Nothing Should Hold Us Back from God
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10:37-42 - Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple– amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is Jesus saying in this Gospel passage? Is He against family relationships? Of course not! God made families particularly special and loves them in a particularly special way! Jesus isn’t opposed to families; but He is opposed to people loving anything (including their families) more than God. This is why He goes on to say, “Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Nothing, not even great things (like our family) should hold us back from following God.
We should ask ourselves in prayer whether the way we run our family is helping our children consider and prepare for their vocations or their walks of life (e.g., the priesthood, religious life, marriage, etc.). Do we talk about vocations to the priesthood or religious life? Do we talk about the right way to get to know, date, and discern marriage with someone? Do we know the dangers involved with dating in the same way that many others around us date? Do we pray for each other? Do we know holy priests, holy religious, holy couples and families? It is a family’s job to help children to follow Christ…and to follow Him above all else. Are we doing this?
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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