Exalted
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Humility is something often misunderstood. Often humility is thought of as the refusal to accept compliments or to admit one’s strengths. But humility is actually an honest acceptance of your true self. And it is utterly necessary for living the Christian life. Some of the saints are particularly clear in speaking about humility. We need to realize that we are absolutely incapable of saving ourselves, of reaching God, or of pleasing God. We need to realize that we are little, filthy, weak, poor, dark, made-from-nothing, dying sinners.
This is the point: God descends to save us. Look at the manger and look at the Cross. He became little, filthy, weak, poor. He Who is everything becomes nothing. He Who is light enters our darkness. He takes on all sin. He dies. Why? Because that is where He needed to descend in order to reach us and to save us. No matter how high we ascend, we cannot deserve to meet God. We actually meet God down low—because He descends there to find us. That is why the humble possess God. They don’t rely on their futile efforts to reach God; they rely totally on His mercy.
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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