Usually, I don’t follow my own advice.
I have made worksheets for teachers and catechists to use with the daily Gospel readings for almost a year now. Every week I post new worksheets for members of The Religion Teacher, but I can’t think of one time that I actually completed the worksheet myself.
The worksheets I make aren’t simple crossword puzzles or word searches. They are tools for mini-meditation. They help students read the readings and connect it with their lives.
So, there’s no reason why adults can’t engage with the activities as well.
This week is as good as any to try to live it out right?
Well, this week’s reading is a challenging one:
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
At that statement [the rich man’s] face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”
Mark 10:21-22
Here is the challenge I posted in the worksheet:
- List your top three most prized possessions.
- Pick one and give it up for one week.
- Write a prayer asking God for the strength to love him more than that possession (“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.”)
So, try this with me.
Pick a possession and give it up for a week.
I’m picking my phone and I’m not happy about it.
I would really like to catch up on some podcasts today. Plus, I know next weekend will be tough not to check my fantasy football team. I’ll get behind on social media and I’ll have to actually get my computer out to do a lot of things.
I’ll keep the phone for actually talking and text messaging. I’ll check my email for work because that is required by my job (but I will respond on a computer). That’s it for the week though.
We’ll see how this goes.
Why is this so important?
Well, Jesus gave this response to a very specific question.
The man wanted to know how to get to heaven.
Jesus’ answer was simple:
Follow the commandments.
Then, give up everything that stands between you and God.
Try it with me.
Maybe we’ll get a little closer to heaven.
Don’t forget to ask God for help.
