| |  |
FAMILY: HEART OF IT ALL
BY GREG SCHLUETER
LISTEN TO THE NEWS.
There's not a single malady that doesn't find its origin in the family. Addictions. Economic strain. Substance abuse. Violence. Transgenderism. Porn. Abortion. Divorce. Corruption. Inner discord. Suicide. Scaling all the way up to war among peoples. Among nations.
It could be otherwise.
FAMILY IS NOT SIMPLY AN ASSOCIATION of people who share the same DNA and space. Who help one another accomplish life tasks. Family is forged by our common awareness of our Designer. In Whom we discover our design. Not something we can presume to determine, but Someone in Whom we are determined. In Whom we discover our most fundamental identity, purpose, and mission. In Whom our relationships are forged. Family is an icon of God. Who is Love. A Trinity of Persons. Ever self-sacrificially pouring out for the good of others. In Whom we discover authentic love. An empathetic and active attunement in light of godly order. Paving eternity. Not a truth we can presume to create, but the Truth in Whom we are created.
FAMILY IS ABOUT THE STRIVING. THE PURSUIT. Family requires fathers striving to be godly fathers. Mothers, godly mothers. Children, godly children. All committed to a culture of ever-deepening encounter with Jesus Christ, Who ushers us into the life of the Trinity. Flowing streams of sacramental grace. Holy Communion proclaimed in Holy Community. Marked by personal prayer. Gathered, meaningful prayer and conversation. Prompt forgiveness, apology, and renouncing influences of the Enemy. Evidently prioritizing people over pixels. Clear guidance in the moral, spiritual, and virtuous life. Taking steps together along that path.
ALL THIS IS TRUE AND IMPACTFUL. Whether we understand it, or not. Desire it, or not. God who is Love is anchored beyond us. Inviting us to humbly bow. To avail. As in Mary's Fiat: "Yes, Lord. Be it done to me as you have said!" Parents lead their families into the life of the Holy Trinity by striving to live lives that proclaim, "Yes, Dad!" And flowing from that, children who proclaim, "Yes, Dad. Yes, Mom." This is what Jesus Christ revealed every moment of His life. Particularly in the Garden: "Not as I will, but as You will." And in Himself, He makes it possible.
IF WE GET FAMILY RIGHT, we'll get everything else right. Because family is God's Beating Heart of It All. If we get family right, we will literally be living God. Making Him present. Known to the world. Tapping a fecund Font and Wellspring of authentic peace, joy, and intimacy. This is our greatest, eternal pursuit. Our deepest yearning for which He alone is the Fulfillment. Ultimate measure of our existence. A shadow in this life of a magnificent, radiant Love we'll be forever participating in the next.
LORD JESUS CHRIST, may we more fully recognize and live who we are in You, and in response to You, constantly offer our full-hearted "Yes, Dad!"
----------------------------------------
We're very excited about Supreme Makeover: Home Edition beginning in September, leading into Sanctus: Eucharistic Family Revival. We need your help. Your prayers, your engagement, feedback, and yes... your financial partnership. Help us build. Spread the word. Pray. Become a monthly partner or share a one-time gift. Please, call us at any time to discuss any of this!
Greg & Stephanie Schlueter
Image Trinity | Mass Impact
Greg@MassImpact.us | (814) 449-8808
|
| Mass Impact is families united in building the Kingdom.
We could really use your help. Please partner with us. Thank you. |
| | | | LIVE IT THIS WEEK: "FREEDOM RING!"
July 3-9, 2023
A simple guide to help your family grow in holiness.
FUN QUESTION:
"If you could design an ultimate fireworks display, what would it do... or look like?" (submit your fun question)
LIVE IT TIDBIT
View our new, fun, 60 second story and message at ILoveMyFamily.us.
GOSPEL | Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."
QUESTION:
What struck you in this reading? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
YOU IMAGE THE TRINITY: LIVE IT
Going around, affirm how you have been blessed and/or inspired by each person this past week. Encourage him/her.
DAILY QUESTIONS:.
Everyone go around and share...
1) Something you’re grateful for?
2) A recent victory?
3) A current challenge?
4) An affirmation of someone?
5) Something meaningful happening?
GET FULL LIT GUIDE AND FIND OUT MORE AT ILOVEMYFAMILY.US
We are families united in more fully seeking, proclaiming, living and building the Kingdom. |
| | WEEKLY LIVE IT GATHERING IN YOUR HOME
GO: ILOVEMYFAMILY.US |
| | Family Live IT (LIT) Gatherings are strengthening marriages and families throughout the country. The road awaits. Join us. |
| | | IGNITE RADIO LIVE:
TUESDAYS 8P and SATURDAYS 2P or on demand now!
GO: IGNITE RADIO LIVE
EPISODE 383: DAMASCUS RETROSPECTIVE - Stories & Songs from the First Summer (2016) Damascus, home of the Catholic Youth Summer Camp, is an amazing, disciple-making movement anchored in Centerburg, Ohio, and spreading throughout the world. After being itinerant for over a decade, God blessed them with a one-of-a-kind campus that weaves dynamic faith into high-adventure activities. This program, comprised of moving stories and songs from leadership and participants, takes us back to that very first summer during Independence Week, 2016.
|
| | | PREACHING IT:
"HUMBLE HEIGHTS" (video)
with JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
They say that Jesus doesn't reveal His things to the learned, clever or wise. He reveals to the children. To those who are humble in their hearts. To those who are humble. Humble.
The word means to be brought to the earth. To be brought down. This is tough sometimes. We only learn humility through humiliation. Sometimes we only learn to die when we are truly humbled. We don't have control of that.
When we're brought down, then the Lord can raise us up. When we become nothing, now He can make us something. When we have nothing, we can have everything. It's a paradox. The paradox of the Cross and Resurrection. Wow! And then He says "come unto me all of you who who labor and find life burdensome... take my yoke upon your shoulders for I am meek and lowly of heart."
Jesus is the One who models this way. And we when we quit trying to be something, now we can be who we really are. It's even true with religion. When you try to be a theologian, or you try to be a mystic, guess what? You can't. You can't be anything that is really pleasing to God.
When you let go of all of that, Jesus can raise up from you the person he wants you to really be. That's what I found. It's painful. It ain't easy to die. But when we let go and let God take care of us, when we let that stuff happen... brothers and sisters... wow! We're born again! Not once, but every single day! And life becomes a miracle. And we'll know the greatest wisdom. Because we become childlike.
That's my prayer for you guys.
I love you so much! All things are possible with God! |
| | THE PARENT BLESSING PROJECT
We want to send you 100 awesome parent prayer blessing cards for your parish or organization. GO: PRAYER CARD
|
| | | FOR CATHOLIC MEN...
who want more than a fleeting moment, but a way of life.
GO: PENTECOST 365
|
| | | LIVE IT APP
Amazing resources, events, media and connection in one place.
GO: LIVE IT APP |
| | | SANCTUS: EUCHARISTIC FAMILY REVIVAL
Help us make this amazing. Get on board with us early!
GO: CatholicRevival.us |
| | | IGNITE 7:14
A historic call to prayer. Help us out!
GO: IGNITE714.COM |
| | | PLEASE SUPPORT US.
AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT US.
GO: MassImpact.us/KINGDOM | CATHOLIC BUSINESS LEADERS |
| |
"The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
~ Pope St. John Paul II
WE ARE FAMILIES UNITED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
|
|
|
|
