One Child
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:30-37 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Catholic Church is pro-life and pro-family because Jesus is pro-life and pro-family. The reason that we often return to this concept of the importance of life, marriage, and family in our prayer, is because these are some of the main cultural battles we are facing today. If we were in the midst of World War II, we might write about the evils of Nazism, but in today’s world, life, marriage, and family are under attack.
Couples and families have to have an attitude of openness and generosity toward having children. Historically, large families have always been seen as a blessing. Today, many in our society see it as a curse or a burden. Even among Catholics there are some who think that large families are irresponsible, old fashioned, or not worth all the work. The Church says differently. The third vow of marriage says differently. Jesus says differently. And any large family would say differently too. Reread Jesus’ words: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” If we are to live as reasonable humans (let alone Catholics) we need to let Jesus, not the world, form our concept of family.
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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