The Sick Do
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 2:13-17 – Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Both St. Mark (whose Gospel this is) and St. Matthew place the story of Matthew’s conversion right after Christ’s healing of the paralyzed man. This is beautiful. Both Gospels show that the two stories are related. A physically paralyzed man stuck on a mat is unable to move until he comes into contact with the loving compassion of Jesus. Then Matthew, a spiritually paralyzed man, is stuck in a futile life of sin, unable to move until he comes into contact with the loving mercy of Jesus. They both rise to a new life.
After this, Matthew really lives a whole new life. People really change when they encounter Christ. We have the opportunity to become much better. It’s not just the case with Matthew. We probably know a handful of people ourselves whose characters are so different now than they were years ago because they know Christ. The recipe for real change for the better in our lives is simple: God gives grace and we receive it. How do we receive grace? Mainly we do so through the Sacraments, then through prayer and virtuous living. Let’s each think about a struggle we have: overeating, a bad temper, lust, gossiping, impatience, etc. Ask God now for grace. Today, work on improving in this area.
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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