The Answer
Monday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 – When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“the people who sit in darkness / have seen a great light, / on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death / light has arisen.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What a picture we’re given of those people in the Gospel in whose land Jesus went to live! People “who sit in darkness… overshadowed by death.” What would it be like to live in darkness, to be in the shadows of death? This is the state of people’s hearts and their souls without Christ. But in His tender mercy, God pours onto these people Light and Life.
We are these people, this is our world. It’s like the words of that great Christmas carol: “Long lay the world in sin and ever pining, till He appeared and the soul felt His mirth.” God knows that the world is hurt, that it is afraid, that it lacks hope, that it senses no meaning… and He gives us His answer - on Christmas. There is one answer to all the problems of the world (and every one of our problems): Jesus Christ.
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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