What Really Matters
Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 12:13-21 – Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions."
Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, 'Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!'" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When we work, we work for a goal. At school we study hard so as to build up our knowledge. At our sports practice or music lesson or drama rehearsal we build up our talents and prepare to use them well. At our jobs we work to build up our finances. In a sense, all these forms of work are a preparation for something. Jesus asks us to consider what it is we are working and preparing for.
Money, knowledge, and talent are all good things. But Jesus asks us to discern the value of our goals by considering what their value will be to us at our death. Will it matter when we die? Jesus asks us to prepare most so as to be rich in God. Consider how much dedication and preparation goes into our work, activities, and school. Now consider how much dedication and preparation goes into our becoming rich in holiness—in what matters most to God. Do we need to work harder to prepare for what matters most?
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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