But I Say to You
Friday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26- Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount. It is helpful to know that He just finished telling the crowd that He has “not come to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfill them.” Jesus is not disregarding the teaching of the Old Testament—He is completing it. How did Jesus complete the law and the prophets? As God, Jesus completed them in Himself. Jesus lived the law perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the promises made to the prophets. God is the fulfillment of all that people strived for. God is the fulfillment of all that people looked forward to.
That is why, even as important as Jesus’ moral teachings are, Jesus’ message is first about Himself. “But I tell you…” He is what matters—more than the law, or the prophets, or anything else. The Faith is more than an intellectual pursuit. To live it fully we must come to know and love a Person, the God-man Jesus Christ. In prayer, consider: What are we doing to know God more? What are we doing to love God more? Are we asking Him to increase our knowledge and love of Him?
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.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
