The Lamp
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:21-25- – Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The principle presented in this Gospel passage is that you reap what you sow, or you get what you give. It can be applied to many different good things—like generosity and faith. It can also be applied to many different bad things—like stinginess or harshness. We have to remember that what we do matters. These things matter to God and to others, but they also matter to us.
It could almost be said that we become what we do. When we sin, for instance, we not only carry a sin on our soul, but the sinful action shapes us (twists us, really) so that doing that sin will be easier for us next time. And when we do good, we not only carry a good deed on our soul, but the good action shapes us in such a way that doing good will be easier for us next time. Virtue is a disposition or a readiness to do good: easily, quickly, and with joy. Vice is a disposition to do bad. Our actions matter to us since they shape us. Is there a bad action we can choose to avoid today? What good action should we repeat?
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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