High Yield
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 13:18-23- Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Hear the parable of the sower.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Piece by piece, Jesus explains the parable of the sower to His disciples. In the parable there are four types of soil, representing four types of people who hear the message of God’s Kingdom: there is the person ignorant of God; there is the person with no depth or substance to their faith; there is the person who is too concerned with other things; and there is the person who is ready and open to God’s word.
The work of our life is to be ready and open to God’s word. Our lives can be more and more open to God if we do what it takes to better prepare ourselves (our soil) to receive His word. Listen to the following examination of conscience: Do we diligently learn more about our faith in order to avoid ignorance? Do we need to spend more consistent time and effort in building our relationship with God in order to avoid lacking depth or substance? Do we need to become less busy and less attached to things that pull from our time with and our love for God? In prayer consider which of these areas needs some work before we can bear great fruit.
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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