08-23-2026 - Fr. Mark - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Take Off Your Pope Hat

Questions for Personal Reflection 1. Where in my life have I become familiar with Jesus without actually surrendering that part of my life to Him as Lord? 2. What is one area where I still want to have the final word? What would it look like to let Jesus have the final word there? 3. Am I ever tempted to be my own pope—accepting the Church when I agree with her, but resisting her when she challenges me? Questions for Spouses • Where do you think we are most tempted to ask God to bless the life we have already chosen, rather than letting Him reorder it? • Is there an area of our marriage or family life where we need to let Jesus be more clearly Lord? Questions Parents Can Ask Younger Kids • Who is the boss of our family—Mom and Dad, or Jesus? • What does it mean when we say Jesus is Lord? • Can you think of something Jesus asks us to do even when it is hard? Questions Parents Can Ask Older Kids / Teens • What do you think is the difference between knowing things about Jesus and actually following Jesus? • Is there an area of your life where it is hard to let Jesus have the final say? • Why do you think Jesus gave us the Church instead of leaving everyone to decide Christianity for themselves?