Today’s the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Month day, year

My takeaway:

We went to Mass at our new parish today. I was nervous about the kids in a new church. What they behave? Would they be welcome? Would there be other families or would we stick out like a sore thumb? We walked to the front and found our pew. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed brought tears to my eyes. Every seat had a hymnal and a missalette – and a children's book! Every. single. seat! I felt welcomed. Encouraged. Loved. I felt like our family belonged right here in the pew. Not in a crying room, not relegated to a different parish, not left back at home, but right here. Right here with Jesus. Let the little children come to Him. Come to Him like little children. On this Father's Day, I'm thankful for the gift of family that fathers give us. I'm thankful to my dad for always being there for me. I'm thankful to my husband for being open to having "our hands full" of kids. I'm thankful to our pastor for welcoming us so warmly into the parish family. I'm thankful to God our Father for the gift of life. For the gift of relationship. For our Family, the Church. For reminding us, through His Fatherhood, of the importance of children. For holding children up as a model for us to learn from in our faith. These children of mine – these rowdy, energetic, totally trusting, love-filled, fierce children of mine – they ARE the Church. I'm proud to bring them to Jesus and to learn from them how to be a better, fiercer, more faith-filled Catholic. Thank you, fathers everywhere – biological, spiritual, God our Father – for nurturing your flock. Please continue to love your children and lead them always closer to Christ. #MyMassTakeaway #fathersday2018

A post shared by To Jesus Sincerely (@tojesussincerely) on Jun 17, 2018 at 7:27am PDT

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

Kicking off Father’s Day with Mass at the parish where my husband was baptized. In his homily, the priest said, “Love is a four-letter word spelled w-o-r-k.” Always good advice—and very fatherly. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and prayers for all for whom this is a difficult day. #mymasstakeaway

A post shared by Rita @ Open Window (@ritaatopenwindow) on Jun 17, 2018 at 8:20am PDT

It's Sunday! That means another round of teaming up with @tojesussincerely for #MyMassTakeaway ⛪🙏 Today's second reading really spoke to me. We walk by faith. We are all accountable for our actions, whether good or evil. Of course this hits home on a personal level regarding how my actions impact my own life, but as a mom? A wife? We teach our children by modeling behavior. We influence our spouse with our own actions. Vocationally, we're meant to try to lead our children to Christ and help our husband to Heaven. As Christians, we're called to preach the Gospel with our lives. But am I? How are my actions (or inactions) effecting those who are watching? Because I am accountable to them, too. Reread the second reading (2 Corinthians 5:6-10) and really think about its application in your life.

A post shared by HailMarry (@hailmarryblog) on Jun 17, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time: All of scripture is about waiting. Waiting for God to cause the growth. It is up to you to accept the grace he gives and be patient on our journey to Heaven. I have never been a patient person, but in this phase of life (early 30s) it is hard to see others settling down and having babies while I have loss after loss. I don’t know why God is asking me to do this at this point in my life. But I have to trust that it is God who brings about the growth from this. I know not how the growth comes about, but I know the growth is there. As God says, he will do. #mymasstakeaway Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, especially my own husband, who I know has felt our losses as much as I have. I pray that one day you will be a father on Earth. #godisfaithful

A post shared by Mary Thissen (@mkthissen) on Jun 17, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

My dad was an elementary school librarian. During the summers he worked a number of odd jobs, including a stint for the NC Ferry Division. This buoy belonged to the Emmet Winslow, one of the Hatteras model ferries dad worked. It now hangs on the back of my mother’s house as a reminder of two things: the sacrifices my father made to support the family he loved, and the steadfast faith he exhibited during the rough seas of family life. My dad had faith the size of a mustard seed. Looking back, it’s pretty clear it bore great fruit. #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest

A post shared by Ginny Kochis •Not So Formulaic (@ginnykochis) on Jun 17, 2018 at 10:51am PDT

#MyMassTakeaway Our priest gave an amazing homily, but something else caught my attention. A toddler started getting a little fussy during the Consecration. His mom took him into her arms and directed him to the altar saying "Look, it's Jesus!" He immediately went quiet as his face broke out in a huge grin. My takeaway as that I should approach Jesus with the same joy and childlike faith. And let us remember that Mary is our mother and acts just like that mother – consoling is and directing our attention to Christ. #Catholicblogger #Christianblogger #CatholicsOnline #CatholicsofInstagram #livetheword #SundayFunday #FaithBlogger #shorthairdontcare #churchreflection

A post shared by Kate Hendrick (@stumblingtowardsainthood) on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:56am PDT

Happy Father’s Day, Robert! 💛 You are amazing! “He makes high the low tree.” “God works in small ways while we sleep.” #masstakeaway #mymasstakeaway #catholicconnect #Rosary #fatherhood #catholicfather #fathersday @catholicwifecatholiclife @catholicconnect

A post shared by ☘️ J E N N I F E R ☘️ (@jenx67) on Jun 17, 2018 at 10:03am PDT

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.