Hearts on Fire
Friday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:20-23 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “no one will take your joy away from you.” This abounding joy is the joy of heaven, of eternal life. This is also the joy that His disciples experience after His Resurrection. Eternal joy begins here and now on earth, in the hearts of those who are united to Christ. One characteristic of true joy is how substantial, how steady, it is. True joy isn’t a fleeting happiness which we possess when the circumstances around us are just right. True joy can actually exist at the same time as suffering, and suffering cannot overcome it.
Joy is something that the world today does not possess. Though everyone wants intense joy, most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to find it. So they settle for less. Pleasure is easy to find. Comfort is easy to find. Entertainment is easy to find. “Good enough” is easy to find. As a result, easy marriages replace joyful ones. Good-enough families replace joyful ones. Nice people replace joyful Christians. But our marriages, our families, and our world are poorer because of it. In prayer, reflect on joy. Do we really want it, or will we settle for mediocre lives?
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)
