Scripture Reading –Readings for the Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechesis Video

Grades K-6

1. In the video Ruth says “the God of Israel is the God of the poor, he will not abandon me.” What do you think it means that God is the “God of the poor?”
2. Naomi and Ruth’s neighbors helped them when they returned to Israel, providing them charity for their immediate needs. How might we help those in need?
3. In ancient Israel it was the law that landowners and farmers were required to leave the edges of their fields and vineyards for the poor to collect and were also required not to pick up any of their crops that they dropped, also leaving it for the poor.  This was called “gleaning.” This is why Ruth went to the field of Boaz to collect food. What did Boaz do when he saw Ruth collecting food in the field?
4. What can we learn about offering charity and making sure that there are also programs so that people don’t go hungry?

Domestic Church (the home)

1. Pope Francis tells us that serving those in need must go beyond almsgiving but must include a true encounter with others. How can we accomplish this?
2. In the video Ruth says “the God of Israel is the God of the poor, he will not abandon me.” What do you think it means that God is the “God of the poor?”
3. In ancient Israel it was the law that landowners and farmers were required to leave the edges of their fields and vineyards for the poor to collect and were also required not to pick up any of their crops that they dropped, also leaving it for the poor.  This was called “gleaning.” This is why Ruth went to the field of Boaz to collect food. What did Boaz do when he saw Ruth collecting food in the field?
4. How can we make sure the poor have what they need in our community and country?

Witness Video 

This student who lives in the United Kingdom learns about where chocolate comes from and how the lives of cocoa farmers are affected by fair trade practices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=VeUGvhINwHw

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Grades K-6

1. Why did Tanya want to learn more about where chocolate is farmed?
2. What did she learn?
3. The video talked about “fair trade.” Do you understand what they meant by “fair trade”?
4. Learn about some products that your class or school can buy fair trade sources at the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Guide

Domestic Church (the home)

1. Why did Tanya want to learn more about where chocolate is farmed?
2. What did she learn?
3. The video talked about “fair trade.” Do you understand what they meant by “fair trade”? Does your family shop anything that is fair trade?
4. Learn about some products that you can buy as a family from fair trade sources at the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Guide

Action Steps

Grades K-6

1. Check out the “two feet of love in action” brochure and talk about ways that we might serve the poor with both feet.
2. Consider participating or organizing a school activity that serves the homeless and poor using both feet of love in action.

Domestic Church (the home)

1. Consider evaluating and discerning current works your parish does to serve the poor and vulnerable. Does your parish follow “two feet of love in action” approach, doing charity and working towards a just society through advocacy?
2. Get involved with an organization that offers both feet of love in action working with the poor.

Closing Prayer

God of Justice,
open our eyes
to see you in the face of the poor.
Open our ears
to hear you in the cries of the exploited.
Open our mouths
to defend you in the public squares
as well as in private deeds.
Remind us that what we do
to the least ones,
we do to you.
Amen.

—from Being Neighbor, the Catechism and Social Justice,Catholic Campaign for Human Development, ©1998 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops