Newsletter – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

Centuries ago a widow was a very helpless person. In those days men controlled the family wealth and property, and women received any status they had from the men who were their husbands. Bad luck was a sign of sinfulness, so when a woman was widowed, she had no one to take care of her, and society looked down on her. Yet in both the first reading and the Gospel, we are asked to imitate the faithful actions of a widow.

Jesus often asks us to look at the outcasts of society in order to imitate their ways. What are some characteristics of today’s social outcasts that we need to imitate? How would imitating them make the world a better place?

Jesus often asks us to see through the hypocrisy of the wealthy. They appear proud and important, but many of their personal habits are not what we want to imitate. What are some characteristics of today’s rich and famous that we wouldn’t want to imitate? What kind of lifestyles do some well known athletes, rock stars and actors lead? What would Jesus say about these people?

On most teenagers’ bedroom walls and locker doors, you will find posters of whom? What characteristics of these people are admired by teenagers? Why? What would Jesus say about the choices made by most teenagers? What do you say about them? How are you prepared to respond to this situation?

Do you ever contribute money or time to a cause you believe in? If not, why not? If so, what do you do? How has it affected your life? How has it made the world a better place for anyone?

Some people think, ‘I’m only one person so I can’t really help.’ What response could you give to that excuse? What would Jesus say about that?

© St Mary’s Press
Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart (1958-2011) gained her doctorate in education from Cardinal Stritch University and was associate director of early adolescent ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Previously she served for six years as the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska. She also established “Tomorrow’s Present”, a youth leadership ministry. She was a highly regarded speak and wrote many books on spirituality and youth ministry.