Bit by Bit
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:40-53 - Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Nicodemus…said to them, ‘Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Nicodemus is a great character to observe in the Gospel of John. He shows up three different times in the Gospel, during three different visits of Jesus to Jerusalem. Nicodemus was “a Pharisee…a ruler of the Jews.” He first comes to Jesus during the night to find out more about Him. Now, here, we see him amidst his colleagues suggesting that Jesus be treated fairly by the law. Later we will see him present at Jesus’ burial. Over time, Nicodemus makes obvious spiritual progress.
We are like Nicodemus. Our understanding and faith in Christ might be small. We shouldn’t let this frustrate us—instead, we should keep at it. Nicodemus was intellectually honest. He continued to search for and to study Christ—even amidst the scorn of his friends and colleagues. Bit by bit, day by day, Nicodemus’ life changed…for the better. Our Christian growth will very often come bit by bit, day by day. Let’s keep going. Though we don’t realize it, our lives are changing…for the better.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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