How Much More

Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family

Luke 11:5-13 - Jesus said to his disciples: "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed.  I cannot get up to give you anything.’  I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?  Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?  If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud

“What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?”

(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family

Pretend that you are a hungry child and you need bread.  Stop for a moment and think about asking a stranger for that bread...  Now, think about asking your father for that same bread.  What a huge difference there is between the two.  Why?  The need doesn’t change.  The gift doesn’t change.  What changes is the relationship.  How much better it is to ask your father!

Jesus isn’t simply teaching us to ask God for things because He can give them.  He is teaching us to ask God for things because He is our Father.  What a huge difference it would make in our attitude if we asked for God’s help not as strangers, but as His beloved children.  Then see “how much more will the Father in heaven give.”  Is there anything you would like to ask of God your Father today in prayer?   

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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Lee McMahon

Lee is a Catholic media freelancer based in Kansas City, Kansas. He works with nonprofits and for-profit organizations alike to help achieve their media and design needs with a refreshing, modern aesthetic.

https://leemcm.com
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