Pure Compassion
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:11-17 -Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
”When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Lord is moved with pity for a mother, a widow, whose only son has died. The Lord is “moved.” That word, “moved,” is meaningful here. It indicates a change in Jesus’ thoughts and intentions. The Gospel doesn’t tell us what Jesus is planning to do before He sees the widow and her son, but whatever it is, He is suddenly diverted from it, and He decides to do something else.
How often are we moved? How often do we divert our plans because we see someone in need? If the answer is “rarely” or “never,” then perhaps we need to keep our eyes less focused on our plans and more focused on others. Jesus was very aware of and responsive to the needs of others. Who do we know that is lonely, sick, poor, hurting, old? Think of them. Think of them! The thought of them should move us. In prayer, consider how we can divert our plans and move to compassionately help another.
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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