The Sword
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10:34-11:1 - Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple– amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”
When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worth of me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is Jesus saying in this Gospel passage? Is He against family relationships? Of course not! God made families and loves them! Jesus isn’t opposed to families; He is opposed to people loving anything (including families) more than God. This is why He goes on to say, “Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Nothing, not even great things (like family) should hold us back from following God.
We should ask ourselves in prayer whether our family is helping our children consider and prepare for their vocations or their walks of life (e.g., priesthood, religious life, marriage). Do we talk about vocations to the priesthood or religious life? Do we talk about the right way to get to know, date, or discern marriage with someone? Do we know the dangers involved with dating the same way many others date? Do we pray for each other? Do we know holy priests, holy religious, holy couples and families? It is a family’s job to help its children consider and prepare to follow Christ. Are we doing this?
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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