The Appointed
Thursday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 10:1-12 - Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus sent messengers ahead of Him to the towns that He would visit so they could prepare the people. The messengers probably found some towns full of people who were interested in and excited for Jesus’ coming; they probably found other towns with many questions about Jesus; still other towns were likely very suspicious of Him. In all of these situations, the messengers needed to meet the people where they were: in their excitement, with their questions, and in their doubt.
Jesus is the infinite God; He doesn’t need the help of messengers, and he doesn’t need our help. But He chooses to include us in His work. He allows us to help, and He expects us to do so. God has ordained that we are to go before Him to prepare the way for Him. Friends, neighbors, and coworkers aren’t simply our friends, neighbors, and coworkers… They are God’s sons and daughters, and He intends to visit them. Until then, we can help to prepare their hearts. Our good example, our intentional conversation, our reverence toward the things of God, our apology when we set the wrong example—all these things slowly prepare those around us to better understand Christ, and to be ready when He visits.
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.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
