The Inside
Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:23-26 - Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Picking up where Jesus left off in yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus continues His attack on the Pharisees. Historically, Jews gave a tithe, a portion of their money, to the Temple. But they also gave a portion of certain goods, like crops, to the Temple. They would even give portions of tiny household plants like mint, dill, and cumin. Jesus is showing how ridiculous it is that, while the Pharisees are very exacting about these little tithes, they fail to take care of their souls and to grow in their love for God.
We have to be careful not simply to “go through the motions” of being Catholic. What good is it to say grace before meals, to abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent, or to wear a cross around our neck, if we aren’t really loving God or caring for our souls? We must make sure, first, that we are in a “state of grace”; that we confess serious sins and struggle with all our might against all mortal sins; that we attend Mass at least on Sundays; that we pray daily; that we truly love God and seek to know Him personally. In prayer, consider how we live out different aspects of our Catholic Faith. Are we sincere, or do we just “go through the motions”?
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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