Trusting the Wisdom of Christ
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:38-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that it was said…but I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
People have always been, and will always be, concerned with what is right and what is wrong—sometimes we call this morality. They cared about it in Jesus’ day. They care about it in our day as well. Very often (not always, but very often) people want to choose what they believe to be the right thing. Unfortunately, we sometimes disagree on what the right thing is. We might hear one thing at school, another on the news, another at home, another in church. It’s no wonder that so many good people can get so confused about what is right and wrong.
In the Gospel today, Jesus doesn’t tell us that to find out what is right we must follow our heart, our friends, our society, or our teachers… Instead He tells us to listen to Him. The early Christians made up their minds on what was right and wrong based on what Jesus (and then His apostles) said was right and wrong. We must do the same. We must learn what Jesus said (and then what the apostles’ successors, the bishops, say). How familiar are we with Catholic teachings and the Scriptures? If we don’t learn what Jesus says, no matter how smart we are or how good we think our intentions are, we risk misunderstanding what is right. We either have to trust in our own wisdom, or in the infinite and loving wisdom of Christ. Who do we think is more likely to be right?
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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