Hear & See
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 13:10-17 - The disciples approached him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart and be converted,
and I heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is Jesus talking about in this Gospel? Doesn’t He want people to understand Him? Certainly He does. If we want to understand the meaning of Scripture, we have to read each verse in light of the whole of Scripture. Jesus wants everyone to understand—this is why He offers His love and mercy to anyone: even to sinners, non-Jews, and to those who kill Him.
Jesus is teaching a principle of faith when He says, “To anyone who has, more will be given.” The person who sincerely believes will find it easier and easier to believe. Thus a little sincere faith will eventually become a lot of sincere faith. On the other hand, the person who refuses to believe and tries always to find other explanations will find it easier and easier not to believe. The Gospel gives a great lesson: we can get better! We can grow in faith (as well as in love, kindness, courage, wisdom, or any of the virtues) if we are first faithful in little things. In prayer, consider in what little area of our life God is asking for our faith?
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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