Proclaim the Good News
Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:38-44 - After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Do you want to know how to pray? Look at Jesus in this Gospel passage. Everybody seems to want a better prayer life, but so few people do anything about it. Well, Jesus teaches us how to pray through His example. It is very important that we notice when Jesus prays and where Jesus prays. These are two very important aspects of prayer that many people don’t account for like Jesus did. Because of this, they are frustrated and defeated at prayer before they even start.
When does Jesus pray? In the morning and at night. Certainly, He prays all the time, but His clearly defined times of prayer are at these times. This is his custom in the Gospels. What advantage is there to praying at these times? Of course, there are fewer distractions that would compromise prayer. Where does Jesus pray? Jesus prays alone in a deserted place. Certainly, He prays with other people in other places—but His deep, intense prayer to the Father takes place here, alone. What advantages is there to praying alone? Of course, there are fewer distractions that would compromise prayer. Deep prayer doesn’t just happen—we need time and space. What are the available times and spaces for us to deepen our 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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