William Hemsworth's Blog, page 103

3 Things You Can Do With Your Family To Prepare For Mass

Sunday mornings can be chaotic even for the most cheerful and organized households. As a parent of four, there are some Sundays that it is difficult for me to get the entire family ready to exit the house, let alone prepare for Mass.

There are a few things that can be done, if even the night before, to help the Holy Spirit prepare the hearts of our family. Doing even one of these will pass on the importance of the Mass in our lives and maybe create some family bonding.

1. Read the Mass Readings

Reading the Mass readings is an excellent way to prepare for Mass. It’s sort of a no-brainer, too. Children love stories, and the Mass readings provide that along with spiritual nourishment. Not only will they learn the readings, but when they hear them in Mass you can see the excitement on their face when something they know is heard.

It will create a bond and will most likely assist in them paying a little better attention. It also assists in catechesis as the faith will be taught at home, if it isn’t already. All involved will benefit by having a better understanding of the scriptures and the Mass as a result. By the way, it is okay if this is done the night before.

2. Pray at home, together

If you are a large family, this may be something that may be done the night before, but if possible do it the morning of Mass. Praying as a family doesn’t have to be a long endeavor but ask everyone if they have a prayer request or someone that they want to pray for.

Not only will you be praying as a family at home, but you can remind the children to remember these prayers during Mass. That way they are prayed for as a community. This will help reinforce the Mass as the gathering of God’s family. It will also show the importance of the Mass by preparing our hearts and minds to pray and worship. Some get intimidated and think this type of family prayer has to be an hour long. It doesn’t so don’t stress it. Five to ten minutes is a great start and will reinforce the importance of prayer and taking intentions to Mass.

3. Pray on the way

If your family is anything like mine on Sunday morning, then it resembles the family from Home Alone scrambling to make their flight. The time spent driving to Mass is the perfect opportunity to focus on what is about to happen. Take some time to pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. There are free smartphone apps that lead and you just repeat. It is a great way to contemplate and to get your heart ready for Mass.

The Divine Mercy App is a great one for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. If you want an app that has an audio Rosary and Divine Chaplet in one place, then I recommend the Virgin Most Powerful App. Click on prayers and the audio versions are there along with explanations.

There are many ways to get your family ready for Mass, and this article is just the tip of the iceberg. Depending on your situation you may need to get creative, and that is okay. Putting in the work to ensure your family is ready for Mass is part of our vocation as parents. Stay the course, share the faith, and be the example that your children need.

 

This is a post I originally wrote for EpicPew.

Radio Show Cancelled

For those of you who read yesterdays post this may seem like a shock.  I had a radio show all set to debut here in Tucson, but I got voicemail today that changed all that.  The show will not air because they do not want to air content from Catholics.  How this never came up in conversations is unknown to me, especially since I was upfront with my website and social media pages.

It is what it is at this point.  It is disappointing that a station would do that, but in the end it is their business and I understand that.  If you subscribed to the podcast link that was in yesterdays post then stay tuned.  You will still be able to hear the show.  It just will no longer be on the radio…yet.  Anyway…thanks a s always for all of your support.

Radio Show Launches January 26!

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great and restful weekend.  This post will be very short compared to some of the others that I have done. The purpose of this post is to let you know about my new radio show that starts on January 26th.

As many of you know, I live in Tucson, AZ.  So I am very excited that this show will air 940am KGMS Sunday mornings at 7:45am.  The show is titled Defending Truth and we will look at one topic per week to assist people in defending, and growing their faith.

The show itself is only 15 minutes long so it will be rapid fire and full of great information for all of you.  If you have a radio station that you think it will be good on then please spread the word.  Anyway, I thank you all for your support.  Here is the link if you would like to listen is podcast form.  God bless you all.

 

In Christ,

 

William

Breaking Down the Mass

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-igwkb-d05574

This week’s episode is from my appearance on Gary Michuta’s Hands on Apologetics program that airs on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.  In this episode we walk through the Mass step by step and break down the meaning of what is going on.  There is much more than meets the eye.  To learn more about Gary visit handsonapologetics.com.

Book Review: Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story

Does sharing your faith scare you?  There is something about doing it that is a bit nerve-racking  Maybe it is the fear of rejection, being made fun of, or perhaps something else.  The fact of the matter is that somebody needs to hear your story.  Author and speaker Nancy HC Ward recently wrote a book titled Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story that sets out to give tips and to show the importance of each individual faith story.

Every story is unique, and something that we may think is insignificant may be the hits home with someone.  Nancy’s book is relatable, well written, and a gift of encouragement.  She describes how each faith story is composed of how we were before conversion, how God changed us, and how our life has changed.

Nancy also goes into great detail, not only about her story (which is amazing), but how proclaiming our story fulfills the commandment of Christ to evangelize.  Through our story we are involving ourselves in works of mercy, participating in the Great Commission, and defending the faith.  People cannot argue with a life that has been changed.

This book is much more than one that gives tips and tools for sharing one’s story.  That alone is worth checking this book out, but Nancy also includes the Catholic Faith Stories of 30 people.  If you enjoy these types of stories then this book is for you.  These stories are not long, but pack a powerful evangelistic punch.  I highly recommend this book.  It will help you share your story, and in turn share the faith.

You can learn more about Nancy at her website at nancyhcward.com or her blog at joyalive.net.  Also check out her great book on Amazon.

Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story with Nancy HC Ward

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-mgshv-cf5d7d

Does evangelizing and telling your story scare you?  This week I had the great honor of speaking with author and speaker Nancy HC Ward.  Nancy gives us some great advice and tips on how to share our story.  Someone out there needs to heart your story because it will resonate with them in a way nothing else will.  Learn more about Nancy and her great work by visiting her website at nancyhcward.com, her blog at joyalive.net, and check out her great book titled “Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story” on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01KR3HMVE

Great Start to the Year!

It is hard to believe that 2020 is here!  I want to thank all of you for your support since this page was launched.  I am thankful for all of you and want you to know that I pray for all of you daily.

I wanted to let you know about a couple things that have occurred so far this year.  Yes the year is young, but so far it has been action packed.  I will be started a new blog on Patheos titled The Pursuit of Holiness.  Please don’t worry because this page, and posts will not be going anywhere.  I will continue to post content here as well, but I will share a link to the column when it is up and running.

Secondly,  I will be hosting a short radio program in my home of Tucson, Arizona starting January 26 on KGMS 940am.  The name of the show is Defending Truth and I am excited to be doing someething more in my community to impact it for Christ.

Like I said…it has a been a whirlwind of a year so far.  I humbly ask that you continue to lift me up in prayer, and please be assured of my prayers for you.  God bless you all and thank you for your support.

Watch “Did Jesus Claim to be God?” on YouTube

There are many passages in scripture that attribute divinity to Christ, and there are many that were spoken by the Lord himself. The spoken words of Christ in regards to his divinity will be our focus today.

Williamhemsworth.com

Tucsonapologetics.org

Jesus, Feast of Tabernacles, and Living Water

The Feast of Tabernacles plays an important role in John’s gospel.  It was an important Jewish festival that brought to mind the provision of God while the children of Israel were wondering in the wilderness for forty years en route to the promised land.  It occurred after the Day of Atonement and marked the end of the festival calendar [1].  It was full of rich symbolism that Jesus comes to fulfill.

During the festival water would be poured out in commemoration of Number 28:7 and Isaiah 12:3.  As Andres Kostenberger explains, “The Feast of Tabernacles came to be associated with eschatological hopes [2].”  On the last day of the festival Jesus tells the crowds that that he is the living water.  This is seen in John 7:37 which states, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink”.  By doing so Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit which had not been given as of yet.

The Old Testament background regarding the words of Christ would have been clearly understood by those listening to Christ.  By saying what he says our Lord is referencing Isaiah 58:11 and Isaiah 12:3.  The later describes that joy will come from the waters of salvation.  This, of course, is something only Christ can give.  Isaiah 58:11 speaks of one being well waters which is a metaphor for someone being a blessing to those around them.

By fulfilling this symbolism and doing so at the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus is doing something very profound.  He is telling those around him that he is the one who gives the Holy Spirit, and those who come to faith in him will be a blessing to others.  If Isaiah could invite the thirsty to drink from the waters (Is. 55:1), Jesus announces that he is the one who can provide the waters.

Works Cited

1.  Andreas J. Kostenberger.  Encountering John.  (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Academic, 2013), 91.

2.  Ibid, 91.

 

The Roman Canon: Its Theology and History – Kindle edition by William Hemsworth.

Happy New Year everyone! Are you looking for a short and informative read to start off this year? My book on the Roman Canon, or First Eucharistic Prayer, is available for free today and tomorrow. God bless you all.

https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Canon-Its-Theology-History-ebook/dp/B07XG4M5WM