Many Sparrows
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 24-33 Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is telling His apostles plainly, that they will encounter many difficulties from others. Jesus says that He has experienced these, so as His followers they should expect nothing better. We too shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter people who don’t believe us, who falsely accuse us, or even who want to harm us. And all these things are happening today! There are many powerful people and movements who are calling Christians bigots and hateful people, and whe ever are trying to punish Christians for their beliefs. It’s really happening, right now. Jesus says not to be surprised by this.
Jesus also says not to be afraid. These difficulties that we face due to the ignorance, the selfishness, the lies, and the wounds of non-believers can show us very clearly that we are sharing in the life of Christ, who went through these same things. Jesus says do not be afraid because God the Father is attentive to our struggles and our needs. We need to rely on God like little children who trust their father will protect them because they believe he is the greatest, strongest person alive. When it comes to God our Father… He is!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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