1 August 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
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“He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents.” Malachi 4:6
On the day the Church gives to Sunday school, the readings speak about how faith is passed on: from person to person, from parents to children, from the apostles to the world. In the evening Gospel Jesus teaches the hardest kind of love: “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” The aim is not to win an argument but to win back a brother. Leviticus had already joined the two commands together: “you shall reprove your neighbor… but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The same Gospel gives the smallest Church its greatest promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” A family that prays together in the evening is such a gathering. A Sunday school class of ten children and one tired teacher is such a gathering. Christ is in the midst of them.
In the Gospel of the Qurbono Jesus sends the Twelve two by two with nothing but a staff. “So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” The Church still anoints the sick with oil in the sacrament of the Anointing. St James adds the test of every faith: “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” Sirach shows what those works look like: “Do not avoid those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn. Do not hesitate to visit the sick.”
Malachi, the last of the prophets, closes the Old Testament with a promise: “for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings,” and the Lord will send Elijah, who “will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents.” Today we remember a mother whose heart was wholly turned toward her children and toward God: Mort Shmuni, who encouraged her seven sons to die rather than abandon the law of God (2 Maccabees 7). The Fifteen Days' Fast begins today; with Mary, who kept all these things in her heart, let us hand on the faith to the next generation.
Theme: “He will turn the hearts of parents to their children.”
Sunday School Day: faith is handed on person to person, through loving correction, prayer together and works of mercy. The Fifteen Days' Fast begins.
“You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:17–18
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” Matthew 18:15
Apply: Is there someone you need to speak to gently and privately? Pray, then go.
“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6–7
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20
Apply: Gather as a family each evening of the fast for a short prayer.
“Do not avoid those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn. Do not hesitate to visit the sick, because for such deeds you will be loved.” Sirach 7:34–35
“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” James 2:17
Apply: Visit one sick or grieving person during the Fifteen Days' Fast.
“He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents.” Malachi 4:6
“So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” Mark 6:12–13
Apply: Thank, or pray for, the catechist who first taught you the faith.
Faith is not downloaded; it is handed on, heart to heart.
With Mary, who kept all these things in her heart, let us hand on the faith to the next generation.
Take-home resolution: Keep the Fifteen Days' Fast with daily family prayer and one work of mercy.
Dear brothers and sisters, today is Sunday School Day. Who first taught you to make the sign of the cross? A mother, a grandmother, a Sunday school teacher in a small classroom? Faith is not downloaded; it is handed on, person to person, heart to heart. The last prophet, Malachi, promised that God would “turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents.” That is what every good home and every good Sunday school does.
In the Gospel Jesus teaches us to correct one another with love: go to your brother alone, point out the fault, and if he listens, “you have regained that one.” Not to shame him, but to win him back. Teachers do this every week with patience. Parents do it every day. And Jesus adds a promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” A family praying at night is a little Church.
Jesus sent the Twelve two by two. They preached repentance, cast out demons and anointed the sick with oil. St James says faith without works is dead. Sirach says: do not avoid those who weep; do not hesitate to visit the sick. Our children learn the faith not only from what we say but from what they see us do.
Today the Fifteen Days' Fast begins, and we remember Mort Shmuni, the mother of seven sons who chose God above everything. Let us thank our catechists, support the Sunday school generously, and pray together as families every evening of this fast, with Mary, the Mother of God. Amen.
Children, today is your day: Sunday School Day! Thank your teachers, who give their Sundays to teach you about Jesus.
Jesus said: when two or three pray together in my name, I am with them. When you pray with your family at night, Jesus is right there.
Today a fast of fifteen days begins, before Mary's feast. Can you say one Hail Mary every day for your teacher?
Lord Jesus, you promised to be among us when we gather in your name. Bless our Sunday school teachers and children, our parents and grandparents. Turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents. Give us courage to correct in love, a faith that works, and hearts that visit the sick and weep with those who weep. Through the prayers of Mary, whose Assumption we await in this fast, and of Mort Shmuni and her sons. Amen.