Good Seed
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 13:24-30- Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, 'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.’‘”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy cam and sowed weeds.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Our Church, the Church established by Christ Himself, built upon the apostles to continue the mission of Our Lord—has problems. We wonder, if the Church is truly Christ’s Church, how can these problems exist? The Church has problems because, though she is divine, she is also human—she is made up of sinful men and women. She is made up of people like you and me. We must realize that God only sows perfectly good seed. The problems in the Church arise from the sins of its members (from us).
The Church and its members are constantly under attack. We are in a fight against the world and its attractions; against the flesh and its sinful desires; and against the devil. The devil is “the enemy” from the parable who seeks to ruin the Church. Don’t let yourself be discouraged by recent troubling news, or scandals, or sins of some of the members of the Church (or even your own sin). These are reminders that our battle is a real one, and we must always rely on the strength of God (Who has already won the victory). During prayer, pray for the Church and its members, especially our priests and our pope.
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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