
Please read Ephesians 4:1-6. Our Lady of Victory Parish is a church of many gifts and ministries. What is God calling you to do? God has gifted all of us with a mission – and your mission is to discover your God given gift and share it with the world, community, parish…
After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take to heart” questions on page 1465 and talk around your table about what your family can do by living out the gifts of Word, Worship and Witness to serve others. Here are a few examples of what you can do right here at OLV: buy grocery cards after Mass; become altar servers, lectures; volunteer at GIFT; make meals for the Noah shelter just to name a few.
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9/26
Please read Mark 9:33-37. Respect life Sunday is the first Sunday in October.  Jesus calls us to serve, respect and protect the most vulnerable in our community – children. When we welcome a child we are opening our hearts to the very presence of God into our lives!  After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible “take to heart” questions on page 1255 and talk around your table about what your family can do to serve others and help the most vulnerable in our community.

9/19
Please read Matthew 13: 10-17.
The disciples asked Jesus "why do you speak in parables?" They were simple short stories that Jesus shared with his followers to convey the message of God's good news. Those that were humble and anxious to hear the story could understand the message and those that were not open to the spiritual truth could not understand the meaning. After reading the scripture discuss The Catholic Faith and Family Bible "take to heart" questions on page 1212 and talk around your table about Jesus' stories and what you hear at Mass, at GIFT that resonate with you and your family.

9/12
Please read Mark 2: 23-28.
The Sabbath was created for us to help us "hear" the story. It is a chance to learn and reflect on the blessings we have; it's a call to focus on what is important in our lives, our path, our role, our gift. After reading the scripture as a family answer Catholic Faith and Family Bible "take to heart" question on page 1244 and begin the discovery that is your path, your role, your gift.

You can also view the full Daily Scripture Readings for the month on our Readings page!

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