Trusting God
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 7-15 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words – go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or a walking stick.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The apostles come back from this first mission rejoicing. They have seen the power of God at work. Later, before He sends them out again, Jesus will ask them about this first journey that they made. He will ask them if, having no money or provisions, they indeed lacked anything. They will answer Him, “No, nothing” (Luke 22:35). They will come to know through this journey that “Whoever has God lacks nothing” (St. Theresa of Avila). How blessed they are! There are few people on earth who reach the point of full reliance on God. Those who do reach this point learn it by living out trust on a daily basis. It is very hard to trust God in theory. It must be lived. It’s like a parachute. We can believe that it will open, but we don’t fully experience it until it has caught us in the air. The same is true with full reliance on Christ. That is why it is great to go through difficulties, because then we know for certain (not just in theory) that God has brought us through them. The next time the Lord lets us go through a trial; when he gives us only “our daily bread,” let’s try to be thankful. He’s bringing us to the joy of full reliance on Him.
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)
