School of Love Podcast: Recent Episodes
School of Love
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:19-23 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
An intentional life with Christ begins with saying “yes” to His presence in our lives. But as we grow in the Christian life, we must also learn to say “no.” Of course we won’t say “no” to Christ, but instead we must say “no” to everything else that may crowd Him out. There are a great number of Christians who miss out on deep relationships with Christ because they are too busy for Him, and they can’t prioritize. Are we like this?
Jesus is telling us that we have to choose. We have to prioritize. We cannot “serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). In a sense, it can be said that God doesn’t like to share. This isn’t for His sake, but for ours. God doesn’t want to share our hearts, because our hearts are made exclusively for Him. So to the degree that we share our love on things outside God, where He isn’t asking us to spend it, on things that ultimately cannot satisfy us, we will be unhappy. We have to examine our lives and our busyness. Are we missing out on God because of too much unnecessary: sports, work, school work, house work, volunteerism, social activities, or church activities? In prayer, consider what unnecessary activities and involvements threaten our life with Christ. Consider how we can prioritize Him, and give Him our whole heart.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:7-15 - Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who are it heaven…’ “
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes when we pray (take the Rosary for example) we pray classic, memorized prayers like the Our Father or the Hail Mary, not thinking of the words of the prayer, but of certain mysteries of the Faith. And this is a good practice. But let’s not forget the immense beauty and richness of these words, most especially the words of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus Himself gave to us to pray.
Today in our prayer, let’s pray the Our Father slowly and meditatively, five times in a row. This time, let’s think about the words of the prayer itself. They are unspeakably rich. Whatever parts of the prayer move us, let’s consider these as we pray. In this way we will be meditating directly on the words of Jesus, the prayer of Jesus, which He chose to give to us. After this prayer, let’s thank God for giving us the Our Father.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a tendency in us, when we have a gift or skill, not simply to use it, but to use it in a way that will be noticed or praised. This is a symptom of pride. As people progress in the Christian life, gaining more knowledge and experience than their friends, they may even want to be seen as the best Christian!
This highlights the heart of pride—to want to be glorified like God, but apart from God. This is why St. Alphonsus de Liguori likened the prideful person to a thief, because he or she tries to steal glory that really belongs to God alone. In reality, the greatest people are those who are the most humble. The humble person opens himself or herself up to God, and God shows His profound glory most beautifully through them. The humble is not enriched by cheap human praise, but is radiant with the glory of God.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “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
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many people who try to find a deeper, hidden, new meaning or interpretation to a Scripture passage, and they miss the simple point that Jesus has made (sometimes Biblical scholars are the worst offenders). When Jesus says “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” He means exactly that. We must hope for the best for those who have wronged us—no matter how much they have wronged us. We must pray for them, especially for the conversion of their souls.
During prayer, take a moment to pray an Our Father for those who have hurt us significantly, even if it is hard. (Don’t spend too much time on this, especially if there are still painful feelings or thoughts, and don’t spend time thinking of their sins against us. Simply pray for them.) Our prayers for forgiveness might have a great effect on their salvation…and on our own as well.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:38-42- 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 to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that is 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.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This can be a confusing Gospel. Is Jesus saying that we are supposed to stand back and let evil trample over good? As always, we have to read this particular sentence in light of the whole Gospel. Would Jesus say that or do that in the rest of the Gospel? No! And neither should we. We have an obligation to stand up very strongly against evil for what is good.
Though we should stand in great and active opposition to evil, we shouldn’t think that our power against, or opposition to, or success over evil is what will win the victory against it. Jesus has already won the victory over evil definitively. What seemed to be evil’s victory over good when He hung dead on the Cross, was actually evil’s undoing. The Resurrection proved the great mystery that God has the power to use everything, even evil, for the good. In this light, today’s Gospel makes sense. Therefore, accept the suffering that comes from evil… God has the power to use it for infinite good.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When people make agreements between themselves they often include some extra condition to help guarantee that the agreement is kept. We all assure our promises this way all the time. Adults guarantee their promises with money, or late fees, or collateral. Kids guarantee their agreements with “cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.” But Jesus calls His disciples to a higher standard. He always does.
Money or fear of punishment shouldn’t be the reasons we stick to our promises; honesty should be the reason. Jesus’ disciples are called to honesty—even when it is difficult. Jesus’ disciples are called to be honest, not only in big things (like not deceiving spouses and children, or not cheating on taxes and tests) but also in little things (like admitting fault, avoiding white lies, and not exaggerating problems). The world might have one standard of honesty, but as Jesus’ disciples we have another: “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:27-32 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus does not shy away from uncomfortable issues. He talks about lust, He talks about suffering, He talks about hell… Jesus is serious about very serious things. He is telling us to be serious about them too. In this particular Gospel, Jesus is telling His listeners to do whatever it takes to avoid serious sin. Certainly Jesus doesn’t want us to literally take off parts of our bodies to avoid sin, but He is telling us that drastic measures are worthwhile to protect our souls.
Lust is a problem for many people. This problem has been made much worse with the dangers of the internet and other entertainment. Modern society tells us that lust is okay. But it is not. It damages lives, marriages, families, and souls. We have to be very serious about fighting against lust. The battle against it is best fought by avoiding temptations to begin with. We must make our home (internet, TV, reading, etc.) a safe haven from lust—for the sake of our family, our marriages, our happiness, and our souls.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus refers to the Law as an authority for His listeners. But above the Law, He refers to Himself as the authority: “But I tell you…” Jesus is the authority on everything because He is God. His words and actions, His Life, Death, and Resurrection fully reveal God to us. Though He has been fully revealed, this doesn’t mean we fully understand Him. The Holy Spirit continually guides the Church through history to understand better and to unpack fully what has been revealed to us in Christ.
The teaching body of the Church (called the magisterium) teaches about all that Jesus did and said through two different forms of revelation: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. These are meant to stand together. We must understand the Bible through Tradition, and Tradition through the Bible. In these ways the Church is very careful and thorough, while our personal opinions can tend to be very narrow. If we want to follow Christ as the authority in our lives, we need to learn to trust the careful guidance of the Church.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
People often think that God is interested in taking things away. We feel that if we grow closer to God, He might take away all the good things of life. We fear that we will need to sacrifice everything: all our pleasures, our belongings, and those we love. We fear that we will be totally without family, friends, money, house, clothes, food, and happiness. What an insult that is to God! And what a misunderstanding of the Gospel!
God is more interested in giving than in taking. God is the Creator of pleasure, of food, of marriage, of family, of friendship, of happiness. And He didn’t make them just to take them away. God, as a loving Father, only takes a thing away if He is going to give us even more. If God is taking our water, He wants to give us His wine. If God is taking our coin, He wants to give us His treasure. If God is taking our fun, He wants to give us His ecstasy. Jesus says, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” We are a much greater threat to our own joy than God is. Trust Him, and be very excited for what He will give!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:13-16 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here, on the Sermon on the Mount. He tells them, and He tells us, that we are the light of the world and we are supposed to let that light shine. This is a very important teaching for us. Jesus is saying that the world is in darkness. Picture someone stumbling around in complete darkness looking for help, looking for comfort, looking for safety. Now picture us as the only hint of light around – what is our responsibility. Is it to hide our light, or is it to shine our light.
The world needs Catholics. The world needs Catholics to be Catholics. The world has enough bad Catholics. There are many people who are in great spiritual danger. They are looking for help, and comfort, and safety – but they are finding none. Wake up Catholics! Our life is not about our school, jobs, home, friends, fun, stuff… our life is about God. There are many people looking for this real meaning. They need us to help bring this light to them. We need to be less selfish, less afraid, less comfortable. We need to share our faith. In prayer, consider how each of us can practically share our faith to someone in darkness today.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:1-12- When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He began to teach them, saying: ‘Blessed...’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This may come as a surprise, but God wants us happy, immensely happy. Among other things, this is what “blessed” means. Maybe we have heard the beatitudes translated as, “Happy are the poor in spirit...” instead of, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” To be blessed means to be happy.
The very first sentence of the whole Catechism of the Catholic Church (the summary of the teachings of our Faith) begins with happiness. It states that God is infinitely perfect and happy in Himself. This means He has no need of us (or anything) to improve Him, His situation, or His happiness. So then why would God ever create mankind? God made us for our own sake, for our own benefit. God thought of and created mankind with a huge potential for happiness. And the way we fulfill this potential for happiness, is by sharing in God’s own happiness and God’s own life. God wants to share His happiness with us. The whole journey of our life is learning to let Him.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Pentecost Sunday – Mass During the Day (C)
John 14:15-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.
"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Today is the wonderful event of Pentecost. It marks the end of the Easter season and the return to Ordinary Time. But the new reality that Pentecost brings to the disciples of Jesus, reminds us that we are not merely in an ordinary time, but an extraordinary time. Pentecost was already a feast of the Jews, which is why there were Jews from so many parts of the world gathered in Jerusalem for the Pentecost event we know of from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. For the Jews it was a feast of the beginning of grain harvest and also commemorated God’s giving of the Law to Moses. But the feast finds its fulfillment in God’s giving of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost comes fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus and ten days after the Ascension. The events all belong together. Of course, Christ’s Death and Resurrection are the highest events in our Christian faith, but while they bring about our salvation and our ultimate victory, they don’t bring about in us the power to go live like Christ and change the world. For example, look at the Apostles after the Resurrection. They had witnessed Christ alive in the Flesh after His death, and yet they didn’t have direction, power, influence in the world. But after Pentecost, after the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them in power, these men go out boldly and change the world. God had been with them, but after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God was in them. And God is not simply with us; God is in us!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:20-25Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved…When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The apostles were a close group (actually the whole body of disciples were). Certainly, they had their arguments, but they had some very deep friendships. We can gather this from the Gospels, and see it explicitly in the Acts of the Apostles. The friendship of Peter and John is a particularly great one. They are main characters in the Gospels, and their relationship is revealed in particular, here, at the end of the Gospel of John and in the Book of Acts. Acts even speaks of specific time they spent together.
Neither of them possessed all the necessary Christian gifts. But combined, they must have been an amazing team. Peter had great passion, boldness, and leadership. John had great depth, faithfulness, and love. Similarly, none of us has everything we need in the Christian life. We need to rely upon others for strengths and for gifts that we don’t possess. And others need to rely on us for gifts that they lack. Marriages and families are like this too. We are all necessary parts of the one Body of Christ. We should develop our unique qualities, interests, and talents. Also, we should encourage these in others. In prayer, consider some gifts that each member of our family is blessed with. After prayer, tell them!
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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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 21:15-19 – After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will…lead you where you do not want to go.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a beautiful story about St. Peter near the end of his life. Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and the head of the entire Church. During Peter’s time as pope, in the mid 60’s A.D., Nero, the emperor of Rome, was enacting a terrible persecution of Christians, and Peter was fleeing Rome for his life. At a certain spot on the road outside Rome, Jesus appeared to Peter. He had a cross on His shoulders and was walking back towards Rome. Peter looked at the Lord and understood–it was a call. Peter turned around, and walked back to Rome. There He was martyred on a cross of his own.In the Gospel, Jesus addresses Peter’s three denials by three times asking Peter, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). After this He tells Peter that Peter will die at the hands of others. Then Jesus says, “Follow me.” At the end of Peter’s life, he is again given the chance to deny Jesus. He chooses instead to follow Jesus. Now, at the place of Peter’s death in Rome, stands St. Peter’s Basilica, the single largest and most important church on the face of the earth. Never underestimate the power of what Jesus can do with one person (even one very imperfect person) who decides, no matter what, to follow Him. Follow!
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)
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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:20-26-Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I pray…also for those who will believe in me…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus prayed for us…not just for Christians in general, but for us in the sense that He prayed for each one of us in this room. Jesus has a divine intellect, and He had this intellect while He was on earth. This means He knew everything, and everyone. That means He knew us, individually. Jesus considered each of us, and loved each of us, from the Cross. There are many things to specifically reflect on in this passage, and we should spend time reflecting on what Jesus asked of His Father for His whole Church and for us, as its individual members. But one particular thing that Jesus prays for is unity among believers.
Jesus asks His Father that we would be one “as you, Father, are in me and I in you….” The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, because each of them completely gives Himself to the other as a gift. If we have this kind of relationship with each other, if we give our entire lives away for the sake of each other, Jesus says three things will happen: 1) we will be in God, 2) the world will understand Jesus’ relationship with the Father, 3) the world will understand that God loves them. If we as a married couple and we as a family treat our lives as gifts to be given to each other, we will share in God’s Life, and we will change the world. In prayer, consider how we can treat our lives as gifts to be given to one another.
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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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:11-19 – Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Why did Jesus come into the world? The Scriptures say many things about this, and a few of these statements are from the mouth of Jesus Himself. Essentially, they all revolve around the same thing. Jesus Christ comes into the world to reconcile mankind with God through the forgiveness of sin. This is why He is sent into the world.
In this spoken prayer to His Father, Jesus says that He sends the apostles into the world with the same mission. The Apostolic Ministry is one of bringing mankind into communion with God through the forgiveness of sin. St. Paul (“The Apostle”) calls this ministry the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians). We should be very thankful for our bishops and our priests who share in this mission, because they bring to us the mission of Christ in the world. They are helping to bring us back to full union with God.
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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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:1-11Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospel of John gives us so many great insights into the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The readings from this section of John’s Gospel that we read during this part of the Easter Season are not always easy to understand, but they are very important in helping us to understand Jesus Himself. Jesus says here, in prayer to His Father, “everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.” That is beautiful! Do we know any married couple who can honestly say that they are so united (so united!) that there is a complete unity of life? The Father gives everything to the Son. And the Son gives everything to the Father.
One of the gifts that the Father and the Son possess that they present to each other in the Gospels is us–believers. Jesus prays here for believers and for future believers (for us!). He knows us each of us individually and wants each of us to be united with God, in Himself. If we are united to Christ, then as He gives Himself to the Father, so also He gives us to the Father. It is through our union with Jesus that we are united with God. This might give insight into why Jesus says, “this is eternal life, that they should know you...and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life here. In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life now. Ultimately, heaven is union with God.
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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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:29-33-The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many wonderful things to meditate on in this Gospel. For instance, we can ponder how Jesus is stronger than all that troubles us; how we can be confident that He is already victorious; how He knows that we will leave him, and sin, but gives us His blessings anyway. All of these thoughts are worthy of reflection. But we will focus on Jesus’ words about being alone. Jesus tells His disciples that, even though they’ll leave Him, He won’t be alone, because His Father is with Him.
There is an old contemplative phrase, “You are never less alone than when you are by yourself.” Jesus commonly would leave the crowds to find time alone…alone with His Father. We must get comfortable being alone…alone with God, to pray. We have a problem when, the second we’re alone, we turn on the TV, the internet, or our phone. These distractions might be some of our greatest obstacles to a closer relationship with God. Consider what we fill our alone-time with. Can we commit to avoiding these distractions for a day? Or a week? See if those alone-times aren’t then filled with great company–the company of God.
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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The Ascension of the Lord (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:46-53 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. At the end of Jesus’ time on earth, forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus ascends, Body and Spirit, from earth into heaven. There Jesus will remain until His Second Coming at the end of time. This powerful Solemnity raises a lot of questions for us (some we can’t answer), but also it should give us great confidence—such a great event is a revelation of God’s power to do anything!
St. Luke wrote this Gospel, and he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel ends here, but this is right where Acts begins. Acts gives a more detailed account of the Ascension. Luke makes it clear that Jesus doesn’t leave his disciples alone, but immediately sends “power from on high” in the Holy Spirit. There is an important point worth noting here: God never wants us to be alone without Him. God loves us with an infinite love. In prayer, ask God for a greater closeness to Him in love. Go on, ask 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.
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Friday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:20-23 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “no one will take your joy away from you.” This abounding joy is the joy of heaven, of eternal life. This is also the joy that His disciples experience after His Resurrection. Eternal joy begins here and now on earth, in the hearts of those who are united to Christ. One characteristic of true joy is how substantial, how steady, it is. True joy isn’t a fleeting happiness which we possess when the circumstances around us are just right. True joy can actually exist at the same time as suffering, and suffering cannot overcome it.
Joy is something that the world today does not possess. Though everyone wants intense joy, most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to find it. So they settle for less. Pleasure is easy to find. Comfort is easy to find. Entertainment is easy to find. “Good enough” is easy to find. As a result, easy marriages replace joyful ones. Good-enough families replace joyful ones. Nice people replace joyful Christians. But our marriages, our families, and our world are poorer because of it. In prayer, reflect on joy. Do we really want it, or will we settle for mediocre lives?
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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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:16-20- Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Often when the Scriptures refer to “the world” they are referring to everything on earth, particularly mankind, living under sin. Christians are fundamentally opposed to “the world,” the anti-Christian life all around us. We have to get it through our heads that to be Christians necessarily means living differently from the world. We cannot have the full blessings of Christ and still be a lover of the world and its promises. This is what Jesus means when He says, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
This doesn’t mean that we can’t own houses, go to movies, play sports, buy nice clothes, eat out, take a vacation, or do many other things that give us pleasure or comfort or convenience on earth. But it does mean that we can’t make pleasure, comfort, or convenience our goal. That’s the world’s goal. Our goal is different. Christ is our goal. If the earth’s goods bring us closer to Him, we should use them. If the earth’s goods harm or dull our faith, they have to go. The Christians path is different because our goal is different.
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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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:12-15- Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine;for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Everything that the Father has is mine.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John’s writings give the most substantial teachings on the Holy Trinity. Notice the things that Jesus says in this Gospel about the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. First Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit “will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” Then He tells them that “Everything that the Father has is mine.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit share what they possess. They share themselves.
Such a gift is called a “gift of self.” Every person, made in God’s image, is called to live this same way. We are called to give ourselves to God and to others–not simply our money, our time, or our talents, plans, hopes, and preferences. We are called to give our very selves. When we hold back from giving, we cease to love. Spouses can’t stop giving when they’re upset. Parents can’t stop giving when they’re tired. Siblings can’t stop giving when they’re bored. We can’t stop giving. When we cease to give, we cease to love. During prayer, picture Christ on the Cross. When did He stop giving? He is our model.
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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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:5-11 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Wow, this is a very powerful statement from Jesus to his disciples, “it is better for you that I go.” The disciples thought, of course, that Christ’s leaving would be the worst possible thing for their faith. But it was actually for their great gain. After Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Holy Spirit is sent. Christ had been with the apostles, but the Holy Spirit would be in the apostles.
Many people think that if they had lived at the time of Christ, near Him, that their faith would have been tremendously strong. But look at the example of the apostles. Even though they were very close to Christ while He walked the earth, their faith was much, much weaker at that time than it was after He left, and the Holy Spirit made His dwelling in them. God the Holy Spirit supplies power where our faith is weak. We live in a privileged time, a time in which God Himself promises to make our faith strong. We possess the Holy Spirit through Baptism, and His gifts and His power through Confirmation. During prayer, reflect on the real importance, the real Gift, the real Life that comes through these Sacraments.
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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Monday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:26-16:4 – Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Ignorance is a great source of darkness in the world. It is the source of many moral mistakes that we ourselves and many others fall into. When we or others act in ignorance we do not intend evil, so we’re not as guilty. However, evil is still advanced. People do not need to formally choose evil for it to spread into their nations, schools, media, internet, children, marriages, minds, hearts, and souls…they just need to remain ignorant. There is a great deal of ignorance in the world today.
Jesus Christ is opposed to ignorance. Jesus is the Light that expels darkness and ignorance. Jesus is the Truth. We need to be very concerned with the truth. Spouses, parents, and whole families need to be properly informed about what is true and to be very intentional about living accordingly. We should discuss together what ideas we let influence our thoughts: What news, media, internet, and movies will we utilize? These things will affect how we think, dress, date, marry, talk, pray, etc. Ideas have power. We must to be sure to strengthen our understanding of what’s true and what isn’t.
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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Sixth Sunday in Easter (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:23-29 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit…will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Let us remember, it is still the Easter Season! Since we have died with Christ and risen with Christ we share in His abundant life. We take part in this life through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and who is spoken of in the Scriptures today. The Catechism of the Catholic Church talks about the different “senses” of Scripture. The most basic sense of Scripture is the literal sense—what is being said in a straightforward way. Before reflecting on the spiritual meaning of this passage, let’s reflect on its literal meaning. Jesus says that He will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to “teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Literally speaking, Jesus is telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit will come, and part of His work will be to teach them further about the mysteries they have witnessed in Jesus’ ministry.
This is exactly, exactly, how the Holy Spirit acts with the Church’s Magisterium, the official teaching body of the Catholic Church. He brings it to a deeper understanding of what Christ revealed on earth. Other non-Catholic Christians have serious problems with the Catholic Church claiming to teach infallibly the truth about Christ. But Jesus Himself attests to this authority as clearly as can be right here in the Gospel. It is very wise to trust the Catholic Church’s teachings on faith and morals, and very dangerous to fight them. The Holy Spirit continues to work in the Church, even today! Consider in prayer a few practical ways that we can better learn the teachings of the Church.
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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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:18-21-Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
A Christian isn’t just someone who remembers Christ and tries to be like Him. Ultimately, a Christian shares in Christ’s Life as a member of His Body. As Christians we are really in union with Christ. It shouldn’t shock us if we are hated or if we suffer persecutions for our Faith. Actually, it should shock us if we don’t. Jesus often dealt with run-ins, disagreements, accusations, lies, and enemies of the truth. Often we try to avoid these things at all costs. But to do so is to reject union with Christ’s suffering.
Fortunately, we live in a society where we can practice our Faith without violent persecution, but we should be very aware that there is a growing, strengthening, anti-Christian agenda at work in our society. We need to be very strong in the face of false ideas about marriage, family, religion, conscience, reproductive rights, etc. We need to be strong in love and in truth–otherwise we’re not acting as Christians. Christ always stands strong in love and truth, and we need to do the same today. What is one thing we can do today to courageously proclaim our Catholic Faith?
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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Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 12-17 - Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We have heard this passage, and similar ones, many times. John records this statement more than once at the Last Supper, and the other three Gospels all record a similar phrase from a discussion Jesus has with a scholar of the law. It is a phrase that Paul quotes, too. It seems to be a teaching that Jesus repeated many times. It certainly is central to His message. Hopefully we aren’t so used to hearing it that we forget to think about it. What Jesus is asking is a radical request.
Jesus is not asking us to love each other sentimentally–to feel good about our family and friends. He is asking us to love as He loves us. And how does Jesus love us? Jesus loves us for our own sakes–for our good, for our benefit–whether or not He benefits; whether or not we even notice; whether or not He must die doing so. Jesus is asking us to love our family and friends, and even our enemies, in a way that is best for them–regardless of any benefit to us. In prayer, consider what good work we can do for the good of each member of our family, or for our friends. Consider what prayer we can silently say for them. When we love like this, we follow God’s Commandment. And even if no one else sees, He sees–happily.
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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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:9-11- Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In these Gospel passages, Jesus has been telling His disciples to “remain” in Him and in His love. The word “remain” that Jesus is using means abide or take up residence. What Jesus is asking His disciples to do is to “live in Me” and “make Me your home.” Pretend for a moment that God’s love is an actual house and that we live there: each morning we wake up in God’s love; we prepare our day in God’s love; we eat, dress, talk, read, work, play, all in God’s love; we return every evening to God’s love; we find our rest and peace in God’s love; we are most genuinely ourselves in God’s love…
God is inviting us to be “at home” in Him and His love. He wants us to live our whole life in His love. We will do this if we follow His Commandments. Is there any Commandment we are lazy in following? It could be keeping us from great, great joy.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:1-8- Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here about how they are to stay healthy in the spiritual life. He does so by using an analogy of a vine and the branches growing from it. If any branch is connected to the vine it is healthy–it will “bear much fruit.” But if any branch is disconnected from the vine, it is dead. So it is with the spiritual (interior) life. If we are connected to Jesus, we are healthy. If we are disconnected from Him, we are dead.
A wonderful modern author, Jacques Philippe, says the beginning of the interior life is the realization that apart from God we can do nothing…not “some,” not “a little,” but absolutely nothing. We can’t do good for God, our spouse, our family, the world, or even ourselves if we aren’t closely connected to God. If we want to be better spouses, parents, children, siblings…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we want to be more loving, attentive, sensitive, gentle, honest, bold…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we don’t, our efforts are a waste of time. Apart from God, we can do nothing.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:27-31A - Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus doesn’t just give us earthly peace–in the forms of relaxation, quiet, and calm. He says, “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Jesus gives us His peace. Jesus’ peace is not subject to the circumstances around us. Even if there is trouble, suffering, busyness, or noise around us, Jesus’ peace is substantial and unshakable–regardless of the circumstances.
We have to realize that all the things we hope for from the world–its peace, happiness, and satisfaction–are sad imitations of real peace. Real, substantial, lasting peace can only be found in Christ. And it can be found! “My peace I leave you,” Jesus says. A few days after this (after the Resurrection) Jesus will again come and say, “Peace be with you,” and then He will breath on the disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus leaves us His profound, substantial peace in His gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit we are in Christ and He is in us. In the Holy Spirit we possess everything. Come, Holy Spirit, give us Christ and His profound peace!
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)
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Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:21-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My Name–He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here St. John is again writing about the Holy Trinity. This time He writes about the work of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. He will come in the name of Jesus, and He will teach the disciples everything, and remind them of all that Christ told them. We see that this is very true in history. Even after the Resurrection of Jesus, the apostles aren’t really sure of how exactly they are to proceed. Simon (Peter), at one point says, as if exasperated: “I am going fishing,” and six other disciples head out with him.
It is not until the Holy Spirit comes in power and gives them His gifts at Pentecost that they go out immediately, under His power, and begin to change the world. The Holy Spirit still guides the successors of the apostles–the bishops–today. He teaches them and reminds them of what Christ has told the apostles. The Holy Spirit guides us, the laity as well. We receive Him at Baptism, and this Baptismal grace is completed when we receive His gifts of power at Confirmation. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are “in Christ” as the Gospel and our Faith mention so often. “Come, Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ!”
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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Fifth Sunday in Easter (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13: 31-33, 34-45 - When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus chooses the time of His betrayal, suffering, and Death to say, “Now is the Son of Man glorified.” God is glorified in suffering and weakness. How unexpected. How beautiful. It has been said that God shows His power most greatly in His mercy. As Jesus accepts His suffering and Death in place of our suffering and death, He shows this power. Jesus did this for us. He willed our good. That is exactly what it means to love.
“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another,” Jesus commands. If we are to love others, we must desire and work for their good. Do we live for the sake of others in our home and family? Do the older and stronger pitch in for the smaller and weaker here? Do we pray for each other’s needs? Do we set aside entertainment and technology and take time to talk to each other? Do we compliment? Do we apologize? Marriage and family life are an intimate community of life and love, based on each member treating their life as a gift given for others. Our call is to love.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:7-14 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” When we hear this, we might first think that Jesus is speaking symbolically. Certainly we can’t do the works that Jesus does, can we? He heals the sick, when He speaks, His will is done. His word even raises the dead. What can Jesus possibly mean when He says we will do His works? Jesus means exactly what He says. He means that believers can do the works He does. A closer reading of the Gospel suggests just how this happens. We are right to be leery of the idea that we might have the power to do miraculous things…but here, our focus is wrong. When Jesus says we can do these things, He isn’t speaking about our own power… He is promising His power in us. So He repeats, “I will do it.”
Through the centuries, the saints have performed many miracles. This might cause us confusion, even fear, for such power seems strange to us. Actually, the great saints, even those who worked wonders, were very normal, weak, little humans like us. The reason they performed miracles is that they opened themselves up to God living and working in them. It is God who works the wonders through the hands of His servants. Considered this way, it is really very normal and understandable! As we grow in the Christian life, we’ll see God beginning to work in us, too. We must be open to Christ living in us and working through us. In prayer, ask Mary to help us to be open to God living in us.
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)
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:1-6 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage, like many during these days, is from the Last Supper Discourse from John’s Gospel. At this particular point, Jesus has just told His disciples that someone will betray Him, and also that He is about to go away. Naturally, they are troubled. Jesus reassures them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” and tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them, and then He will return to take them to Himself. What they don’t yet understand is that Jesus is going away to die, but in doing this He will prepare for them a Heaven that is opened to them, and then He will rise from the dead and take them to Himself.
God wants us to be with Him. Jesus tells us He will take us to Himself; that where He is we also may be. What comfort to know God loves us with an infinite love and wants our ultimate happiness. We will find this happiness precisely in Him. What a comfort, as well, to know that it is God who makes this ultimate happiness possible: “I am the way” (John 14:6). We must remember that God has fought for us and won the victory. Victory is ours when we keep following Him (He is the way!) until we finally rest in Him (He is our end!). Praised be Jesus Christ!
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)
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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:16-20 - When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen I say to you, no slave is greater than his master…If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says this phrase, “no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16), right after He washes His disciples’ feet. Right before this statement He says, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). If God serves others, we too should serve others. Being a great man or woman in Christianity looks dramatically different than being a great man or woman in the world. We have a wonderful example of this in the photographs of our popes (our leaders) stopping to kiss children, or to minister to the sick, and to people with disabilities.
Jesus doesn’t just want us to honor the idea of service, He wants us to serve: “…blessed are you if you do it.” If we want to be like Jesus, we must serve. At home we must serve the smallest among us. In our family we must serve the elderly. At school we must serve the lonely. At work we must serve the annoying. Service may be washing feet, but it may also be spending time with, and including someone, or having a good conversation. In prayer, think–who do we know who is: sad, lonely, weak, small, disabled, embarrassed, smelly, annoying, awkward? … Now, serve them! Blessed are you if you do it.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 12:44-50 - Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
As we have already mentioned a few times, the story of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus is like the climactic chapter in a book that makes the rest of the story make sense. It is interesting to see the readings that the Church picks out for us during the season of Easter. Many of those from the Gospel of John go back and retell the mysterious statements and actions of Jesus early on in His ministry. Some of these give hints about Jesus Himself, about who He really is, and about who the Father is. Once we know that He has risen from the dead, they all make so much more sense. It is as though the Church is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see that Jesus is God!?” Do we?
The Resurrection is so strange and powerful, that if it is true, so must everything else be true that Jesus did and said. The Resurrection is the supreme proof of our Faith. By it, Jesus reveals Himself as God the Son. As the Son, Jesus tells us He is showing us God the Father. This is why He says, “whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” As the Church is showing us Jesus, so Jesus is showing us God the Father. It is as though Jesus is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see the Father!?” Do we?
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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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:22-30 - The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John, more than any other writer in Scripture, speaks of the relationship of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells the Jews: “The Father and I are one.” Certainly, any listener can grasp the basic meaning here, but as Christians we should deeply ponder the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The Three Divine Persons are each distinct Persons, but they are not separated from each other. They are bound together in a unity of love. St. John, in one of his letters to his churches (John 1), says that God is love.
The clearest image we have of this invisible reality is in something we see every day. God made mankind in His image (Genesis 1). This doesn’t mean that we look like Him, but it does mean that we can understand something about Him by observing ourselves. God made mankind male and female– the first of these were Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve, themselves two distinct people, joined themselves together in love in a bond of marriage, and (as Genesis 2 tells us) “the two became one.” Marriage is the great image of the Holy Trinity, a community of Persons who, though distinct, are not separate. They are bound together, as one, in love. In prayer, reflect on how our marriage and our family beautifully reflect God’s inner Life in the Trinity. How can we better reflect the love of the Trinity in our life?
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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Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:1-10 - Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
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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Fourth Sunday in Easter (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:27-30 - Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The reason we focus on this type of prayer, Christian meditation (or mental prayer), each day is because it is prayer that helps us to listen. Most people do not hear God speak directly to them. But God still instructs us to listen. Christian meditation helps us accomplish this listening. Other things, like spiritual direction, can help with this as well, but meditation on Scripture is very important because every word of Scripture is true and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and many of its words come from the mouth of Christ.
A shepherd knows what is best for His sheep. Sheep, however, often don’t know what is best for themselves. God is like a shepherd, and we are like sheep. But God doesn’t just know what is best for us, He wants what is best for us too. God made us to be happy, and he desires our ultimate happiness even more than we do. Knowing that God wants our happiness should give us great hope, courage, and excitement to follow Him wherever He leads. In prayer, ask for the grace to be open to what the Good Shepherd wants, and for the grace to hear clearly when and where He is leading.
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)
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Fourth Sunday in Easter (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:27-30 - Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The reason we focus on this type of prayer, Christian meditation (or mental prayer), each day is because it is prayer that helps us to listen. Most people do not hear God speak directly to them. But God still instructs us to listen. Christian meditation helps us accomplish this listening. Other things, like spiritual direction, can help with this as well, but meditation on Scripture is very important because every word of Scripture is true and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and many of its words come from the mouth of Christ.
A shepherd knows what is best for His sheep. Sheep, however, often don’t know what is best for themselves. God is like a shepherd, and we are like sheep. But God doesn’t just know what is best for us, He wants what is best for us too. God made us to be happy, and he desires our ultimate happiness even more than we do. Knowing that God wants our happiness should give us great hope, courage, and excitement to follow Him wherever He leads. In prayer, ask for the grace to be open to what the Good Shepherd wants, and for the grace to hear clearly when and where He is leading.
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)
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Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:60-69 - Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is interesting to see what Jesus doesn’t do in the Gospel. Many of His listeners are so thrown off by His teachings about eating His Flesh that they no longer follow Him. But notice that Jesus doesn’t chase after them. He doesn’t say to them “Wait, wait, I was only speaking of this symbolically.” He lets them go. Certainly Jesus wants people to follow Him, for their own good. But this teaching isn’t optional. The Eucharist is too important.
Certainly, many teachings of the Faith aren’t easy. Jesus never said they would be. In fact, after this incident, He turns to His disciples and asks frankly, “Do you also want to leave?” He asks us this question as well. What will we do when we can’t understand one of His teachings? Will we decide that we are right and that the Church is wrong, and walk our own way? Many have. Or will we stay? We don’t need to understand everything perfectly; the faithful disciples didn’t. Instead, we need to have faith—faith that God is always doing what is best for us. This is part of the glory of Easter. In the darkest hour of disappointment, dismay, and death, the Lord rises victorious! “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Luke 8:50).
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)
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Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:52-59 - The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
“Amen, amen, I say to you…” Jesus says. He is really driving home the point that He is actually speaking about eating His very Flesh and drinking His very Blood. His listeners, the Jews, understand clearly what He means—and it really bothers them. “The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us His Flesh to eat?’” Why is Jesus so adamant about this? He is adamant because it is by eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood that we are in Him and He is in us.
We are unified to Christ through the Eucharist. If we want our flesh to be united to His Flesh we need to go to Communion. If we want our blood to be united to His Blood we need to go to Communion. If we want our soul to be united to His Soul we need to go to Communion. If we want our humanity to be united to His Divinity we need to go to Communion. We cannot be poisoned by the false and ignorant Christianity of those “Catholics” who do not attend Mass. It is not an option. Jesus drove this message home for His listeners. We must drive it home, and deeply into our family life. We might even need to insist on this truth to our friends. We miss out on much when we don’t come to Mass— we miss out on Christ and the sweet blessedness of remaining in Him and He in us.
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)
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Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:44-51 - Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is telling His listeners exactly what He means when he says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Make no mistake about this, He isn’t speaking of symbolic bread. Here He clarifies that, “the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” Jesus does not intend for Christians to believe that Holy Communion is only a spiritual symbol of Him. This is where many Christians greatly err. Catholics Christians, on the other hand, know the truth about the Eucharist. At Communion we know that we actually eat Christ’s real Body, His Blood, His Soul, and His Divinity—not just symbols. The Eucharist is the real thing.
It is still the Easter Season, and we have to strive to live this season appropriately. Every Sunday is a little Easter, really. One excellent way to live Easter is to reflect on who we are united with at Communion. We are one with Jesus, who has risen from the dead!
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)
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:35-40 - Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus states that He came down…to raise up. God doesn’t call us to be with Him by reaching Him ourselves. First, God descends. There is something special to this downward movement of God. We think of God as so lofty and high above us—and certainly He is. But God chooses to show us something different about Himself–something not yet known, something never expected. When we first see God after His birth, He appears as a tiny, poor, helpless, homeless baby lying in a feeding trough in a dirty cave. When we last see God before His death, He is beaten mercilessly, mocked, spat upon, naked, poor, helpless, homeless, hanging, bleeding, dying. God has descended to the depths of the misery of man…and He has plumbed that depth. In so doing He has reversed the power of sin and trampled death underfoot.
And it is here that He says, “It is finished.” Three days later, at the Resurrection, the earth cannot contain the magnitude of His glory. God’s descent into man’s misery ends with God’s ascent, with man, into God’s glory. “I came down,” says the Lord, “that I should raise.”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:30-35 - The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Last week we discussed how things that happen earlier in the Scriptures point toward Christ’s Death and Resurrection. This is continuously the case with the stories, prayers, prophecies, and promises of the Old Testament. After the Israelites fled from Egypt, the Lord fed them manna, bread from heaven, during their time in the wilderness. This is the story to which the people in the Gospel are referring. They are looking for a similar kind of sign. But their expectations are too low.
Jesus isn’t here to give a sign, but to be the real thing. The sign of manna was meant to signify Him. Jesus isn’t here to give bread from heaven, He’s here to be bread from heaven, the “true bread.” When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are receiving God in a special way that He has been preparing for us since the beginning. We must be more mindful about the great gift of God Himself that we are receiving at Mass. Jesus, the True Bread from heaven gives us life every week (or even every day) at Mass. In prayer, consider what special attention we pay to this mystery, and how we can do more to show our gratitude. Are we willing to stay for a few minutes longer to pray after Mass while Christ is still physically inside of us? Can we spend time attending Adoration, or attend Mass during the week?
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)
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Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:22-29 - [After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The crowds ask Jesus a question that sounds very pious and faithful, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” As good as this question sounds, their focus is incorrect. The crowds are focused on the good they can accomplish themselves. Jesus turns the focus back to God (to Himself). Our job is to believe in Christ; His job is to accomplish His works.
In the Gospels, it is the faith of believers that amazes Jesus and moves Him to action. Faith is closely related to humility. The virtue of humility is so necessary to the Christian life. It takes the focus off of us and places it on God. It’s really all we can bring to the table—an awareness that we can do nothing, mixed with a trust that He can accomplish anything. “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.” In prayer, beg God to increase our faith and our reliance on Jesus Christ.
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)
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Third Sunday in Easter (C)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 21:1-19 - At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In today’s Gospel we see the risen Jesus do something awesome, something which reminds His disciples of one of His first encounters with them: He helps them miraculously to catch fish. And here, as before, Jesus uses this setting to call the apostles, especially Peter, when he says again—now three years later— “Follow me.” But there is more than the repeating of a call going on here. There is a new element. When Christ first called Peter, Peter probably had some guess as to what he’d do: obey Jesus, travel with Him at times, preach and teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand. But he couldn’t have understood the utter depth of the call.
The second time around the situation is different. This time Peter knows exactly what Jesus will call him to, because Jesus speaks openly about it. Jesus “said this signifying by what kind of death he [Peter] would glorify God.” Jesus is calling Peter to die. “And when he [Jesus] had said this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” And Peter does follow Him. Peter follows Him to death. But Peter understands something else, also, about his call this time. His call will not end in death. Peter will follow Jesus ultimately into the Resurrection of Life!
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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Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:16-21 - When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“It is I. Do not be afraid.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The disciples were afraid. Who wouldn’t be afraid when, out on a boat on the sea, in a fierce wind, during the middle of the night, they see a figure walking toward them on the water? Of course they were afraid. Sometimes we pray for safety, ease, and comfort—for smooth sailing. But another Gospels tell us that it was actually Jesus who sent the disciples across this sea, at night, before the windstorm. Oftentimes God won’t save us from trouble; but He will always save us. There is a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis’ children’s series, The Chronicles of Narnia, about a godly figure, Aslan the Lion: “He isn’t safe. But he is good.” Jesus might be a little like this.
God’s answer to getting us through tough situations very often isn’t to remove the obstacles, difficulties, or sufferings. Instead, He give us Himself in the midst of these. To get safely to the other side of the lake the apostles didn’t need a calm sea. They needed the Lord’s presence. The answer to our difficult situations might not be to escape from difficulties, but instead to recognize and welcome the closeness of the Lord. What difficulties are we struggling with? The victorious, Risen Lord is with us. In prayer, ask Him to guide our way and to help us through.
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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Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 6:1-15 - Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event of the multiplication of the loaves of bread takes place during the middle of Jesus’ public ministry. But the Church gives this Gospel passage to us to read during Easter time, which takes place at the end of Jesus’ public ministry. What does it have to do with Easter? The Gospel story gives us some hints. One hint is that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” We know that He will do that again at the Last Supper. The Gospel also tells us that the “feast of Passover was near.” Very often the Gospels show Jesus preparing people for something that will happen later. That is what Jesus is doing here.
Everything in Jesus’ public ministry makes better sense when we understand His Death and Resurrection. This Gospel passage certainly does. It takes on a deeper meaning—not only is it a miracle that feeds a hungry crowd, but it is an introduction to the Eucharist. Everything that happens in our life, too, makes better sense when we understand that it is related to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Life has meaning. Our actions have meaning. Suffering has meaning. Death has meaning. All this, because of Jesus. We must get used to viewing our lives, our choices, our sins, our sacrifices–as relating to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Because they do!
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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Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:31-36 - The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” We sometimes think that He means that if we truly believe in Him (and love and obey Him) as our Faith teaches us to do, then we will someday go to heaven—to eternal life. And we are right. But St. John, in his Gospel, doesn’t consider eternal life something we can receive only after we die. He tells us that we already have eternal life, now, here on earth, if we possess Christ.
A deep truth is at work here. Christ Himself is our life. It is Christ Himself who is eternal life. To demonstrate this, let’s look at what God says when He reveals His Name to Moses; He says, “I AM.” Ultimately, God is; He lives eternally and infinitely. So, then, if we have eternal life, we don’t just possess life, or live life. If we have eternal life, it means we are existing and living in God. Our life is a Person, Jesus Christ. Knowing this, consider how loving the crucified Jesus is, and how victorious the Risen Jesus is. This is your life! He is your life!
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)
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:16-21 - God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a Bible verse that we should all memorize if we can. It is the famous “John 3:16” quote. It is a wonderful mini-gospel: God loved us so much that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die for us so we would not die in our sins, but instead have God’s Life with Him. That’s awesome.
The very first sentence of the very first paragraph of the very first section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says beautiful words about this truth. It says that God made man to share in God’s own blessed life. We exist to exist in God. That is why God made us. God made us to be ultimately happy by sharing in His own life. This is exactly what He offers us at Easter: participation in His Life. We need to enter into Easter now, today, and forever.
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 prayers.
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)
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Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:7-15 - Jesus said to Nicodemus: “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You must be born from above.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “a ruler of the Jews” who comes to Him in secret in the night. Jesus is speaking to Him about life in the Spirit, in the Holy Spirit. “You must be born from above” and “so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The Easter Season is a great season to reflect on such a passage, especially in light of the readings we have heard in the last few days. When Jesus appears to the apostles, for instance, He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
By Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, He restores to mankind the life of the Holy Spirit in us. What He gives to the apostles, He gives to us. Jesus’ Resurrection to new life is not only His Resurrection from the dead; it is also our resurrection from the dead—from not having the Holy Spirit, to having the Holy Spirit. This is our great, lasting gift: the Holy Spirit, who is given to us at Baptism. The Sacraments are the keys to obtaining God’s Divine Life, His New Life, His Holy Spirit.
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)
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Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3: 1-8 - There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church presents to us this Gospel passage about Jesus and Nicodemus more than once during the year. As we read it this time, during Easter, consider why it is that it belongs here in this season. This Gospel event actually happens near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry on earth, while the Resurrection happens at the very end of it. But it is at the end of Jesus’ ministry that we better understand what He was saying here, earlier, about the Spirit. And that is how it often works with the teachings of Christ. Christ teaches us in many ways: through Scriptures, Church teachings, the wisdom of others, and through life experiences. But often what He’s teaching us doesn’t make sense until later, when His plan unfolds.
God knows what He is doing. We don’t. Like Nicodemus, we have to trust and, sometimes, we have to wait. It is essential, when we don’t understand God’s plan, that we pray. We must pray about our lives particularly in light of the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Nothing will make total sense to us apart from these mysteries. But with them, everything will make sense. Christ is always at the center of every situation. We must remind ourselves of this constantly. In prayer, let’s all consider our biggest current life events—whether they are blessings or difficulties; then let’s consider how they might relate to the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally let’s all tell ourselves very slowly and carefully, “The point of this situation I am going through now, is that through it I can be with Christ.”
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)
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Second Sunday of Easter (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20: 19-31 - On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Unless I see the nailmarks in His hands…I will not believe.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Thomas is a wonderful representation of the modern “educated” man. He must see and touch, have proof through his senses, before he believes. This is how we have been falsely taught to think today. We have been taught that we must prove everything through the scientific method, and that if we can’t prove something by testing it, then it cannot be real, or knowable, or reliable. This lie is harmful to education. And worse, it is harmful to souls. Often, the most important things cannot be tested. But they are, indeed, very real.
Jesus is very gentle with Thomas. He lets Thomas put his hands in His wounds. So Thomas believes. Jesus is also very gentle with us. He lets us touch Him in the Eucharist. All the Sacraments have a physical component, as well as a spiritual one. Through them we experience Christ with our senses. The Resurrection, also, is not just a spiritual event. It is both a physical and a spiritual event. God isn’t just saving our souls, but also our bodies. Nevertheless, we need to grow as comfortable in the spiritual realm (the realm of things not seen) as we are in the physical realm (where we can see, taste, and touch). For Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” In prayer, beg God to improve the vision of our spiritual eyes, so we will be blessed.
And let us remember, it is still Easter! We should joyfully continue our jubilant celebration.
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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Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16:9-15- When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. Mark gives a brief and straightforward overview of the major events that happened after the Resurrection. And this account is very useful. He sums up many events which took place over an extended period of forty days. His account here ends with Jesus instructing the apostles to go “proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Are we following this instruction of Christ? Are we sharing the Good News of the Faith with others, many others? Do we share the Gospel with all whom we can—with those whom we know well, and with strangers? People are empty, lost, dissatisfied, and deeply lonely. We cannot keep this Good News to ourselves because we fear embarrassment or awkwardness in sharing it. The Lord thirsts for souls. Souls, though many don’t know it, thirst for the Lord. The Lord has asked us to play some part in this mission. One very helpful way to share the faith is to learn (and even practice!) a concise explanation of the Faith (or of our own faith story) to share with others. St. Mark and St. Peter did this in their Gospel. In prayer, consider what things we might say to share our Faith, and make a list of those with whom we might share it. Consider practicing this explanation with our family.
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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Friday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 21: 1-14 – Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis must have been an especially wonderful experience for Jesus’ disciples, especially St. Peter. St. John remembers it with joy and is inspired to write about it. They are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberius) after an unproductive night of fishing. Then Jesus comes to shore and tells them to try again…which certainly must have sounded somewhat ridiculous to them. However, they obey, and they catch a huge number of fish.
If we are attentive, we’ll remember that this isn’t the first time this has happened to Peter (or Andrew, James, and John). Three years earlier, when these four were fishermen barely knew Jesus, a similar miracle occurred and it lead them to believe. Now, here, after the Resurrection, Jesus comes to call them again. Their life with Him is not over, and neither is their call. In a sense, it is only just beginning. They are to carry the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to the ends of the earth, to the end of time.
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)
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Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:35-48 - The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It should be a real comfort to us that the first thing that Jesus says to many of those to whom He appears after His Resurrection, is “Peace.” He doesn’t directly mention love, or life, or victory…but peace. Certainly, by saying this Jesus wants to calm the natural fears of those who are “startled and terrified” at seeing Him raised from the dead. But there is also a deeper meaning in His greeting.
Jesus is proclaiming a new reality for those who believe in Him. They are, for the first time, at peace with God. The separation, curse, and opposition that mankind’s sin had caused between us and God has been overcome. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, there is a new, profound peace: a peace between God and man. In the life of grace given to us through the Church, especially through the Sacraments, we are brought into this peace. Accept the peace offered to you by Jesus. He means it when He says, “Peace be with you”…with you! In prayer, let’s ask the Lord for the grace to receive His gift of peace.
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)
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Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 24: 13-35- That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Were not our hearts burning within us…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What we see in the encounter of the travelers with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is something very familiar. We have heard some of the phrases used in this story before, such as, “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” Indeed, the whole structure of the story is very familiar. It actually parallels the structure of the Mass: first there is the proclamation of the Scriptures, and then there is the breaking of the Bread. These two parts of the Mass are called the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
It is very important to notice that after His Resurrection, Jesus doesn’t choose to show himself to massive crowds or to appear at the center of the Temple. Instead, even while still bodily present on earth, even before His Ascension into heaven, Jesus chooses to make Himself known in the Mass. And this is still where we can find Him today. If we want to meet the Risen Christ, who can set our hearts on fire like he did for those travelers long ago, then we need to be at Mass. Consider in prayer: How often do we go to Mass? How attentive are we to the readings? How respectful are we in our actions? How much do we long to see Christ?
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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Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20: 11-18 - Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…she turned…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene is one of the most fascinating and beautiful figures in all of the Scriptures. She had been lost deeply in sin, had lived a disgraceful life, and was possessed by seven demons (St. Mark tells us so). This is where the Lord found her, and He healed her. And because of this, she loved Him greatly. It is not a coincidence that of all the people to whom Jesus could have come to reveal the new life of the Resurrection, He comes first to her. By choosing Mary, he shows that he wants to introduce sinners to a completely new life of grace.
Mary assumes that Jesus is the gardener at the beginning of this Gospel story. St. John mentions this misunderstanding because it is significant to the full meaning of the Gospel. Here, Jesus is meant to remind us of Adam, the first man, a gardener, whom God placed in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, Adam had communion with God until he sinned. Now, once again in a garden, God has restored man to communion with Him through the “New Adam,” Jesus. Mary doesn’t recognize this at first. Notice that in the Gospel she turns twice. She is already facing Jesus, unrecognized, it seems, when St. John says again, “she turned.” This time her heart also turns. Now she sees truly that goodness is stronger than sin, that life is stronger than death, that Jesus is victorious, and that we who are disgraceful sinners have victory with Him. In prayer, turn and look at the Risen Jesus!
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)
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Monday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28:8-15- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas are “fearful yet overjoyed.” They have just seen an angel of the Lord who showed them Jesus’ empty tomb and told them, “He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said.” They are “fearful yet overjoyed” because something totally new is beginning for them. They don’t know exactly how, at this point, but they sense their lives are changing. Their lives are not simply changing in the sense that something around them is now different, but their lives are changinginto completely new lives. They are beginning to experience the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Resurrection changes everything. Regardless of whether the rest of the world understands or pays attention to what is happening (certainly they will in the end), those who love Christ and believe in Him do change. He lived our death in union with us. We live His Resurrection in union with Him. His Resurrection is our Resurrection. Christ is victorious. With Him we are victorious. How will we celebrate this victory in prayer, in our hearts, in our home, and in our family? What are we doing to celebrate our victory? We cannot celebrate enough!
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)
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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:1-9 - On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…he had to rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“Ancient Easter Homily”— by Bishop Melito of Sardis—From the Liturgy of the Hours)
“The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud:
Who will contend with me? Let him confront me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.
Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.”
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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Easter Sunday Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter (C)
The Resurrection of the Lord
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:1-12 - At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“The Paschal Homily” – by St. John Chrysostom – 407 AD)
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. / If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord. / If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense…
He that was taken by death has annihilated it! / He descended into Hades and took Hades captive! / He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower region”…
O death, where is thy sting? / O Hades, where is thy victory? / Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! / Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! / Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! / Christ is risen, and life reigns! / Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! / For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the firstfruits of them that have slept. / To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages. / Amen. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal Homily)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Easter Sunday.)
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)
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Holy Saturday
Office Reading – Extra Reading
There is no Mass on Holy Saturday Mass. Instead of the daily Mass Gospel, therefore, we are including a reading from the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Awake, O sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday” —the Lord descends into hell)
“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: 'My Lord be with you all.' And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
"The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”
(http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Saturday.)
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)
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Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (A, B, C)
Today’s Gospel reading at the Mass is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from John 18:1-19:42.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings. Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ is the single most staggering event to ever have been witnessed in all of history. It is, somehow, at once, utterly horrible and utterly blessed.
The horror of Jesus’ Passion and Death is not only that Jesus was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed. It is that he was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed by us. The events of that particular day, Good Friday, were not the cause of Jesus’ suffering and Death, but only the occasion of His Death. Our sin is the cause of His suffering and Death. The physical horrors we see at Jesus’ execution are only the visible portion of what He endures. In His soul He faces the drastic state of mankind’s situation in sin, and suffers the full burden of each and every individual sin that each of us and every man and woman has ever, or ever will, commit—from the beginning of time to its end. His pain is literally unfathomable.
And yet, astonishingly, it is here, exactly here at the Cross, at the lowest point of our decisive misery, that Jesus Christ saves us. Jesus Christ does not save us at our heights—He saves us at our depths. We were stuck in sin, apart from God, and powerless to change our situation. But, out of infinite love, Christ changes it for us. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our misery so that we can unite with Him in His glory. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our suffering so that we can unite with Him in His healing. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our death so that we can unite with Him in His Life. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our sin so that we can unite with Him in this victory over sin. At the Cross, Jesus unites Himself with us who are in separation from God so that we can unite with Him in His union with God.
It is impossible for us to speak worthily enough about the infinite love of God that He pours out to us—sinners—on the Cross. At the Cross everything is for us. For at the Cross is Christ.
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Good Friday.)
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)
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Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 13:1-15 - Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
No matter how beautiful and important Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper is, it seems a bit strange to us Catholics who are so focused on the Eucharist that we wouldn’t read instead about Jesus instituting the Eucharist. There are probably a number of reasons for this, for instance we actually do cover Jesus institution of the Eucharist every Mass already during the Consecration. But there is another reason that we will focus on here. What we are doing at Mass when we read these events, is not simply remembering that Christ doing these Events, we are actually participating in these Events themselves.
When we come to Mass, or do anything Liturgical, we are mystically (spiritually) taking part in the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. In the Mass, we first encounter Christ in the reading of the Word, then we encounter Him in the Eucharist. So, reading this Gospel from the Last Supper and then receiving Christ in the Eucharist (which He institutes at the same Last Supper) is a perfect progression. We, like the disciples (actually with the disciples), take part in one part of the Last Supper, and then take part in another part of the Last Supper. It helps us understand that we are really there participating in the Life of Christ. That’s actually what we do every Mass, and we should especially pay close attention to it in these days. We are participating in Christ’s Last Supper and Agony tonight, His Passion and Death tomorrow, His Time in the Tomb Saturday, and His Resurrection on Sunday… and forever!
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Thursday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 26:14-25 - One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is dumbfounding to consider the power of Jesus. For instance, the Gospel shows that Jesus knew He would be betrayed. He knew who would do it. He knew that He would be crucified. He knew all of it…all along…always. Jesus has a divine, infinite intellect, meaning that He knows everything. Yet He never changed His course. He went willingly to Jerusalem. He didn’t expel Judas on the way. He never treated Him with any contempt, only love.
It is important to know that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him. Jesus lays it down Himself. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again” (John 10:18). Jesus has all the power. He is utterly, completely in control of the situation when He goes through with His Crucifixion and Death. He chooses it. He chooses it for our sake, not with any contempt, only love.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:21-33,36-38- Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When does Jesus say, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him”? He says it at the beginning of His Passion, when He is betrayed. Jesus is glorified, and God in Him, in His suffering, His weakness, and His Death. Here we expect only to see misery, never glory. How could Jesus show His infinite glory here? Yet moment by moment, situation by situation, exactly amidst these things, Christ’s victory, His power, His abounding Life begin to be revealed. He willingly accepts His betrayal; He accepts His arrest; He accepts His denial; He accepts His beatings; He accepts His crowning with thorns; He accepts His sentence; He accepts His Cross; He accepts His falls; He accepts His nails; He accepts His insults; He accepts His Death. And thus begins His glory. “And when the Centurion…saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly, this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).
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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Monday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 12:1-11 - Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary of Bethany can teach us much about what it is to genuinely love Jesus. This is not the first time we have seen her in the Gospels. She is the one who sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him while her sister Martha is busy serving. There, Mary shows us true prayer. And Jesus defends her decision to be there, silent, at His feet. In this Gospel passage, Mary shows us true worship. And Jesus defends her from those who disapprove of this eccentricity. Mary and Jesus reveal a very important lesson to Christians about the extravagance of worship.
Loving worship is the most fitting offering we can make to God. We are limited creatures, He is our infinite Creator. We owe Him worship. And no matter how great our worship may be, it is utterly nothing compared to what He deserves. God prescribes extravagant worship to the Israelites. Jesus defends the extravagant worship of Mary. Therefore, we understand that the Liturgy shouldn’t be cheaply done: music and art should be sacred, not chintzy; people should dress well, not casually; priests should present the Gospel’s good news, not present messages that feel good; the length of the Liturgy should be appropriate, not short; And we need to spend time and money on the Liturgy…sometimes even a disproportionate amount of time and money. We need to realize that worship is about giving God glory first, not giving us pleasure first. How can we worship differently, and better this Sunday?
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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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (C)
Today there are two Gospel readings at the Mass. The first is from the Procession of Palms, and is from Matthew 21:1-11. The next is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from Luke 22:14-23:56.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings(Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family)
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is Palm Sunday, and it marks the beginning of a particularly important time. There are two Gospel readings on this day: one is about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the other is about Jesus’ Last Supper, Agony in the Garden, Passion, and Death. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Jesus’ last week before His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Jesus’ hour is at hand. The Gospel begins here. Notice what the Gospel says Jesus does when His Hour comes—He gathers with the apostles. This is key for us.
As Catholics we talk about Liturgy. The word “liturgy” comes from the idea of a “public work”—not so much meaning an activity that many people are involved in, but instead a work that is done on behalf of many people, to benefit them. Jesus’ Passion and Death are works done on behalf of us, the public, that give us infinite benefit. So in the liturgy we aren’t simply remembering these events from the life of Jesus, we are actually participating in them! Through the liturgy we take part in His life, suffering, Death, and His Resurrection. When His Hour comes, Jesus joins with the apostles. As Jesus’ modern-day followers, we also must be with Him. How else can we experience His Cross, Death, and Resurrection, and all their benefits? This week should look very, very, very different than any other week of the year. What are we doing this week to join with Jesus in His Hour?
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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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 11:45-57 - Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So from that day on they planned to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Evil is hard at work. And we are making a very dangerous mistake if we do not heed this fact, because evil can cause great destruction. But there is something even more important to consider: God can take anything and use it for the cause of good. In this Gospel, the Sanhedrin is plotting to kill Jesus. Soon, they will be in league with the Romans in this plot. What neither of them know is that Satan is in on this plot with them as well. Yet, what they all least suspect is that in some mysterious way God is in on this plot too. And He will have the last laugh.
The killing of Jesus on the Cross is the greatest evil in the world. What its planners do not know, however, is that God will use exactly this to be the salvation of the world. He utterly stifles evil by making the Death of Christ the showcase of His glory—by rising from the dead and saving the world along with it. God can turn all things to good: yes, even our past mistakes, even our weakness, even our sins. This is the mystery of the Cross. In prayer, consider that God wants to take our greatest failings and make them into our greatest strengths.
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)
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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:51-59- Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of the times in Jesus’ ministry when He clearly declares that He is God. Jesus is God. We are very familiar with what Jesus does while on earth, but perhaps we are a little less familiar with who He is. Each week at Mass we say the Nicene Creed—the summary of beliefs of the Catholic Faith. We should understand it well. God is Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Second Person, God the Son, takes on flesh and becomes man—Jesus.
Let’s look deeper into the Creed at the section beginning with “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ…” How is Jesus the “Son” of God the Father? The Son of God is not a son in the human sense. It is not true that at one point He didn’t exist, and then at another point He came into being. He is always proceeding from the Father, eternally. The Father is always “begetting” Him, eternally. The Son is always coming forth from the Father. He is not “made” or created by Him. The Father and the Son are of the same substance—consubstantial. The Son is as limitlessly and perfectly infinite as His Father. Like His Father, the Son is fully and infinitely God. He is God from God.
It is He whom we receive each week at Mass—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. So pay attention to the Creed, and to the Eucharist.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:31-42 - Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Everyone today, whether holy or sinful, wants freedom. But many misunderstand freedom. Many think that freedom is the ability to do whatever you want: have impure relationships, do whatever feels good, drink too much, marry and divorce, ignore the faith, ignore morality. But when the moment comes that they want to stop these things, they often find that they are unable to stop. (This is the case with an addict, for instance.) All along, they thought they were free to do whatever felt good, when they were actually enslaved by their own sin. It is hard to get free.
Sin makes us slaves. When we do bad things we don’t just carry these actions around with us as a history of what we’ve done. What we do actually forms our soul. We carry these things in our soul. When we sin on one occasion, our soul is twisted. On the following occasions we will find it easier to sin, and harder to do the right thing. Sin enslaves us. Even the littlest sins aren’t to be toyed with—they will move us toward big sins. Christ alone has the power to free us from the cruel slavery of sin. To be truly free we need Him. In prayer, consider what sins are present in our lives. Then ask Christ to help us to become truly free.
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)
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Fifth Sunday of Lent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:1-11 - Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So he was left alone with the woman before him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In reality, we find we are very similar to this woman. We all must face Jesus alone. Make no mistake, Jesus is very serious about sin, death, judgment, and hell. And this Gospel is one more reminder that judgment is completely in His Hands. But in the Gospel, while all the accusations, all the recounting of sin is going on, Jesus doesn’t even seem to be listening. The one thing—the one person—He seems to give serious attention to, is the woman. Jesus is less concerned about her sins, and more concerned with her. Jesus is also very serious about mercy.
Jesus seeks to give mercy, not judgment, though both are His to give. Jesus is inexhaustibly liberal with his forgiveness. But He gives a command along with His mercy, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” That is why, when we go to Confession, our sins are forgiven only if we have the intention or desire not to repeat them. Our intentions matter greatly! Lent, especially right before Easter, is the greatest time to go to Confession. By doing so, we can enter into the Liturgy so appropriately—as people forgiven by Christ’s Death and ready to rejoice at His Resurrection. Examine ourselves in prayer: do we need to attend Confession and experience God’s great mercy? He wants to offer us His forgiveness there!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:40-53 - Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Nicodemus…said to them, ‘Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Nicodemus is a great character to observe in the Gospel of John. He shows up three different times in the Gospel, during three different visits of Jesus to Jerusalem. Nicodemus was “a Pharisee…a ruler of the Jews.” He first comes to Jesus during the night to find out more about Him. Now, here, we see him amidst his colleagues suggesting that Jesus be treated fairly by the law. Later we will see him present at Jesus’ burial. Over time, Nicodemus makes obvious spiritual progress.
We are like Nicodemus. Our understanding and faith in Christ might be small. We shouldn’t let this frustrate us—instead, we should keep at it. Nicodemus was intellectually honest. He continued to search for and to study Christ—even amidst the scorn of his friends and colleagues. Bit by bit, day by day, Nicodemus’ life changed…for the better. Our Christian growth will very often come bit by bit, day by day. Let’s keep going. Though we don’t realize it, our lives are changing…for the better.
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)
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:1-2,10,25-30- Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Jews were trying to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes we don’t pay close attention to what the Gospels say because we have heard them so many times. But sometimes what they say can be truly shocking. Think about this: people were actually trying to kill Jesus during His public ministry. That’s a lot of pressure that He had to endure. And though He might have changed some travel plans (as we see in the Gospel), He doesn’t change His message. We should follow His example.
We might not have people trying to kill us for being Catholic, but we really do face some challenging situations in being Catholic. Our government, our media, and our largest entertainment outlets are trying to falsely redefine marriage and family, advance contraception, and promote abortion. And we cannot be silent. If we are good Christians we have to be ready to take a stand—in society, at work, at school, with co-workers, with friends, with family. If we suffer some opposition or insults—Christ says we are blessed. Why does this make us blessed? Because Christ is allowing us to share in what He went through, in His life. Are we willing to stand up for the truth? Ask for the grace and strength to stand up for the truth in prayer.
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)
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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:31-47 Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But you do not want to come to me to have life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus accuses the Jews here of not wanting to come to Him to have life. Life is what Jesus is offering them—abundant, eternal life. Certainly Jesus’ listeners want to access this kind of life, but they don’t want to access it through Jesus. They want the goal—abundant, eternal life—without taking the way to the goal —Jesus. So many people are like this today. They want a deep, rich, fulfilling life, but they don’t want to accept the true path to get there.
This is what Jesus means when He says later in John, “I am the way…and the life” (John 14:6). Just as we won’t likely end up in Hawaii if we buy a ticket to Cleveland, so we will not find abundant life if we don’t seek it in Jesus. We have to stop fiddling around and wasting our time with awards, popularity, success, money, winning…these things are nice, but never life-giving. There is only one way to be fulfilled. Jesus is the way. Are we deeply fulfilled?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:17-30- Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.
Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…for what he [the Father] does, the Son will do also.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God is pure spirit and therefore has no body. Mankind cannot smell, taste, touch, hear, or see Him. But one of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity became man as well. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (called the Son or the Word) took on flesh. This is Jesus. In Jesus, mankind has smelled, tasted, touched, heard, and seen God. In Jesus we see how loving, gentle, serious, intentional, patient, slow-to-anger, and self-giving God is. We see what he does and doesn’t do. We see how He acts and reacts. We see what He likes and dislikes.
Jesus is the face of God. He reveals the Father perfectly. If we want to understand God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to know God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to receive God, we can—in Jesus. We need to become very familiar with the Person of Jesus, as well as with His life and His actions. Spiritual reading (especially reading Scripture and the Catechism or other solid Catholic literature) can help us become more familiar with Jesus. Are we seeking out any of these aids?
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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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:1-16 - There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do you want to be well?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Does Jesus’ question to the crippled man seem silly?—“Do you want to be well?” It shouldn’t. This Gospel brings up something very important about the Christian life—that it requires our effort and work. Jesus offers healing to everyone without exception. Everyone wants to be healed, of course. But some don’t want it enough. They don’t want to do what it takes to receive His healing or to do what is demanded afterwards. Many people would rather miss out on healing than lose some money, pleasure, success, or popularity. We all make these mistakes. This is why we’re not yet saints.
When Jesus heals the man, He orders him to begin a new activity: “pick up your mat.” Even after healing—even after living the Christian life well, we must continue to fight against our sickness. What are these sicknesses? Lust, anger, irritability, negativity, vanity, over-eating, drinking, dishonesty, laziness, excessive desire for popularity, money-love, comfort-love—these are all symptoms of spiritual sickness. In prayer, try to identify two things: 1) what sicknesses have plagued us, and 2) what might we still do to combat these faults?
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)
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Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 4:43-54 - At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The man who comes to Jesus (actually he travels to see Jesus) has a plan. He wants Jesus to help him, so he goes directly to Jesus to ask Him “to come down and heal his son.” But Jesus doesn’t follow this man’s plans. Jesus doesn’t go anywhere. He never sees the boy, touches him, or prays over him— none of that. He just says, “You may go; your son will live.” That was not the man’s plan! He could have left full of doubt, thinking that since Jesus didn’t come with him, his son would now surely die.
But the Gospel says that “the man believed what Jesus said to him and left.” And, of course, it happened just as Jesus said. Jesus healed the son more quickly and easily than the man ever imagined in his plan. Jesus doesn’t ask for our help or ideas when answering our prayers. He just wants our faith. We must learn to do what God is asking, even if we don’t understand. His plans are always better than ours. Ask God in prayer to help us to be less concerned with our plans and desires, and instead to hope in His plan. Who knows, His plan might lead to a miracle.
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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Fourth Sunday of Lent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 15:1-3,11-32 - Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church gives us this Gospel passage, of the wonderful parable that we often refer to as the “Prodigal Son”, during Lent likely because it helps reflect on our great sin and need (which are shown in the character of the prodigal son), and on God’s immense mercy (which are shown in the character of the loving father). But while both these characters in Jesus’s parable should be seriously reflected upon, actually Jesus seems to be inviting His original listeners to focus primarily on another character, the often forgotten older brother. The context of Jesus’ telling His parable, St. Luke says, is this: “Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So to them Jesus addressed this parable.”
Jesus’ focus to bring all people into communion with God was shocking (and unacceptable) to Jews of His day who thought of themselves as trying to live by God’s. They saw themselves as faithful more or less, but they saw the Gentiles and unlawful Jews as idolatrous and immoral. This being the case, it is shocking that God would loving welcome, into His very family, all of these people, as long as they request His mercy and forgiveness. So it’s interesting but fitting, that one of the major points of the parable, if not the major point itself, is left open-ended, unanswered. Will the older brother see his father’s mercy or his brother’s sin as mattering more? So now, how about us, the modern hearer? Will we look on Our Father’s mercy or our brother’s sin as mattering more? In our situations that require us to forgive, we must remember that God’s mercy is bigger than our brother’s (or our enemy’s) sin. We also need to remember that only when we accept God’s forgiveness of others, can we accept and receive God’s forgiveness of ourselves.
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)
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Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 18:9-14 - Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This awesome Gospel passage shows us a very important lesson—one that might confuse us a bit at first. The man who proudly performs all the “righteous” acts of the law is not the one who pleases God. Instead, the man who hasn’t kept the law, but humbly begs God for mercy, pleases God in his prayer. Humility is a main ingredient for pleasing God and obtaining union with Him here and in heaven. Why is humility so important? It is impossible for us creatures who are little, weak, dark, selfish, sinful, dying…to impress a God who is infinitely great, strong, light, self-giving, perfect, living. God doesn’t owe us because of our greatness. No, God helps us in our littleness.
If we are justified before God, it is due to His mercy, not to our merits. When we beg God for mercy we not only admit our littleness, but we declare His infinite greatness. The saints—such as Térèse of Lisieux or Mother Teresa—understood this, but many people do not. Faith tells us that it is up to God to save us. And it is up to us to accept His help. We can do this only in humility. Never forget that we are beggars. Beg God for humility in prayer…it is the only way to receive God!
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)
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Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:28-34- One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In another Gospel Jesus follows this line with the statement: “On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Everything depends on love. Someone may ask, “If the secret to living well is simply to love—then why do we bother with the Ten Commandments, different rules about fasting and abstaining, rules about when to take Communion and when not to, and the one million other rules that Catholics keep? The answer is this: we need rules because we don’t love enough. If we loved God and others perfectly, then we wouldn’t need rules.
Love gets easier with practice. Many things are like this—all habits, whether good and bad, become easier the more we practice them. For instance, prayer seems easier when we do it often; watching our temper gets easier after we control them a few times, “getting the last word” seems less important after we make an effort not to. Rules, whether from the Church, our parents, or ourselves, are helpful in training our spiritual muscles until they are fit—fit to love. Prayer, watching our temper, remaining silent—and loving—will all be easier for us if we put in the effort to establish these good habits in our lives. Then we won’t need rules; we’ll be beautiful people who live by one rule: love. Practice love!
(Note: to love is explained by St. Thomas Aquinas as ‘to will the benefit/good of another.’)
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)
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Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:14-23 - Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many ways not to be with Jesus: someone could flat-out reject Him; someone could accept Him as a teacher or leader but not as God; someone could believe He is God but choose not to follow Him. As Catholics, we are probably most likely in danger of the last option—we may believe He is God, but we may often fail to allow that belief to affect our lives.
There is only one way to be with Jesus. That is, to both believe in Him and to choose to follow Him and to live with Him. Jesus doesn’t say, “Whoever is not with me is just fine.” He does say, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” If we want to be with Jesus, and not against Him, we must be where He is. We will be where Jesus is if we are doing three major things: receiving the Sacraments, praying daily, and living moral lives. Do we attend Mass each Sunday and go to Confession when needed? Do we pray each day? Do we avoid mortal sin and try to build virtue? Of these three areas (Sacraments, prayer, and the virtuous life) where are each of us weakest? How can our union with Jesus become stronger in these areas?
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)
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The theme from yesterday’s Gospel reading about forgiveness is also found in today’s Gospel reading about the fulfillment of the law. The Law and the prophets that Jesus is speaking of were foundational to the Jews. They believed, rightly, that God gave these to them as a special blessing to them. But they had not lived up to the Law, and according to the Law, that was not acceptable. If today God still expects His people to live worthy lives—to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), then how are we to accomplish that?
We have to get past the misunderstood notion that we fulfill the Law by never sinning. It’s too late for that—we’re sinners. There is another way, however, and this is the way God intends. Jesus Christ fulfills the Law perfectly. He is “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). If we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, as our Catholic Faith offers us so many opportunities to do, then we fulfill the Law in Him (and He in us). If we set our hope for pleasing God in never sinning, we are wasting our time. If we set our hope in uniting ourselves to Christ who is perfect, we will obtain the blessedness that is rightfully His. Consider in prayer how we can grow in union with Christ.
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)
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 18:21-35- Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Most of us have heard the old saying, “forgiveness is divine.” There is a lot to that saying, but one important truth that it brings to mind is that sometimes forgiveness is simply too big for us. Have any of us ever felt that we didn’t want to forgive someone, or even that we simply couldn’t forgive someone? This might sound strange, but we might actually be right. Maybe deep, complete forgiveness isn’t human—that is, with human power alone, it’s impossible. If some forgiveness isn’t humanly possible, then how could Christ demand it of us? How can He say that we need to forgive in order to be forgiven?
Whether we feel capable or not, Christ commands us to forgive. The secret to forgiveness, however, isn’t to muster up enough power or holiness or forgetfulness to finally pardon another person. The secret is to allow God to forgive another person in us. God has already forgiven them, in fact. We are the ones who need to accept this fact, and let it become as true inside us as it is in God’s eyes. Then we will know the truth, that “forgiveness is divine,” and we will have obtained blessings for two people: for the one we forgive, and for ourselves.
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)
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Third Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 2: 13–25 - Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scriptures and the word Jesus had spoken.
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Jewish leaders want a sign from Jesus proving that He has authority to come into the temple and make such a scene. He answers, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” He isn’t speaking of the temple building, but about Himself. For the Jews, the temple was the spot on earth where the presence of God dwelt. It was the place where God met mankind. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the New Temple where, even more profoundly and even more perfectly, God meets mankind. So when Jesus speaks of destroying the Temple and rebuilding it in three days, He is speaking of His Death and Resurrection.
The Resurrection is the supreme proof of Jesus’ divinity. But this great sign of the Resurrection won’t come until after the Cross. The Jews want proof now. Jesus says, I’ll give you proof later. We are like the Jews. We want God to prove Himself first, before we believe. Often, He does this. But there are other times when God waits and asks for our faith. Here, He wants us to prove ourselves, and our faith,first. While God does come to meet us at our level of weakness, He does not wish to leave us there. He wishes to raise us to His level. If there is a time when God doesn’t prove Himself to us quickly and clearly, we must remember that perhaps what we are asking of God (“prove Yourself”), He is actually asking of us (“prove yourself”). Believing when God seems silent is a trial, a real cross. But it is only after the Cross that we will witness the Resurrection.
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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Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:24-30 - Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: ‘Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus has courage. He isn’t a loud-mouth. He isn’t a hot-head. He doesn’t need the last word. But he always says what needs to be said, even if it isn’t easy. Here, in the synagogue at Nazareth, He is speaking to people whom He knows well, many of whom He has known since His childhood. And He tells them something they do not want to hear. Though He speaks out of love, He also speaks plainly and clearly.
How often do we speak up when we should? It is not easy to tell co-workers that they should stop doing something immoral, or to tell friends that what they did was wrong, or to tell relatives that you are breaking a family holiday tradition for the sake of your faith. It is also difficult to tell a stranger that God loves them, or to tell the truth when it means you may suffer. Jesus suffered for speaking the truth. We shouldn’t expect anything different. We are asked to be witnesses to the truth. While this might not be an easy mission, it is a mission of love. Sometimes loving isn’t easy.
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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Third Sunday of Lent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 13:1-9 – Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"
And he told them this parable: "There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'"
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is very patient. Jesus is very merciful. Jesus is also very serious. The fact that Jesus goes around preaching a message of repentance shows that He doesn’t want to punish us for our sins and mistakes. He desires to offer us the opportunity to turn away from our sins and to enter a new life. But God will not force this upon us. We must choose it.
To repent means to turn. It is necessary that we repent, that we turn from evil to good, from sin to God. We all commit sins; we choose to do wrong. We cannot be turned toward God when we are turned toward these sins. Are there any serious sins that we need to turn from by going to Confession? Are all of us attending Confession regularly? And are there smaller sins that we repeatedly fall into? Are we making efforts to fight against them? What is a sin each of us needs to face…and then turn from?
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)
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Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 15:1-3,11-32 - Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The prodigal son, as he is called, returns to his father empty-handed and humiliated from his time of sin. He is correct to confess to his father: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” But his is father is less concerned with justice than he is with love. He is less concerned about dealing with his son’s actions and more concerned about dealing with his son.
When we have nothing else, we have God. Sin always leaves us empty and always leads us toward humiliation. And though God surely hates sin...He does not fear it. We see this quality of God clearly in Jesus Christ. Jesus does not shy away from sin. In the Gospel He eats with sinners, and enters their homes. Jesus enters into the depths of sin. Why does He go that far? Because it is there that sinners have been lost and are dying. He goes there to recover the lost sons of His Father. He goes there to recover us. God is less concerned about dealing with our actions and more concerned about dealing with us. During prayer, let’s look honestly at our sins and examine our consciences. But more importantly, let’s also look to our Father’s mercy, which is much greater than our sins.
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)
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Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 21:33-43,45-46 - Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Did you never read in the Scriptures…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is set in Jerusalem, during the week before Jesus’ death. Here He is teaching the people using parables. This parable is about how the Jews have not been faithful to their God. Its setting makes it especially important. Jesus is telling the Jews that because of their unfaithfulness their blessings will be taken away and given to another people. The Gospel says that: “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that He was speaking about them.” So they want to arrest Him, and very soon they will.
Jesus says to His listeners, “Did you never read in the Scriptures…?” Are we familiar with the Scriptures? If we are very familiar with the Scriptures, then we will be able to understand what is happening around us and how we should respond. Jesus is saying that the Scriptures actually relate to our lives here and now, and that we should try to recognize this. Is there a time in our family life where Scripture seemed to give us guidance on how to live? Do we seek to be guided by the truths of the Gospel? How can we better listen to Scripture during times of prayer? There may be some very practical things we can do, such as changing how we sit, what we look at, etc….
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)
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Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 16:19-31 - Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that the rich man was a Jew. He calls Abraham his “father,” and Abraham tells him that his family has Moses and the prophets to listen to. But it isn’t simply enough to be part of the right religion. Many Catholics today have this problem. They are part of the true Church, but they don’t care to learn or to live out its moral teachings. They don’t realize that they have a greater responsibility than others to live to a high standard. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Luke 12:48).
We have to be very clear that our Catholic Faith isn’t worth much if it is just a badge we wear. It needs to penetrate deeply into our minds and our hearts. It needs to be present in our lives. Are we Sunday Catholics? Are we cafeteria Catholics? Or are we genuine Catholics? The real Christian life is a dynamic and beautiful one. God wants to be in you and have you in Him. In what practical ways are you opening yourself to God each day?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 20:17-28 - As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He rightly deserves all praise. Yet He comes to man instead “to serve and to give.” “To serve and to give” is a great maxim for marriage and family life. Marriage is a Sacrament of service that is “directed towards the salvation of others” particularly one’s spouse and children. The first of its vows states: “Do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself in marriage?” For each spouse, a wonderful result of marriage and family life is that he or she becomes happy. But that is the result only when our goal is to give ourselves away in order to make others happy.
In prayer, consider how the members of our family do a good job serving and giving. Consider also how you do a good job serving and giving. Finally, consider how you could do a better job serving and giving. (Be practical!) At the end of prayer, make a resolution to put this into practice.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Humility is something often misunderstood. Often humility is thought of as the refusal to accept compliments or to admit one’s strengths. But humility is actually an honest acceptance of your true self. And it is utterly necessary for living the Christian life. Some of the saints are particularly clear in speaking about humility. We need to realize that we are absolutely incapable of saving ourselves, of reaching God, or of pleasing God. We need to realize that we are little, filthy, weak, poor, dark, made-from-nothing, dying sinners.
This is the point: God descends to save us. Look at the manger and look at the Cross. He became little, filthy, weak, poor. He Who is everything becomes nothing. He Who is light enters our darkness. He takes on all sin. He dies. Why? Because that is where He needed to descend in order to reach us and to save us. No matter how high we ascend, we cannot deserve to meet God. We actually meet God down low—because He descends there to find us. That is why the humble possess God. They don’t rely on their futile efforts to reach God; they rely totally on His mercy.
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)
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Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 6:36-38 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is pretty self-explanatory. Let’s not try to read too much into it. The same point is repeated throughout: what you give, you’ll get back. The Gospels weren’t written to give puzzling lessons that we will only solve by being clever. We will probably be more holy people if our goal in reading the Gospel isn’t to have a fancy interpretation, but to try to take the Gospel at its word.
Here are the areas Jesus mentions specifically in this passage: mercy, judgment, forgiveness, generosity. With each of these, Jesus promises that the more generous we are in these areas, the more generously we will receive them in return. Let’s each pick one of these areas that we usually succeed in, and thank God for that. Let’s also each pick one of these areas that we struggle with, ask God to transform us, and try to pick one practical specific way we can practice improving on this struggle over the next twenty-four hours.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Second Sunday of Lent (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 9: 28-36 - Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Holy Trinity is made up of three Divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Son, is also called the “Word of God.” It is He who, while remaining God, becomes Man also. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). We are talking here about Jesus. Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity—the Son of God, the Word of God. So it is no coincidence that God the Father says, “…listen to Him.”
Everything God wanted to say to man, He said in Jesus, the Word. Jesus is our full revelation. He shows us God. We need to become very familiar with Jesus. To do this, we need to spend time reading the Gospels. It is also necessary to spend time reading the other parts of Scripture and, if possible, the official teachings of the Church. The most accessible and important of these is the Catechism of the Catholic Church—particularly the parts directly about Christ. If we listen to God’s Word in the Gospels we will get to know God better and will come to love Him more. This is what a lover always does—when someone falls in love they seek to know the one they love more and more, and this new knowledge ever increases their love. So in prayer consider: How is this time of prayer helping me know and love God better? And what simple things might I do to enhance my reading of the Gospels so I can know and love God better?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “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 and sisters 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
“…be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Okay, no problem! That’s easy! We’ll just go ahead and be absolutely perfect now! Of all the commands of Jesus, this one has a kind of comical ring to it at first, because it seems impossible that we could be perfect just like God the Father. And it is impossible to be perfect on our own. But we are not alone.
Through the Incarnation, life, suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, Jesus is with us, and we have the opportunity to be one with Him. He became like us, so we could be like Him. He became man, so we could become like God. We can live in Christ and Christ can live in us. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4), He says. If we are one with Christ, part of His Body, in Him we are “perfect, just as the heavenly Father is perfect.” Only Christ is perfect and lives perfectly. If we are in Him and He is in us, we share in His perfection. Praised be Jesus Christ!
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)
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Friday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26- Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount. It is helpful to know that He just finished telling the crowd that He has “not come to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfill them.” Jesus is not disregarding the teaching of the Old Testament—He is completing it. How did Jesus complete the law and the prophets? As God, Jesus completed them in Himself. Jesus lived the law perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the promises made to the prophets. God is the fulfillment of all that people strived for. God is the fulfillment of all that people looked forward to.
That is why, even as important as Jesus’ moral teachings are, Jesus’ message is first about Himself. “But I tell you…” He is what matters—more than the law, or the prophets, or anything else. The Faith is more than an intellectual pursuit. To live it fully we must come to know and love a Person, the God-man Jesus Christ. In prayer, consider: What are we doing to know God more? What are we doing to love God more? Are we asking Him to increase our knowledge and love of 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)
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Thursday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:7-12- Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a hard Gospel. So many people have had the experience of asking God for something, only to receive what seems to be silence in return. There are many things that should be said about this experience. The first thing to note is that God wants to give us Himself. This is His primary gift to us. This is why He gives Christ to humanity and why He gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask. Second, God wants to give us what will bring us to Himself. God is willing to give us things that will bring us to Him. We might ask for these, and we might not ask for these. Sometimes these things are good (like a new job); sometimes they are difficult (like an illness).
Third, God isn’t interested in giving us what isn’t good for us—what won’t bring us to Him. The Gospel says that the heavenly Father gives “good things” to us. Fourth, there are times when He refuses to give even a good gift (like more income) if it might draw us away from Him. Fifth, God might not be saying “no” to our request; He might be saying “not now.” In these times, He is asking us to persevere in prayer. Certainly, God is a mystery to us. But we must always trust that God knows everything, He always does what is best for us, and He wants our true happiness even more than we do. We can always be certain that whatever God is giving us or is not giving us, it is the best thing for us.
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)
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Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:29-32 - While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“...there is something greater than Solomon here…there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to His generation of Jews. He provides two examples from Jewish history where Gentile pagans turned and listened to God. One of these examples is the men of Nineveh who repented when the prophet Jonah preached to them. The other is the queen of Sheba who traveled from her kingdom to hear the wisdom of Solomon, King of Israel. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day refused to believe in Him because they wanted to see particular signs. Jesus challenges them by speaking of pagans who are closer to God due to their repentance and faith.
As Catholics, we are privileged more than any other people on earth because we have received the fullness of truth. We are also particularly responsible for the truth we have been given. Many Catholics squander their faith. They do not care for the teachings, the practices, or the worship of the Church. The Lord is speaking to them in the Gospel today. There are many other Catholics though, who treasure their faith. They truly believe that “something greater is here” than they could ever find anywhere else. We have been given the greatest gift on earth. Are we thankful? Are we repenting from sin? Do we believe Christ’s teachings?
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)
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Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:7-15 - Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is so much richness in the Lord’s Prayer (the “Our Father”). It is a prayer that comes straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. The necessary elements of all other prayers are contained in it. It addresses God as our Father. (Shouldn’t that change our approach to prayer!?) It shows that God plays an active role in our prayer and gives great attention to our lives. It should be reflected upon, phrase by phrase, and word by word, time and time again.
Instead of, or in addition to praying a part of the Rosary in prayer today, take some time now to say and slowly repeat the “Our Father” together a few times (five times, maybe). Think of the words and phrases, and what they mean. Enjoy your prayer. Consider yourself a child speaking to your loving, attentive Father in heaven…because this is what is really happening!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25:31-46 - Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are some Gospel passages that we have heard so many times that we don’t pay very close attention to them. The passage, “I was hungry and you gave me food…” is one of those passages. But we would do well to pay great attention to it, because Jesus is using it in the context of eternal judgment. We will be judged on our love and our acts of love. Take a moment to look at the things Jesus mentions, called the “corporal works of mercy” and see how well we do the following: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner.
We might not do all of these things directly, but we can do all of them in part. We can give food, clothes, or money to our shelters or parish drives. We can include the unpopular people in our activities at school or work. We can visit the hospital, the lonely neighbor, the nursing home or prison, or write an elderly family member more often. The love of charity is a lived-out love. It matters how we love. It matters to those who need to be loved. It matters to God. Ultimately, it matters to us. Which one of these works can I improvement upon? Is there a work of mercy that I can do today?
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)
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 13: 24-32 – Jesus said to his disciples: "In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In the Gospel from today, Jesus is talking about “the Son of Man coming.” Often when we think of Jesus’ Second Coming, we think about what will happen at the end of time. And while this is correct, it is perhaps too limited. According to Scripture and our faith, we live in the final days now. This doesn’t necessarily mean the world will end soon. What it does mean is that we live in the time after God’s plan for our salvation has been accomplished. Jesus has come and accomplished our salvation already.
Jesus tells His disciples, “learn a lesson from the fig tree.” He says that, just as they tell the seasons by looking at trees, so too they should understand the times they are living in by the things happening around them. In a somewhat similar way, if we really want to understand world events or our own personal events, we can’t just listen to the TV, news, or our friends thoughtlessly. We must look at the world’s happenings and our own happenings in light of the real times (the final times). How differently would we view news stories if we understood that all these tragedies were really the result of sin and evil… but that sin and evil have really been overcome by Christ? How differently would we view our life events if we considered that the popular opinions of everyone around us really will pass away and mean nothing, but Christ’s words really “will not pass away”? We must take time to stop and raise our heads above the confusion, noise, and fog of so many wrong opinions about the world. We must let the words of Christ remind us each day what is really going on in the real world.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
In just a few minutes a day, with no prep or expertise, your family can spend meaningful time, have better prayer, and grow closer with God.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:38-44 - In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is something humorous about thinking of the Lord sitting down “observing how” others donated money. (Though for some people who haven’t practiced generosity in giving, this might actually be a bit unsettling, instead of being humorous.) Nevertheless, Jesus watches how we give.
It should be noted by Christians, who are asked to give with generosity toward the Church, its missions, and those in need, that during His Public Ministry Jesus relied on the financial provision of believers (Luke 8:3). The mission of Jesus Christ was helped by the financial generosity of lay members of the Church. The mission of Jesus Christ is still helped today by the financial generosity of lay members of the Church. Are we giving to further this mission? Where?
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:28-34- One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In another Gospel Jesus follows this line up with the statement: “On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Everything depends on love. Someone may ask, “If the one answer on how to live is this simple—love—then why even have the Ten Commandments, rules about fasting and abstaining, rules about when to take Communion and when not to, and the one million other rules that Catholics keep? The answer is this: we need rules because we don’t love enough. If we loved God and others more, we wouldn’t need rules.
Love gets easier to do with practice. All habits, good and bad, are like this. For instance: Prayer seems easier when we do it often; watching our tempers gets easier after controlling it a few times; “getting the last word” seems less important after repeated effort too. Rules (from the Church, our parents, ourselves) are helpful to train our spiritual muscles, until they are fit—fit to love. Prayer, watching our temper, remaining silent—and especially love will be easier for us if we put in the effort to establish them in our lives. Then we won’t need rules; we’ll be beautiful people who live by one rule: love. Practice love!
To love is to will the benefit of another or to want their good.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:46-52– As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But he kept calling out all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and side, ‘Call him.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Those who are very serious about Christ do whatever it takes to reach Him. Here is Bartimaeus, a blind man, calling out to Jesus, who is walking through his town. Bartimaeus believes in Christ and desperately wants to encounter Him. But “many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” What if he would have been silent? What if He had given up easily? He would have been sightless and potentially faithless. Though the crowd rebukes him, Jesus does not. Jesus has compassion; He heals him.
Jesus does this in the Gospels at times. He doesn’t just heal someone, He increases their faith as well. He doesn’t just strengthen Bartimaeus’ eyes by a miracle, He also strengthens his faith through testing. Bartimaeus doesn’t quit: “he kept calling out all the more.” When the Lord puts us through trials, we shouldn’t think He is not listening. We should think, instead, that along the way He is giving us something much more important than whatever we are asking for… He is growing our faith. Don’t quit when times are hard… call out all the more!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:35-45 -James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is good to remember that the Apostles were sinners. They had weaknesses, pride, and sin. In the Gospel today, James and John ask for special treatment in the Kingdom of God, and the other Apostles become indignant. Not a pretty scene. But it is important to note that Jesus doesn’t cast them away for their imperfections and their offenses against each other and against God; instead, Jesus chooses to use them to build His Church. He can do this because ultimately God is the strength of the Church, not its human leaders.
But there is something even more important to notice here. These imperfect men become saints! They grow consistently in faith, love, virtue, and especially grace, and over time they become saints. Saints, actually saints! We also are weak, prideful, sinful people. So what?! If we open ourselves to grace and consistently grow in faith, love, and virtue, we will be saints as well. We can even be great saints. The Catholic Church is built on this reality. In prayer, ask God to please help us to persevere!
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)
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Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 12:1-7 – At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees.
"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus tells us to take care of our souls. Are our souls healthy and thriving? He tells us that concern for our souls is of much greater importance than the other things we worry about: money, housing, school, work, sports, Saturday night, clothes, laundry, etc., etc., etc. None of these compares to the value of our souls.
We have too much fear. Does it comfort you that Jesus, who has infinite power, says, “Do not be afraid”? God watches over us! The best way to care for our souls and to eliminate our fear is to stay very close to God our Father who is attentive to us and who will save our eternal souls. Are there some practical ways we can better rely on God as our Father and draw closer to 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.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:17-30 – As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a very troubling Gospel for many. Two points should be mentioned: 1) Many people are unnecessarily troubled because they fear that if they grow closer to God He will make them sell all their goods and be poor. This isn’t the case. Wealthy people have always been a part of the Church, and have been its great supporters. 2) On the other hand, many people should be troubled by this Gospel if they are attached to their riches, belongings, materials.
Americans must read this Gospel carefully. We must take Christ at His word. Possessions can be very dangerous if we get attached to them. The problem in this story is not that the man is rich, but that He loves His possessions. He loves His possessions more than He loves God. That is why he is asked to give them up. Make no mistake about this: God will not tolerate any rivals—He will make us choose between Him and everything else. If there is anything we love more than God, it will cost us God. Beg God to increase our love for Him. In prayer, think of one small thing each of us likes that we can give up or give.
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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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10: 2-16- The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family. Parents of young children might choose to substitute anything referring to “sexuality” as “union” or something similar.
There are many questions today about love, sexuality, marriage, and family. And this is nothing new. Today’s Gospel states clearly that there were questions about these topics in Jesus’ day and even as far back as Moses’ day. It is interesting for us today to see just how Jesus answers these questions. He does not poll the public opinion. He does not ask people what they want. Nor does He refuse to talk about controversial issues. What He does do is refer immediately and repeatedly to the Scriptures. In His infinite wisdom, power, and love, God the Son chooses to refer to Scripture to answer these questions.
There in the Scriptures, God the Holy Spirit has spoken with His infinite wisdom, power, and love, about the original plan that God the Father in His infinite wisdom, power, and love has made for love, sexuality, marriage, and family. So when Jesus concludes His Scripture commentary, He adds His own line, “Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” But before we point our fingers at others whose views might “separate” love, sexuality, marriage, and family…let us examine ourselves. [parents of young children might choose to skip the following two sentences and continue at “Let us…”] Are our opinions and especially our practices on the following things consistent with Scripture: divorce, re-marriage, homosexuality, contraception? Are the things we watch on TV, the way we date, the places we go, the situations we put ourselves in, consistent with Scripture? Let us be careful that we aren’t thinking and living in such ways that separate love, sexuality, marriage, and family. If we are, we will find ourselves at odds with Scripture and the perfect and unbending teaching of Christ.
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)
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48 - At that time, John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'“
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is using drastic examples in the Gospel to talk about the seriousness with which we should avoid sin. If we suspect that Jesus isn’t literally suggesting that we cut off a limb to avoid a sin, then we might stop and consider just why He decides to be so dramatic in his speech. It’s certainly not because He likes to exaggerate, be graphic, or shock His listeners. He doesn’t. Jesus decides to use extreme examples, because He wants us to be very serious (maybe even drastic) if that’s what it takes for us to avoid sin. If we aren’t willing to make such efforts to avoid sin, then we risk the seriously drastic consequences of sin.
Foolishly, many Christians do not struggle to avoid sin. Somehow, many of us who have taken Jesus seriously when He says He loves us haven’t taken Him seriously when He tells us that sin can destroy our body and soul. Listen to Him very carefully; He disagrees with our lazy approach to sin. What are the sins that each of us chooses not to fight? Do we conveniently ignore Jesus’ teaching on the danger of being attached to riches and material treasures? Do we watch trashy TV because it is funny? Or listen to filthy music because we like the beat? Or ignore Christ’s teachings on sexuality and marriage because everyone else in our class or prayer group does? Do we stay in tempting situations instead of fleeing immediately? Jesus would remind us that when it comes to sin, we must not be passive, but drastic. In prayer now, consider what we will do to avoid a particular sin that seems always to beat us.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:30-37Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Catholic Church is pro-life and pro-family because Jesus is pro-life and pro-family. The reason that we often return to this concept of the importance of life, marriage, and family in our prayer, is because these are some of the main cultural battles we are facing today. If we lived in the midst of WWII we would have talked and prayed about the evils on Nazism because it was a threat to humans and human good. In today’s world, we have to talk and pray about life, marriage, and family because they are under attack.
Couples and families must have an attitude of openness and generosity toward having children and prioritizing their needs. Historically, large families have always been seen as a blessing. Today, many in our society see children as a burden. Even among Catholics there are some who think that large families are irresponsible, old fashioned, or not worth all the work. The Church says otherwise. The vows of marriage say otherwise. Jesus says otherwise. And any large family would say otherwise. Reread Jesus’ words: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” If we are to live as reasonable humans (let alone good Catholics) we need to let Jesus—not secular culture, entertainment, or TV—form our concept of family.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 8:4-15 - When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.
“This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they…when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We are very familiar with the “Parable of the Four Soils,” as it is often called. God, the sower, goes out and sows the seed—His word—everywhere for all people. If the seed fails to grow, the problem is not with the sower or the seed, but with the soil. Our lives are the soil. They need to be taken care of to be made ready to welcome the word of God. Jesus asks us to be ready for the word of God. Those who are ready are like the “rich soil.”There are two ways Jesus mentions, here in the Gospel of Luke, to prepare ourselves to welcome the word of God. The first is to have hearts that are “generous and good.” A generous heart is one that isn’t self-centered. It is willing to give God everything without setting limits. The second way to prepare for God’s word is to persevere. Perseverance is not a popular concept because it requires that despite hard work, struggles, and even suffering, we keep going. But this is a necessary part of the Christian life—to keep at it even when we don’t feel like it. In prayer, consider what limits we put on our faith life. Are we generous towards God, and willing to persevere through struggle?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 8:1-3 - Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Accompanying him were…many others who provided for them out of their resources.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus’s public ministry was funded by the generosity of those who “provided” for Him and His apostles out of their resources. Wow! How many times have we passed by that line in reading Scripture? Jesus is provided for! What an honor for these people to provide for Christ, God Himself, who has no need of help! If God has no need, then why is He being provided for? God chose to arrange it this way, so that others might have the honor and the priceless merit of helping Him.
Jesus’ ministry, which ultimately accomplishes the salvation of the world, is advanced, in part, by people giving money and other resources. Do we give money and our resources to our parish or to Christian and human missions? We must! The Church is still carrying out the mission of Christ today. We need to be generous in supporting it. We need to cut back on unnecessary things (of which we all have many) and give more to our parish and to other important Christian missions. Our money can help advance the mission of Christ and help save souls…or it can be wasted on unneeded comforts. Be more generous. Provide for the mission of Christ!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:36-50 - A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“’But the one to whom little has been forgiven, loves little.’ He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The quote below on true contrition is from Dietrich von Hildebrand’s Transformation in Christ.
“By the just are meant neither the saints on the one hand nor the Pharisees on the other, but persons who, while leading a correct life and avoiding all transgressions in the strict sense of the term, never come to achieve that full surrender to God which (in a humanity tainted with original sin) is possible in contrition alone… They never descend so low as to be lifted up by God.
With this type of just person, we may contrast the image of Mary Magdalene the public sinner, as she, stricken to her knees by the sight of Jesus, washes His feet with her tears. We perceive that new life nascent in her contrite soul. We sense the response of her heart, softened by the melting fire of humility and charity. It is to her, the repentant sinner, and not to Simon [the Pharisee] who stays beside Him in the consciousness of not having offended God, that Jesus spoke: ‘Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace’ (Luke 7:50). And she it was who before all others was found worthy to announce to the apostles the Resurrection of the Lord.”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:31-35 - Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
If we are honest with ourselves, which most people (including us) are not enough, we must admit that our generation (our times, our culture, our society) is very, very sick. We are being asked, almost forced, by our culture to accept any person’s desire, or idea, or lifestyle as if it is normal, healthy, and good. We’re sick! It is frowned upon to talk openly about God or Christian morality. In our public schools, we can’t talk about these things. We’re sick! Our entertainment is filled with rampant sexual sin, unhealthy interest in evil things, and glorified violence and gore. In kids’ books, vampires are the good guys, and zombies are fun. We’re sick!
We cannot live like our generation lives. Our culture is sick, and we need to be vocal about the problem. If we knew that half of our neighbors had a life-threatening disease and didn’t realize it, would we be good neighbors if we kept silent about it? Many of our neighbors do have a disease, a spiritual disease, much worse than any physical illness. Our prayers, our lifestyle, our courage in speaking the truth—despite any uncomfortable embarrassment that comes with it—can help to heal our neighbors, our generation, from a most terrible disease.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:11-17 -Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
”When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Lord is moved with pity for a mother, a widow, whose only son has died. The Lord is “moved.” That word, “moved,” is meaningful here. It indicates a change in Jesus’ thoughts and intentions. The Gospel doesn’t tell us what Jesus is planning to do before He sees the widow and her son, but whatever it is, He is suddenly diverted from it, and He decides to do something else.
How often are we moved? How often do we divert our plans because we see someone in need? If the answer is “rarely” or “never,” then perhaps we need to keep our eyes less focused on our plans and more focused on others. Jesus was very aware of and responsive to the needs of others. Who do we know that is lonely, sick, poor, hurting, old? Think of them. Think of them! The thought of them should move us. In prayer, consider how we can divert our plans and move to compassionately help another.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 7:1-10 - When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The centurion, a Roman, is not a Jew. He is obviously a man of goodness and virtue, though, if even the Jews credit him for being positive and open to their religion. But more than that, He is a man of humility and great faith. He has such faith, in fact, that the Gospel claims that Jesus “was amazed”! Where else do we hear such tribute from the Lord Himself?! The centurion understands that Jesus is doing the will of God, and he believes that Jesus has the power to heal his servant.
But there is more to this man’s faith. The centurion believes that Jesus has the power to heal his servant, not with some special formula or special action, but that Jesus possesses the power in Himself. He believes that Jesus can heal simply with His word. It is this humility and this faith that the Church asks us to have when we repeat the centurion’s words before we receive Christ in the Eucharist. We should be filled with humility, “I am not worthy.” And we should be filled with faith that by Christ, we shall be healed.
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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Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 8: 27 - 35Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Whenever we think about the suffering that could be in our future, we grow fearful and sad. Though it might be prudent to think ahead for planning purposes, or to consider the probable results of our actions, it is usually imprudent to think much about future sufferings. One reason is that by doing so, we needlessly suffer now by thinking about possible future sufferings that will happen later…or that might not ever happen! How ridiculous it is to cause ourselves suffering that is unnecessary and unhelpful! But an even more important reason not to get too worked up about future pain is that in so doing, we don’t consider that God’s grace will be with us.
There is a phrase which says, “God will give us grace (meaning His help and His presence) for the moment.” God is here with us in the present moment giving us everything we need. And He will be there in every future moment giving us everything we need. But He does not ask us to take on the future or its sufferings right now... so He’s also not giving us His grace to face those future sufferings right now. He’s only giving us grace right here in the present moment. If we go need to go through some future suffering, then at that point God will be there with us giving us all the abundant help we need. In the Gospel today, Jesus says: “whoever wishes to come after me,” must “follow me.” He is telling us to follow Him wherever He is… not to try to run ahead.
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)
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 31-37 - Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus goes into the district of Tyre and Sidon, a district that is full of non-Jews. It is wonderful to see that Jesus chooses to go there to meet them, to meet them in their paganism, to meet them where they are. And it is also wonderful that they go out to meet Jesus. Here, “the people brought to [Jesus] a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.” Let us never, never forget that Jesus goes out to the fringes. Also, let us never, never forget that people on the fringes (those who might have been written off by others as sinful and faithless) are always hungry for Jesus, and often very willing to meet Him.
Jesus heals this man in a very physical and unusual way. But before He does so, He first leads the man away from the crowd. We can’t fully understand Jesus’ reason for doing this, but it would make some sense to consider the man’s surroundings. The man is likely a pagan, surrounded by pagans. For Jesus to speak into this man’s spiritual deafness, He first needs to draw the man away from his pagan surroundings. There he can hear Jesus clearly. There is a lighthearted saying about a sick fish: you don’t take him to the doctor, you clean his water. The point is: our surroundings affect us. It matters who we hang around with; what we do for fun and relaxation; which places we choose to frequent. As Christians, we must understand that it is easier to succeed in the spiritual life when we aren’t placing ourselves in occasions where it is easy to sin. In prayer, consider people, places, and things that place us in spiritual danger. How can we better avoid these dangers? Also in prayer, consider how we might be more available to help provide others we know with our friendship—especially those new to or struggling with the Faith. How can we help them to be spiritually safe?
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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Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:31-37 - Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that Jesus has power over evil. Should we be surprised that someone who is purely good has power over evil? The Pharisees are surprised by this. But we shouldn’t be. There is an important principle here to remember: good is always more powerful than evil. Knowing this, we have to make sure that our faith isn’t simply about saying “no” to evil, though certainly that’s part of our faith. More importantly though, we need to focus on saying “yes” to good, and on living virtuous lives. It is God’s goodness that gives power.
Parents can be great helps to their growing children in this regard. It is very important for parents to pray for and to encourage their children to avoid the wrong people, places, and things. But it is more important, and more powerful still, for parents to pray for and to encourage their children to stay close to the right people, places, and things. In prayer, consider who are the right people, places, and things. Consider also how much time, energy and money we spend on giving our family enjoyable ways to be good.
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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Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:16-30 - Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They also asked, ‘Is this not the son of Joseph?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Though Jesus greatly impresses those in His hometown, they refuse to believe in Him—in part because He is too common. They know Him so well, and He isn’t what they expect in a Messiah. So, they reject Him. Jesus makes a reference in this passage to Naaman the Syrian. Naaman is a figure from the Second Book of Kings who, having leprosy, travels far to see Elisha, the Jewish prophet, to seek a cure. After his travels, Naaman is disappointed that Elisha does not come out to perform an astonishing cure, but instead instructs Naaman to go wash repeatedly in the Jordan River. Naaman was expecting the extraordinary, but it was in the common that he would be cured of his disease.
Often times we search and search for divine guidance. We want and expect God to work in miraculous, extraordinary ways. Sometimes He does. But more often God works in very ordinary ways. God’s will for us is usually found in our simple daily life, not in extraordinary situations. Don’t be disappointed by the common life. Many husbands have done God’s will simply by listening to their wives’ struggles; many mothers have done God’s will by picking up toys without complaining; many students have pleased God by simply studying hard; many workers give God glory by completing their work well and not wasting time. Most of Jesus’ holy life was commonplace. So He asks the same holiness of us. How can we do “little things” better?
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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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 - When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. – For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. – So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.
“From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Scriptures clearly condemn as sinful many of the things that we see so often in the world around us. And it is good that we notice and understand that these things are sinful. But a more perfect way to hear the Scriptures is to look not only at the sins of the world and others, but also to look inward, at our own sins. We are sinners that Christ has come to save. We need him just as much as others whose sins might seem more obvious.
Jesus mentions one kind of sin in the Gospel today that we don’t see among non-religious people, but only among the religious… only among us. He is talking to certain religious people, accusing them of “teaching as doctrine human precepts.” We might not think, at first, that we fall into that group of religious people who “disregard God’s commandments but cling to human tradition,” but a closer examination of conscience might show us otherwise. Do we regularly overextend ourselves at the parish or volunteer organizations to the neglect of our family? Do we value the culture’s standard of appearing nice more than God’s standard of speaking necessary truth? Do we have a routine of prayers that we feel we always have to get through instead of letting the Holy Spirit break in? Do we have a to-do list that keeps us from stopping when we feel the Holy Spirit tugging at our attention? We can disregard God for the sake of our own traditions, our own plans, our own thinking. The Gospel is speaking to us. We are the sinners who must examine our traditions next to God’s commands.
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)
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:60-69 - Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is interesting to see what Jesus doesn’t do in the Gospel. Many of His listeners are so troubled by His teachings about eating His Flesh that they no longer follow Him. Notice that Jesus doesn’t chase after them. If He had meant this teaching figuratively, He would have clarified, “wait, wait, I was only speaking of this symbolically.” But He is not speaking symbolically; He’s speaking literally… and they know it! So He lets them walk away. Certainly, Jesus wants these people to follow Him for their own good. But this teaching about eating Jesus’ real Flesh in the Eucharist isn’t an optional item for our Faith. The Eucharist is too important.
Certainly, many teachings of the Faith aren’t easy. Jesus never said they would be. In fact, after this incident, He turns to His disciples and asks frankly, “Do you also want to leave?” He asks us the same question. What will we do when we can’t understand one of His teachings? Will we consider ourselves right and the Church wrong, and walk our own way? Many have. Or will we stay? We don’t need to understand everything perfectly; the disciples didn’t. We need to have faith that God is always doing what is best for us. “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Luke 8:50).
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6: 51-58 - Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is important to see that the Jews to whom Jesus is speaking really think that Jesus is talking about eating His Body, His actual Flesh. And He is! This idea of eating a man’s flesh is shocking to these Jews… and why wouldn’t it be?! But there is a very important point about this that Jesus keeps repeating. He isn’t telling His listeners to eat His dead Flesh, but to eat His living Flesh.
Most of our food is made up of dead plants and animals. So, whenever we eat, our bodies take in nutrients from these dead plants and animals that once had life in them but no longer do. We don’t receive and share plant and animal life, only the nutrients that remain after their death. In contrast, Jesus makes it clear to His listeners, “I am the living bread.” When we eat Jesus’ Flesh, we actually receive and share in Jesus’ Life… because He is alive and well. When we eat the Eucharist, it is not simple nutrients that become the substance of our lives, but Jesus’ Life that becomes the substance of our lives. In this, our lives are not separate from Jesus’ Life one bit. They are the very same Life. His Life is now our Life. This, the Eucharist, is the way that we can share in God’s very Life—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. In prayer, consider how much sense the Eucharist makes!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:1-12 - Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’: you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus makes a very important clarification in the Gospel today. He is speaking to the crowds and to His disciples about some of their religious leaders, the Pharisees. We know from our reading of the Gospels that Jesus isn’t a big fan of the Pharisees in His day because of their hypocrisy, their lack of love for God, and because they are leading people astray. Nevertheless, Jesus does instruct His listeners to respect their authority.
This is a great lesson for Catholics today. The Catholic Church is both divine and human. Though most of its human leaders are holy, they still make personal mistakes. However, some leaders have made grave moral mistakes, causing great harm, great public scandal, and endangering their own souls. Though Jesus has many things to say about the sins of these men, He still advises us as Catholics to respect their role, or their “office” (as priest, bishop, etc.). Though certain men may have sinned terribly, this doesn’t mean we can show disrespect for the “office” of priests or bishops. These are holy “offices” that, according to Christ, deserve and demand our respect.
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)
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Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 22:34-40 - When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus tells the Pharisees who come to test Him that “the whole law and the prophets depend on” love—loving God and loving our neighbor. This combination of “the law and the prophets” was a simple way to sum up much of the faith of the Jews. The Torah (the law) and the books of the prophets were two major sections of the Jewish Scriptures. These two things also pointed toward Christ. We see this idea of the summing up of the law and the prophets at other times as well. For instance, at the Transfiguration, Moses (the law giver) and Elijah (the greatest prophet) appear and communicate with Christ.
It is a wonderfully simple truth that the whole of our Faith depends on love. God’s rules and Commandments are all about love. The message of the prophets is all about love. The New Testament is all about love. The Church is all about love. The Church’s teachings are all about love. The Church’s worship is all about love. The Church’s service is all about love. Everything Christians do is about love. If we ever have any motivation other than love for what we do, it will not be enough. We must live lives that are devoted to and dependent upon one thing—love.
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)
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Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 22:1-14 - Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This parable about the Kingdom of God has both stern and merciful parts to it. It is always a wicked thing to reject an invitation to God’s Kingdom. However, look at the great mercy that is brought about by this rejection of God. The King says, “Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find…” whomever you find. Whom is God willing to welcome into the Kingdom? Anyone.
God is willing to welcome anyone into His kingdom, “the good and the bad alike.” Does it sound strange that the bad can be welcomed into the Kingdom of God? God, in His infinite mercy, pardons sinners of their past offenses against Him. One central truth present in this parable is that it is God who saves us; we cannot save ourselves. He saves us not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful. Another truth presented in this parable is that we must accept His invitation of mercy. We aren’t automatically saved; we must accept and respond to His grace. Our one job, always, is to say “Yes” to God.
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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Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 20:1-16 - Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“You too go into my vineyard.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyNotice how often in the Gospels Jesus thinks differently than we do. In the parable today, like many other parables, Jesus is speaking in part about the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews, who have long been God’s people, are surprised and upset by the fact that the Gentiles, with their sinful history, would all of a sudden be welcomed by God. But Jesus challenges them by asking, “…am I not free to do as I wish…” with what is mine?
God is greatly generous in His mercy. This is easy to see in the lives and attitudes of people who have converted to Christianity after years of living apart from Christ. But those of us who have been living the Christian life for many years must also be reminded that God has been, and continues to be, rich in mercy toward us. It is the same great mercy that made us Christians, that brought us near to Christ years ago, that saved us from many unsatisfying years of living apart from Him, and that still forgives us amidst our continual sin. We must have great gratitude that what the Lord wishes for us is His great mercy.
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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Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 19:23-30 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mothers or children or lands for the sake of my name will received a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Once again Jesus is talking about the dangers of being rich and wealthy. We have to be very serious about these dangers. The more we have, the more we rely on our possessions and the more we get used to having. The more we get used to having, the more we see our possessions as ours, instead of as God’s, or the Church’s, or the poor’s. When we view something as ours, we are not willing to give it up. In the Gospel today, Jesus is talking about giving up our possessions.
Priests and religious give up the things mentioned by Christ in the Gospel. They give up houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children, lands…everything for Christ, because He’s infinitely more valuable. We should foster and encourage openness to these types of vocations among our children and siblings. But lay members of the Church can and should have a similar attitude toward possessions in their own walks of life. Families should live more simply so they can be more generous to the poor. In prayer, consider what unnecessary, even dangerous, extras we have that could be given to the poor in their need.
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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Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 19:16-22 - A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The story of the rich young man is such a sad story for several reasons. First, the rich young man actually seems to be good. He follows the Commandments. Also, the rich young man is interested in Jesus. He wants to go to heaven. Finally, most importantly, the rich young man is called by Christ. Jesus says to him, “…come, follow me.” But something is lacking. The man’s heart is divided. So, sadly, he turns Christ down.
Christ demands everything. Ultimately, we have to do more than follow the Commandments, or have an interest in Christ, or be called by Him. Ultimately, we have to be willing give up everything that stands between us and Christ. This is a very difficult thing for many people. But those that do so are able to because they have learned that, really, Christ is everything. St. Paul says, “I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:8). By choosing Christ over all other things, we are not losing. We are gaining everything!
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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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:41-51 - The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven, ” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In this Sunday’s Gospel we continue with John’s account of Jesus teaching at the synagogue at Capernaum. One of the many striking things about this section of John’s Gospel is the special care Jesus takes to clarify what He is saying. He hears and addresses his listeners’ question about signs and bread from heaven. Then He explains to them the similarities, and especially the differences, between these signs, and the living bread that He wants to give them. He uses the phrase, “truly, truly” to capture their careful attention. He invokes prophecies from Scripture to explain His meaning. He repeats ideas and phrases like, “I am the bread of life.” He takes time to make clear to His listeners that what He is talking about is not just symbolic. He emphasizes that He is talking about something literal.
Certainly, it is significant that we see Jesus doing these things, so often, so deliberately, so seriously. This one passage should tell any faithful reader that Jesus wants us to understand precisely the point He is carefully trying to get across. This point becomes even clearer today at the end of the Gospel and will become especially clear in next Sunday’s passage. The living bread that He speaks of is His very Flesh. Keeping Jesus’ words in mind, let’s take time to reflect now, and especially next Sunday before Mass, on what we really receive: the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
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)
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Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 19:13-15 - Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Children were brought to Jesus that He might lay His hands on them and pray.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyMothers and fathers of Jesus’ time must have felt very comfortable with Jesus. They must have clearly seen that He loved, cared for, and welcomed little children. Though Jesus was firm and serious, He was also gentle and pleasant. Jesus still wishes to welcome children. Parents today should always be looking to find ways to bring their children to Christ.
It is of great importance that parents educate their children in the teachings of the Faith, but it is of even greater importance that they introduce their children to the Person of Jesus Christ. There are many ways for parents to bring their children close to Christ. Parents can do things at home, like reading the Scriptures to their children or celebrating certain special feast days. Parents can do things while out, like making a stop to visit Jesus in the tabernacle, attending a daily Mass, or taking their children to Reconciliation. Parents play a very important role in introducing their children to Jesus, and letting them enjoy His attention, His warm welcome, His care, and His love.
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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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 19:3-12 - Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“So they are no longer two, but one…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familySpouses are meant to be one! They are meant to be in unity! But in the world today, the unity of spouses is forgotten and ignored. Jesus tells His listeners that in “the beginning [this] was not so.” It was God’s intention that marriage would look very different from what it looks like today. Jesus refers back to the first marriage, that of Adam and Eve, to show the original unity between man and his wife. But before He states that the two become one, He first chooses to state that “a man shall leave his father and mother.”
This is a very rich passage (one about which John Paul II has written beautifully in his Theology of the Body), but we will cover only one little part of it. If a husband and wife are to say “yes” to the great unity God intends for them, they need to say “no” to many other things. This is part of the meaning of man leaving his father and mother. If we want great unity with our spouses, we can’t pack our schedules full of unneeded activities, groups, or events. We must choose between the unity Christ has in store for us, and everything else. In prayer, consider what stands in the way of greater unity in our marriage and family?
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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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Matthew 18:21 – 19:1 - Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud “…how often must I forgive him?...Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. ”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family To forgive is very difficult. And to complicate matters, Our Lord says that the forgiveness we receive from God depends upon the forgiveness we give to others. This teaching may be a cause of great concern for many Christians who have found repeatedly that they struggle to forgive. Some of us, probably all of us, have experienced a moment where we are so hurt, so tired, so angry that we felt we simply couldn’t forgive. Maybe there is some truth in this feeling.
The old poetical statement “forgiveness is divine” quite possibly holds some theological truth. Forgiveness might actually be beyond us. It might simply be too big for us little humans. If so, how can God demand that we humans forgive? The answer is that it is not we who have to muster the power to forgive from our own resources. God has the power to forgive—in fact, He already has forgiven every sin—and God can work this power of forgiveness through us for others. So, what might be impossible for us to accomplish alone becomes a possibility (and an expectation) when we rely on Christ. Let’s not get too discouraged that we are poor forgivers. Instead let’s ask God who is rich in mercy to forgive others through us.
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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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 18:15-20 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyIn this Gospel, the concept of “fraternal correction,” or brotherly correction, is addressed. Brotherly correction is an important part of Christian life because, as Christians, we have the duty to help our Christian brothers and sisters recognize their sins. This needs to be done in the right way, of course, but when it is done properly, it is an act of great love. The best way to point out the sins of another is to do so clearly, gently, privately, humbly, and with love. We should always be focused on the good of the other, and the good of those that see and hear them. We never should correct another to please ourselves or to shame another.
Correcting a Christian friend or family member is not an easy thing to do. Often this is because we are concerned for ourselves (we fear how we may look, we dread the awkwardness of the situation, we fear some inconvenient consequence, etc.). We can’t let this pride and fear get in the way of doing what this other person needs us to do. As a Christian, they have a duty to live like Christ, and if we really love them and care for their soul, we will correct them if needed. On the other hand, if another Christian has the courage and love to correct our faults, we must try to accept their correction humbly and (if their correction is accurate) without excuse. Is there anyone whom we need to confront with love?
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 - The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis Gospel passage very clearly confirms that we have guardian angels looking over each one of us. These angels have great power. We should try to get to know our guardian angels by constantly thinking of their presence with us, praying to them, and asking them for help in all aspects of our lives (spiritual and physical). And we should thank them for their constant care. Not even our mothers or our spouses can give us care as constantly and faithfully as our angels. They never leave our sides. Just imagine how strange it would be to never speak to someone so involved in our every move.
In our prayers right now, let’s add an extra prayer, the “Angel of God” prayer. While praying it, let’s ask our angels for help with the situations we are going through, and thank them for all the work they are constantly doing on our behalf. God loves us and wants us to be close to Him. One of the ways He is bringing us to Himself is through the work of His angels.
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 17:22-27 - As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Then the subjects are exempt. But…you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for Me and for you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThe Jews are to pay a small Temple tax, and Simon Peter is questioned by the taxmen as to whether Jesus pays this tax or not. In private, Jesus and Simon discuss whether Jesus should be required to pay such a tax—after all, Jesus is greater than the Temple, and He is not bound by its rules. It is important to note how Jesus responds, and how he pays. Jesus gives money to pay the tax, so as not to offend others. Yet, in a way, it is not His money—the money is miraculously provided.
It is interesting that Simon Peter’s tax money is miraculously provided for him as well. If we want to better understand this, we have to realize that Jesus has just recently put Peter in charge of His Kingdom on earth, and that He is on His way to Jerusalem to die. Jesus has placed Peter, who would otherwise be subject to the Temple tax, above this tax, because Peter is now beginning to exercise the authority of Christ on earth. Peter and his successors, the popes, are in charge of Christ’s Kingdom on earth until Christ returns. Are we faithful to the pope? Do we heed what He is saying? Do we pray for him every day?
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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Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:24-35 - When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The story we read today in the Gospel is a continuation from the story we read last Sunday. And in fact, it will continue for the next couple of weeks as well. Last week we read about Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the miracle of the loaves and fish. Here we read about those He fed, who later come looking for Jesus. He begins to teach them what is known as the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Here Jesus speaks clearly, very clearly, about the Eucharist and what it is (actually Who it is). For many of those following Jesus, His teaching on the Eucharist is a real challenge.
Part of the problem many people have in accepting Christ’s teaching on the Eucharist is that they can’t fit the whole idea into their heads. It goes beyond their understanding, beyond their experience, beyond their expectations. And because it is beyond them, they don’t accept it. While we should always use our rationality and think about Christ’s teachings, we can’t only think. We must also utilize faith. Faith makes us go beyond ourselves. And that is exactly where Jesus is trying to take us. He wants to take us beyond our understanding, our experience, our expectations. He wants to take us beyond ourselves… toHimself! And that’s exactly what He does in the Eucharist. Very literally, He is giving us Himself!
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 17:14-20 - A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, "Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him." Jesus said in reply, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before Him, and said, ‘Lord have pity…’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyIn the Gospel, there are many people who beg the Lord to have pity—and He does. Our reality, our true reality, is that we must rely on God for everything. He made us out of nothing, and apart from Him we can do nothing. Without God we are unable to overcome sin or its effects. Without Him we don’t understand things as we should. Without Him we don’t desire the things we should in the way we should. Without Him we don’t choose the things we should. In reality, left alone, we are pitiful creatures.
Sometimes we get a glimpse of our great weakness or of the horror of our sin. This is painful, but it can be very good for us. These glimpses remind us of our true state of nothingness. We have an utter need for God. We have an utter need for God to have pity on us. But it is essential that we don’t dwell on our weakness and our sin. God’s strength and love are infinitely greater than our weakness and sin, and He wishes to have pity on us, help us in our weakness, and forgive our sin. There is a wonderful equation that is helpful for us to remember: God’s perfection + our misery = God’s perfection. What this means is that, when God in His perfection unties with us in our misery, our misery is swallowed up and transformed in God’s perfection. He is not made worse. But we are made better. What is ultimately left remaining between us and God is only God perfection. So let us bring our misery to Him. Let us pray now, “Lord have pity!”
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 16: 24-28 - Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyWe have heard this Gospel many times, which is good. However, we must not stop listening deeply to its message. Jesus is strongly emphasizing the importance of giving something up—our lives. After all, this is what He did. But we must not think of Jesus’ message in a negative way, as though it is primarily about losing, or having less, or only about suffering and death. These might be necessary aspects of His message, but ultimately, His message is about gaining great things, about having more. It is about finding joy and life.
This is why Jesus tells us that if we lose our lives for Him, in reality we will find our lives. In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of life with Him as having life “abundantly” (John 10:10) . Jesus is not encouraging us simply to lose our lives—that’s never meant to be the end of the story. Jesus is telling us to lose our self-centered lives devoted to comfort and pleasure and absorbed by worries, problems, and ourselves. He is asking us also to find the fulfillment of life with Him. Jesus made us to have lives of abounding happiness and true fulfillment. When we lose our self-centered lives, we really gain much more!
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Matthew 16: 13-23 - Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud “…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family Jesus builds the Church upon Peter and his profession of faith, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus goes on to say that the “gates of the netherworld shall not prevail” against the Church. Jesus is talking about a battle of life versus death, a battle for souls. Usually, when we think about this battle for souls, we think of evil attacking or tempting the good. And this certainly happens, but the Gospel today shows us a different perspective. In this Gospel, good is called to seek out and destroy evil.
Jesus says the “gates” of the netherworld shall not prevail. Gates are not weapons in this battle. Gates are meant to hold people in someplace or to keep people out of someplace. Jesus is saying that the Church is supposed to storm the gates of hell. The Church that Jesus speaks of is meant to attack; it’s meant to save souls from evil, from death, from guilt, from ignorance, and also from poverty, injustice, hunger, violence… We are members of the Church of Christ, built on Peter. How are we called to attack the enemy? In prayer, consider how we may actively fight sin, evil, injustice, etc.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 15: 21-28 - At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“But He did not say a word in answer to her.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyWhat should we do when God is silent? It can be a terribly painful experience. And at times, this is how God chooses to respond to us. He remains silent. But just because God is silent doesn’t mean He isn’t listening. Look at today’s Gospel. Jesus hears this woman. However, He isn’t concerned with simply giving her, or us, a “quick fix.” Jesus could heal this woman’s daughter instantly, but instead He confronts her with the fact that, as a Canaanite, she is practicing the wrong religion. He doesn’t want only to fix her problem, He wants to fix her.
Jesus does end up answering the woman’s plea to Him, but along the way He makes her worthier of His gift. Jesus is concerned with our happiness, and He wants to answer our prayers as well. But our souls are more important than our difficult situations. He won’t immediately give us what we want if it will profit our souls to wait. Don’t be too upset when God says, “Wait.” What He’s really saying is, “Wait for something much, much better.”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:1-15 - Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God, at times, may allow us problems that we simply don’t have the power to solve. The more we rack our brains for answers, the more painful the problems become. These can be some of the most stressful and painful times of our lives. In a small way, Jesus gives Philip a taste of this today in the Gospel when Jesus asks Philip to answer a question that Philip can’t answer. Jesus waits as Philip stammers. In presenting Philip with this question, and in allowing difficult problems for us, God is not trying to trick, tease, or torture us; He is testing us because He wants to teach us.
There are two lessons that we must pull from these terrible and wonderful situations. The first lesson is to recognize our poverty. We have limits, inabilities, and needs. We face this fact whenever we realize that the problem we are facing is bigger than us. But when we reach the understanding that, “I cannot do it!” we must not make the mistake of thinking, “It cannot be done!”
This is the second (wonderful) lesson to pull from these situations. We are never meant to solve difficult problems by ourselves, in the first place. Remember the Gospel tells us that before Jesus ever asks Philip the question, Jesus knows the answer. And what is the answer? Jesus, Himself, is the answer! Jesus “knew what he was going to do.” Jesus, not Philip, is planning to answer Philip’s question, because Jesus knows what Philip does not. And Jesus is planning on solving our problems because Jesus can do what we cannot. We must not fear when our problems are too big for us alone… because we are not alone. Jesus is with us, and He is infinitely bigger than our problems.
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)
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Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 13:24-30- Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, 'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.’‘”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy cam and sowed weeds.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Our Church, the Church established by Christ Himself, built upon the apostles to continue the mission of Our Lord—has problems. We wonder, if the Church is truly Christ’s Church, how can these problems exist? The Church has problems because, though she is divine, she is also human—she is made up of sinful men and women. She is made up of people like you and me. We must realize that God only sows perfectly good seed. The problems in the Church arise from the sins of its members (from us).
The Church and its members are constantly under attack. We are in a fight against the world and its attractions; against the flesh and its sinful desires; and against the devil. The devil is “the enemy” from the parable who seeks to ruin the Church. Don’t let yourself be discouraged by recent troubling news, or scandals, or sins of some of the members of the Church (or even your own sin). These are reminders that our battle is a real one, and we must always rely on the strength of God (Who has already won the victory). During prayer, pray for the Church and its members, especially our priests and our pope.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:30-34 - The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many thing.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “Rest.” Does that strike us as odd? It sure seems like Jesus had a lot of things going on! Yet after the Apostles get back from their mission of traveling around teaching and healing, Jesus tells them to take some time to recuperate. This great advice for people today. The reason that many people don’t have deep faith lives is because they are simply too busy: volunteering, traveling, over-working, exercising constantly, attending every school event, etc.
Our souls suffer when we fail to prioritize God’ will in our life. Our souls suffer. God has certain things He wants us to do—and He wants us to do these well. If we are going to devote ourselves to the faith, to our marriage, to our family, to our state in life—we have to get the proper rest. We have to learn to say “no” to things, even good things if they aren’t necessary or healthy for us. We will never be good Christians until we do. In prayer, consider which of our many activities might be unnecessary or unhealthy, and how they harm the necessary and healthy pursuit of God’s will.
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)
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Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 12:14-21- The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospel writers, Matthew in particular, point out how the works and events of Jesus’ life fulfill the long-awaited hopes of Israel and of humanity. This brings up a very simple, but important, point that having Jesus in one’s life matters deeply. The prophets bear witness to the fact that the only hope of the Jews and the Gentiles rests in God visiting them in His mercy.
In the modern world we are often told to believe that all religions, beliefs, and moralities are equally good and have the same (often unimportant) consequences. This is not Biblical, and it is not true. It matters greatly whether someone has a good relationship with Christ. The greatest act of love that we can offer people is to help them know Jesus Christ. We should do this through our actions, words, smiles, and even through loving disagreements. But, like the prophets, we need to be convinced that the happiness and well-being of others ultimately rests on their relationship with Jesus. In prayer, consider who might need our loving offer to help them know Christ better.
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)
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Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 12:1-8- Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Have you not read in the law…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is an important principle to note in Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees. The commands of God are all for the good of man. In the Gospel, the disciples were hungry on the Sabbath, so, naturally, they ate something—the wheat in the field they were in. The Pharisees tried to accuse the disciples of working on the Sabbath because they picked wheat. Jesus’ answer shows that these rules (of not working on the Sabbath) weren’t set to restrict or harm man, but to free and help man.
All the commands and instructions of God are like this. When God tells us not to do something we think we want to, it is because He knows it would ultimately hurt us. Or when God tells us to do something that we don’t think we want to, it is because He knows it will ultimately help us. We have to see His instructions as those of a loving Father. And we have to understand that we, like little children, don’t always know what is best for us. During prayer, consider what rules we should better follow (like resting more on Sunday), and how following these rules can make us happy?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 11:28-30- Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
These three verses have brought such comfort to Christians since the beginning of Christianity. These are exactly the words we need to hear so often in our lives, when our work, our tiredness, our sufferings get us down. It is wonderful to hear our God saying this to us.
Yet it is a bit curious that Jesus tells the tired, the burdened, the suffering to take His yoke and His burden which are easy and light. After all, doesn’t Jesus suffer very much? Jesus tells us to take His yoke and to learn from Him. One wonderful lesson to learn is that struggle, work, and hardships can be very sweet when experienced with Christ. Jesus does not lose His peace when He suffers, nor does He lose His joy. How much more bearable could our sufferings be if we learn to suffer like this with Christ. We wouldn’t hate, fear, or run from suffering then. Instead, with Christ close by, we would have peace, joy, and even sweetness in our sufferings. Then our burdens would be light.
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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Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 11:25-27- At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have revealed them to the childlike.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is often a distinction made between “the child-like and the child-ish.” Of course God doesn’t want adults going around acting like children—acting child-ish. Instead, God reveals things to the child-like. When the Gospel speaks of God revealing things, it means that He is showing people something that might not be obvious at first. The childlike in the Gospel, then, are those who see with eyes of faith.
Consider how a child believes that God can do anything. Consider how a child believes that God will do what He says. Now consider how many doubts most adults have. Which perspective is right? The child’s! God can do anything, and God will do what He says. So having faith in God like a child does—this is how God wants us to believe. This is the condition for seeing what God wants to reveal to us. God is our loving all-powerful Father, we must learn (like children) to trust in Him simply and limitlessly.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 11:20-24-Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum:
Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the netherworld.
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of His mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Why does Jesus reproach these towns? Jesus reproaches them because “they had not repented” after they saw His works. Jesus, John the Baptist, and the apostles all repeatedly preach repentance. Repenting (turning or changing) from a life of sin is the first step in taking the Christian life seriously. Jesus expects this and demands this from those who believe in Him. This is such a simple idea.
There are many Christians today, however, who, even though they believe in Jesus, do not desire repentance. They believe that it is okay for them to continue in some grave sin because they do other good things. Perhaps they convince themselves that God owes this favor to them. So they ignore the Church’s moral teachings regarding Mass attendance, sexuality, marriage, financial honesty, abortion, homosexuality, etc… But serious unrepentant sin always keeps us from progress in the Christian life. Jesus wants to forgive our sins (even the worst ones). But He won’t force His forgiveness on us. He asks that we have a desire to repent and to be forgiven.
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)
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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.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is the first organized mission to share the Gospel. Look at what Jesus sends the apostles out to do. He sends them out to do what He’s been doing (to preach repentance, drive out demons, cure the sick). But how can these common men do the same things that God does? The answer is that He gives them His authority. Jesus has authority over the physical and spiritual realms. So when the apostles go out on this mission, with His power, awesome things happen. The apostles don’t accomplish anything on their own, but with Christ’s authority they do great things.
Today, the Church continues on this mission. It troubles many people that the Church claims to work with Christ’s authority in the world today. But Scripture shows clearly that this is how Christ intended His Church to work. The things the apostles have authority to do in this Gospel—to teach and heal—are the same things the Church today has authority to do. We should have confidence that the Church spreads Christ’s teachings and gives Christ’s healing in the Sacraments. During prayer consider how great a gift the Catholic Church is.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 24-33Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is telling His apostles plainly, that they will encounter many difficulties from others. Jesus says that He has experienced these, so as His followers they should expect nothing better. We too shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter people who don’t believe us, who falsely accuse us, or even who want to harm us. And all these things are happening today! There are many powerful people and movements who are calling Christians bigots and hateful people, and whe ever are trying to punish Christians for their beliefs. It’s really happening, right now. Jesus says not to be surprised by this.
Jesus also says not to be afraid. These difficulties that we face due to the ignorance, the selfishness, the lies, and the wounds of non-believers can show us very clearly that we are sharing in the life of Christ, who went through these same things. Jesus says do not be afraid because God the Father is attentive to our struggles and our needs. We need to rely on God like little children who trust their father will protect them because they believe he is the greatest, strongest person alive. When it comes to God our Father… He is!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 16-23Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In this Gospel, Jesus is speaking clearly, very clearly, about the cost of discipleship. He speaks often about suffering, trials, and persecution. He needs to be clear with us, because the road is hard. And we must pay attention to this so we will not be discouraged when trials come. But we have to understand Jesus’ warning in context. Jesus is also very clear in the Gospels that the road to Him is full of joy. There is a very important lesson that many Christians still need to learn: joy can coincide with suffering.
Suffering is never easy… and it will be present, frequently, until the day we die. But this doesn’t mean that deep joy cannot also be present. Many people spend all their energy trying to remove suffering from their life, only to learn two lessons: A) it is impossible to remove all suffering, and B) once suffering leaves, happiness doesn’t automatically come. So our goal shouldn’t be not to suffer. Our goal should be to find joy. There is always joy when we are close to God (yes, even if we’re close to Him on the Cross). The secret to a happy life isn’t the absence of suffering, it’s the finding of joy. It can always be found in Christ.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 7-15Jesus 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)
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Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10: 1-7 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus instructs The Twelve not to preach in pagan or Samaritan towns, but instead to focus on the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” First we must understand that this is a temporary instruction. Jesus certainly wants Gentiles and Samaritans to be evangelized and to come to know the true God. In fact, later the Holy Spirit will specifically inspire St. Peter to open the doors to the Gentiles, and Jesus will instruct St. Paul to do the same. It is intentional, though, that first the apostles would preach the Kingdom of God to the Jews.
In the modern world we have a situation with some similarities. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have all spoken about the “New Evangelization.” In part, this entails readdressing the people of faith who have grown lukewarm in their Christianity. They, like the Jews of Jesus’ time, need to be again converted and strengthened in the Faith. A stronger Christianity will be more effective at evangelizing the rest of the world, the modern-day pagans. Are we still sharing the faith by word and deed, and perhaps challenging other Christians to do the same?
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)
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Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 32-38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage is an important turning point in the Gospel of Matthew. The phrase, “Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” has already been used by Matthew in his Gospel, five chapters earlier (Matthew 4:23). These two nearly-identical verses explain and sum up everything in between them. They show Jesus’ mission in Galilee to teach, preach, and heal. As Matthew wraps up this section, he introduces something very important that will follow it.
At the end of this Galilean mission we’ve just spoken of, Jesus calls together His apostles. After spending time in Galilee, He sees the great need of a people who aren’t being spiritually led, and He appoints apostles to go labor in the mission field for people’s souls. After this passage, Jesus sends the apostles out to teach, preach, and heal—to continue His mission. The Church continues the mission of Christ. And we are part of this Church. Still today, the spiritual “harvest” is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The world needs Christians to work, to work hard, and to sacrifice to gather in others. Part of being a Christian is working for the Kingdom of God. Where and how do we work in God’s field?
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)
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Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 18-26While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus rose and followed him…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Knowing the context of a Scripture passage helps us to understand its meaning. This is certainly true of today’s Gospel reading from Matthew chapter 9. Matthew 9 starts out with Jesus healing a paralyzed man who “rose” from his physical illness and followed Jesus’ instruction to go home. Then it continues with the call of Matthew who “rose and followed” Jesus after being healed from his spiritual sickness. Then comes this story of Jesus who, very interestingly, also “rose and followed” a man in need who sought Jesus’ help in faith.
Matthew is telling us something here. Jesus is compelled by faith. What moves the physically and spiritually paralyzed men in Matthew 9 is Jesus’ power. What moves Jesus in Matthew 9 is a weak man’s faith. Some of the greatest saints remark that God seems almost overpowered or bound by sincere faith. When we have faith, God moves! Beg God in prayer for a sincerer, a truer, a more radical trust in 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We read in the Gospel that Jesus “was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” This might cause us some confusion, because we know God can do anything. Jesus certainly has the power in Himself to perform mighty deeds wherever He wants, but often He requires another ingredient to be present along with His power before He performs His wonders. That other ingredient is our faith.
The reason that Jesus couldn’t (didn’t) perform many miracles in His hometown was because the people lacked faith in Him. The same is true today. We might miss out on great miracles if we lack the necessary faith in Christ. People sometimes get mad that God doesn’t help them out, when the fault might be all their own. (Of course, God won’t always work wonders even if we have faith—but He always does what is best for our souls.) The decision and the power belong to God. Our part is to have faith. Are we praying and working to grow our faith?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 14-17 – The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunk cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“People do not put new wine into old wineskins… Rather, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
To better understand what Jesus is getting at by His analogies, we should look at their context In the Gospel, Jesus has just called Matthew, has eaten a meal with sinners, had a run-in with the Pharisees about it, and been questioned by John the Baptist’s disciples about it. Jesus is saying by this analogy that something new is here: Himself! He is saying that things can’t just go on the same way as they did before He was there.
Jesus changes everything. Just like when a young man meets the woman he is going to marry, or when a couple has their first child—everything changes. The Messiah, the King, the Lord, has arrived, and things cannot be the same any more. If we set out on a serious life with Jesus, we can’t expect our lives to look the same as before. If we try to hold on to our old lives, habits, plans, social activities, and schedules, our relationship with Him will weaken. Only a whole new way of life will have enough room for Jesus. There’s an old saying, “out with the old; in with the new.” What old things do we still need to get rid of?
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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Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 9-13 – As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs, post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is a bit shocking, a bit confusing, that Jesus would stop at a customs post to invite a man to follow Him as a disciple. But that’s what Jesus does with Matthew. Not long after, Matthew becomes one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. Matthew is a Jew, but a bad Jew in many senses. As a tax collector, he works with (and for) the Romans to tax Jews for the sake of the Roman Empire and its projects—some of which the Jews hated. So it scandalizes many Jews when Jesus associates with, and even calls, a man like Matthew.But Christianity is always calling the marginalized and the misfits.
This doesn’t just mean the poor, or the sick, or the elderly, or the lonely. This also means that true Christianity reaches out to the drug addict, the promiscuous four-time divorcée, the imprisoned criminal. It is easy to live Christianity in a “bubble” of good people. But Christ leaves this bubble constantly. If we really want to follow Christ, we have to step out of our comfort zone and embrace those on the fringes of society. Consider: Whom are we trying to welcome from the outside into the faith? Who knows? Like Matthew, they might change, and then they in turn might change the world.
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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Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 1-8 – He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Often in the Gospel, Jesus heals (or doesn’t heal) people based on their faith. In this particular Gospel Jesus spiritually heals, or forgives the sins of, a paralyzed man based on faith. It is interesting to notice through whose faith Jesus is moved to forgive the paralyzed man. The Gospel says, “When Jesus saw their faith,” their faith—the faith of those carrying the paralyzed man. Perhaps the paralyzed man’s faith is included here too, but the point remains that Jesus heals one man based on the faith of others.
This is a strange mystery that is still true today. Our faith can have a great impact on others, even those who never see it. The same is true of our sufferings, our “redemptive suffering.” Certainly our own sufferings make a difference in our own redemption, but they can also make a difference in the redemption of others. The value of one Christian’s suffering can be applied (in a way) to the well-being of another. In this way our suffering is very important, and we shouldn’t reject it when God gives it to us. God may be asking us to join Him on the Cross in suffering in order to participate in the healing of others. In prayer let’s consider our sufferings, accept them, and ask God to apply their value to the help of others.
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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Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 8: 28-34 - When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding the demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they say Him they begged Him to leave their district.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What a sad response from the townspeople across the sea. God Himself comes to visit their town, and He heals two human beings of the terrible suffering of demonic possession. But these people’s hearts aren’t looking for God. They are pagans. Their greatest concern seems to be the great financial loss of having pigs drowned in the sea. And so they miss the chance to welcome their God, and instead they ask Him to leave. They also miss the great joy of welcoming the two healed men back into health and society.
There are many people today who aren’t looking for God because they are too concerned with finances. Some examples are obvious: those in the abortion industry, those selling drugs, those making explicit or inappropriate websites, TV shows, movies. But then what about us? Perhaps in more subtle ways, do we fall into this trap as well? Are we giving enough to charity? Or do we love to buy more and more? Are we too concerned with saving? Is our money-making career taking over our faith-life? We, like the townspeople in the Gospel, will end up missing God and missing others if we are too concerned with finances. How lonely would the world be if we had all the money in it, but no God and no one else to enjoy?
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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Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 8: 23-27 - As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Again in the Gospels, for a second day in a row, it seems like Jesus might be crabby—he is certainly abrupt here after He has just been woken up. Jesus is not really crabby here (He never is), but He is stern. It may be easy for us to identify with the disciples in this story—after all, their boat is in danger of tipping or sinking in the midst of a violent storm, while Jesus is fast asleep. It’s natural that they would be frazzled, so why does Jesus rebuke them?
The disciples are concerned with their surroundings and their situation—the danger, the boat, the storm. These are very real things to be considered. This isn’t their mistake. Their mistake is that they fail to consider that there is someone else very real who is present: Christ! And He is even more real (and infinitely more powerful) than the storm. It is not okay for us to simply focus on our present problems—deadlines, homework, sickness, stress, danger… We must focus more intently on the present solution—Christ. This is faith. And the truest way to look at any situation is with the eyes of faith. We cannot forget that Christ is present with us in our problems, and that He is more powerful than them all.
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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Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 8: 18-22 - When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Follow me...”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
At first it seems like Jesus is being sharp, or even mean, in the Gospel today. Two things should be noted. The first thing we should do is clarify something: when this disciple asks Jesus if he can first bury his father before following Him, there’s a good chance that he does not mean that his father has already died and awaits funeral and burial, but that his father is old, maybe dying, and that he will be more free to follow Christ after his father dies.The second thing we should do is to emphasize something: Jesus is dead serious about the demands it takes to follow Him.
He doesn’t shy away from stating that following Him demands everything. It must take precedence even over our home and our family ties. Even if He never asks us to give up our home, we must be willing to do so if He asks. Christ’s followers lead radical lives of detachment. We can’t hide from this fact; Jesus makes it so clear. Are we too comfortable with life, or too attached to things?
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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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 5:21-43- When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
“Do not be afraid; just have faith” sounds like a very nice idea to apply when we have some little challenge ahead of us, like a speech to give or a test to take. But Jesus says this to a man whose daughter has just died. The man has come to Jesus for emergency help, but he doesn’t make it in time. The man’s daughter has died; nothing more can be done. So it is a radical thing when Jesus tells the man not to be afraid and to believe. But believe what, we wonder? Certainly no one in this story has ever seen anyone raised from the dead.
Jesus is not telling the man to believe that some good option might still remain that he should hope for. No, Jesus is telling the man to believe in Him regardless of the situation. This is part of the mystery of faith—not to believe because we have some idea of what God might do for us, but to believe in Him even when it seems that there are absolutely no options left. Then we can understand what it means that He works wonders. God still does work miracles—often He just waits for our faith.
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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Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 8:1-4 - When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I will do it. Be made clean.’ “
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage shows not only a great miracle of Jesus, but the intentions behind His works. Jesus doesn’t just go around doing the right thing because He is supposed to; Jesus goes around doing the right thing because He wants to. The leper in the Gospel approached Jesus and said, “if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus tells the leper that He does want this, and then He heals the leper.
Jesus wants to heal us. He wants to. Are we approaching Jesus with our troubles? He wants to help. If He chooses not to help us in the way we want, we should realize that He is still helping us, and in fact, He is doing so in the way that is truly best for us. Also, and this is of even greater importance: Are we approaching Jesus with our sin? Our sin shouldn’t be a reason to turn from God, but instead a reason to turn to God. Jesus wants to heal us of sin. He can and will.
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)
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Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:21-29 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of those uncomfortable Gospel passages that we often don’t like to visit, but should. Jesus is saying that to enter the kingdom of God, we must do the will of His Father in heaven, and we must know Him. It is not simply enough to be members of the right religion, or even to do powerful spiritual things. We must do what God asks us to do, and we must seek to know Him.
The most fundamental things that God asks us to do are to avoid mortal sin, and to fulfill the basic precepts of the Church. These precepts are: to attend Mass on Sunday and holy days, to confess sins at least once yearly, to receive the Eucharist at least during Easter season, to observe days of fasting and abstinence, and to help provide (materially) for the Church. These precepts are the minimum to be followed, unless we have legitimate reason not to do so. In prayer, consider if there are precepts we are not following, or mortal sins that we have committed and not confessed.
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)
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Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:15-20 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“By their fruits you will know them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In today’s Gospel Jesus is teaching something which is very common sense. This is often the case with Christ’s teachings. They just make sense to us. When Jesus says that a “good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit,” He is really teaching us that ultimately good people and good teachings will reveal themselves to be good, and that bad people and bad teachings will reveal themselves to be bad.
Sin always seems attractive at first. The devil packages it that way. But it is a deception. Sin never leaves us happy. During prayer, let’s look back at any sinful decision that we’ve recently made and see if it left us happy. Doing what is right, on the other hand, often seems difficult. But doing what is right always leaves us happy, eventually. During prayer, let’s look back at any good decision that we’ve recently made and see if it left us happy.
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)
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Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:6, 12-14 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction… How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is telling us that our choices and actions have consequences. We can choose what we do, but we can’t choose the consequences. This is a fundamental aspect of life. Just as we can’t choose to smoke constantly and then live to be one hundred, so we can’t just make whatever moral choices other people in our school, work, neighborhood, etc. are making, and then expect that we will end up happy.
Jesus says the road is “broad that leads to destruction.” We live in a time where the most popular marriages are unstable, the most popular music and movies are inappropriate, the most popular way to date is unhealthy, the most popular politics are harmful… So we can’t just be like everybody else. The common way doesn’t work. We have to be more intentional. As attractive as the popular choices can seem, they always, always, always, lead to separation, sadness, and to destruction. Choose wisely.
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)
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Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7: 1-5 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are always two people that we can identify in the Gospel stories: Jesus and ourselves. Jesus is the center of all the Scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament), and the Gospels most directly deal with His life on earth. And that is where we find ourselves in the Gospels. We are part of the world that Jesus comes to redeem. So in the Gospels we can (and should) see ourselves in the characters that Jesus encounters: the sinners Jesus heals, the children Jesus welcomes, the followers who abandon Jesus, the rich young man who loves his possessions, the sorrowful mother on whom Jesus has compassion, the Samaritan woman whom Jesus tests with His silence before He answers her…
It is good to read the Gospel like this. The Gospel really should speak into our lives. We must be careful, however, to not only see the good characters as being like us, but also the troublesome ones. When we hear today’s Gospel, we shouldn’t first think about the hypocrisy of others (“Oh, I know a hypocrite at work, or school, or church…”), but instead we should think of the hypocrisy of our hearts. We should examine ourselves: when have I been a hypocrite? It’s okay to admit we sin. Actually, it’s good. God doesn’t expect our perfection—but he expects humility. We first must acknowledge our sins, and then we can experience His mercy. If we see ourselves in the Gospel sinners, then we can see ourselves in the Gospel saints.
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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Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4: 35-41 - On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a familiar command that runs throughout the entire Scriptures, and is specifically spoken of a number of times by Christ Himself, the command to “be not afraid”. When we read about the storm in the Gospel, it seems pretty understandable to us why the Apostles are filled with fear. How many hours, and days, and weeks, and years, had some of these Apostles who had been fishermen been out in their boats facing rain, wind, and waves… but they realize that this storm is something quite different. And yet Jesus is fast asleep!
When the Apostles wake Jesus, He rebukes them for their fear. The problem with their fear is not that it comes from the presence of something – trouble, but that it comes from the lack of something – faith. The reason the Apostles feared, and the reason that we typically fear, is that we don’t have enough faith. It would do us a lot of good to picture in our minds Jesus fast asleep in the midst of danger. He has no question that He has the divine power to overcome the storm. The danger of the storm is big, but it is tiny compared to God. Jesus guarantees us that we will have sufferings and trouble in this world, but He also guarantees us that we will have His help in this world (John 16:33). Where we have an abundance of fear, we must also have a lack of faith or a lack of love. Look at God, He’s bigger than the storm!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:24-34 - Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is so much comfort in this Gospel. But there is also confrontation. There is comfort because it is so wonderful to hear Jesus say that God will take care of us. There is confrontation here because most all of us Christians don’t really live like we actually believe this. It’s too radical. We tend to live as though “God will help those that help themselves.” Interestingly, this second phrase is not a Biblical one!
Jesus is not saying we shouldn’t consider the things we need; He’s saying we shouldn’t worry about the things we need. He actually wants us to believe that our only security is Him. It is so wonderful to hear: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” God cares for us. God cares for us more than we care about ourselves. Our job is, first, to pay attention to Him. If we do this, He promises that “all these things will be given you besides.” God is calling us to radical faith—radical faith. He wants us to believe that He knows us enough, and loves us enough, to be entrusted with the smallest details of our lives.
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)
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Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:19-23 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
An intentional life with Christ begins with saying “yes” to His presence in our lives. But as we grow in the Christian life, we must also learn to say “no.” Of course we won’t say “no” to Christ, but instead we must say “no” to everything else that may crowd Him out. There are a great number of Christians who miss out on deep relationships with Christ because they are too busy for Him, and they can’t prioritize. Are we like this?
Jesus is telling us that we have to choose. We have to prioritize. We cannot “serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). In a sense, it can be said that God doesn’t like to share. This isn’t for His sake, but for ours. God doesn’t want to share our hearts, because our hearts are made exclusively for Him. So to the degree that we share our love on things outside God, where He isn’t asking us to spend it, on things that ultimately cannot satisfy us, we will be unhappy. We have to examine our lives and our busyness. Are we missing out on God because of too much unnecessary: sports, work, school work, house work, volunteerism, social activities, or church activities? In prayer, consider what unnecessary activities and involvements threaten our life with Christ. Consider how we can prioritize Him, and give Him our whole heart.
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)
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Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:7-15 - Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who are it heaven…’ “
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes when we pray (take the Rosary for example) we pray classic, memorized prayers like the Our Father or the Hail Mary, not thinking of the words of the prayer, but of certain mysteries of the Faith. And this is a good practice. But let’s not forget the immense beauty and richness of these words, most especially the words of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus Himself gave to us to pray.
Today in our prayer, let’s pray the Our Father slowly and meditatively, five times in a row. This time, let’s think about the words of the prayer itself. They are unspeakably rich. Whatever parts of the prayer move us, let’s consider these as we pray. In this way we will be meditating directly on the words of Jesus, the prayer of Jesus, which He chose to give to us. After this prayer, let’s thank God for giving us the Our Father.
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)
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Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a tendency in us, when we have a gift or skill, not simply to use it, but to use it in a way that will be noticed or praised. This is a symptom of pride. As people progress in the Christian life, gaining more knowledge and experience than their friends, they may even want to be seen as the best Christian!
This highlights the heart of pride—to want to be glorified like God, but apart from God. This is why St. Alphonsus de Liguori likened the prideful person to a thief, because he or she tries to steal glory that really belongs to God alone. In reality, the greatest people are those who are the most humble. The humble person opens himself or herself up to God, and God shows His profound glory most beautifully through them. The humble is not enriched by cheap human praise, but is radiant with the glory of God.
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)
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Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “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
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many people who try to find a deeper, hidden, new meaning or interpretation to a Scripture passage, and they miss the simple point that Jesus has made (sometimes Biblical scholars are the worst offenders). When Jesus says “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” He means exactly that. We must hope for the best for those who have wronged us—no matter how much they have wronged us. We must pray for them, especially for the conversion of their souls.
During prayer, take a moment to pray an Our Father for those who have hurt us significantly, even if it is hard. (Don’t spend too much time on this, especially if there are still painful feelings or thoughts, and don’t spend time thinking of their sins against us. Simply pray for them.) Our prayers for forgiveness might have a great effect on their salvation…and on our own as well.
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)
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Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:38-42- 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 to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that is 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.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This can be a confusing Gospel. Is Jesus saying that we are supposed to stand back and let evil trample over good? As always, we have to read this particular sentence in light of the whole Gospel. Would Jesus say that or do that in the rest of the Gospel? No! And neither should we. We have an obligation to stand up very strongly against evil for what is good.
Though we should stand in great and active opposition to evil, we shouldn’t think that our power against, or opposition to, or success over evil is what will win the victory against it. Jesus has already won the victory over evil definitively. What seemed to be evil’s victory over good when He hung dead on the Cross, was actually evil’s undoing. The Resurrection proved the great mystery that God has the power to use everything, even evil, for the good. In this light, today’s Gospel makes sense. Therefore, accept the suffering that comes from evil… God has the power to use it for infinite good.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:26-34 - Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…[It] is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Roman Catholic Church is the strongest and the longest continually-operating institution in the world. It outlasts and overcomes wars, nations, attacks from the outside (and sadly, sometimes from the inside), and evils of all kinds. It exists almost everywhere on earth, but most vibrantly in believers’ hearts. But it wasn’t always this way. It started, basically, with twelve ordinary men. These were the men to whom Jesus “explained everything” in private. These men were changed by Christ, and then they went out and changed the world
The world can change again. It can change for the better. But these changes won’t happen through the US government or any other human institution alone. If it happens, it will happen by way of ordinary men and women like us whose lives have been changed by Christ. For example: look at the impact John Paul II and his legacy are having on the Church and the world. What the world needs is saints. What the world needs is for us to be is saints. How are we being changed by Christ?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When people make agreements between themselves they often include some extra condition to help guarantee that the agreement is kept. We all assure our promises this way all the time. Adults guarantee their promises with money, or late fees, or collateral. Kids guarantee their agreements with “cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.” But Jesus calls His disciples to a higher standard. He always does.
Money or fear of punishment shouldn’t be the reasons we stick to our promises; honesty should be the reason. Jesus’ disciples are called to honesty—even when it is difficult. Jesus’ disciples are called to be honest, not only in big things (like not deceiving spouses and children, or not cheating on taxes and tests) but also in little things (like admitting fault, avoiding white lies, and not exaggerating problems). The world might have one standard of honesty, but as Jesus’ disciples we have another: “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:27-32 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus does not shy away from uncomfortable issues. He talks about lust, He talks about suffering, He talks about hell… Jesus is serious about very serious things. He is telling us to be serious about them too. In this particular Gospel, Jesus is telling His listeners to do whatever it takes to avoid serious sin. Certainly Jesus doesn’t want us to literally take off parts of our bodies to avoid sin, but He is telling us that drastic measures are worthwhile to protect our souls.
Lust is a problem for many people. This problem has been made much worse with the dangers of the internet and other entertainment. Modern society tells us that lust is okay. But it is not. It damages lives, marriages, families, and souls. We have to be very serious about fighting against lust. The battle against it is best fought by avoiding temptations to begin with. We must make our home (internet, TV, reading, etc.) a safe haven from lust—for the sake of our family, our marriages, our happiness, and our souls.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus refers to the Law as an authority for His listeners. But above the Law, He refers to Himself as the authority: “But I tell you…” Jesus is the authority on everything because He is God. His words and actions, His Life, Death, and Resurrection fully reveal God to us. Though He has been fully revealed, this doesn’t mean we fully understand Him. The Holy Spirit continually guides the Church through history to understand better and to unpack fully what has been revealed to us in Christ.
The teaching body of the Church (called the magisterium) teaches about all that Jesus did and said through two different forms of revelation: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. These are meant to stand together. We must understand the Bible through Tradition, and Tradition through the Bible. In these ways the Church is very careful and thorough, while our personal opinions can tend to be very narrow. If we want to follow Christ as the authority in our lives, we need to learn to trust the careful guidance of the Church.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
People often think that God is interested in taking things away. We feel that if we grow closer to God, He might take away all the good things of life. We fear that we will need to sacrifice everything: all our pleasures, our belongings, and those we love. We fear that we will be totally without family, friends, money, house, clothes, food, and happiness. What an insult that is to God! And what a misunderstanding of the Gospel!
God is more interested in giving than in taking. God is the Creator of pleasure, of food, of marriage, of family, of friendship, of happiness. And He didn’t make them just to take them away. God, as a loving Father, only takes a thing away if He is going to give us even more. If God is taking our water, He wants to give us His wine. If God is taking our coin, He wants to give us His treasure. If God is taking our fun, He wants to give us His ecstasy. Jesus says, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” We are a much greater threat to our own joy than God is. Trust Him, and be very excited for what He will give!
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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Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:13-16 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here, on the Sermon on the Mount. He tells them, and He tells us, that we are the light of the world and we are supposed to let that light shine. This is a very important teaching for us. Jesus is saying that the world is in darkness. Picture someone stumbling around in complete darkness looking for help, looking for comfort, looking for safety. Now picture us as the only hint of light around – what is our responsibility. Is it to hide our light, or is it to shine our light.
The world needs Catholics. The world needs Catholics to be Catholics. The world has enough bad Catholics. There are many people who are in great spiritual danger. They are looking for help, and comfort, and safety – but they are finding none. Wake up Catholics! Our life is not about our school, jobs, home, friends, fun, stuff… our life is about God. There are many people looking for this real meaning. They need us to help bring this light to them. We need to be less selfish, less afraid, less comfortable. We need to share our faith. In prayer, consider how each of us can practically share our faith to someone in darkness today.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:1-12- When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He began to teach them, saying: ‘Blessed...’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This may come as a surprise, but God wants us happy, immensely happy. Among other things, this is what “blessed” means. Maybe we have heard the beatitudes translated as, “Happy are the poor in spirit...” instead of, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” To be blessed means to be happy.
The very first sentence of the whole Catechism of the Catholic Church (the summary of the teachings of our Faith) begins with happiness. It states that God is infinitely perfect and happy in Himself. This means He has no need of us (or anything) to improve Him, His situation, or His happiness. So then why would God ever create mankind? God made us for our own sake, for our own benefit. God thought of and created mankind with a huge potential for happiness. And the way we fulfill this potential for happiness, is by sharing in God’s own happiness and God’s own life. God wants to share His happiness with us. The whole journey of our life is learning to let Him.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:20-35 – Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a lot going on in this Gospel passage today. It might be hard for us to fit it all neatly together. But the various reactions people have to Jesus do really give us some context for understanding the growth of His ministry at this point in the Gospel. Jesus’ ministry has grown notable for obvious reasons: He is performing amazing healings, teaching with profound authority, and is actively traveling around spreading His message. As this new ministry grows fast, people have their strong thoughts and opinions. Some people think Jesus is crazy. Some people think Jesus is evil. Some people think Jesus is wonderfully good.
When Jesus’s mother and relatives (at least some of those who didn’t think He was crazy) show up to visit Him, He says, “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” This wasn’t meant as an insult His natural human family, but was meant to stress the importance of His spiritual family. Anyone can be part of this family of Christ. But to do so we have to follow certain criteria. Jesus says whoever does His will is part of His family. To be part of the family of Christ we must be serious about doing His will—not just liking what He wants, but doing what He wants. So, how are we doing?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12: 38-44 - In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is something humorous about thinking of the Lord sitting down “observing how” others donated money. (Though for some people who haven’t practiced generosity in giving, this might actually be a bit unsettling, instead of being humorous.) Nevertheless, Jesus watches how we give.
It should be noted to Christians, who are asked to give with generosity to the Church, to its missions, and to those in need, that during His public ministry Jesus relied on the financial provision of believers (Luke 8:3). The mission of Jesus Christ was helped by the financial generosity of lay members of the Church. The mission of Jesus Christ is still helped today by the financial generosity of lay members of the Church. Are we giving to specific ministries in order to further this mission?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:35-37- As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said:
The Lord said to my lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies under your feet.’
David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” The great crowd heard this with delight.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The great crowd heard this with delight.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family There is a large amount of very bad Scripture scholarship today, and some very good Scripture scholarship. So, when Christians go looking for guidance in reading Scripture from educated Protestant and Catholic scholars, they might find truly great help, or they might find false, harmful ideas. When approaching Scripture it is helpful to understand that Sacred Scripture comes from the Catholic Church and is meant to be used by her members. It is one of the two ways the apostles and their successors pass on the life and teachings of Christ. The other way is by Sacred Tradition. If we want truly to understand the Scriptures, we must read them in light of the Church’s Tradition.
To grasp the meaning of Scripture, the Church says three principles are key: 1) we will understand each individual verse or story much better if we understand it as part of the whole of Scripture; 2) we will understand Scripture better if we know that it is inseparable from Sacred Tradition and that together, Scripture and Tradition are two parts of one complete “deposit of faith”; 3) we will understand the parts of Scripture well when we see them as connected to God’s whole plan of revelation—especially the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. (These principles are found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 109-114.)Jesus demonstrates these three principles perfectly in today’s Gospel. He calls upon the Old Testament events in the life of King David and gives them their full meaning by applying them to Himself. When we read Scripture the way Christ, through the Church, teaches us to read it, we, like the crowd in today’s Gospel, will read “with delight.” Christ makes everything in Scripture (actually everything in our reality) make sense.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12: 28-34 - One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“There is no other commandment greater than these.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is the greatest commandment? It is to love—to love God, and to love man. There are a lot of meanings to the rich word “love,” so first, we should clarify what the verb “to love” means. The Church teaches that to love means “to will the good of another.” This means that we should want what is best for others. Jesus doesn’t call this a suggestion; He calls it a commandment.
In all our dealings with other people, do we want what is best for them? At work do we consider how our business dealings affect the souls of those with whom we work? At school do we consider how our choices help or hurt our schoolmates? At home do we consider our siblings’ or parents’ or children’s needs before our own? That is the primary commandment that Christ put before us—love. Mother Teresa expressed this happy rule of life in an acronym: J.O.Y.—Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12: 18-27 - Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here is a line that should strike home for many people. Jesus is speaking to the Sadducees and says to them that they are misled because they don’t “know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The Sadducees were one of the three major Jewish groups of Jesus’ day, and they held a great deal of authority and power—especially in the Temple. Among their many mistakes, they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
Jesus makes an important point here that if we are ignorant of Scripture, we will be ignorant of life. How many Christians make terrible decisions regarding marriage, politics, morality, entertainment, and sexuality. They make life-decisions that negatively affect their very souls because they don’t know, or don’t believe, the Scriptures. Those who teach that Scripture is outdated, or is untrue, or is a nice book of suggestions, are in disagreement with Jesus. We too will be ignorant of how to live unless we listen to God in Scripture, and always stay open to His power in our lives.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 12: 13-17 - Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyAs Christians, we have a very, very important role to play in society. There are some who don’t think that we should bring our faith into politics. They are completely going against our clear Catholic teachings. Our faith isn’t one aspect of our lives, it penetrates and changes all aspects of our lives, including politics. Our faith must shape our political ideas; if it does not, we are not approaching politics correctly. We are hurting society.
This Gospel sheds light also on money. Jesus treats our money like it’s God’s. Is it? How do we view our money? Do we view it as God’s, or do we view it as ours? If we viewed it as God’s money that we are taking care of for Him and that we will have to account for, would we act differently? Would we give more to charity…buy less unnecessary stuff…take less elaborate vacations…be less anxious about our savings accounts? Well, it is God’s money! And we will give an account! Give to God what is God’s.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 12: 1-12 - Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?”
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…they realized that He had addressed the parable to them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders realize that Jesus is accusing them with this parable. Their pride is wounded. Instead of reflecting on Jesus’ criticism and trying to improve themselves, they grow deeper in anger and deeper in their mistakes.
It is always difficult to hear that we are wrong. How do we react when we are corrected for our weaknesses and mistakes? Do we take time to swallow our pride and consider that we aren’t perfect and have possibly made a mistake, or do we choose to continue in our mistake rather than admit our fault? During prayer, do a little examination of conscience. Consider how we usually react when corrected: do we immediately blame others? Do we immediately have an excuse? Do we immediately think of our corrector’s faults? Do we despair? Or do we use it as a chance to improve ourselves?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 - On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take I; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many…’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We are familiar with these words from the Gospel of Mark. St. Mark spent a good deal of time with St. Paul and then later with St. Peter. It is typically thought and taught that his Gospel records much of Peter’s account of the ministry, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Peter would have been present, of course, at the Last Supper when Jesus first gave His followers His Body and His Blood. Later, Peter also would have celebrated many, many Masses at which Mark would have been present. Mark would have heard these words of Jesus from the mouth of Peter. Today we hear these very same words from our pope, bishops, and priests at every single Mass we attend.
There is an unbroken line of holy Masses from Jesus, to Peter and the Apostles, to every pope, bishop, and priest after them, down to the present day. The Passover event was first celebrated as a “perpetual ordinance” (Exodus 12:14) for the Jews. When Jesus establishes the new Passover here at the Last Supper, it fulfills and replaces the first Passover. Now the new Passover feast of Christ’s Body and Blood is a celebration that continues today and will continue until the end of time, and even into eternity.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 11:27-33 - Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” – they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Jesus said to them, ‘I shall ask you one question. Answer me…’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis event takes place the week before Jesus dies. He comes into Jerusalem, goes into the Temple, and takes over. He overturns tables, starts giving orders, starts making accusations… He makes a scene. The Jewish authorities want Him killed. So when they come to question Him, “By what authority are you doing these things,” He doesn’t answer them. Jesus doesn’t make Himself available to those who want to test Him, or exploit Him, or accuse Him. He makes Himself available to those who want to love Him.
If we want to grow closer with God, to really grow closer with God, we have to be sincere. God looks at our intentions. If God seems useful to us only when we need something: money, or help, or comfort—though perhaps He might give us these things—we will continue to miss the point. We will continue to miss God. We will never know God as our loving Father if we treat Him only as a genie. A real relationship with our heavenly Father is a terrible thing to waste.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Mark 11:11-26 – Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.
They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?
But you have made it a den of thieves.”
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.
Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThe actions that Jesus takes in the Gospels may seem strange to us. And of course we don’t—we can’t—understand all of God’s actions, but just because we don’t understand them doesn’t mean they don’t make sense. They always make sense. We will look at two of these actions today from the Gospel. The first is the cursing of the fig tree, and the second is the cleansing of the temple. The two events are related to each other. The Gospel writer shows this by weaving the two stories together. In the faith and tradition of the Jews, as well as in their Scriptures (our “Old Testament”), the fig tree represents Israel. God is patient with Israel for hundreds, even thousands, of years. Then Jesus is patient with the Jews in His three-year public ministry to them. But Israel firmly rejects Him…. They reject God.
On His way to and from the Temple, Jesus sees the fig tree. The fig tree, like Israel’s weak faith lived in the Temple, is fruitless. After all His patience, and all His attempts to reach His chosen people, God accepts the decision of Israel to reject Him. And He is saddened by it. Earlier that week Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem wept for them. Because of their faithlessness, within a generation (in the year 70 A.D.), Jerusalem is burned and the Temple is completely destroyed, never to be rebuilt. This is an example of the radical consequences of human freedom. God begs for our openness to Him so that we can be filled by Him and be happy. But God also allows our rejection of Him (though apart from Him we cannot be happy). God loves us and is inviting us…but that is only part of the story. Our response determines the rest.
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)
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There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:46-52– As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But he kept calling out all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Those who are very serious about Christ do whatever it takes to reach Him. Here is Bartimaeus, a blind man, calling out to Jesus who is walking through his town. Bartimaeus believes in Christ and desperately wants to encounter Him. But “many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” What if he had been silent? What if he had given up easily? He would have been sightless and potentially faithless for the rest of his life. Though the crowd rebukes him, Jesus does not. Jesus has compassion and heals him.
Jesus works in this way in the Gospels at times. He doesn’t just heal someone, He increases their faith as well. He doesn’t just strengthen Bartimaeus’ eyes by a miracle, He also strengthens his faith by testing it. Bartimaeus doesn’t quit, “he kept calling out all the more.” When the Lord allows us to go through trials, we shouldn’t think that He is not listening. We should think, instead, that along the way He is giving us something much more important than whatever we are asking for. He is strengthening and growing our faith. Don’t quit when times are hard…call out all the more!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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There is no podcast/audio available for this reading/meditation.
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family Mark 10:32-45 - The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud “…whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family It is good to remember that the apostles were sinners. They had weaknesses, and they struggled with pride and other sins. In this story James and John ask for special treatment in the Kingdom of God, and the other apostles “became indignant.” Not a pretty scene. Why is this good to remember? Because Jesus doesn’t cast them away for their imperfections and their offenses against each other and against God; instead, Jesus builds the Church on them. God is the ultimate strength of the Church, not its human leaders.
But there is something even more important to consider. These imperfect men eventually become saints! They grow consistently in faith, love, virtue, and especially grace (God’s help and presence), and over time they become saints. Saints. Actually saints! We also are weak, prideful, sinful people. So what? If we open ourselves to grace and consistently grow in faith, love, and virtue, we will be saints as well. The Catholic Church is built on this hopeful reality. In prayer, ask God to help us to persevere!
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.)
There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family* Mark 10:32-45-*The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, ‘What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, ‘We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud “…whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family It is good to remember that the apostles were sinners. They had weaknesses, and they struggled with pride and other sins. In this story James and John ask for special treatment in the Kingdom of God, and the other apostles “became indignant.” Not a pretty scene. Why is this good to remember? Because Jesus doesn’t cast them away for their imperfections and their offenses against each other and against God; instead, Jesus builds the Church on them. God is the ultimate strength of the Church, not its human leaders.
But there is something even more important to consider. These imperfect men eventually become saints! They grow consistently in faith, love, virtue, and especially grace (God’s help and presence), and over time they become saints. Saints. Actually saints! We also are weak, prideful, sinful people. So what? If we open ourselves to grace and consistently grow in faith, love, and virtue, we will be saints as well. The Catholic Church is built on this hopeful reality. In prayer, ask God to help us to persevere!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:28-31 – Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…and eternal life in the age to come.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Since the beginning of Christianity, people have chosen to give up many good things, even many great things, for the greatest thing. The religious (brothers, sisters, priests from religious communities) give up everything: possessions, relationships, the opportunity to marry and to have children, all for the sake of God. God is greater than all these things put together, and believing this, they choose Him. There are some that Jesus calls to Himself in this way, there are others whom He calls to Himself through other ways (like through marriage and family).
One interesting thing about this call is that Jesus says that those who follow it will not only receive eternal life, but will receive more blessings even in this present earthly life. In our home, we should be very open to the possibility of vocations to the priesthood or religious life. It is a good life full of blessings. It is easy to give up good things if we are guaranteed better things. Pray to be open to this for the members of our family.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:17-27– As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a very troubling Gospel for many. Two points should be mentioned: 1) Many people are unnecessarily troubled because they fear that if they grow closer to God He will make them sell all their goods and be poor. This isn’t the case. The Church has always had rich people who were its great supporters. 2) On the other hand, many people should be very troubled by this. They should be troubled by if they are attached to their riches or material belongings.
Americans must read this Gospel carefully. We must take Christ at His word. Possessions can be very dangerous if we get attached to them. The problem wasn’t that the man was rich, but that He loved His possessions. He loved His possessions more than He loved God. That is why he was asked to give them up. Make no mistake about this: God will not allow for any rivals—He will make us choose. If there is anything we love more than God, it will cost us God. Beg God to increase our love for Him. In prayer, think of one small thing each of us likes that we can give up or give away.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
There is no audio/podcast for today’s reading & meditation.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28:16-20 – The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them …”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are a number of things we could say about acting in the name of someone else. How might someone act in the name of someone else? The chief steward of a house, or the prime minister of a kingdom, might go out and act in the name of their master or king. As servants, they may be given the authority to act in place of their masters in order to bring about the will of their master or king. In short, we could say that acting in the name of someone else means sharing in their work. But there is a deeper, more important way, to share in the life and work of another. A wife, for instance, shares the name of her husband, as do their children. When a husband and wife marry, they make two lives into one life. One great symbol of this is the fact that they choose to share one name. In short, we could say that sharing the name of someone else means sharing in their life and work—it symbolizes a deep union—not just acting as one, but truly being one with them.
Jesus tells His disciples to go out and bring all nations, the whole world, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. What He is saying by this is that He wants all people to share in God’s own work, and all people to share in God’s own life. God wants us to be one with Him. We, the members of the Church of Christ, can be brought into this work and into this life through our faith and through the Sacraments. During prayer, let’s think very seriously and practically about these two questions: What are we doing to foster our belief in Christ and His teachings? What are we doing to increase our Sacramental life? Believing Christ and receiving the Sacraments aren’t simply actions we perform as part of a Catholic life, they are the means to become one with God and participate in His life.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:13-16 – People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We have all probably heard the saying that “the Lord wants us to be child-like, not child-ish.” Consider how a child accepts the Kingdom of God. They accept it simply. They believe that what God says in the Scriptures is true. They believe that God knows them and loves them. They believe that God is all-powerful and can do anything. They believe that God will give them all the resources, help, and comfort they need. They don’t complicate what they know of good and evil. And they are right. Children simply take God at His word.
When children take God at His word, they are called children. When adults take God at His word, they are called saints. Our faith shouldn’t become more complicated the more we know it. Our faith should become more simple. In prayer, beg God to make our faith more simple, then it will be more profound, more free, more real.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:1-12 – Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Divorce is a terrible, widespread reality today. Because it is so common and so hard to deal with, many people try (unsuccessfully) to treat divorce as insignificant or even as good. But Jesus points out that God has had an intentional plan for marriage from “the beginning,” and He did not intend divorce. (“The beginning” refers to the Creation in the Book of Genesis, which starts with the words, “In the beginning.”)
Jesus does not form His standards of marriage and family around the law, around what others do, or around what others think. He forms it around God’s original plan. This is the plan the Church teaches (see the Catechism or a simple explanation of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body). God intends married couples and families to be closely united. We need quality time together. If constant soccer makes this impossible, cut back. If house projects or hobbies do, stop. If volunteering does, quit. If church groups do, quit them. If we are serious about living God’s plan for marriage and family, we will look different than most other families. Are we serious? In prayer, tell God whether or not we are willing to sacrifice other things to become closer as a couple or family. Then pick out what needs to be cut back to make more room for us.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:41-50Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
How about this statement for making a point?! Jesus isn’t advocating removing body parts, but He is advocating taking real, even drastic, measures to avoid serious sin. His point is that it is “Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna.” There is something very important that we need to pay attention to, called the “(near) occasion of sin.” This means any circumstance that makes it easy to sin and hard to be good.
Men struggling with lust shouldn’t have the internet on their phones. Women trying to overcome vanity shouldn’t go shopping for new clothes. Dating couples trying to be pure shouldn’t be alone together in their homes. Children struggling to obey the instruction for no more sweets shouldn’t keep the candy bowl in front of them. It’s easier to stop the devil when he’s on the outside of the door than when we’ve already opened the door a crack. What thing do we need to drastically eliminate to help ensure our salvation?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:38-40-John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For whoever is not against us is for us.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is easy to think that our personal way of living out the faith through our particular gifts and interests is the best way. We might have a real interest in serving others and think that’s the best way. Or we might spend a lot of time in prayer and think that’s the best way. Or we might be very active in some ministry or group in our parish and think that’s the best way. We might be both right and wrong. These particular areas might be where we individually need to focus, but others may need to focus on others areas.
There are many spiritual gifts, and different strengths given to each of us by God. We all possess one or a few of these very strongly. But none of us possesses all of the gifts. God made each of us unique. He gave us our particular gifts, interests, and talents. This is for a reason—for the benefit of others. St. Paul speaks of us, with our spiritual gifts, united together, as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). A body needs all its parts to function rightly. When we combine our gifts, we have much more strength than any one of us has individually. We need each other. During prayer, think of and thank God for your gifts, and the gifts of your family members.
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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Pentecost Sunday – Mass During the Day (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 26 – 16:15 – Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning..
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The events of Pentecost are not recorded in the Gospels, but in the Book of Acts, which picks up where the Gospels leave off. And this is a very important point: there’s more to the story than the Gospels alone. This is the message that Jesus relays to His disciples in today’s Gospel: that there is still important work to be done after His Ascension. In Jesus’ Life, Death, and Resurrection He reveals God to us and accomplishes our salvation. He has completed that work. But now we must accept our salvation, take it in, make it our own, and share it with others. This is the important work that is still to be done. This is the work of the Church. This is the work of evangelization. This is our work. This work will be guided and powered by the Holy Spirit.
We see in today’s awesome celebration how the Holy Spirit brings the saving work of Christ directly into our lives. In the second chapter of Acts, where the Pentecost event is recorded, the Holy Spirit comes to Peter and the apostles and gives them great power—power that is not their own. And they rush out and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit works wonders through them. As the gathering crowd asks what they must do to accept this Good News, to take it in, to make it their own, Peter and the apostles tell them that they must “Repent, and be baptized… and (they) shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” So how do we access the Holy Spirit, His power, and the salvation of Christ? Through the Sacraments that the Church has constantly given us from Her birth at Pentecost, and continues to give us today.
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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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:20-25Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved…When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The apostles were a close group (actually the whole body of disciples were). Certainly, they had their arguments, but they had some very deep friendships. We can gather this from the Gospels, and see it explicitly in the Acts of the Apostles. The friendship of Peter and John is a particularly great one. They are main characters in the Gospels, and their relationship is revealed in particular, here, at the end of the Gospel of John and in the Book of Acts. Acts even speaks of specific time they spent together.
Neither of them possessed all the necessary Christian gifts. But combined, they must have been an amazing team. Peter had great passion, boldness, and leadership. John had great depth, faithfulness, and love. Similarly, none of us has everything we need in the Christian life. We need to rely upon others for strengths and for gifts that we don’t possess. And others need to rely on us for gifts that they lack. Marriages and families are like this too. We are all necessary parts of the one Body of Christ. We should develop our unique qualities, interests, and talents. Also, we should encourage these in others. In prayer, consider some gifts that each member of our family is blessed with. After prayer, tell them!
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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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 21:15-19 – After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will…lead you where you do not want to go.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a beautiful story about St. Peter near the end of his life. Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and the head of the entire Church. During Peter’s time as pope, in the mid 60’s A.D., Nero, the emperor of Rome, was enacting a terrible persecution of Christians, and Peter was fleeing Rome for his life. At a certain spot on the road outside Rome, Jesus appeared to Peter. He had a cross on His shoulders and was walking back towards Rome. Peter looked at the Lord and understood–it was a call. Peter turned around, and walked back to Rome. There He was martyred on a cross of his own.In the Gospel, Jesus addresses Peter’s three denials by three times asking Peter, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). After this He tells Peter that Peter will die at the hands of others. Then Jesus says, “Follow me.” At the end of Peter’s life, he is again given the chance to deny Jesus. He chooses instead to follow Jesus. Now, at the place of Peter’s death in Rome, stands St. Peter’s Basilica, the single largest and most important church on the face of the earth. Never underestimate the power of what Jesus can do with one person (even one very imperfect person) who decides, no matter what, to follow Him. Follow!
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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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:20-26-Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I pray…also for those who will believe in me…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus prayed for us…not just for Christians in general, but for us in the sense that He prayed for each one of us in this room. Jesus has a divine intellect, and He had this intellect while He was on earth. This means He knew everything, and everyone. That means He knew us, individually. Jesus considered each of us, and loved each of us, from the Cross. There are many things to specifically reflect on in this passage, and we should spend time reflecting on what Jesus asked of His Father for His whole Church and for us, as its individual members. But one particular thing that Jesus prays for is unity among believers.
Jesus asks His Father that we would be one “as you, Father, are in me and I in you….” The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, because each of them completely gives Himself to the other as a gift. If we have this kind of relationship with each other, if we give our entire lives away for the sake of each other, Jesus says three things will happen: 1) we will be in God, 2) the world will understand Jesus’ relationship with the Father, 3) the world will understand that God loves them. If we as a married couple and we as a family treat our lives as gifts to be given to each other, we will share in God’s Life, and we will change the world. In prayer, consider how we can treat our lives as gifts to be given to one another.
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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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:11-19 – Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Why did Jesus come into the world? The Scriptures say many things about this, and a few of these statements are from the mouth of Jesus Himself. Essentially, they all revolve around the same thing. Jesus Christ comes into the world to reconcile mankind with God through the forgiveness of sin. This is why He is sent into the world.
In this spoken prayer to His Father, Jesus says that He sends the apostles into the world with the same mission. The Apostolic Ministry is one of bringing mankind into communion with God through the forgiveness of sin. St. Paul (“The Apostle”) calls this ministry the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians). We should be very thankful for our bishops and our priests who share in this mission, because they bring to us the mission of Christ in the world. They are helping to bring us back to full union with God.
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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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:1-11Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospel of John gives us so many great insights into the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The readings from this section of John’s Gospel that we read during this part of the Easter Season are not always easy to understand, but they are very important in helping us to understand Jesus Himself. Jesus says here, in prayer to His Father, “everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.” That is beautiful! Do we know any married couple who can honestly say that they are so united (so united!) that there is a complete unity of life? The Father gives everything to the Son. And the Son gives everything to the Father.
One of the gifts that the Father and the Son possess that they present to each other in the Gospels is us–believers. Jesus prays here for believers and for future believers (for us!). He knows us each of us individually and wants each of us to be united with God, in Himself. If we are united to Christ, then as He gives Himself to the Father, so also He gives us to the Father. It is through our union with Jesus that we are united with God. This might give insight into why Jesus says, “this is eternal life, that they should know you...and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life here. In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life now. Ultimately, heaven is union with God.
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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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:29-33-The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many wonderful things to meditate on in this Gospel. For instance, we can ponder how Jesus is stronger than all that troubles us; how we can be confident that He is already victorious; how He knows that we will leave him, and sin, but gives us His blessings anyway. All of these thoughts are worthy of reflection. But we will focus on Jesus’ words about being alone. Jesus tells His disciples that, even though they’ll leave Him, He won’t be alone, because His Father is with Him.
There is an old contemplative phrase, “You are never less alone than when you are by yourself.” Jesus commonly would leave the crowds to find time alone…alone with His Father. We must get comfortable being alone…alone with God, to pray. We have a problem when, the second we’re alone, we turn on the TV, the internet, or our phone. These distractions might be some of our greatest obstacles to a closer relationship with God. Consider what we fill our alone-time with. Can we commit to avoiding these distractions for a day? Or a week? See if those alone-times aren’t then filled with great company–the company of God.
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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The Ascension of the Lord (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16: 15 - 20 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved: whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere …”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospels end with Jesus ascending into heaven. Luke’s book, The Acts of the Apostles begins, here, at the Ascension. At the beginning of The Acts of the Apostles, immediately before Jesus ascends into heaven, He tells His apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit who will come upon them in power. After the Holy Spirit comes, they are to go be Jesus’ witnesses to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit comes just days later at Pentecost, and their ministry begins immediately. We know from the accounts of the Gospels and Acts, and from many other reliable historical texts, that the apostles went out and preached with great fervor and baptized many. The “Lord worked with them,” and the whole world was changed.
Consider how the apostles had lived with Christ for three years; they knew Him intimately; and they had witnessed the greatest events in history in His Death and Resurrection. And yet, it was not until after Christ ascended to heaven and they had received the Holy Spirit that they went out and changed the world. This is why, earlier, Jesus had said to them, “it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). During these days between Ascension and Pentecost, let us do just what the apostles did: pray for the Holy Spirit. Pray that we will be more open to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that the apostles received in Baptism and Confirmation is the same Holy Spirit whom we receive at Baptism and Confirmation. The same Spirit, with His same power, is within us. If we are open to the Holy Spirit and His power, we also will play a role in changing the world!
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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Friday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:20-23 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “no one will take your joy away from you.” This abounding joy is the joy of heaven, of eternal life. This is also the joy that His disciples experience after His Resurrection. Eternal joy begins here and now on earth, in the hearts of those who are united to Christ. One characteristic of true joy is how substantial, how steady, it is. True joy isn’t a fleeting happiness which we possess when the circumstances around us are just right. True joy can actually exist at the same time as suffering, and suffering cannot overcome it.
Joy is something that the world today does not possess. Though everyone wants intense joy, most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to find it. So they settle for less. Pleasure is easy to find. Comfort is easy to find. Entertainment is easy to find. “Good enough” is easy to find. As a result, easy marriages replace joyful ones. Good-enough families replace joyful ones. Nice people replace joyful Christians. But our marriages, our families, and our world are poorer because of it. In prayer, reflect on joy. Do we really want it, or will we settle for mediocre lives?
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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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:16-20- Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Often when the Scriptures refer to “the world” they are referring to everything on earth, particularly mankind, living under sin. Christians are fundamentally opposed to “the world,” the anti-Christian life all around us. We have to get it through our heads that to be Christians necessarily means living differently from the world. We cannot have the full blessings of Christ and still be a lover of the world and its promises. This is what Jesus means when He says, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
This doesn’t mean that we can’t own houses, go to movies, play sports, buy nice clothes, eat out, take a vacation, or do many other things that give us pleasure or comfort or convenience on earth. But it does mean that we can’t make pleasure, comfort, or convenience our goal. That’s the world’s goal. Our goal is different. Christ is our goal. If the earth’s goods bring us closer to Him, we should use them. If the earth’s goods harm or dull our faith, they have to go. The Christians path is different because our goal is different.
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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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:12-15- Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine;for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Everything that the Father has is mine.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John’s writings give the most substantial teachings on the Holy Trinity. Notice the things that Jesus says in this Gospel about the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. First Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit “will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” Then He tells them that “Everything that the Father has is mine.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit share what they possess. They share themselves.
Such a gift is called a “gift of self.” Every person, made in God’s image, is called to live this same way. We are called to give ourselves to God and to others–not simply our money, our time, or our talents, plans, hopes, and preferences. We are called to give our very selves. When we hold back from giving, we cease to love. Spouses can’t stop giving when they’re upset. Parents can’t stop giving when they’re tired. Siblings can’t stop giving when they’re bored. We can’t stop giving. When we cease to give, we cease to love. During prayer, picture Christ on the Cross. When did He stop giving? He is our model.
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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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:5-11 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Wow, this is a very powerful statement from Jesus to his disciples, “it is better for you that I go.” The disciples thought, of course, that Christ’s leaving would be the worst possible thing for their faith. But it was actually for their great gain. After Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Holy Spirit is sent. Christ had been with the apostles, but the Holy Spirit would be in the apostles.
Many people think that if they had lived at the time of Christ, near Him, that their faith would have been tremendously strong. But look at the example of the apostles. Even though they were very close to Christ while He walked the earth, their faith was much, much weaker at that time than it was after He left, and the Holy Spirit made His dwelling in them. God the Holy Spirit supplies power where our faith is weak. We live in a privileged time, a time in which God Himself promises to make our faith strong. We possess the Holy Spirit through Baptism, and His gifts and His power through Confirmation. During prayer, reflect on the real importance, the real Gift, the real Life that comes through these Sacraments.
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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Sixth Sunday of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:9-17 – Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
During the Easter season we focus in a special way on peace and on joy. There is not a person on earth who does not want true peace and deep joy. Yet there are very few who really have these things. Perhaps this is because we look in the wrong places. Jesus talks about joy and peace in the Gospels. He wants us to have them. But He makes a distinction that the peace and joy He is speaking of is of a different quality than can be found anywhere else: “Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). Jesus doesn’t simply want to give Christians a peace and a joy that will make us feel good and happy for a time. He says in today’s Gospel that He wants us to have “complete” joy, to have His own joy. And right before this passage, Jesus tells His apostles that He wants them to have His own peace (John 14:27).
Jesus wants to give us His interior life, the life of His own soul. The life of God is infinite joy and infinite peace. This is what Jesus wants to give us when He says, “my joy” and “my peace I give you.” We access His life, and therefore His peace and His joy, by remaining in His love. How can we do a better job remaining or abiding—living—with Jesus in the Sacraments, in prayer, and in our actions?
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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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:18-21-Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
A Christian isn’t just someone who remembers Christ and tries to be like Him. Ultimately, a Christian shares in Christ’s Life as a member of His Body. As Christians we are really in union with Christ. It shouldn’t shock us if we are hated or if we suffer persecutions for our Faith. Actually, it should shock us if we don’t. Jesus often dealt with run-ins, disagreements, accusations, lies, and enemies of the truth. Often we try to avoid these things at all costs. But to do so is to reject union with Christ’s suffering.
Fortunately, we live in a society where we can practice our Faith without violent persecution, but we should be very aware that there is a growing, strengthening, anti-Christian agenda at work in our society. We need to be very strong in the face of false ideas about marriage, family, religion, conscience, reproductive rights, etc. We need to be strong in love and in truth–otherwise we’re not acting as Christians. Christ always stands strong in love and truth, and we need to do the same today. What is one thing we can do today to courageously proclaim our Catholic Faith?
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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Monday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:26-16:4 – Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Ignorance is a great source of darkness in the world. It is the source of many moral mistakes that we ourselves and many others fall into. When we or others act in ignorance we do not intend evil, so we’re not as guilty. However, evil is still advanced. People do not need to formally choose evil for it to spread into their nations, schools, media, internet, children, marriages, minds, hearts, and souls…they just need to remain ignorant. There is a great deal of ignorance in the world today.
Jesus Christ is opposed to ignorance. Jesus is the Light that expels darkness and ignorance. Jesus is the Truth. We need to be very concerned with the truth. Spouses, parents, and whole families need to be properly informed about what is true and to be very intentional about living accordingly. We should discuss together what ideas we let influence our thoughts: What news, media, internet, and movies will we utilize? These things will affect how we think, dress, date, marry, talk, pray, etc. Ideas have power. We must to be sure to strengthen our understanding of what’s true and what isn’t.
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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Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 12-17 - Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We have heard this passage, and similar ones, many times. John records this statement more than once at the Last Supper, and the other three Gospels all record a similar phrase from a discussion Jesus has with a scholar of the law. It is a phrase that Paul quotes, too. It seems to be a teaching that Jesus repeated many times. It certainly is central to His message. Hopefully we aren’t so used to hearing it that we forget to think about it. What Jesus is asking is a radical request.
Jesus is not asking us to love each other sentimentally–to feel good about our family and friends. He is asking us to love as He loves us. And how does Jesus love us? Jesus loves us for our own sakes–for our good, for our benefit–whether or not He benefits; whether or not we even notice; whether or not He must die doing so. Jesus is asking us to love our family and friends, and even our enemies, in a way that is best for them–regardless of any benefit to us. In prayer, consider what good work we can do for the good of each member of our family, or for our friends. Consider what prayer we can silently say for them. When we love like this, we follow God’s Commandment. And even if no one else sees, He sees–happily.
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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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:9-11- Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In these Gospel passages, Jesus has been telling His disciples to “remain” in Him and in His love. The word “remain” that Jesus is using means abide or take up residence. What Jesus is asking His disciples to do is to “live in Me” and “make Me your home.” Pretend for a moment that God’s love is an actual house and that we live there: each morning we wake up in God’s love; we prepare our day in God’s love; we eat, dress, talk, read, work, play, all in God’s love; we return every evening to God’s love; we find our rest and peace in God’s love; we are most genuinely ourselves in God’s love…
God is inviting us to be “at home” in Him and His love. He wants us to live our whole life in His love. We will do this if we follow His Commandments. Is there any Commandment we are lazy in following? It could be keeping us from great, great joy.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:1-8- Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here about how they are to stay healthy in the spiritual life. He does so by using an analogy of a vine and the branches growing from it. If any branch is connected to the vine it is healthy–it will “bear much fruit.” But if any branch is disconnected from the vine, it is dead. So it is with the spiritual (interior) life. If we are connected to Jesus, we are healthy. If we are disconnected from Him, we are dead.
A wonderful modern author, Jacques Philippe, says the beginning of the interior life is the realization that apart from God we can do nothing…not “some,” not “a little,” but absolutely nothing. We can’t do good for God, our spouse, our family, the world, or even ourselves if we aren’t closely connected to God. If we want to be better spouses, parents, children, siblings…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we want to be more loving, attentive, sensitive, gentle, honest, bold…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we don’t, our efforts are a waste of time. Apart from God, we can do nothing.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:27-31A - Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus doesn’t just give us earthly peace–in the forms of relaxation, quiet, and calm. He says, “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Jesus gives us His peace. Jesus’ peace is not subject to the circumstances around us. Even if there is trouble, suffering, busyness, or noise around us, Jesus’ peace is substantial and unshakable–regardless of the circumstances.
We have to realize that all the things we hope for from the world–its peace, happiness, and satisfaction–are sad imitations of real peace. Real, substantial, lasting peace can only be found in Christ. And it can be found! “My peace I leave you,” Jesus says. A few days after this (after the Resurrection) Jesus will again come and say, “Peace be with you,” and then He will breath on the disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus leaves us His profound, substantial peace in His gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit we are in Christ and He is in us. In the Holy Spirit we possess everything. Come, Holy Spirit, give us Christ and His profound peace!
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)
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Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:21-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My Name–He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here St. John is again writing about the Holy Trinity. This time He writes about the work of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. He will come in the name of Jesus, and He will teach the disciples everything, and remind them of all that Christ told them. We see that this is very true in history. Even after the Resurrection of Jesus, the apostles aren’t really sure of how exactly they are to proceed. Simon (Peter), at one point says, as if exasperated: “I am going fishing,” and six other disciples head out with him.
It is not until the Holy Spirit comes in power and gives them His gifts at Pentecost that they go out immediately, under His power, and begin to change the world. The Holy Spirit still guides the successors of the apostles–the bishops–today. He teaches them and reminds them of what Christ has told the apostles. The Holy Spirit guides us, the laity as well. We receive Him at Baptism, and this Baptismal grace is completed when we receive His gifts of power at Confirmation. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are “in Christ” as the Gospel and our Faith mention so often. “Come, Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ!”
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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Fifth Sunday of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 1 -8 - Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are a lot of Christians who want to get out there and do great things for God. Now for some of them, this excitement and ambition is very pure, bold, holy, and given to them by God. But for others, this excitement and ambition may be filled with a dose of pride or ignorance. According to Christ in the Gospel, it is not our excitement or our ambition, it’s not even primarily our goodness, or holiness, or love that makes us effective in spreading the Good News. It’s actually not us at all. It’s Christ. He stresses, “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
If we want our Christian lives to bear fruit, to have positive results, we must always prioritize being before doing. We must make sure we pray before we act. Otherwise we might just rush off in our excitement and ambition to solve a problem that God was never asking us to solve. We might even make the problem worse. But if we first attend to our union with God, remaining in Him and Him in us, then when God does ask us to go work, we will not be going alone. We will be going in God, and God will be going in us. And there is no end to the positive results God can produce by His power. There is only one Savior, and if we want to be effective in the world, we must prioritize staying united to Him. How can we each better prioritize the Sacraments and daily prayer to help us grow in union with God?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:7-14 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” When we hear this, we might first think that Jesus is speaking symbolically. Certainly we can’t do the works that Jesus does, can we? He heals the sick, when He speaks, His will is done. His word even raises the dead. What can Jesus possibly mean when He says we will do His works? Jesus means exactly what He says. He means that believers can do the works He does. A closer reading of the Gospel suggests just how this happens. We are right to be leery of the idea that we might have the power to do miraculous things…but here, our focus is wrong. When Jesus says we can do these things, He isn’t speaking about our own power… He is promising His power in us. So He repeats, “I will do it.”
Through the centuries, the saints have performed many miracles. This might cause us confusion, even fear, for such power seems strange to us. Actually, the great saints, even those who worked wonders, were very normal, weak, little humans like us. The reason they performed miracles is that they opened themselves up to God living and working in them. It is God who works the wonders through the hands of His servants. Considered this way, it is really very normal and understandable! As we grow in the Christian life, we’ll see God beginning to work in us, too. We must be open to Christ living in us and working through us. In prayer, ask Mary to help us to be open to God living in us.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:1-6 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage, like many during these days, is from the Last Supper Discourse from John’s Gospel. At this particular point, Jesus has just told His disciples that someone will betray Him, and also that He is about to go away. Naturally, they are troubled. Jesus reassures them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” and tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them, and then He will return to take them to Himself. What they don’t yet understand is that Jesus is going away to die, but in doing this He will prepare for them a Heaven that is opened to them, and then He will rise from the dead and take them to Himself.
God wants us to be with Him. Jesus tells us He will take us to Himself; that where He is we also may be. What comfort to know God loves us with an infinite love and wants our ultimate happiness. We will find this happiness precisely in Him. What a comfort, as well, to know that it is God who makes this ultimate happiness possible: “I am the way” (John 14:6). We must remember that God has fought for us and won the victory. Victory is ours when we keep following Him (He is the way!) until we finally rest in Him (He is our end!). Praised be Jesus Christ!
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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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:16-20 - When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen I say to you, no slave is greater than his master…If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says this phrase, “no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16), right after He washes His disciples’ feet. Right before this statement He says, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). If God serves others, we too should serve others. Being a great man or woman in Christianity looks dramatically different than being a great man or woman in the world. We have a wonderful example of this in the photographs of our popes (our leaders) stopping to kiss children, or to minister to the sick, and to people with disabilities.
Jesus doesn’t just want us to honor the idea of service, He wants us to serve: “…blessed are you if you do it.” If we want to be like Jesus, we must serve. At home we must serve the smallest among us. In our family we must serve the elderly. At school we must serve the lonely. At work we must serve the annoying. Service may be washing feet, but it may also be spending time with, and including someone, or having a good conversation. In prayer, think–who do we know who is: sad, lonely, weak, small, disabled, embarrassed, smelly, annoying, awkward? … Now, serve them! Blessed are you if you do it.
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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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 12:44-50 - Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
As we have already mentioned a few times, the story of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus is like the climactic chapter in a book that makes the rest of the story make sense. It is interesting to see the readings that the Church picks out for us during the season of Easter. Many of those from the Gospel of John go back and retell the mysterious statements and actions of Jesus early on in His ministry. Some of these give hints about Jesus Himself, about who He really is, and about who the Father is. Once we know that He has risen from the dead, they all make so much more sense. It is as though the Church is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see that Jesus is God!?” Do we?
The Resurrection is so strange and powerful, that if it is true, so must everything else be true that Jesus did and said. The Resurrection is the supreme proof of our Faith. By it, Jesus reveals Himself as God the Son. As the Son, Jesus tells us He is showing us God the Father. This is why He says, “whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” As the Church is showing us Jesus, so Jesus is showing us God the Father. It is as though Jesus is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see the Father!?” Do we?
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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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:22-30 - The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John, more than any other writer in Scripture, speaks of the relationship of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells the Jews: “The Father and I are one.” Certainly, any listener can grasp the basic meaning here, but as Christians we should deeply ponder the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The Three Divine Persons are each distinct Persons, but they are not separated from each other. They are bound together in a unity of love. St. John, in one of his letters to his churches (John 1), says that God is love.
The clearest image we have of this invisible reality is in something we see every day. God made mankind in His image (Genesis 1). This doesn’t mean that we look like Him, but it does mean that we can understand something about Him by observing ourselves. God made mankind male and female– the first of these were Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve, themselves two distinct people, joined themselves together in love in a bond of marriage, and (as Genesis 2 tells us) “the two became one.” Marriage is the great image of the Holy Trinity, a community of Persons who, though distinct, are not separate. They are bound together, as one, in love. In prayer, reflect on how our marriage and our family beautifully reflect God’s inner Life in the Trinity. How can we better reflect the love of the Trinity in our life?
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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Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:1-10 - Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
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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Fourth Sunday of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:11 - 18 - Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Today’s Gospel is just one of several places where Jesus speaks of His Death and Resurrection before they take place: “I lay down my life in order to take it up again.” And one of the points that He wants us to know about His life is that, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.” Jesus has infinite power at every single point of His Life, even when He is betrayed, arrested, bound, struck, spit upon, scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, sentenced, crushed by the Cross, nailed, insulted, and dying. Even when Jesus appears powerless, He has ultimate power to do whatever He chooses.
Jesus chooses to let terrible things happen to Him at the hands of others, in part, because they don’t take away His power. Actually, He shows even greater power by not stopping evil before it comes to Him. By letting the full force of evil do its very worst to Him, and then rising from death, He shows ultimate power. In our lives, then, if God allows us to suffer, we must rejoice. Our suffering is not a sign of God’s weakness. It is the prelude to a great display of God’s power that we will soon see. We must continue to look, always look, at the Risen Christ. He proves to us that there is no end to the power of God!
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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Third Sunday of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:35-48 - The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day… You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
One of things that Jesus, the angel, and the Gospel writers all emphasize is that Christ’s dying and rising from the dead fulfill what Christ and the Scriptures have already said would happen. Months or years before, when the apostles first heard Christ speak of these things, the words didn’t make any sense to them. How could they?! How could the apostles ever have understood or imagined that God’s ultimate victory for us would take place through His Death and Resurrection? God’s majesty is simply too great for their little hearts, their little heads, and their little expectations.
The Resurrection is the ultimate, cosmic event. Through it, God mightily exceeds our little expectations. It is proof that whatever we think God is doing, whatever we want God to do, whatever we believe about God Himself, our hopes and thoughts are always too limited, too small. When we see sufferings, failures, obstacles, and contradictions, God sees the path to the Resurrection. Where we see victories, comforts, satisfactions, and joys, God sees shadows of the Resurrection. We misunderstand, just as the apostles first misunderstood: God is always speaking to us about His Resurrection. The lives of the apostles were always centered around the Resurrection, they just didn’t know it until they encountered the Risen Lord. Never forget, never forget, that our entire lives are also anchored in the Resurrection. Jesus Christ is risen, alleluia!
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)
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Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:16-21 - When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“It is I. Do not be afraid.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The disciples were afraid. Who wouldn’t be afraid when, out on a boat on the sea, in a fierce wind, during the middle of the night, they see a figure walking toward them on the water? Of course they were afraid. Sometimes we pray for safety, ease, and comfort—for smooth sailing. But another Gospels tell us that it was actually Jesus who sent the disciples across this sea, at night, before the windstorm. Oftentimes God won’t save us from trouble; but He will always save us. There is a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis’ children’s series, The Chronicles of Narnia, about a godly figure, Aslan the Lion: “He isn’t safe. But he is good.” Jesus might be a little like this.
God’s answer to getting us through tough situations very often isn’t to remove the obstacles, difficulties, or sufferings. Instead, He give us Himself in the midst of these. To get safely to the other side of the lake the apostles didn’t need a calm sea. They needed the Lord’s presence. The answer to our difficult situations might not be to escape from difficulties, but instead to recognize and welcome the closeness of the Lord. What difficulties are we struggling with? The victorious, Risen Lord is with us. In prayer, ask Him to guide our way and to help us through.
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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Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 6:1-15 - Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event of the multiplication of the loaves of bread takes place during the middle of Jesus’ public ministry. But the Church gives this Gospel passage to us to read during Easter time, which takes place at the end of Jesus’ public ministry. What does it have to do with Easter? The Gospel story gives us some hints. One hint is that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” We know that He will do that again at the Last Supper. The Gospel also tells us that the “feast of Passover was near.” Very often the Gospels show Jesus preparing people for something that will happen later. That is what Jesus is doing here.
Everything in Jesus’ public ministry makes better sense when we understand His Death and Resurrection. This Gospel passage certainly does. It takes on a deeper meaning—not only is it a miracle that feeds a hungry crowd, but it is an introduction to the Eucharist. Everything that happens in our life, too, makes better sense when we understand that it is related to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Life has meaning. Our actions have meaning. Suffering has meaning. Death has meaning. All this, because of Jesus. We must get used to viewing our lives, our choices, our sins, our sacrifices–as relating to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Because they do!
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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Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:31-36 - The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” We sometimes think that He means that if we truly believe in Him (and love and obey Him) as our Faith teaches us to do, then we will someday go to heaven—to eternal life. And we are right. But St. John, in his Gospel, doesn’t consider eternal life something we can receive only after we die. He tells us that we already have eternal life, now, here on earth, if we possess Christ.
A deep truth is at work here. Christ Himself is our life. It is Christ Himself who is eternal life. To demonstrate this, let’s look at what God says when He reveals His Name to Moses; He says, “I AM.” Ultimately, God is; He lives eternally and infinitely. So, then, if we have eternal life, we don’t just possess life, or live life. If we have eternal life, it means we are existing and living in God. Our life is a Person, Jesus Christ. Knowing this, consider how loving the crucified Jesus is, and how victorious the Risen Jesus is. This is your life! He is your life!
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)
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:16-21 - God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a Bible verse that we should all memorize if we can. It is the famous “John 3:16” quote. It is a wonderful mini-gospel: God loved us so much that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die for us so we would not die in our sins, but instead have God’s Life with Him. That’s awesome.
The very first sentence of the very first paragraph of the very first section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says beautiful words about this truth. It says that God made man to share in God’s own blessed life. We exist to exist in God. That is why God made us. God made us to be ultimately happy by sharing in His own life. This is exactly what He offers us at Easter: participation in His Life. We need to enter into Easter now, today, and forever.
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 prayers.
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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Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:7-15 - Jesus said to Nicodemus: “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You must be born from above.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “a ruler of the Jews” who comes to Him in secret in the night. Jesus is speaking to Him about life in the Spirit, in the Holy Spirit. “You must be born from above” and “so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The Easter Season is a great season to reflect on such a passage, especially in light of the readings we have heard in the last few days. When Jesus appears to the apostles, for instance, He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
By Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, He restores to mankind the life of the Holy Spirit in us. What He gives to the apostles, He gives to us. Jesus’ Resurrection to new life is not only His Resurrection from the dead; it is also our resurrection from the dead—from not having the Holy Spirit, to having the Holy Spirit. This is our great, lasting gift: the Holy Spirit, who is given to us at Baptism. The Sacraments are the keys to obtaining God’s Divine Life, His New Life, His Holy Spirit.
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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Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3: 1-8 - There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church presents to us this Gospel passage about Jesus and Nicodemus more than once during the year. As we read it this time, during Easter, consider why it is that it belongs here in this season. This Gospel event actually happens near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry on earth, while the Resurrection happens at the very end of it. But it is at the end of Jesus’ ministry that we better understand what He was saying here, earlier, about the Spirit. And that is how it often works with the teachings of Christ. Christ teaches us in many ways: through Scriptures, Church teachings, the wisdom of others, and through life experiences. But often what He’s teaching us doesn’t make sense until later, when His plan unfolds.
God knows what He is doing. We don’t. Like Nicodemus, we have to trust and, sometimes, we have to wait. It is essential, when we don’t understand God’s plan, that we pray. We must pray about our lives particularly in light of the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Nothing will make total sense to us apart from these mysteries. But with them, everything will make sense. Christ is always at the center of every situation. We must remind ourselves of this constantly. In prayer, let’s all consider our biggest current life events—whether they are blessings or difficulties; then let’s consider how they might relate to the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally let’s all tell ourselves very slowly and carefully, “The point of this situation I am going through now, is that through it I can be with Christ.”
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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Second Sunday of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20: 19-31 - On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Unless I see the nailmarks in His hands…I will not believe.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Thomas is a wonderful representation of the modern “educated” man. He must see and touch, have proof through his senses, before he believes. This is how we have been falsely taught to think today. We have been taught that we must prove everything through the scientific method, and that if we can’t prove something by testing it, then it cannot be real, or knowable, or reliable. This lie is harmful to education. And worse, it is harmful to souls. Often, the most important things cannot be tested. But they are, indeed, very real.
Jesus is very gentle with Thomas. He lets Thomas put his hands in His wounds. So Thomas believes. Jesus is also very gentle with us. He lets us touch Him in the Eucharist. All the Sacraments have a physical component, as well as a spiritual one. Through them we experience Christ with our senses. The Resurrection, also, is not just a spiritual event. It is both a physical and a spiritual event. God isn’t just saving our souls, but also our bodies. Nevertheless, we need to grow as comfortable in the spiritual realm (the realm of things not seen) as we are in the physical realm (where we can see, taste, and touch). For Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” In prayer, beg God to improve the vision of our spiritual eyes, so we will be blessed.
And let us remember, it is still Easter! We should joyfully continue our jubilant celebration.
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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Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16:9-15- When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. Mark gives a brief and straightforward overview of the major events that happened after the Resurrection. And this account is very useful. He sums up many events which took place over an extended period of forty days. His account here ends with Jesus instructing the apostles to go “proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Are we following this instruction of Christ? Are we sharing the Good News of the Faith with others, many others? Do we share the Gospel with all whom we can—with those whom we know well, and with strangers? People are empty, lost, dissatisfied, and deeply lonely. We cannot keep this Good News to ourselves because we fear embarrassment or awkwardness in sharing it. The Lord thirsts for souls. Souls, though many don’t know it, thirst for the Lord. The Lord has asked us to play some part in this mission. One very helpful way to share the faith is to learn (and even practice!) a concise explanation of the Faith (or of our own faith story) to share with others. St. Mark and St. Peter did this in their Gospel. In prayer, consider what things we might say to share our Faith, and make a list of those with whom we might share it. Consider practicing this explanation with our family.
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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Friday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 21: 1-14 – Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis must have been an especially wonderful experience for Jesus’ disciples, especially St. Peter. St. John remembers it with joy and is inspired to write about it. They are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberius) after an unproductive night of fishing. Then Jesus comes to shore and tells them to try again…which certainly must have sounded somewhat ridiculous to them. However, they obey, and they catch a huge number of fish.
If we are attentive, we’ll remember that this isn’t the first time this has happened to Peter (or Andrew, James, and John). Three years earlier, when these four were fishermen barely knew Jesus, a similar miracle occurred and it lead them to believe. Now, here, after the Resurrection, Jesus comes to call them again. Their life with Him is not over, and neither is their call. In a sense, it is only just beginning. They are to carry the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to the ends of the earth, to the end of time.
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)
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Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:35-48 - The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It should be a real comfort to us that the first thing that Jesus says to many of those to whom He appears after His Resurrection, is “Peace.” He doesn’t directly mention love, or life, or victory…but peace. Certainly, by saying this Jesus wants to calm the natural fears of those who are “startled and terrified” at seeing Him raised from the dead. But there is also a deeper meaning in His greeting.
Jesus is proclaiming a new reality for those who believe in Him. They are, for the first time, at peace with God. The separation, curse, and opposition that mankind’s sin had caused between us and God has been overcome. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, there is a new, profound peace: a peace between God and man. In the life of grace given to us through the Church, especially through the Sacraments, we are brought into this peace. Accept the peace offered to you by Jesus. He means it when He says, “Peace be with you”…with you! In prayer, let’s ask the Lord for the grace to receive His gift of peace.
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)
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Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 24: 13-35- That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Were not our hearts burning within us…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What we see in the encounter of the travelers with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is something very familiar. We have heard some of the phrases used in this story before, such as, “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” Indeed, the whole structure of the story is very familiar. It actually parallels the structure of the Mass: first there is the proclamation of the Scriptures, and then there is the breaking of the Bread. These two parts of the Mass are called the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
It is very important to notice that after His Resurrection, Jesus doesn’t choose to show himself to massive crowds or to appear at the center of the Temple. Instead, even while still bodily present on earth, even before His Ascension into heaven, Jesus chooses to make Himself known in the Mass. And this is still where we can find Him today. If we want to meet the Risen Christ, who can set our hearts on fire like he did for those travelers long ago, then we need to be at Mass. Consider in prayer: How often do we go to Mass? How attentive are we to the readings? How respectful are we in our actions? How much do we long to see Christ?
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)
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Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20: 11-18 - Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…she turned…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene is one of the most fascinating and beautiful figures in all of the Scriptures. She had been lost deeply in sin, had lived a disgraceful life, and was possessed by seven demons (St. Mark tells us so). This is where the Lord found her, and He healed her. And because of this, she loved Him greatly. It is not a coincidence that of all the people to whom Jesus could have come to reveal the new life of the Resurrection, He comes first to her. By choosing Mary, he shows that he wants to introduce sinners to a completely new life of grace.
Mary assumes that Jesus is the gardener at the beginning of this Gospel story. St. John mentions this misunderstanding because it is significant to the full meaning of the Gospel. Here, Jesus is meant to remind us of Adam, the first man, a gardener, whom God placed in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, Adam had communion with God until he sinned. Now, once again in a garden, God has restored man to communion with Him through the “New Adam,” Jesus. Mary doesn’t recognize this at first. Notice that in the Gospel she turns twice. She is already facing Jesus, unrecognized, it seems, when St. John says again, “she turned.” This time her heart also turns. Now she sees truly that goodness is stronger than sin, that life is stronger than death, that Jesus is victorious, and that we who are disgraceful sinners have victory with Him. In prayer, turn and look at the Risen Jesus!
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)
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Monday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28:8-15- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas are “fearful yet overjoyed.” They have just seen an angel of the Lord who showed them Jesus’ empty tomb and told them, “He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said.” They are “fearful yet overjoyed” because something totally new is beginning for them. They don’t know exactly how, at this point, but they sense their lives are changing. Their lives are not simply changing in the sense that something around them is now different, but their lives are changinginto completely new lives. They are beginning to experience the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Resurrection changes everything. Regardless of whether the rest of the world understands or pays attention to what is happening (certainly they will in the end), those who love Christ and believe in Him do change. He lived our death in union with us. We live His Resurrection in union with Him. His Resurrection is our Resurrection. Christ is victorious. With Him we are victorious. How will we celebrate this victory in prayer, in our hearts, in our home, and in our family? What are we doing to celebrate our victory? We cannot celebrate enough!
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)
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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:1-9 - On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…he had to rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“Ancient Easter Homily”— by Bishop Melito of Sardis—From the Liturgy of the Hours)
“The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud:
Who will contend with me? Let him confront me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.
Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.”
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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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord –
At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16:1-7- When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“The Paschal Homily” – by St. John Chrysostom – 407 AD)
If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. / If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord. / If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense…
He that was taken by death has annihilated it! / He descended into Hades and took Hades captive! / He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower region”…
O death, where is thy sting? / O Hades, where is thy victory? / Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! / Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! / Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! / Christ is risen, and life reigns! / Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! / For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the firstfruits of them that have slept. / To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages. / Amen. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal Homily)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Easter Sunday.)
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)
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Holy Saturday
Office Reading – Extra Reading
There is no Mass on Holy Saturday Mass. Instead of the daily Mass Gospel, therefore, we are including a reading from the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Awake, O sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday” —the Lord descends into hell)
“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: 'My Lord be with you all.' And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
"The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”
(http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Saturday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Holy Saturday
Office Reading – Extra Reading
There is no Mass on Holy Saturday Mass. Instead of the daily Mass Gospel, therefore, we are including a reading from the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Awake, O sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday” —the Lord descends into hell)
“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: 'My Lord be with you all.' And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
"The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”
(http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Saturday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (A, B, C)
Today’s Gospel reading at the Mass is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from John 18:1-19:42.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings. Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ is the single most staggering event to ever have been witnessed in all of history. It is, somehow, at once, utterly horrible and utterly blessed.
The horror of Jesus’ Passion and Death is not only that Jesus was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed. It is that he was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed by us. The events of that particular day, Good Friday, were not the cause of Jesus’ suffering and Death, but only the occasion of His Death. Our sin is the cause of His suffering and Death. The physical horrors we see at Jesus’ execution are only the visible portion of what He endures. In His soul He faces the drastic state of mankind’s situation in sin, and suffers the full burden of each and every individual sin that each of us and every man and woman has ever, or ever will, commit—from the beginning of time to its end. His pain is literally unfathomable.
And yet, astonishingly, it is here, exactly here at the Cross, at the lowest point of our decisive misery, that Jesus Christ saves us. Jesus Christ does not save us at our heights—He saves us at our depths. We were stuck in sin, apart from God, and powerless to change our situation. But, out of infinite love, Christ changes it for us. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our misery so that we can unite with Him in His glory. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our suffering so that we can unite with Him in His healing. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our death so that we can unite with Him in His Life. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our sin so that we can unite with Him in this victory over sin. At the Cross, Jesus unites Himself with us who are in separation from God so that we can unite with Him in His union with God.
It is impossible for us to speak worthily enough about the infinite love of God that He pours out to us—sinners—on the Cross. At the Cross everything is for us. For at the Cross is Christ.
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Good Friday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 13:1-15 - Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
No matter how beautiful and important Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper is, it seems a bit strange to us Catholics who are so focused on the Eucharist that we wouldn’t read instead about Jesus instituting the Eucharist. There are probably a number of reasons for this, for instance we actually do cover Jesus institution of the Eucharist every Mass already during the Consecration. But there is another reason that we will focus on here. What we are doing at Mass when we read these events, is not simply remembering that Christ doing these Events, we are actually participating in these Events themselves.
When we come to Mass, or do anything Liturgical, we are mystically (spiritually) taking part in the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. In the Mass, we first encounter Christ in the reading of the Word, then we encounter Him in the Eucharist. So, reading this Gospel from the Last Supper and then receiving Christ in the Eucharist (which He institutes at the same Last Supper) is a perfect progression. We, like the disciples (actually with the disciples), take part in one part of the Last Supper, and then take part in another part of the Last Supper. It helps us understand that we are really there participating in the Life of Christ. That’s actually what we do every Mass, and we should especially pay close attention to it in these days. We are participating in Christ’s Last Supper and Agony tonight, His Passion and Death tomorrow, His Time in the Tomb Saturday, and His Resurrection on Sunday… and forever!
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Thursday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 26:14-25 - One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is dumbfounding to consider the power of Jesus. For instance, the Gospel shows that Jesus knew He would be betrayed. He knew who would do it. He knew that He would be crucified. He knew all of it…all along…always. Jesus has a divine, infinite intellect, meaning that He knows everything. Yet He never changed His course. He went willingly to Jerusalem. He didn’t expel Judas on the way. He never treated Him with any contempt, only love.
It is important to know that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him. Jesus lays it down Himself. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again” (John 10:18). Jesus has all the power. He is utterly, completely in control of the situation when He goes through with His Crucifixion and Death. He chooses it. He chooses it for our sake, not with any contempt, only love.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:21-33,36-38- Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When does Jesus say, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him”? He says it at the beginning of His Passion, when He is betrayed. Jesus is glorified, and God in Him, in His suffering, His weakness, and His Death. Here we expect only to see misery, never glory. How could Jesus show His infinite glory here? Yet moment by moment, situation by situation, exactly amidst these things, Christ’s victory, His power, His abounding Life begin to be revealed. He willingly accepts His betrayal; He accepts His arrest; He accepts His denial; He accepts His beatings; He accepts His crowning with thorns; He accepts His sentence; He accepts His Cross; He accepts His falls; He accepts His nails; He accepts His insults; He accepts His Death. And thus begins His glory. “And when the Centurion…saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly, this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 12:1-11 - Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary of Bethany can teach us much about what it is to genuinely love Jesus. This is not the first time we have seen her in the Gospels. She is the one who sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him while her sister Martha is busy serving. There, Mary shows us true prayer. And Jesus defends her decision to be there, silent, at His feet. In this Gospel passage, Mary shows us true worship. And Jesus defends her from those who disapprove of this eccentricity. Mary and Jesus reveal a very important lesson to Christians about the extravagance of worship.
Loving worship is the most fitting offering we can make to God. We are limited creatures, He is our infinite Creator. We owe Him worship. And no matter how great our worship may be, it is utterly nothing compared to what He deserves. God prescribes extravagant worship to the Israelites. Jesus defends the extravagant worship of Mary. Therefore, we understand that the Liturgy shouldn’t be cheaply done: music and art should be sacred, not chintzy; people should dress well, not casually; priests should present the Gospel’s good news, not present messages that feel good; the length of the Liturgy should be appropriate, not short; And we need to spend time and money on the Liturgy…sometimes even a disproportionate amount of time and money. We need to realize that worship is about giving God glory first, not giving us pleasure first. How can we worship differently, and better this Sunday?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (B)
Today there are two Gospel readings at the Mass. The first is from the Procession of Palms, and is from Matthew 21:1-11. The next is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from Mark 14:1-15:47.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
SEE ABOVE
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When it was evening, he came with the Twelve.” (Mark 14:17)
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the famil
This is Palm Sunday, and it marks the beginning of a particularly important time. There are two Gospel readings on this day: one speaks of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the other tells of Jesus’ Last Supper, His Agony in the Garden, Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Jesus’ last week before His Death and Resurrection. Jesus’ hour is at hand. And when this Hour comes, He gathers with the apostles.
Jesus’ gathering with His apostles is very important. As Catholics, we speak often of liturgy. Liturgy means a public work—not as an activity or work that many people are involved in doing, but instead an activity or work that is done on behalf of the people, and from which they benefit. Jesus’ Passion and Death are works done on behalf of the public that give us great benefit. But in the liturgy we don’t just remember these events, we participate in them. When His Hour comes, Jesus gathers with the apostles. We too must gather together with Jesus. This week should look very, very different than any other week of the year. What are we doing this week to join Jesus in His Hour?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 11:45-57 - Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So from that day on they planned to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Evil is hard at work. And we are making a very dangerous mistake if we do not heed this fact, because evil can cause great destruction. But there is something even more important to consider: God can take anything and use it for the cause of good. In this Gospel, the Sanhedrin is plotting to kill Jesus. Soon, they will be in league with the Romans in this plot. What neither of them know is that Satan is in on this plot with them as well. Yet, what they all least suspect is that in some mysterious way God is in on this plot too. And He will have the last laugh.
The killing of Jesus on the Cross is the greatest evil in the world. What its planners do not know, however, is that God will use exactly this to be the salvation of the world. He utterly stifles evil by making the Death of Christ the showcase of His glory—by rising from the dead and saving the world along with it. God can turn all things to good: yes, even our past mistakes, even our weakness, even our sins. This is the mystery of the Cross. In prayer, consider that God wants to take our greatest failings and make them into our greatest strengths.
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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Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:31-42- The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Yesterday we touched briefly on the inner life of the Blessed Trinity. In today’s Gospel there is even more we can learn about the life of the Trinity. Jesus says, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” A great mystery concerning the Trinity is how Three Persons can be One God. Much light is shed on this by a theological phrase about the Blessed Trinity, that the Three Persons are “distinct, but not separate.” That means that God the Father is not God the Son, who is not God the Spirit. They are distinct. However, they are not separate; they are one.
How can distinct things not be separate? Jesus says “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” God the Father pours His life and His love into God the Son. God the Son offers His whole life and being to God the Father. They make gifts of themselves to the other out of love. This is their bond. In his letters to his churches, St. John also writes another famous phrase, “God is love.” Well, here on earth, married couples especially are called to be an image of God, because they also are distinct persons who are not separate but who are united in love. In marriage, two distinct people, husband and wife, give themselves to the other out of love. About this union the Scriptures say, “they are no longer two, but one…” (Matthew 19:6). Let’s now pray for all marriages.
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)
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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:51-59- Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of the times in Jesus’ ministry when He clearly declares that He is God. Jesus is God. We are very familiar with what Jesus does while on earth, but perhaps we are a little less familiar with who He is. Each week at Mass we say the Nicene Creed—the summary of beliefs of the Catholic Faith. We should understand it well. God is Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Second Person, God the Son, takes on flesh and becomes man—Jesus.
Let’s look deeper into the Creed at the section beginning with “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ…” How is Jesus the “Son” of God the Father? The Son of God is not a son in the human sense. It is not true that at one point He didn’t exist, and then at another point He came into being. He is always proceeding from the Father, eternally. The Father is always “begetting” Him, eternally. The Son is always coming forth from the Father. He is not “made” or created by Him. The Father and the Son are of the same substance—consubstantial. The Son is as limitlessly and perfectly infinite as His Father. Like His Father, the Son is fully and infinitely God. He is God from God.
It is He whom we receive each week at Mass—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. So pay attention to the Creed, and to the Eucharist.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:31-42 - Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Everyone today, whether holy or sinful, wants freedom. But many misunderstand freedom. Many think that freedom is the ability to do whatever you want: have impure relationships, do whatever feels good, drink too much, marry and divorce, ignore the faith, ignore morality. But when the moment comes that they want to stop these things, they often find that they are unable to stop. (This is the case with an addict, for instance.) All along, they thought they were free to do whatever felt good, when they were actually enslaved by their own sin. It is hard to get free.
Sin makes us slaves. When we do bad things we don’t just carry these actions around with us as a history of what we’ve done. What we do actually forms our soul. We carry these things in our soul. When we sin on one occasion, our soul is twisted. On the following occasions we will find it easier to sin, and harder to do the right thing. Sin enslaves us. Even the littlest sins aren’t to be toyed with—they will move us toward big sins. Christ alone has the power to free us from the cruel slavery of sin. To be truly free we need Him. In prayer, consider what sins are present in our lives. Then ask Christ to help us to become truly free.
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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Fifth Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 12:20-33 - Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Now it is late in Lent. This Gospel takes place in the week before Jesus dies. His Death is very near. It is on His mind and in His discussions. He tells His disciples that, as “a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies” so also His Death will “produce much fruit.” But He doesn’t just talk about His Death. He also includes our deaths and our sufferings. We all hate suffering. And we should try to avoid some unnecessary suffering and to relieve the suffering of others. But we cannot and must not avoid suffering at all costs. We are too quick to fill our lives with comfort. We have backup plans for anything and everything that might go wrong. We want control over everything. But this attitude directly opposes Jesus’ teaching that we must “lose” and “hate” our lives.
This teaching means, in part, that we must not cherish our earthly lives so much that we are unwilling to face any suffering. Jesus promises that our lives will “bear much fruit,” that we will change lives (even eternal lives) of others for the better—those of our spouses, children, friends, and even strangers. But this will only be the case when we are willing to let go of comfort, pleasure, and plans, and accept what God has in store for us, even situations that include suffering. When Jesus faces suffering, He says, “Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came…” He knows His sufferings will have eternal value and will be a means to save others. Christ includes our sufferings in His—that means our sufferings have great value to help others. If we want to change the world, we must relinquish control. How is Christ calling us to suffer with Him? What comfort, security, pleasure, or plan is He asking us to let go of?
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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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:40-53 - Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Nicodemus…said to them, ‘Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Nicodemus is a great character to observe in the Gospel of John. He shows up three different times in the Gospel, during three different visits of Jesus to Jerusalem. Nicodemus was “a Pharisee…a ruler of the Jews.” He first comes to Jesus during the night to find out more about Him. Now, here, we see him amidst his colleagues suggesting that Jesus be treated fairly by the law. Later we will see him present at Jesus’ burial. Over time, Nicodemus makes obvious spiritual progress.
We are like Nicodemus. Our understanding and faith in Christ might be small. We shouldn’t let this frustrate us—instead, we should keep at it. Nicodemus was intellectually honest. He continued to search for and to study Christ—even amidst the scorn of his friends and colleagues. Bit by bit, day by day, Nicodemus’ life changed…for the better. Our Christian growth will very often come bit by bit, day by day. Let’s keep going. Though we don’t realize it, our lives are changing…for the better.
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)
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:1-2,10,25-30- Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Jews were trying to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes we don’t pay close attention to what the Gospels say because we have heard them so many times. But sometimes what they say can be truly shocking. Think about this: people were actually trying to kill Jesus during His public ministry. That’s a lot of pressure that He had to endure. And though He might have changed some travel plans (as we see in the Gospel), He doesn’t change His message. We should follow His example.
We might not have people trying to kill us for being Catholic, but we really do face some challenging situations in being Catholic. Our government, our media, and our largest entertainment outlets are trying to falsely redefine marriage and family, advance contraception, and promote abortion. And we cannot be silent. If we are good Christians we have to be ready to take a stand—in society, at work, at school, with co-workers, with friends, with family. If we suffer some opposition or insults—Christ says we are blessed. Why does this make us blessed? Because Christ is allowing us to share in what He went through, in His life. Are we willing to stand up for the truth? Ask for the grace and strength to stand up for the truth in prayer.
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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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:31-47 Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But you do not want to come to me to have life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus accuses the Jews here of not wanting to come to Him to have life. Life is what Jesus is offering them—abundant, eternal life. Certainly Jesus’ listeners want to access this kind of life, but they don’t want to access it through Jesus. They want the goal—abundant, eternal life—without taking the way to the goal —Jesus. So many people are like this today. They want a deep, rich, fulfilling life, but they don’t want to accept the true path to get there.
This is what Jesus means when He says later in John, “I am the way…and the life” (John 14:6). Just as we won’t likely end up in Hawaii if we buy a ticket to Cleveland, so we will not find abundant life if we don’t seek it in Jesus. We have to stop fiddling around and wasting our time with awards, popularity, success, money, winning…these things are nice, but never life-giving. There is only one way to be fulfilled. Jesus is the way. Are we deeply fulfilled?
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)
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:17-30- Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.
Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…for what he [the Father] does, the Son will do also.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God is pure spirit and therefore has no body. Mankind cannot smell, taste, touch, hear, or see Him. But one of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity became man as well. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (called the Son or the Word) took on flesh. This is Jesus. In Jesus, mankind has smelled, tasted, touched, heard, and seen God. In Jesus we see how loving, gentle, serious, intentional, patient, slow-to-anger, and self-giving God is. We see what he does and doesn’t do. We see how He acts and reacts. We see what He likes and dislikes.
Jesus is the face of God. He reveals the Father perfectly. If we want to understand God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to know God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to receive God, we can—in Jesus. We need to become very familiar with the Person of Jesus, as well as with His life and His actions. Spiritual reading (especially reading Scripture and the Catechism or other solid Catholic literature) can help us become more familiar with Jesus. Are we seeking out any of these aids?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:1-16 - There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do you want to be well?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Does Jesus’ question to the crippled man seem silly?—“Do you want to be well?” It shouldn’t. This Gospel brings up something very important about the Christian life—that it requires our effort and work. Jesus offers healing to everyone without exception. Everyone wants to be healed, of course. But some don’t want it enough. They don’t want to do what it takes to receive His healing or to do what is demanded afterwards. Many people would rather miss out on healing than lose some money, pleasure, success, or popularity. We all make these mistakes. This is why we’re not yet saints.
When Jesus heals the man, He orders him to begin a new activity: “pick up your mat.” Even after healing—even after living the Christian life well, we must continue to fight against our sickness. What are these sicknesses? Lust, anger, irritability, negativity, vanity, over-eating, drinking, dishonesty, laziness, excessive desire for popularity, money-love, comfort-love—these are all symptoms of spiritual sickness. In prayer, try to identify two things: 1) what sicknesses have plagued us, and 2) what might we still do to combat these faults?
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)
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Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 4:43-54 - At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The man who comes to Jesus (actually he travels to see Jesus) has a plan. He wants Jesus to help him, so he goes directly to Jesus to ask Him “to come down and heal his son.” But Jesus doesn’t follow this man’s plans. Jesus doesn’t go anywhere. He never sees the boy, touches him, or prays over him— none of that. He just says, “You may go; your son will live.” That was not the man’s plan! He could have left full of doubt, thinking that since Jesus didn’t come with him, his son would now surely die.
But the Gospel says that “the man believed what Jesus said to him and left.” And, of course, it happened just as Jesus said. Jesus healed the son more quickly and easily than the man ever imagined in his plan. Jesus doesn’t ask for our help or ideas when answering our prayers. He just wants our faith. We must learn to do what God is asking, even if we don’t understand. His plans are always better than ours. Ask God in prayer to help us to be less concerned with our plans and desires, and instead to hope in His plan. Who knows, His plan might lead to a miracle.
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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Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readingsRead this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 9:1-41 - As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Many Jews traditionally thought that God’s blessings and God’s punishments on people would show up visibly in their lives—that the blessed would be rich and have good health, and the wicked would be punished with poverty, blindness, or illness. This is what the disciples mean when they ask Jesus whose fault it is that this man is blind. Jesus replies that the man’s blindness is not a curse, but an opportunity for God to show His power.
Our weaknesses aren’t punishments from God or obstacles to Him (no matter how much we might think they are). Jesus, God Himself, says instead that they are opportunities to encounter Him. The blind man might never have encountered Jesus, God made flesh, if he had not had the terrible suffering of being blind. The man’s blindness was the reason that Christ stopped to address him. The blind man’s encounter with Christ changed his life—and perhaps his eternal life. Let us never forget—never forget!—that the weak are precious to God. Let us remember this especially if we are suffering weakness ourselves.
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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Fourth Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3: 14-21 –Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only- Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to Nicodemus…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are so many things to cover in this little reading. Though we can’t cover it all right now, let’s try to take it bit by bit. That’s what Nicodemus does. He grasps Christ’s message over time. Nicodemus appears three times in John’s Gospel over a three-year period, and each time we see that he has more “light,” more understanding, more love for Christ. We must be like Nicodemus, constantly moving—even through misunderstanding and trouble—closer to Christ.
Here are some truths that Nicodemus learns over time: 1) We die because of sin. But Christ is “lifted up” on the Cross to take our sin and to die for us. 2) God “loves the world,” all of us—truly, personally, infinitely. 3) What we believe matters. Who we believe matters. Our belief in Christ matters eternally. 4) God does not wish to punish us for our sins, but to save us from them. We shouldn’t get too down about our sin. God’s goodness is infinitely bigger than any evil. 5) Christ redeems us even when we have condemned ourselves. 6) One reason people aren’t stronger in faith is because they don’t want to be—at least not enough. They “prefer (the) darkness” of sin and their attachments more than God. 7) Christ is the light. Light makes everything else in life clear. It also gives warmth and life. 8) All of this is a lot to take in at once! We must be like Nicodemus: take these teachings seriously, and take it one day at a time. Before long, our steady progress will bring us clearly into the light!
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)
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Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 18:9-14 - Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This awesome Gospel passage shows us a very important lesson—one that might confuse us a bit at first. The man who proudly performs all the “righteous” acts of the law is not the one who pleases God. Instead, the man who hasn’t kept the law, but humbly begs God for mercy, pleases God in his prayer. Humility is a main ingredient for pleasing God and obtaining union with Him here and in heaven. Why is humility so important? It is impossible for us creatures who are little, weak, dark, selfish, sinful, dying…to impress a God who is infinitely great, strong, light, self-giving, perfect, living. God doesn’t owe us because of our greatness. No, God helps us in our littleness.
If we are justified before God, it is due to His mercy, not to our merits. When we beg God for mercy we not only admit our littleness, but we declare His infinite greatness. The saints—such as Térèse of Lisieux or Mother Teresa—understood this, but many people do not. Faith tells us that it is up to God to save us. And it is up to us to accept His help. We can do this only in humility. Never forget that we are beggars. Beg God for humility in prayer…it is the only way to receive God!
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)
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Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:28-34- One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In another Gospel Jesus follows this line with the statement: “On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Everything depends on love. Someone may ask, “If the secret to living well is simply to love—then why do we bother with the Ten Commandments, different rules about fasting and abstaining, rules about when to take Communion and when not to, and the one million other rules that Catholics keep? The answer is this: we need rules because we don’t love enough. If we loved God and others perfectly, then we wouldn’t need rules.
Love gets easier with practice. Many things are like this—all habits, whether good and bad, become easier the more we practice them. For instance, prayer seems easier when we do it often; watching our temper gets easier after we control them a few times, “getting the last word” seems less important after we make an effort not to. Rules, whether from the Church, our parents, or ourselves, are helpful in training our spiritual muscles until they are fit—fit to love. Prayer, watching our temper, remaining silent—and loving—will all be easier for us if we put in the effort to establish these good habits in our lives. Then we won’t need rules; we’ll be beautiful people who live by one rule: love. Practice love!
(Note: to love is explained by St. Thomas Aquinas as ‘to will the benefit/good of another.’)
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)
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Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:14-23 - Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many ways not to be with Jesus: someone could flat-out reject Him; someone could accept Him as a teacher or leader but not as God; someone could believe He is God but choose not to follow Him. As Catholics, we are probably most likely in danger of the last option—we may believe He is God, but we may often fail to allow that belief to affect our lives.
There is only one way to be with Jesus. That is, to both believe in Him and to choose to follow Him and to live with Him. Jesus doesn’t say, “Whoever is not with me is just fine.” He does say, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” If we want to be with Jesus, and not against Him, we must be where He is. We will be where Jesus is if we are doing three major things: receiving the Sacraments, praying daily, and living moral lives. Do we attend Mass each Sunday and go to Confession when needed? Do we pray each day? Do we avoid mortal sin and try to build virtue? Of these three areas (Sacraments, prayer, and the virtuous life) where are each of us weakest? How can our union with Jesus become stronger in these areas?
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)
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The theme from yesterday’s Gospel reading about forgiveness is also found in today’s Gospel reading about the fulfillment of the law. The Law and the prophets that Jesus is speaking of were foundational to the Jews. They believed, rightly, that God gave these to them as a special blessing to them. But they had not lived up to the Law, and according to the Law, that was not acceptable. If today God still expects His people to live worthy lives—to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), then how are we to accomplish that?
We have to get past the misunderstood notion that we fulfill the Law by never sinning. It’s too late for that—we’re sinners. There is another way, however, and this is the way God intends. Jesus Christ fulfills the Law perfectly. He is “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). If we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, as our Catholic Faith offers us so many opportunities to do, then we fulfill the Law in Him (and He in us). If we set our hope for pleasing God in never sinning, we are wasting our time. If we set our hope in uniting ourselves to Christ who is perfect, we will obtain the blessedness that is rightfully His. Consider in prayer how we can grow in union with Christ.
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)
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 18:21-35- Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Most of us have heard the old saying, “forgiveness is divine.” There is a lot to that saying, but one important truth that it brings to mind is that sometimes forgiveness is simply too big for us. Have any of us ever felt that we didn’t want to forgive someone, or even that we simply couldn’t forgive someone? This might sound strange, but we might actually be right. Maybe deep, complete forgiveness isn’t human—that is, with human power alone, it’s impossible. If some forgiveness isn’t humanly possible, then how could Christ demand it of us? How can He say that we need to forgive in order to be forgiven?
Whether we feel capable or not, Christ commands us to forgive. The secret to forgiveness, however, isn’t to muster up enough power or holiness or forgetfulness to finally pardon another person. The secret is to allow God to forgive another person in us. God has already forgiven them, in fact. We are the ones who need to accept this fact, and let it become as true inside us as it is in God’s eyes. Then we will know the truth, that “forgiveness is divine,” and we will have obtained blessings for two people: for the one we forgive, and for ourselves.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:24-30 - Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: ‘Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus has courage. He isn’t a loud-mouth. He isn’t a hot-head. He doesn’t need the last word. But he always says what needs to be said, even if it isn’t easy. Here, in the synagogue at Nazareth, He is speaking to people whom He knows well, many of whom He has known since His childhood. And He tells them something they do not want to hear. Though He speaks out of love, He also speaks plainly and clearly.
How often do we speak up when we should? It is not easy to tell co-workers that they should stop doing something immoral, or to tell friends that what they did was wrong, or to tell relatives that you are breaking a family holiday tradition for the sake of your faith. It is also difficult to tell a stranger that God loves them, or to tell the truth when it means you may suffer. Jesus suffered for speaking the truth. We shouldn’t expect anything different. We are asked to be witnesses to the truth. While this might not be an easy mission, it is a mission of love. Sometimes loving isn’t easy.
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)
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Third Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 2: 13–25 - Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scriptures and the word Jesus had spoken.
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Jewish leaders want a sign from Jesus proving that He has authority to come into the temple and make such a scene. He answers, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” He isn’t speaking of the temple building, but about Himself. For the Jews, the temple was the spot on earth where the presence of God dwelt. It was the place where God met mankind. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the New Temple where, even more profoundly and even more perfectly, God meets mankind. So when Jesus speaks of destroying the Temple and rebuilding it in three days, He is speaking of His Death and Resurrection.
The Resurrection is the supreme proof of Jesus’ divinity. But this great sign of the Resurrection won’t come until after the Cross. The Jews want proof now. Jesus says, I’ll give you proof later. We are like the Jews. We want God to prove Himself first, before we believe. Often, He does this. But there are other times when God waits and asks for our faith. Here, He wants us to prove ourselves, and our faith,first. While God does come to meet us at our level of weakness, He does not wish to leave us there. He wishes to raise us to His level. If there is a time when God doesn’t prove Himself to us quickly and clearly, we must remember that perhaps what we are asking of God (“prove Yourself”), He is actually asking of us (“prove yourself”). Believing when God seems silent is a trial, a real cross. But it is only after the Cross that we will witness the Resurrection.
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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Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 15:1-3,11-32 - Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The prodigal son, as he is called, returns to his father empty-handed and humiliated from his time of sin. He is correct to confess to his father: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” But his is father is less concerned with justice than he is with love. He is less concerned about dealing with his son’s actions and more concerned about dealing with his son.
When we have nothing else, we have God. Sin always leaves us empty and always leads us toward humiliation. And though God surely hates sin...He does not fear it. We see this quality of God clearly in Jesus Christ. Jesus does not shy away from sin. In the Gospel He eats with sinners, and enters their homes. Jesus enters into the depths of sin. Why does He go that far? Because it is there that sinners have been lost and are dying. He goes there to recover the lost sons of His Father. He goes there to recover us. God is less concerned about dealing with our actions and more concerned about dealing with us. During prayer, let’s look honestly at our sins and examine our consciences. But more importantly, let’s also look to our Father’s mercy, which is much greater than our sins.
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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Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 21:33-43,45-46 - Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Did you never read in the Scriptures…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is set in Jerusalem, during the week before Jesus’ death. Here He is teaching the people using parables. This parable is about how the Jews have not been faithful to their God. Its setting makes it especially important. Jesus is telling the Jews that because of their unfaithfulness their blessings will be taken away and given to another people. The Gospel says that: “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that He was speaking about them.” So they want to arrest Him, and very soon they will.
Jesus says to His listeners, “Did you never read in the Scriptures…?” Are we familiar with the Scriptures? If we are very familiar with the Scriptures, then we will be able to understand what is happening around us and how we should respond. Jesus is saying that the Scriptures actually relate to our lives here and now, and that we should try to recognize this. Is there a time in our family life where Scripture seemed to give us guidance on how to live? Do we seek to be guided by the truths of the Gospel? How can we better listen to Scripture during times of prayer? There may be some very practical things we can do, such as changing how we sit, what we look at, etc….
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)
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Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 16:19-31 - Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that the rich man was a Jew. He calls Abraham his “father,” and Abraham tells him that his family has Moses and the prophets to listen to. But it isn’t simply enough to be part of the right religion. Many Catholics today have this problem. They are part of the true Church, but they don’t care to learn or to live out its moral teachings. They don’t realize that they have a greater responsibility than others to live to a high standard. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Luke 12:48).
We have to be very clear that our Catholic Faith isn’t worth much if it is just a badge we wear. It needs to penetrate deeply into our minds and our hearts. It needs to be present in our lives. Are we Sunday Catholics? Are we cafeteria Catholics? Or are we genuine Catholics? The real Christian life is a dynamic and beautiful one. God wants to be in you and have you in Him. In what practical ways are you opening yourself to God each day?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 20:17-28 - As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He rightly deserves all praise. Yet He comes to man instead “to serve and to give.” “To serve and to give” is a great maxim for marriage and family life. Marriage is a Sacrament of service that is “directed towards the salvation of others” particularly one’s spouse and children. The first of its vows states: “Do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself in marriage?” For each spouse, a wonderful result of marriage and family life is that he or she becomes happy. But that is the result only when our goal is to give ourselves away in order to make others happy.
In prayer, consider how the members of our family do a good job serving and giving. Consider also how you do a good job serving and giving. Finally, consider how you could do a better job serving and giving. (Be practical!) At the end of prayer, make a resolution to put this into practice.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Humility is something often misunderstood. Often humility is thought of as the refusal to accept compliments or to admit one’s strengths. But humility is actually an honest acceptance of your true self. And it is utterly necessary for living the Christian life. Some of the saints are particularly clear in speaking about humility. We need to realize that we are absolutely incapable of saving ourselves, of reaching God, or of pleasing God. We need to realize that we are little, filthy, weak, poor, dark, made-from-nothing, dying sinners.
This is the point: God descends to save us. Look at the manger and look at the Cross. He became little, filthy, weak, poor. He Who is everything becomes nothing. He Who is light enters our darkness. He takes on all sin. He dies. Why? Because that is where He needed to descend in order to reach us and to save us. No matter how high we ascend, we cannot deserve to meet God. We actually meet God down low—because He descends there to find us. That is why the humble possess God. They don’t rely on their futile efforts to reach God; they rely totally on His mercy.
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)
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Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 6:36-38 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is pretty self-explanatory. Let’s not try to read too much into it. The same point is repeated throughout: what you give, you’ll get back. The Gospels weren’t written to give puzzling lessons that we will only solve by being clever. We will probably be more holy people if our goal in reading the Gospel isn’t to have a fancy interpretation, but to try to take the Gospel at its word.
Here are the areas Jesus mentions specifically in this passage: mercy, judgment, forgiveness, generosity. With each of these, Jesus promises that the more generous we are in these areas, the more generously we will receive them in return. Let’s each pick one of these areas that we usually succeed in, and thank God for that. Let’s also each pick one of these areas that we struggle with, ask God to transform us, and try to pick one practical specific way we can practice improving on this struggle over the next twenty-four hours.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Second Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9: 2-10 - Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Transfiguration takes place at a very important point in the Ministry of Christ, and the two apostles who choose to tell of the Transfiguration in their Gospels (Matthew and Mark) both write clearly about this point. Jesus has just begun to tell His apostles explicitly, and repeatedly, that He is going to die a terrible death, and then rise again. The glory, wonder, and power of the Transfiguration is meant to bolster their faith before they encounter great suffering. It is so important for us to understand: God gives us grace when we need it.
Our fears for the future are really groundless! We can imagine many terrible outcomes when we see hard times approaching, but all of the outcomes we imagine cannot possibly take place—only one of them. And then, only maybe. We become anxious and afraid about many things that won’t even end up happening! Alternatively, we often imagine all the terrible aspects of an approaching situation all at once… But even if these struggles do come, they won’t all take place at once—only little part by little part, day by day. So, we fear an intensity of pain that won’t ever occur! But most foolishly, we imagine terrible things ahead of us without placing God in the picture. And that is the most devastating mistake of all. To view the future without God is a ridiculous illusion. We will never, never, never encounter a difficult situation where God will not be with us! God will be there, and God will be more powerful than whatever suffering we face. So, much of our fear makes no sense. The only thing that does make sense is to live in the present moment, because that is where God meets us and gives us His grace.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “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 and sisters 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
“…be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Okay, no problem! That’s easy! We’ll just go ahead and be absolutely perfect now! Of all the commands of Jesus, this one has a kind of comical ring to it at first, because it seems impossible that we could be perfect just like God the Father. And it is impossible to be perfect on our own. But we are not alone.
Through the Incarnation, life, suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, Jesus is with us, and we have the opportunity to be one with Him. He became like us, so we could be like Him. He became man, so we could become like God. We can live in Christ and Christ can live in us. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4), He says. If we are one with Christ, part of His Body, in Him we are “perfect, just as the heavenly Father is perfect.” Only Christ is perfect and lives perfectly. If we are in Him and He is in us, we share in His perfection. Praised be Jesus Christ!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26- Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount. It is helpful to know that He just finished telling the crowd that He has “not come to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfill them.” Jesus is not disregarding the teaching of the Old Testament—He is completing it. How did Jesus complete the law and the prophets? As God, Jesus completed them in Himself. Jesus lived the law perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the promises made to the prophets. God is the fulfillment of all that people strived for. God is the fulfillment of all that people looked forward to.
That is why, even as important as Jesus’ moral teachings are, Jesus’ message is first about Himself. “But I tell you…” He is what matters—more than the law, or the prophets, or anything else. The Faith is more than an intellectual pursuit. To live it fully we must come to know and love a Person, the God-man Jesus Christ. In prayer, consider: What are we doing to know God more? What are we doing to love God more? Are we asking Him to increase our knowledge and love of 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:7-12- Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a hard Gospel. So many people have had the experience of asking God for something, only to receive what seems to be silence in return. There are many things that should be said about this experience. The first thing to note is that God wants to give us Himself. This is His primary gift to us. This is why He gives Christ to humanity and why He gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask. Second, God wants to give us what will bring us to Himself. God is willing to give us things that will bring us to Him. We might ask for these, and we might not ask for these. Sometimes these things are good (like a new job); sometimes they are difficult (like an illness).
Third, God isn’t interested in giving us what isn’t good for us—what won’t bring us to Him. The Gospel says that the heavenly Father gives “good things” to us. Fourth, there are times when He refuses to give even a good gift (like more income) if it might draw us away from Him. Fifth, God might not be saying “no” to our request; He might be saying “not now.” In these times, He is asking us to persevere in prayer. Certainly, God is a mystery to us. But we must always trust that God knows everything, He always does what is best for us, and He wants our true happiness even more than we do. We can always be certain that whatever God is giving us or is not giving us, it is the best thing for us.
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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Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:29-32 - While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“...there is something greater than Solomon here…there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to His generation of Jews. He provides two examples from Jewish history where Gentile pagans turned and listened to God. One of these examples is the men of Nineveh who repented when the prophet Jonah preached to them. The other is the queen of Sheba who traveled from her kingdom to hear the wisdom of Solomon, King of Israel. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day refused to believe in Him because they wanted to see particular signs. Jesus challenges them by speaking of pagans who are closer to God due to their repentance and faith.
As Catholics, we are privileged more than any other people on earth because we have received the fullness of truth. We are also particularly responsible for the truth we have been given. Many Catholics squander their faith. They do not care for the teachings, the practices, or the worship of the Church. The Lord is speaking to them in the Gospel today. There are many other Catholics though, who treasure their faith. They truly believe that “something greater is here” than they could ever find anywhere else. We have been given the greatest gift on earth. Are we thankful? Are we repenting from sin? Do we believe Christ’s teachings?
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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Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:7-15 - Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is so much richness in the Lord’s Prayer (the “Our Father”). It is a prayer that comes straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. The necessary elements of all other prayers are contained in it. It addresses God as our Father. (Shouldn’t that change our approach to prayer!?) It shows that God plays an active role in our prayer and gives great attention to our lives. It should be reflected upon, phrase by phrase, and word by word, time and time again.
Instead of, or in addition to praying a part of the Rosary in prayer today, take some time now to say and slowly repeat the “Our Father” together a few times (five times, maybe). Think of the words and phrases, and what they mean. Enjoy your prayer. Consider yourself a child speaking to your loving, attentive Father in heaven…because this is what is really happening!
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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Monday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25:31-46 - Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are some Gospel passages that we have heard so many times that we don’t pay very close attention to them. The passage, “I was hungry and you gave me food…” is one of those passages. But we would do well to pay great attention to it, because Jesus is using it in the context of eternal judgment. We will be judged on our love and our acts of love. Take a moment to look at the things Jesus mentions, called the “corporal works of mercy” and see how well we do the following: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner.
We might not do all of these things directly, but we can do all of them in part. We can give food, clothes, or money to our shelters or parish drives. We can include the unpopular people in our activities at school or work. We can visit the hospital, the lonely neighbor, the nursing home or prison, or write an elderly family member more often. The love of charity is a lived-out love. It matters how we love. It matters to those who need to be loved. It matters to God. Ultimately, it matters to us. Which one of these works can I improvement upon? Is there a work of mercy that I can do today?
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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First Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1: 12-15 - The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to fast for forty days. Forty days isn’t just any number of days, nor is the desert just any place. The number forty has much significance for any Jew or early Christian familiar with the Old Testament. It plays a role in the stories of Noah, Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Moses. Most significantly, forty was the number of years that the Israelites wandered, because of their sin, between Egypt and the Promise Land. And where did they wander? In the desert.
So Jesus, also led by the Spirit, enters the desert for forty days. He enters the desert of the Israelites—their desert. He also enters our desert. He goes there to confront sin. He goes there to confront Satan. He goes there to fight. What is Jesus fighting for? He’s fighting for His people. He’s fighting for sinners. He’s fighting for us. Jesus comes to the harsh wilderness of our sin in order to find us and to bring us out. In the liturgical season of Lent we are given an opportunity to enter into Christ’s Life. Jesus Christ goes to the desert for forty days to confront our sin. Will we join 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)
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Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 5:27-32 - Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus comes to call Matthew right in the midst of Matthew’s work. Matthew probably wouldn’t have chosen this as the opportune time for the Lord to show up and ask him to come along. Nevertheless, that is when Jesus comes to him, and Matthew has a choice to make. The Lord isn’t much concerned with waiting for what we feel is the perfect time: when we feel like when we have more time, when our finances are better set up, when school is out, when we’re less busy, when we’re not as tired. The Lord just shows up, and we, like Matthew, have to make a choice.
“Follow me.” That’s all Matthew gets. We shouldn’t expect much more. Jesus doesn’t say where He’ll lead us. He doesn’t say what we’ll need in the process. He doesn’t tell us what will happen along the way. He just says, “Follow me.” We know where the Christian journey ends—heaven! But Christ doesn’t assure us of anything along the way…that is, except Himself. Ask St. Matthew to intercede in bringing you the boldness—the love, to follow Christ. Beg the Lord: “Help me to love you more, and therefore to follow you!”
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)
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Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:2-13 - After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“There he was transfigured before them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event is a hugely important one for many reasons. It is difficult (almost dangerous) to cover it so quickly. But like the three apostles, we will only take a portion of its awesomeness away at the present. Jesus is transfigured at the top of Mt. Tabor. Here, Peter, James, and John see Him in His glory. Though they clearly don’t understand much of what is happening at this point, the mere sight of Jesus in His glory is enough to strengthen their faith greatly. They will need this new strength, as very soon they will come down the mountain and see the same Jesus dying on the Cross.
God chooses to give us “Tabor moments” where He makes His Presence powerfully and beautifully clear. These are great gifts. When they happen, we need to soak them up. But when God asks us to move from these mountain-top experiences back into our homes, jobs, schools, even sufferings, we need to carry these experiences with us as a bolster to our faith. Then, when we’re in the midst of hard times or dry times spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, or at work, with friends, or with family…we must remember the beautiful clarity that God has given us and that, no doubt, He wants to give to us forever.
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)
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Friday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9:14-15 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is bringing up a very important principle in a simple way—He is a masterful teacher! Jesus is saying that not all times demand the same thing. In the Christian life there isn’t just suffering all the time…but there isn’t just merriment all the time either. There isn’t just work all the time… but there isn’t just relaxation all the time. We don’t have a “health and wealth” Gospel, nor do we have a “sickness and poverty” Gospel. The Christian life is a full life that can’t be lived or understood by just one feeling or mood.
Our Christian life has all this complexity and richness because Christ’s life on earth was rich and full. The Christian life isn’t just about living like Christ. It’s about living in Christ and with Christ. We are meant to be one with Him—in His life, and He in ours. That is why we have “Liturgy” in the Church. By going to Mass, living the liturgical seasons, suffering in Lent, and rejoicing in Easter—we aren’t just remembering Jesus, we are living His very life with Him. We do all these things because we are the Body of Christ, connected to Him and His Life. That is the main reason why we sacrifice and fast in Lent, and then feast at Easter. In prayer, consider how this truth enriches your Lenten sacrifice and how it will enrich your Easter joy!
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)
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Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 34 – 9:1 Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus asks a reflective question in the Gospel, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world…?” Certainly gaining the whole world would be attractive – think about it. Consider: all the money, all the power, all the pleasure, all the fame, all the comfort. Really, it’s pretty awesome. Who wouldn’t want that? Who doesn’t want that? And are all these things evil? No. Essentially they are good, because God made them good. But they can’t be our goal. Why? Gaining the world and also gaining God doesn’t work naturally and it doesn’t work supernaturally.
Let’s look at these two reasons: 1) It doesn’t work naturally: The fact of the matter is that we will all die. And then all that we have gained on earth, whether nothing or the whole world, is lost to us – we take none of it. If our life was spent to gain things, then our death becomes our total failure. 2) It doesn’t work supernaturally: The fact of the matter is that love is a choice. There is something about the human heart that won’t let it be divided. Our hearts won’t love God enough if we love stuff too much. On the other hand, our heart won’t love stuff too much we love God enough. “No one can serve two masters”, Jesus says about loving God and money, “he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). What is crowding our hearts?
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Thursday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 9:22-25 - Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Christian life is about following Christ. Christ gives us some things that are required for following Him in today’s Gospel. To follow Him, someone must “deny himself” and “take up his cross daily.” Lent is a wonderful time to get used to denying ourselves. If we can learn to deny ourselves some little things that we want (e.g., TV or candy), this can train our wills to make bigger, more important sacrifices in life, like denying ourselves sleep to help with a sick child, or denying our wants so we can help to make a family member happy.
Look, as well, at how often Jesus says we must take up our cross—daily. We do not pick certain times to follow Christ. We must do it every day: at school, at work, on weekends, with friends, with enemies. Is there a part of our Christian life in which we are inconsistent? Prayer, fasting, almsgiving? Are there sins we give in to? Impatience, laziness, lust, anger, demanding our own way, using others? During prayer, consider what little suffering has come our way today, and how we can accept it as part of our “daily cross” in following Christ.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 27 - 33 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke[MD6] this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Son of Man must suffer greatly”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Peter misunderstood what many Christians still misunderstand: that God has the power to draw good out of suffering. Christians have called this the “scandal of the Cross”. The Cross of Christ looks like a complete and utter failure. God hangs dead. Yet (what we don’t find out until later in the story is that) this is the moment of victory. Christ enters sin, and suffering, and death to conquer sin, and suffering, and death. His Resurrection is supreme proof of this victory. But He wins it by His death.
Christ suffers, and so we must suffer. But as we suffer, we must understand like Him (even if no one else recognizes it) that though painful, suffering is not absolutely evil or absolutely bad. As St. Paul tells St. Timothy and us, “if we suffer with Him, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Suffering can, and should, unite us to Christ. Let’s consider in prayer what situations we are suffering in that are out of our hands… Let us not waste these sufferings, they are some of the most important links we have to unite us to Christ, to benefit our souls, and to benefit the souls of others. Remember, “we will also reign”!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18- Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When you give alms…When you pray…When you fast…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Lord says to his listeners, “When you give alms…pray…fast….” He says when we do these things, not if we do these things. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We all should be doing these things. These three activities help us to become less “attached” to things, even good things (like food or our material possessions) and more attentive to God. The goal is that we rid ourselves of unnecessary or harmful things and fill ourselves with what is necessary and good—with God.
When picking out a Lenten resolution, it is wise to choose one particularly suited to us individually. If there is a sin or attachment keeping us from God, we should spend Lent ridding our life of it. (If we watch TV too much but don’t struggle with eating too much candy, it won’t do much good to give up candy. Give up TV instead.) Think also in terms of doing something extra, for example: filling our TV time with prayer, spiritual reading, or a project of kindness. Lent isn’t just a time where we try to get better; Lent is actually a time where we try to be more united with Christ…in part by beginning to suffer a bit with Him so as to be more prepared to rise with Him at the Resurrection. What would best help us to do that? That should be our Lenten resolution.
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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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 22-26 - When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is the meaning of Jesus’ putting His hands on the blind man’s eyes a second time? Did Jesus’ miracle not work? There are many great lessons here. Here is one: The blind man of Bethsaida shows us something of the Apostles. Peter was from Bethsaida (as was Andrew his brother and possibly other Apostles). Directly before this in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus has just reprimanded the Apostles in the Gospel for not understanding the meaning of what He is doing, saying “do you have eyes and not see”. Then, entering Peter’s hometown, Jesus takes a blind man out of town to heal Him… and the man isn’t totally healed at once, but after a second touch from the Lord. Well, directly following this event in the Gospel of Mark, is the great event of Peter confessing to Christ, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Peter is a great example in Gospels of failing first and succeeding later. Peter is a great example for us. Peter was not perfect, but He was repentant. When the Lord corrected Peter’s mistakes, Peter didn’t get offended, he got better. And it was Peter (imperfect but willing) who the Lord chose to build His Church.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 14-21 - The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Leaven is a substance that makes dough expand. Because people baked their own bread in Jesus’ day, everyone knew that just a little bit of leaven or yeast can change the whole consistency, look, and feel of bread. Jesus talks about leaven in the Gospels as an example of how the presence of something very small can have a very big impact – either positively (as He speaks of Christians as leaven) or negatively (like the leaven of the Pharisees or Herod).
We can’t just allow “little” sins to continue. Certainly we have to be patient with ourselves (because God is patient with us) and not get overly concerned about our little faults, but on the other hand we have to take sin seriously. One major reason is because sin grows. Very serious (or “grave”) sins don’t usually just happen… they happen because we have allowed “little” sins to go unchecked, and then they grow bigger and bigger. The point is not that we should worry about our little issues, but that we consider these little issues that we might let slide: time-wasting, dishonesty, skipping prayer, disrespect of authority, gossip, inappropriate TV or music, cutting corners, laziness, crass jokes, etc. Remember, a little bad can have a big negative effect. On the other hand, the little good effort it will take to fight our faults can have an even greater positive effect.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 11-13 - The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus… He sighed from the depth of his spirit”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is perfectly balanced. On one hand we see his extreme patience, gentleness, and kindness. On the other hand we see his clear determination, firmness, and justice. And none of these are opposed. He is the complete and perfect man. Notice here that the Pharisees come to argue with Jesus, who doesn’t avoid confrontation. But amidst His deeply rooted disagreement with them, and even the justified anger He may have had here concerning their ignorance and their sin, look at how Jesus responds. He sighs deeply from His spirit.
Jesus cares about people disagreeing with Him... not only about proving their mistake wrong. Many serious Catholics have turned others who are atheists and non-believers, supporters of abortion and the redefinition of the family, inaccurate news anchors and dishonest politicians, fallen away Catholics and faithless priests… into their enemies. We serious Catholics sometimes become focused only on winning the argument. Certainly these are arguments worth having – and worth winning. But our opponent in the argument, is not our opponent in life. Caring about the argument is only one necessary part of the battle. Caring about the soul of the person we rightly disagree with is another. During prayer, let’s pray sincerely for those who oppose Christ and the Church, and as well for our own love to increase.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:40-45 –A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What an awesome man this leper is! He has a terrible disease which affects or dominates most every aspect of his life. But his faith is great. Amidst all his suffering he trusts that the Lord knows best and leaves his request in the Lord’s hands. He trusts in the Lord, whether He chooses to heal him or not. “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Suffering only exists because of sin. God never wills suffering. But God does allow suffering. Why? Why would God allow suffering? God allows suffering (and sin) because He has the power to turn it to good. Take the Cross for example: the foremost example of sin and suffering becomes the way to our salvation. God allows us to suffer because He has a greater purpose in mind. As He tells the leper, “I do will it”–He wants us to be healed. May we trust God, like the leper, knowing that whatever we are facing, God always works for what is absolutely best for us (Romans 8:38).
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)
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Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 1-10 - In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Look at this Gospel! There is a message to learn here that we probably won’t hear very often in our wealthy parts of the modern world. Here, a massive crowd of people have followed Jesus away from their homes and have remained with Him for days listening to what He has to say. This crowd has abandoned everything to follow Him. Then their food runs out.
Today, we fear following God because we fear it’s not “practical” enough. We fear the food will run out. So we follow God to a point. We give money to a point. We help the sick to a point. We put our reputation on the line to a point. We operate this way because we don’t really trust that God will take care of us when we can’t take care of ourselves. But look at the Gospel: when the crowd can no longer help themselves, Christ Himself helps them. Christ knows their situation. Christ cares for their situation. Christ solves their situation. It’s no different with us. Christ knows, cares, and will help us. But He can only catch us… when we have faith to let go.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Friday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9:14-15 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is bringing up a very important principle in a simple way—He is a masterful teacher! Jesus is saying that not all times demand the same thing. In the Christian life there isn’t just suffering all the time…but there isn’t just merriment all the time either. There isn’t just work all the time… but there isn’t just relaxation all the time. We don’t have a “health and wealth” Gospel, nor do we have a “sickness and poverty” Gospel. The Christian life is a full life that can’t be lived or understood by just one feeling or mood.
Our Christian life has all this complexity and richness because Christ’s life on earth was rich and full. The Christian life isn’t just about living like Christ. It’s about living in Christ and with Christ. We are meant to be one with Him—in His life, and He in ours. That is why we have “Liturgy” in the Church. By going to Mass, living the liturgical seasons, suffering in Lent, and rejoicing in Easter—we aren’t just remembering Jesus, we are living His very life with Him. We do all these things because we are the Body of Christ, connected to Him and His Life. That is the main reason why we sacrifice and fast in Lent, and then feast at Easter. In prayer, consider how this truth enriches your Lenten sacrifice and how it will enrich your Easter joy!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 31-37 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He has done all things well.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a beautiful Gospel passage in itself, but instead of focusing on it directly, we are going to focus on it in its context in the Gospel of Mark. Just a couple chapters before this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to a mostly Gentile (non-Jewish) area that St. Mark referred to as the “territory of the Gerasenes”. There, Jesus healed a possessed man, and then was asked to leave by the residents. The healed man begged Jesus to let him follow wherever Jesus goes, but Jesus refused and told the man instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” St. Mark notes, “the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him: and all were amazed” (Mark 5:19-20).
Now in today’s passage, Jesus returns to the region of the Decapolis (meaning “ten cities”) that the healed man has been evangelizing. This time, far from rejecting Jesus, the residents are praising Him, “He has done all things well.” Look at what happened when one healed man told others of what the Lord had done for Him! By his evangelization, he brought his family and friends to Christ. We can offer the same. Our witnesses matter! What has the Lord done in our lives? And who have we told? “Announce to them all that the Lord… has done” for us!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 34 – 9:1 Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus asks a reflective question in the Gospel, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world…?” Certainly gaining the whole world would be attractive – think about it. Consider: all the money, all the power, all the pleasure, all the fame, all the comfort. Really, it’s pretty awesome. Who wouldn’t want that? Who doesn’t want that? And are all these things evil? No. Essentially they are good, because God made them good. But they can’t be our goal. Why? Gaining the world and also gaining God doesn’t work naturally and it doesn’t work supernaturally.
Let’s look at these two reasons: 1) It doesn’t work naturally: The fact of the matter is that we will all die. And then all that we have gained on earth, whether nothing or the whole world, is lost to us – we take none of it. If our life was spent to gain things, then our death becomes our total failure. 2) It doesn’t work supernaturally: The fact of the matter is that love is a choice. There is something about the human heart that won’t let it be divided. Our hearts won’t love God enough if we love stuff too much. On the other hand, our heart won’t love stuff too much we love God enough. “No one can serve two masters”, Jesus says about loving God and money, “he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). What is crowding our hearts?
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 24 - 30 Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of the most troubling Gospel passages because of how it seems that Jesus is treating a woman in a desperate situation. Actually, it’s astonishingly beautiful. He certainly wants to give her what she begs for, and ultimately He does, but (as Augustine says) first, Christ actually makes this non-Jewish woman more deserving of the gift by making her persevere in faith in Christ. She receives healing and on top of that she places faith in the One to Whom it belongs!
It is worth mentioning here, that we see more evil spirits (aka - demons = fallen angels) in the Gospels when Jesus is outside of traditionally Jewish territories. There is a reason for this. Those who are open to God receive His blessings (for instance, His protection from evil) in a different way than those who are not open to God. We Christians have to (have to!) take seriously the fact that we have an amazingly important blessing of faith and that we need to share this blessing with people who don’t know the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have what everyone is seeking for… we’d be selfish if we did not share with them what they need and (whether they know it or not) what they really ultimately want!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 14 - 23 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit. Licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
To understand this Gospel correctly, we need to understand that Jesus is having a discussion about the Jewish Law. We catch Him in the middle of it. According to the Law, Jews were forbidden to eat certain foods that were “unclean” (eating these foods would make a Jew unfit for ceremonial worship). Jesus is stressing that what actually makes someone truly unfit to come before God is not their diet, but their sin.
Sin is very dangerous, and we have to know that. It is dangerous not simply because it hurts us and others, but because by sin we distance ourselves or separate ourselves from God. Many people today try to fool themselves into thinking that sins aren’t bad because they seem so “normal” or “legal” or “private”. But Jesus Christ tells us our sins are serious and that they “defile” us. We don’t conquer sin by ignoring it. We conquer sin by admitting it and turning to Christ who conquers sin for us on the Cross. It is worthwhile to examine our consciences every night and ask for Christ’s to forgive us. Do we do this daily? During prayer now, let’s each consider our recent sins and bring them to the Lord to be conquered.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 7:1-13 - When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: /This people honors me with their lips, / but their hearts are far from me; / in vain do they worship me, / teaching as doctrines human precepts./ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is a good thing to have good traditions. We all have many of these. But there is such a thing as poor, or even bad traditions. This is why it is not okay just to accept something because “well, it’s a tradition, and we’ve always done it this way.” This false idea, of course, badly hurts many people in fraternities, sororities, bachelor and bachelorette parties, at 21st birthdays, in Las Vegas, in celebrating Mardi Gras, New Year’s, etc. But we must be careful of other traditions as well—less obvious ones—that poorly affect our faith. These happen in our families and even in our parish.
We must be careful that our traditions are in line with the word of God, as Jesus says. Take, for example, our holidays and Sundays: does our family pray more on Christmas, or less (because of our schedule); does our family slow down on Sundays, or is it a time of busyness (because there are errands to run and sports leagues to attend); does our parish do Easter egg hunts on Holy Saturday, or wait until after Easter? We need to be very intentional. Start with Sundays and Holy Days (especially Holy Week through Easter)—what is one thing more (or less) we could do build up good traditions— traditions based less on “what we always do” and more intentionally on God’s word?
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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Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:53-56 - After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Isn’t this a great scene from the Gospel? People are about their daily business, going around town as normal, when Jesus shows up. Then there is a frenzy. St. Mark writes that they “scurried.” It’s almost funny to picture grown-ups, professionals, old people, town officials, etc., all scurrying around, collecting their sick family, friends, and neighbors to bring them in to Christ while He is in their region. They drop what they are doing because something more important is at hand.
We have to do the same. We never know when Christ is going to show up. All of a sudden, sometimes, He can strike us with His presence. By His presence He may grant us great peace amidst trials, or clear direction in a long-considered decision, or a deep consolation from the Holy Spirit. These are great gifts of grace from God. The proper response is to draw closer to Him as well. In these moments we should put aside what we are doing and attend to the Lord Jesus, who shows up unexpectedly. Can we recall a time when, unexpectedly, the Lord has drawn close to us?
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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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:29-39 - On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For this purpose have I come.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When people read this Gospel passage, what probably often gets the most notice is Jesus’ healings, His miracles. Those are certainly what are getting the most notice from the townspeople in this passage. It is true, Jesus’ miracles are amazing, the work of God, and so they deserve our attention. It is also true, Jesus’ healings are very real and tender solutions to very real and painful problems, and so they deserve our attention, too. This being the case, it makes a lot of sense that when we read this passage, our minds focus on those parts. But as wonderful as these miraculous healings are, and as much as Jesus was pleased to perform them, they are not Jesus’ main focus. As the word of His healing spreads around that town, and another long line of those needing healing was probably about to form, Jesus heads away alone to pray, and then prepares to leave the town. He says, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”
Jesus knows His mission. And Jesus lets that mission guide His decisions. And even though there were many problems He would leave behind, and many people whose illnesses would go unhealed, Jesus primary mission was something else. To accomplish His primary mission of reconciling mankind to God through the forgiveness of our sin, He needed to leave many other good opportunities behind. We too have a call, a mission, that we need to devote our lives to. And, like Jesus, we need to learn to leave many good deeds undone, for the sake of doing the one greater thing we must do – our mission.
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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Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:30-34 - The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus said “rest.” Does that strike us as odd? It sure seems like Jesus had a lot of things going on. Yet after the apostles get back from their mission of traveling, teaching and healing, Jesus tells them to take some time to recuperate. This is a major problem for people today. The reason that many people don’t have deep faith lives is because they are simply too busy: volunteering, traveling, over-working, exercising constantly, attending every school event, etc…
Our souls suffer when we fail to prioritize. Our souls suffer. God has certain things He wants us to do—and He wants us to do these well. If we are going to devote ourselves to the faith, to our marriage, to our family, to our state in life—we have to get proper rest as well. We have to learn to say “no” to things—even good things if they aren’t necessary or healthy. We will never be good Christians until we do. In prayer, consider which of our many activities might be unnecessary or unhealthy. How do they inhibit necessary and healthy activities?
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)
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Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:21-28 – Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority? We probably picture a passionate Jesus teaching on the Sabbath, pounding his fist with authority on the synagogue pulpit. But there is a deeper “authority” that the Gospel refers to. Jesus isn’t just teaching with a new style, different from that of the scribes. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the Authority. He is adjusting the people’s morality on the grounds of this authority, “But I say to you…”
The heart of Jesus’ message and the heart of Christianity is not a set of teachings on faith and morals. It is a Person. And this Person is Jesus Christ. Jesus has authority over all things, because He is God. We don’t have to go far to learn His purpose for us—Jesus wants to give us Himself. On earth and in heaven our blessed role is the same, to receive Jesus Christ.
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)
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Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 6:14-29- King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is worth looking at the lives and roles of these two very different men in the Gospel: Herod and John the Baptist. Herod was a selfish ruler who was immoral and a bad family man. His life exemplifies how sin grows greater and greater: from self-indulgence to selfishness and pride, to adultery, and finally to murder. John was a righteous and holy man. His life exemplifies how devoting one’s life to Christ means also devoting one’s self to defending truth, faith, and morals—as John defended marriage.
There are lots of opportunities to grow in sin today (especially sexual sin). There are also lots of opportunities to defend the dignity of human sexuality and marriage. Make no mistake, there is an invisible war going on in this area. If we are Christians who treasure the truth of the Gospel, we must stand very firm (maybe speaking up publically at times) on sexual morality and the nature of marriage. If good people do nothing, the invisible enemy will continue to progress. In prayer, consider how we stand up for sexual morality and the values of marriage.
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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Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is the first mission of the organized Church. Look what Jesus sends the apostles out to do. He sends them out to do what He has been doing—preaching repentance, driving out demons, curing the sick. But how can these common men do the same things that God in the flesh does? The secret is this: He gives them His authority. Jesus has authority over the physical and the spiritual realms. So when the apostles go out on this mission, awesome things happen. The apostles don’t accomplish anything with their own authority, but they accomplish much with Christ’s.
Today, the Church continues on this mission. It troubles many people that the Church claims to work with Christ’s authority in the world today. But Scripture shows clearly that that’s how Christ set it up while He was walking the earth, and that is how he left the Church after His Ascension. The things the apostles have authority to do—teach and heal—are the same things the modern Church has authority to do. We should have confidence that the Church spreads Christ’s teachings and gives Christ’s healing in the Sacraments. During prayer, consider how the Church has been a gift from Christ to us.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We read in the Gospel that Jesus “was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” This might cause us some confusion, because we know God can do anything. Jesus certainly has the power in Himself to perform mighty deeds wherever He wants to, but He has set things up in such a way that often He requires another ingredient to be present along with His power before He performs His wonders. That other ingredient is our faith.
The reason that Jesus couldn’t (didn’t) perform many miracles in His hometown was because the people lacked faith in Him. The same is true today. We might have missed out on great miracles because we lacked the necessary faith in Christ. People sometimes get mad that God didn’t help them out, when the fault might be all their own. (Of course, God won’t always work wonders if we have faith. He determines how to work for us and chooses what’s best for our souls.) The decision and the power are God’s. Our part is to have faith. Are we praying and working to grow in faith?
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)
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 5:21-43 - When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
“Do not be afraid; just have faith” sounds like a very nice idea to apply when we have a speech to give or a test to take… But Jesus says it to a man whose daughter has just died. He went to Jesus for emergency help, but they didn’t make it back in time. The man’s daughter had died; nothing more could be done. So it is a radical thing when Jesus tells the man: A) not to have fear, and B) to believe. But to believe what, we wonder—certainly no one had ever seen anyone raised from the dead at this point in the Gospels.
Jesus is not telling the man to believe that some good, natural outcome might be possible. No, Jesus is telling the man to believe in Him. This is part of the mystery of faith—not to believe because we have some idea of what God can do, but to believe in Him even when we have absolutely no options left. Then we can understand what it means that He works wonders. God still does miracles—often He just waits for our faith.
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)
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Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 5:1-20 - Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis passage from the Gospel certainly has some uncomfortable parts to it. None of us likes to think too much about the reality of evil or evil things, like demons. As much as the modern world tries to ignore the subject, we have to face the fact that they are prevalent, powerful, and have real influence over people today. Jesus encounters demons often. In the Gospel, Jesus goes into a Gentile region across the Sea of Galilee and encounters a possessed man. The demons in this story tell us something about the way they work—they are so twisted that they always work toward destruction.
But there is an infinitely stronger figure in the Gospel as well: Jesus. Jesus is our great hope and our great victory over evil. Look at the immediate effect that Jesus’ great power and His tender pity has on this once terrifying, possessed man, now “sitting there clothed and in his right mind,” being instructed by Jesus to be an evangelist to this region. We must learn to rely on Jesus as our strength against evil. We must beg him to help us fight against our own weakness, temptation, sin, and the evil around us. He is the ultimate victor. What sins are slowly destroying us? Have we asked the Lord for His tender pity and infinite power?
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)
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Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:21-28 – Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority? We might picture a passionate Jesus teaching on the Sabbath and pounding his fist with authority on the synagogue pulpit. But there is a deeper “authority” that the Gospel references. Jesus isn’t just teaching with a new style, differently than the scribes. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the authority. He is adjusting the people’s morality on the authority of Himself, “But I say to you…”
The heart of Jesus’ message, and the heart of Christianity, isn’t a set of teachings on faith and morals, it is a Person. And this Person is Jesus Christ. Jesus has authority over all things, because He is God. We don’t have to go far in the Gospels to learn His intentions for us—Jesus wants to give us Himself. On earth and in heaven our blessed role is the same, receive Jesus Christ.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:35-41 - On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
At least four of Jesus’ disciples knew how to sail very well. They spent much of their lives fishing on the sea. But here they face a situation in which, despite the skill and experience they have, they find themselves coming up short. First, their stress becomes worry. Then, their worry becomes panic. They fear they might actually die. As terrible as this situation is, it shows us something very important: some situations in life are too big for us to handle; we just don’t have the power.
We should learn from the many things the disciples did wrong, and the one thing they (finally) did right. First, the disciples wrongly assumed that because God let them struggle, that He must not care: “do you not care that we are perishing?” Actually, God allows us to struggle because He cares. He makes us better, and brings us closer to Himself, by our struggles. Next, the disciples count on themselves first, and approach God only after all their efforts, resources, and powers fail. Actually, it’s not God’s fault that our problems grow out of control…. Often it’s our fault that we have not come to Him much sooner. Last, the disciples keep their eyes fixed on the problem instead of the solution. Though we need to take our trials seriously, even more, we need to take our God seriously. He’s much more powerful than any storm, and when the disciples finally do approach Jesus, He calms their storm with great ease. If we need our storms calmed, we must come quickly to Jesus. He will give us rest.
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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Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:26-34 - Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…[It] is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Roman Catholic Church is the strongest and the longest continually operating institution in the world. It outlasts and overcomes wars, nations, attacks from the outside (and sadly, sometimes from the inside), and evils of all kinds. It exists almost everywhere on earth, but most strongly in believers’ hearts. But it wasn’t always this way. It started, basically, with twelve otherwise ordinary men. These were the men to whom Jesus “explained everything” in private. These men were changed by Christ and then they went out and changed the world.
The world can change again. It can change for the good. But this change won’t come from our government or any other human institution. If it happens, it will happen by way of ordinary men and women like us whose lives have been changed by Christ. Look at the impact of modern believers like Térèse of Lisieux, Louis and Zélie Martin, Fr. Josemaría Escrivá, Edith Stein, Gianna Beretta Molla, Mother Theresa, John Paul II… Their legacies are having tremendous effects on the Church and the world. The world needs saints. The world needs us to be saints. How are we being changed into saints by Christ?
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)
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Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:21-25- – Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The principle presented in this Gospel passage is that you reap what you sow, or you get what you give. It can be applied to many different good things—like generosity and faith. It can also be applied to many different bad things—like stinginess or harshness. We have to remember that what we do matters. These things matter to God and to others, but they also matter to us.
It could almost be said that we become what we do. When we sin, for instance, we not only carry a sin on our soul, but the sinful action shapes us (twists us, really) so that doing that sin will be easier for us next time. And when we do good, we not only carry a good deed on our soul, but the good action shapes us in such a way that doing good will be easier for us next time. Virtue is a disposition or a readiness to do good: easily, quickly, and with joy. Vice is a disposition to do bad. Our actions matter to us since they shape us. Is there a bad action we can choose to avoid today? What good action should we repeat?
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)
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Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 4:1-20– On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that/ they may look and see but not perceive, / and hear and listen but not understand,/ in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”/Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God is in charge of the seed, the word, which is always good. We are in charge of the soil, our souls, which need attention. We must remove from them anything that endangers the seed’s growth.
Danger 1: evil. Some people must remove clear, grave spiritual dangers (e.g., the occult, fortune telling, etc.), and harmful spiritual interests (e.g., vampires, spiritually dark movies, etc.) from their lives. But more commonly, we must remove all our grave sins which quickly deter our progress. Danger 2: shallow faith. (This is perhaps the meaning of lacking roots.) Faith must go deeper than feelings alone. Reflection (i.e., daily meditation) is a great means to avoid this. Danger 3: anxieties and competing loves. Jesus warns us against things that intrude on our faith. These include being caught in unnecessary busyness and unnecessary concerns, and having too much love for goods which can compete with the faith (e.g., pleasure, power, wealth, honor, etc.). Do we face evil, shallowness, anxieties, and competing loves? We are in charge of our soil. What needs improvement?
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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Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:31-35-The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus’ Mother and some of his cousins (called “brothers”) come to see Him when He is preaching in a town nearby. Maybe they were coming to surprise Him. If they heard Jesus’ response, they might have had a bit of disappointment. Most mothers would. But because we know Mary was sinless, we know she didn’t have any self-pity. She knows her Son always does what is best, so she gives Him the benefit of the doubt, and probably spends time reflecting on this event in her heart.
Certainly Jesus was the most loving Son that ever walked the earth. Certainly He always did what was best for His Mother. Because Mary would have reflected on this event, she would have realized that Jesus was not putting her off, but silently honoring her. “Whoever does the will of God is my… mother.” Other than Christ, no one ever did the will of God more perfectly than Mary. She was the single most worthy of recipient of this statement of Christ. After reflection, she would have joyfully known that her Son had thought of her especially while amidst the crowd, giving her a secret honor that only she could have recognized. We also must reflect on our sufferings to realize that though God allows us who serve Him to suffer, He allows it for our good and for our ultimate joy.
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)
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Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:22-30 – The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is confronting the people who accused Him of being evil because He commanded demons. He is saying that that would mean Satan is undermining himself and his own work. Jesus uses a few analogies, like the one about “a house divided against itself.” Though He might be talking about a royal house, the analogy holds true for every common household and family.
Unity is important to God. In fact, God Himself, the Blessed Trinity, is a unity of Persons. At the Last Supper, Jesus prays that future believers (we) will be united as He is united with God His Father. There is no more important human unity than Marriage, and from this, the family. We must work on our unity. Do we fight with each other? Are we impatient? Are we generous? Are we meek? Do we share well? Do we try to have real conversation? Do we prioritize good family time? Think about how we can be a better family and be better to each other. Then make a resolution.
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)
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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:14-20-After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then they left their nets and followed Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus calls Andrew and Simon (Peter), and James and John, to join Him in His mission. This is what He does for all of us: He calls us to play a part in His own mission. This is why we must constantly listen and pray daily so that we will be able to follow His direction. One particular way to learn about Christ’s direction is to read His life in the Scriptures.
In the Scriptures, when Jesus calls someone to Himself, each person He calls has a similar challenge. All of them must make a decision to leave things behind. The disciples all choose to do this. The rich young man does not. Christ is calling us, and we have a choice to make. Will we leave behind whatever keeps us from following Christ?
“Attachments” are things (even good things) that we aren’t willing to part with: money, material possessions, social status, friendship, comfort…They keep us from following Christ with all our hearts. What attachments do we have that we are unwilling to give up? Choose these or choose Christ.
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)
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Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 18: 15-20 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church has always understood these words about “binding” and “loosing” as pertaining to the forgiveness of sins. First, Jesus uses these words when establishing the Church on Peter (Matthew 16:19). Then, He uses them again here amidst a conversation about sin and forgiveness. Finally, He will use similar words after His Resurrection when He breathes on the apostles and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any they are retained” (John 20:22-23).
Many people, perhaps including us, have questions about Confession. It is important that we see Jesus establishing the Sacrament here in the Gospels. It is important that we see that it is God who forgives our sins through a priest. It is important that we see Jesus repeating this teaching again and again. It is important to understand that God doesn’t need a priest to forgive our sins, but God chooses to use priests to forgive our sins. Perhaps listening to the words of “Absolution” during Confession will help us to see God’s role in the Sacrament of Confession. Listen to them now: “God the Father of mercies, through the Death and Resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself, and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace. And I absolve you of your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Let’s go to Confession soon and hear these words from the priest himself.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 6:1-5 - While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Son of Man is the Lord of Sabbath. It’s true! But is the Son of Man the Lord of our Sabbath? If Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, are we living the Sabbath like He wants us to? How does Jesus want us to live the Sabbath? He wants us to set Sunday aside by doing these things: attending Mass, praying, celebrating, and resting.
The Sabbath matters. The most important thing for servants of the Lord to do is to attend Mass every Sunday and on all Holy Days of Obligation. It is fitting, also, that outside of Mass we have extra time and availability for prayer. As a good practice, Christians should do something extra to celebrate on Sundays (especially together), like having a larger meal or a special dessert. Finally, it is important for Christians (really, for humans in general) to have a more restful and leisurely day. This doesn’t mean having a movie marathon, but it does mean refusing, as much as possible, unnecessary activities that take away from God and family. These might include sports practices, shopping, errands, etc. In prayer, consider how we might adjust our Sundays in order to make the Son of Man Lord of our Sabbath.
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)
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Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 5:33-39 - The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers…but yours eat and drink.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus changes everything—everything. We can’t simply welcome Christ as a guest into our hearts and then leave Him there to sit still and quiet while we continue on with life. When Christ enters in, He gets up and starts moving things around. Jesus finds His way into our attitudes, into our schedules, into our choices, into our relationships, into our deep struggles. We begin to think differently about what we say and do, about how we spend our time and our money, about the way our family interacts and lives.
Jesus changes everything…and it is always a change for the better. If none of our attitudes, schedules, choices, relationships, struggles, etc., are changing, then there might be a problem. We might be shutting God out. Is there an area in our life (our finances, relationships, schedules, situations, decisions, etc.) that we are struggling to allow God into? We must pray for courage to trust that God is in control, and that He is even more concerned for our happiness than we are.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:38-44 - After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Do you want to know how to pray? Look at Jesus in this Gospel passage. Everybody seems to want a better prayer life, but so few people do anything about it. Well, Jesus teaches us how to pray through His example. It is very important that we notice when Jesus prays and where Jesus prays. These are two very important aspects of prayer that many people don’t account for like Jesus did. Because of this, they are frustrated and defeated at prayer before they even start.
When does Jesus pray? In the morning and at night. Certainly, He prays all the time, but His clearly defined times of prayer are at these times. This is his custom in the Gospels. What advantage is there to praying at these times? Of course, there are fewer distractions that would compromise prayer. Where does Jesus pray? Jesus prays alone in a deserted place. Certainly, He prays with other people in other places—but His deep, intense prayer to the Father takes place here, alone. What advantages is there to praying alone? Of course, there are fewer distractions that would compromise prayer. Deep prayer doesn’t just happen—we need time and space. What are the available times and spaces for us to deepen our prayer?
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)
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Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:31-37 - Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that Jesus has power over evil. Should we be surprised that someone who is purely good has power over evil? The Pharisees are surprised by this. But we shouldn’t be. There is an important principle here to remember: good is always more powerful than evil. Knowing this, we have to make sure that our faith isn’t simply about saying “no” to evil, though certainly that’s part of our faith. More importantly though, we need to focus on saying “yes” to good, and on living virtuous lives. It is God’s goodness that gives power.
Parents can be great helps to their growing children in this regard. It is very important for parents to pray for and to encourage their children to avoid the wrong people, places, and things. But it is more important, and more powerful still, for parents to pray for and to encourage their children to stay close to the right people, places, and things. In prayer, consider who are the right people, places, and things. Consider also how much time, energy and money we spend on giving our family enjoyable ways to be good.
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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Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:16-30 - Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They also asked, ‘Is this not the son of Joseph?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Though Jesus greatly impresses those in His hometown, they refuse to believe in Him—in part because He is too common. They know Him so well, and He isn’t what they expect in a Messiah. So, they reject Him. Jesus makes a reference in this passage to Naaman the Syrian. Naaman is a figure from the Second Book of Kings who, having leprosy, travels far to see Elisha, the Jewish prophet, to seek a cure. After his travels, Naaman is disappointed that Elisha does not come out to perform an astonishing cure, but instead instructs Naaman to go wash repeatedly in the Jordan River. Naaman was expecting the extraordinary, but it was in the common that he would be cured of his disease.
Often times we search and search for divine guidance. We want and expect God to work in miraculous, extraordinary ways. Sometimes He does. But more often God works in very ordinary ways. God’s will for us is usually found in our simple daily life, not in extraordinary situations. Don’t be disappointed by the common life. Many husbands have done God’s will simply by listening to their wives’ struggles; many mothers have done God’s will by picking up toys without complaining; many students have pleased God by simply studying hard; many workers give God glory by completing their work well and not wasting time. Most of Jesus’ holy life was commonplace. So He asks the same holiness of us. How can we do “little things” better?
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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Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 16: 21-27 - Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priest, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church has divided up parts of Scripture to be read daily and weekly in the Liturgy. This way, over the course of a year, Catholics read, or hear, much of Scripture. Because the readings are divided this way, we can often lose our sense of the flow of the Gospel events. The order of the Gospel accounts doesn’t always seem logical. So, it’s important to point out that today’s Gospel passage from Matthew comes directly after Jesus places His authority on Peter, establishing him as the first pope (Matthew 16:16-19). As the Gospel reads, “From that time” (Matthew 16:21) Jesus begins to speak to His disciples about His suffering, Death, and Resurrection in Jerusalem.
This is no coincidence, of course. Jesus places His own authority on the pope the and bishops before He goes to His Death. It is in much the same way that a person anticipating their own death writes a will, so that when they die their property will be distributed and cared for as they wish. The Church belongs to Christ; it is under His authority. So, Jesus passes on His authority to teach and to heal to the Church—to Peter, the pope, and to the other apostles. The pope and bishops will then use Jesus’ authority to teach and to heal (via the Sacraments) until Jesus returns at the end of time. We must pray for our pope and bishops, and we must respect their positions. They need our prayers. And we need to follow their teachings and to receive the Sacraments they administer.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25:14-30 - Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We might have heard the saying that at the end of our lives we’ll all have to “give an account to God”—that He will examine all we have done. There are many great truths taught in this parable of the master and his servants, but we will focus on one particular point now: that we are servants of God, who is the Master. As servants, or stewards, we must remember that everything we have is ultimately God’s. We are very used to thinking that our time is our time, that our money is our money, that our gifts and talents are our gifts and talents, that our children are our children. But that isn’t how Jesus thinks. First and foremost, all these things are God’s.
As stewards, we are in charge of our Master’s riches for a time, until He asks for them back. How are we spending the time He has given us? Playing hours of video games? In constant busyness? Participating in unfulfilling activities? … Or do we use our time for God and others? How are we spending the money He has given us? On extra comforts, electronics, and accessories? … Or do we spend it for God and others? How are we using the talents He has given us? For money, attention, and popularity? … Or for the glory of God and to assist others? How are we raising the children He has given us? To be popular, successful, and comfortable in the world? … Or to be citizens of heaven, to belong to God and to find supreme happiness? Remember, we are stewards of God’s riches, and God takes these riches very seriously!
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)
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Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25:1-13 - Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In this parable, ten ladies are waiting to join a procession into a wedding feast. But the groom and the procession to the wedding have been delayed. So, the ladies have fallen asleep. When they hear someone shout that the groom is coming, five of them get up and relight their lamps. They have brought extra lamp oil—but the other five haven’t prepared extra oil. As they go off to get more, they miss the procession, the groom, the wedding, the celebration, and all the joy they had been looking forward to.
The Christian life isn’t only about wanting the joys of God and heaven (really, everyone wants this), but it is also about living the right way to prepare to be with God in heaven. All ten ladies wanted to join the wedding feast, but only five of them had truly prepared to go. We must prepare for heaven by the way we live our lives. In prayer, let’s examine our consciences to see if our actions match our desires. Are we living like people who long for heaven?
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)
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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:16-21 - God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only- Son of God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage from the Gospel of John, gives us a clear and beautiful summary of the wider gospel message. Thus it is one of the most well known, verses in all of the Scriptures. God loved the world, sinners, us. He loved us. And He loved us to such a degree, that He gave His only Son, Jesus, for us. While we deserved severe consequence for rejecting God through our sin, He sacrificed immensely to save us from these consequences, from perishing, to give us a happy life with Him eternally, instead.
We don’t think like this. We don’t act like this. When someone wrongs us, we wish to wrong them back. But God is not like us. And this is great news. St. John says elsewhere in one of his New Testament letters (1 John 4:8) that God is love. Love between God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is at the center of God’s very life. It’s who God is. His loving actions then, come from His loving identity. On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, let us first spend some time thinking of the incredibly loving unexpected action God has taken toward us sinners. Then, let us look beyond this loving action to God Himself, who is love. How great is our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:28-31 – Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…and eternal life in the age to come.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Since the beginning of Christianity, people have chosen to give up many good things, even many great things, for the greatest thing. The religious (brothers, sisters, priests from religious communities) give up everything: possessions, relationships, the opportunity to marry and to have children, all for the sake of God. God is greater than all these things put together, and believing this, they choose Him. There are some that Jesus calls to Himself in this way, there are others whom He calls to Himself through other ways (like through marriage and family).
One interesting thing about this call is that Jesus says that those who follow it will not only receive eternal life, but will receive more blessings even in this present earthly life. In our home, we should be very open to the possibility of vocations to the priesthood or religious life. It is a good life full of blessings. It is easy to give up good things if we are guaranteed better things. Pray to be open to this for the members of our family.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 10:17-27– As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a very troubling Gospel for many. Two points should be mentioned: 1) Many people are unnecessarily troubled because they fear that if they grow closer to God He will make them sell all their goods and be poor. This isn’t the case. The Church has always had rich people who were its great supporters. 2) On the other hand, many people should be very troubled by this. They should be troubled by if they are attached to their riches or material belongings.
Americans must read this Gospel carefully. We must take Christ at His word. Possessions can be very dangerous if we get attached to them. The problem wasn’t that the man was rich, but that He loved His possessions. He loved His possessions more than He loved God. That is why he was asked to give them up. Make no mistake about this: God will not allow for any rivals—He will make us choose. If there is anything we love more than God, it will cost us God. Beg God to increase our love for Him. In prayer, think of one small thing each of us likes that we can give up or give away.
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)
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Pentecost Sunday – Mass During the Day (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:19-23 – On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Ascension is the last event recorded in the Gospels, and Pentecost takes place ten days after it. The Pentecost event isn’t included in the Gospels. It is recorded instead by Luke in the Book of Acts. So, for the Gospel reading at Mass the Church gives us a passage from after the Resurrection. Christ appears to his disciples, saying “Peace be with you,” and “He breathe(s) on them and (says) to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit…’” These two actions of Christ are closely connected with the Pentecost.
At the Resurrection, Jesus gives the apostles the Holy Spirit, but at the Pentecost He gives them the Holy Spirit’s gifts. This tells us something about the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The Church says: “Confirmation completes Baptismal grace” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1285) In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit—His presence. In Confirmation we receive the Holy Spirit’s gifts and power. Confirmation opens us to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work in us more fully. Look how courageously the apostles go out proclaiming the Good News after the Pentecost, their Confirmation. This courage isn’t theirs, really. Their power and authority and courage come from the Holy Spirit. The reason that the apostles and saints do amazing things isn’t because they are powerful, but because they are open to God’s power working through them. They take Baptism and Confirmation seriously. Do we?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:20-25Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved…When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The apostles were a close group (actually the whole body of disciples were). Certainly, they had their arguments, but they had some very deep friendships. We can gather this from the Gospels, and see it explicitly in the Acts of the Apostles. The friendship of Peter and John is a particularly great one. They are main characters in the Gospels, and their relationship is revealed in particular, here, at the end of the Gospel of John and in the Book of Acts. Acts even speaks of specific time they spent together.
Neither of them possessed all the necessary Christian gifts. But combined, they must have been an amazing team. Peter had great passion, boldness, and leadership. John had great depth, faithfulness, and love. Similarly, none of us has everything we need in the Christian life. We need to rely upon others for strengths and for gifts that we don’t possess. And others need to rely on us for gifts that they lack. Marriages and families are like this too. We are all necessary parts of the one Body of Christ. We should develop our unique qualities, interests, and talents. Also, we should encourage these in others. In prayer, consider some gifts that each member of our family is blessed with. After prayer, tell them!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 21:15-19 – After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will…lead you where you do not want to go.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a beautiful story about St. Peter near the end of his life. Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and the head of the entire Church. During Peter’s time as pope, in the mid 60’s A.D., Nero, the emperor of Rome, was enacting a terrible persecution of Christians, and Peter was fleeing Rome for his life. At a certain spot on the road outside Rome, Jesus appeared to Peter. He had a cross on His shoulders and was walking back towards Rome. Peter looked at the Lord and understood–it was a call. Peter turned around, and walked back to Rome. There He was martyred on a cross of his own.In the Gospel, Jesus addresses Peter’s three denials by three times asking Peter, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). After this He tells Peter that Peter will die at the hands of others. Then Jesus says, “Follow me.” At the end of Peter’s life, he is again given the chance to deny Jesus. He chooses instead to follow Jesus. Now, at the place of Peter’s death in Rome, stands St. Peter’s Basilica, the single largest and most important church on the face of the earth. Never underestimate the power of what Jesus can do with one person (even one very imperfect person) who decides, no matter what, to follow Him. Follow!
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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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:20-26-Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I pray…also for those who will believe in me…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus prayed for us…not just for Christians in general, but for us in the sense that He prayed for each one of us in this room. Jesus has a divine intellect, and He had this intellect while He was on earth. This means He knew everything, and everyone. That means He knew us, individually. Jesus considered each of us, and loved each of us, from the Cross. There are many things to specifically reflect on in this passage, and we should spend time reflecting on what Jesus asked of His Father for His whole Church and for us, as its individual members. But one particular thing that Jesus prays for is unity among believers.
Jesus asks His Father that we would be one “as you, Father, are in me and I in you….” The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, because each of them completely gives Himself to the other as a gift. If we have this kind of relationship with each other, if we give our entire lives away for the sake of each other, Jesus says three things will happen: 1) we will be in God, 2) the world will understand Jesus’ relationship with the Father, 3) the world will understand that God loves them. If we as a married couple and we as a family treat our lives as gifts to be given to each other, we will share in God’s Life, and we will change the world. In prayer, consider how we can treat our lives as gifts to be given to one another.
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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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:11-19 – Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Why did Jesus come into the world? The Scriptures say many things about this, and a few of these statements are from the mouth of Jesus Himself. Essentially, they all revolve around the same thing. Jesus Christ comes into the world to reconcile mankind with God through the forgiveness of sin. This is why He is sent into the world.
In this spoken prayer to His Father, Jesus says that He sends the apostles into the world with the same mission. The Apostolic Ministry is one of bringing mankind into communion with God through the forgiveness of sin. St. Paul (“The Apostle”) calls this ministry the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians). We should be very thankful for our bishops and our priests who share in this mission, because they bring to us the mission of Christ in the world. They are helping to bring us back to full union with God.
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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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 17:1-11Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospel of John gives us so many great insights into the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The readings from this section of John’s Gospel that we read during this part of the Easter Season are not always easy to understand, but they are very important in helping us to understand Jesus Himself. Jesus says here, in prayer to His Father, “everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.” That is beautiful! Do we know any married couple who can honestly say that they are so united (so united!) that there is a complete unity of life? The Father gives everything to the Son. And the Son gives everything to the Father.
One of the gifts that the Father and the Son possess that they present to each other in the Gospels is us–believers. Jesus prays here for believers and for future believers (for us!). He knows us each of us individually and wants each of us to be united with God, in Himself. If we are united to Christ, then as He gives Himself to the Father, so also He gives us to the Father. It is through our union with Jesus that we are united with God. This might give insight into why Jesus says, “this is eternal life, that they should know you...and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life here. In knowing Jesus Christ, we begin eternal life now. Ultimately, heaven is union with God.
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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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:29-33-The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many wonderful things to meditate on in this Gospel. For instance, we can ponder how Jesus is stronger than all that troubles us; how we can be confident that He is already victorious; how He knows that we will leave him, and sin, but gives us His blessings anyway. All of these thoughts are worthy of reflection. But we will focus on Jesus’ words about being alone. Jesus tells His disciples that, even though they’ll leave Him, He won’t be alone, because His Father is with Him.
There is an old contemplative phrase, “You are never less alone than when you are by yourself.” Jesus commonly would leave the crowds to find time alone…alone with His Father. We must get comfortable being alone…alone with God, to pray. We have a problem when, the second we’re alone, we turn on the TV, the internet, or our phone. These distractions might be some of our greatest obstacles to a closer relationship with God. Consider what we fill our alone-time with. Can we commit to avoiding these distractions for a day? Or a week? See if those alone-times aren’t then filled with great company–the company of God.
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)
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The Ascension of the Lord (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28: 16-20 – The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. The event of the Ascension is described with the most detail, not in the Gospels, but in the Book of Acts. It is very briefly touched on at the end of only two of the Gospels (Mark and Luke) and not at all in the other two Gospels (Matthew and John). And we are reading from Matthew’s Gospel today. The setting of this Gospel passage, then, is in the days after Jesus Resurrection very soon before His Ascension. Though we don’t read about the Ascension taking place here, we do get to see what’s on Jesus’ mind right before He departs. He’s thinking about gathering souls.
As Jesus leaves the world, He expects (even commands) His Church to carry on His mission of bringing salvation to the world. The Church accomplishes this mission through its Sacraments (“[baptize] them…”) and its teachings (“teach them”). As the Church, all of us play a part in evangelizing the world. This is the Lord’s command to us… His pleading with us: “Go… make disciples.” We will play a part in bringing salvation to others. After knowing, loving, and serving God, our foremost focus should be souls. Are we evangelizing others? Christ commands it. The world needs it. And we each have a role to play. Pray, then Go!
GO!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Friday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:20-23 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “no one will take your joy away from you.” This abounding joy is the joy of heaven, of eternal life. This is also the joy that His disciples experience after His Resurrection. Eternal joy begins here and now on earth, in the hearts of those who are united to Christ. One characteristic of true joy is how substantial, how steady, it is. True joy isn’t a fleeting happiness which we possess when the circumstances around us are just right. True joy can actually exist at the same time as suffering, and suffering cannot overcome it.
Joy is something that the world today does not possess. Though everyone wants intense joy, most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to find it. So they settle for less. Pleasure is easy to find. Comfort is easy to find. Entertainment is easy to find. “Good enough” is easy to find. As a result, easy marriages replace joyful ones. Good-enough families replace joyful ones. Nice people replace joyful Christians. But our marriages, our families, and our world are poorer because of it. In prayer, reflect on joy. Do we really want it, or will we settle for mediocre lives?
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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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:16-20- Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Often when the Scriptures refer to “the world” they are referring to everything on earth, particularly mankind, living under sin. Christians are fundamentally opposed to “the world,” the anti-Christian life all around us. We have to get it through our heads that to be Christians necessarily means living differently from the world. We cannot have the full blessings of Christ and still be a lover of the world and its promises. This is what Jesus means when He says, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
This doesn’t mean that we can’t own houses, go to movies, play sports, buy nice clothes, eat out, take a vacation, or do many other things that give us pleasure or comfort or convenience on earth. But it does mean that we can’t make pleasure, comfort, or convenience our goal. That’s the world’s goal. Our goal is different. Christ is our goal. If the earth’s goods bring us closer to Him, we should use them. If the earth’s goods harm or dull our faith, they have to go. The Christians path is different because our goal is different.
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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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:12-15- Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine;for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Everything that the Father has is mine.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John’s writings give the most substantial teachings on the Holy Trinity. Notice the things that Jesus says in this Gospel about the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. First Jesus tells His disciples that the Holy Spirit “will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” Then He tells them that “Everything that the Father has is mine.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit share what they possess. They share themselves.
Such a gift is called a “gift of self.” Every person, made in God’s image, is called to live this same way. We are called to give ourselves to God and to others–not simply our money, our time, or our talents, plans, hopes, and preferences. We are called to give our very selves. When we hold back from giving, we cease to love. Spouses can’t stop giving when they’re upset. Parents can’t stop giving when they’re tired. Siblings can’t stop giving when they’re bored. We can’t stop giving. When we cease to give, we cease to love. During prayer, picture Christ on the Cross. When did He stop giving? He is our model.
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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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 16:5-11 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Wow, this is a very powerful statement from Jesus to his disciples, “it is better for you that I go.” The disciples thought, of course, that Christ’s leaving would be the worst possible thing for their faith. But it was actually for their great gain. After Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Holy Spirit is sent. Christ had been with the apostles, but the Holy Spirit would be in the apostles.
Many people think that if they had lived at the time of Christ, near Him, that their faith would have been tremendously strong. But look at the example of the apostles. Even though they were very close to Christ while He walked the earth, their faith was much, much weaker at that time than it was after He left, and the Holy Spirit made His dwelling in them. God the Holy Spirit supplies power where our faith is weak. We live in a privileged time, a time in which God Himself promises to make our faith strong. We possess the Holy Spirit through Baptism, and His gifts and His power through Confirmation. During prayer, reflect on the real importance, the real Gift, the real Life that comes through these Sacraments.
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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Monday of the Sixth Week in Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:26-16:4 – Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Ignorance is a great source of darkness in the world. It is the source of many moral mistakes that we ourselves and many others fall into. When we or others act in ignorance we do not intend evil, so we’re not as guilty. However, evil is still advanced. People do not need to formally choose evil for it to spread into their nations, schools, media, internet, children, marriages, minds, hearts, and souls…they just need to remain ignorant. There is a great deal of ignorance in the world today.
Jesus Christ is opposed to ignorance. Jesus is the Light that expels darkness and ignorance. Jesus is the Truth. We need to be very concerned with the truth. Spouses, parents, and whole families need to be properly informed about what is true and to be very intentional about living accordingly. We should discuss together what ideas we let influence our thoughts: What news, media, internet, and movies will we utilize? These things will affect how we think, dress, date, marry, talk, pray, etc. Ideas have power. We must to be sure to strengthen our understanding of what’s true and what isn’t.
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)
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Sixth Sunday in Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14: 15-21 – Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here’s a big question: do we know why God made us? The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great help in answering this question–and we don’t need to read very far to find the answer. Actually, the very first sentence of the very first paragraph proclaims the beautiful answer. It says: God is “infinite, perfect and blessed” in Himself–meaning that nothing could make Him any more blessed, or happy than He already is. So God doesn’t need us humans to make Him happy. When God created us, it was not for His own good and happiness, but instead for our own good and happiness. God thought of a creature who would have the ability to become, like Him, very happy. And thus, He created mankind.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church goes on to say that we will achieve this blessedness, or this happiness, by sharing in God’s “own blessed life.” This is what Jesus is talking about in the Gospel today. His goal for us is that we would share in His Life (“you are in me and I in you”). He wants us to share in the blessed Life of God, because He wants us ultimately to be very happy. Rejoice, God made us for happiness!
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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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:18-21-Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
A Christian isn’t just someone who remembers Christ and tries to be like Him. Ultimately, a Christian shares in Christ’s Life as a member of His Body. As Christians we are really in union with Christ. It shouldn’t shock us if we are hated or if we suffer persecutions for our Faith. Actually, it should shock us if we don’t. Jesus often dealt with run-ins, disagreements, accusations, lies, and enemies of the truth. Often we try to avoid these things at all costs. But to do so is to reject union with Christ’s suffering.
Fortunately, we live in a society where we can practice our Faith without violent persecution, but we should be very aware that there is a growing, strengthening, anti-Christian agenda at work in our society. We need to be very strong in the face of false ideas about marriage, family, religion, conscience, reproductive rights, etc. We need to be strong in love and in truth–otherwise we’re not acting as Christians. Christ always stands strong in love and truth, and we need to do the same today. What is one thing we can do today to courageously proclaim our Catholic Faith?
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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Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15: 12-17 - Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We have heard this passage, and similar ones, many times. John records this statement more than once at the Last Supper, and the other three Gospels all record a similar phrase from a discussion Jesus has with a scholar of the law. It is a phrase that Paul quotes, too. It seems to be a teaching that Jesus repeated many times. It certainly is central to His message. Hopefully we aren’t so used to hearing it that we forget to think about it. What Jesus is asking is a radical request.
Jesus is not asking us to love each other sentimentally–to feel good about our family and friends. He is asking us to love as He loves us. And how does Jesus love us? Jesus loves us for our own sakes–for our good, for our benefit–whether or not He benefits; whether or not we even notice; whether or not He must die doing so. Jesus is asking us to love our family and friends, and even our enemies, in a way that is best for them–regardless of any benefit to us. In prayer, consider what good work we can do for the good of each member of our family, or for our friends. Consider what prayer we can silently say for them. When we love like this, we follow God’s Commandment. And even if no one else sees, He sees–happily.
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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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:9-11- Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In these Gospel passages, Jesus has been telling His disciples to “remain” in Him and in His love. The word “remain” that Jesus is using means abide or take up residence. What Jesus is asking His disciples to do is to “live in Me” and “make Me your home.” Pretend for a moment that God’s love is an actual house and that we live there: each morning we wake up in God’s love; we prepare our day in God’s love; we eat, dress, talk, read, work, play, all in God’s love; we return every evening to God’s love; we find our rest and peace in God’s love; we are most genuinely ourselves in God’s love…
God is inviting us to be “at home” in Him and His love. He wants us to live our whole life in His love. We will do this if we follow His Commandments. Is there any Commandment we are lazy in following? It could be keeping us from great, great joy.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 15:1-8- Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here about how they are to stay healthy in the spiritual life. He does so by using an analogy of a vine and the branches growing from it. If any branch is connected to the vine it is healthy–it will “bear much fruit.” But if any branch is disconnected from the vine, it is dead. So it is with the spiritual (interior) life. If we are connected to Jesus, we are healthy. If we are disconnected from Him, we are dead.
A wonderful modern author, Jacques Philippe, says the beginning of the interior life is the realization that apart from God we can do nothing…not “some,” not “a little,” but absolutely nothing. We can’t do good for God, our spouse, our family, the world, or even ourselves if we aren’t closely connected to God. If we want to be better spouses, parents, children, siblings…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we want to be more loving, attentive, sensitive, gentle, honest, bold…then, good! Get more connected to God. If we don’t, our efforts are a waste of time. Apart from God, we can do nothing.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:27-31A - Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus doesn’t just give us earthly peace–in the forms of relaxation, quiet, and calm. He says, “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Jesus gives us His peace. Jesus’ peace is not subject to the circumstances around us. Even if there is trouble, suffering, busyness, or noise around us, Jesus’ peace is substantial and unshakable–regardless of the circumstances.
We have to realize that all the things we hope for from the world–its peace, happiness, and satisfaction–are sad imitations of real peace. Real, substantial, lasting peace can only be found in Christ. And it can be found! “My peace I leave you,” Jesus says. A few days after this (after the Resurrection) Jesus will again come and say, “Peace be with you,” and then He will breath on the disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus leaves us His profound, substantial peace in His gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit we are in Christ and He is in us. In the Holy Spirit we possess everything. Come, Holy Spirit, give us Christ and His profound peace!
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)
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Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:21-26 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My Name–He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here St. John is again writing about the Holy Trinity. This time He writes about the work of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. He will come in the name of Jesus, and He will teach the disciples everything, and remind them of all that Christ told them. We see that this is very true in history. Even after the Resurrection of Jesus, the apostles aren’t really sure of how exactly they are to proceed. Simon (Peter), at one point says, as if exasperated: “I am going fishing,” and six other disciples head out with him.
It is not until the Holy Spirit comes in power and gives them His gifts at Pentecost that they go out immediately, under His power, and begin to change the world. The Holy Spirit still guides the successors of the apostles–the bishops–today. He teaches them and reminds them of what Christ has told the apostles. The Holy Spirit guides us, the laity as well. We receive Him at Baptism, and this Baptismal grace is completed when we receive His gifts of power at Confirmation. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are “in Christ” as the Gospel and our Faith mention so often. “Come, Holy Spirit, bring us into Christ!”
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)
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Fifth Sunday of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14: 1-12 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This well-loved passage from the Scriptures has meant so much to so many people since the time of Christ. For those looking for direction, Jesus says, “I am the way.” For those looking for answers, Jesus says, “I am the truth.” For those looking for meaning, Jesus says, “I am the life.” As Christians, we should realize that Jesus is saying that the heart of Christianity isn’t simply the Church’s teachings, but the Person of Jesus Christ.
We must encounter Jesus Christ in order to come to the Father. Jesus (not just good choices) is the way to God the Father. Jesus (not just good theology) is the truth that leads us to God the Father. Jesus (not just good living) is the life that we must have in us if we are to live with God the Father. We must come to the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son. Our lives are wasted if we make good choices, study good teachings, and live good lives, but are not united to Christ. In prayer, consider what we can do (what we will do) to make ourselves more available to encounter Christ.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:7-14 - Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” When we hear this, we might first think that Jesus is speaking symbolically. Certainly we can’t do the works that Jesus does, can we? He heals the sick, when He speaks, His will is done. His word even raises the dead. What can Jesus possibly mean when He says we will do His works? Jesus means exactly what He says. He means that believers can do the works He does. A closer reading of the Gospel suggests just how this happens. We are right to be leery of the idea that we might have the power to do miraculous things…but here, our focus is wrong. When Jesus says we can do these things, He isn’t speaking about our own power… He is promising His power in us. So He repeats, “I will do it.”
Through the centuries, the saints have performed many miracles. This might cause us confusion, even fear, for such power seems strange to us. Actually, the great saints, even those who worked wonders, were very normal, weak, little humans like us. The reason they performed miracles is that they opened themselves up to God living and working in them. It is God who works the wonders through the hands of His servants. Considered this way, it is really very normal and understandable! As we grow in the Christian life, we’ll see God beginning to work in us, too. We must be open to Christ living in us and working through us. In prayer, ask Mary to help us to be open to God living in us.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:1-6 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage, like many during these days, is from the Last Supper Discourse from John’s Gospel. At this particular point, Jesus has just told His disciples that someone will betray Him, and also that He is about to go away. Naturally, they are troubled. Jesus reassures them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” and tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them, and then He will return to take them to Himself. What they don’t yet understand is that Jesus is going away to die, but in doing this He will prepare for them a Heaven that is opened to them, and then He will rise from the dead and take them to Himself.
God wants us to be with Him. Jesus tells us He will take us to Himself; that where He is we also may be. What comfort to know God loves us with an infinite love and wants our ultimate happiness. We will find this happiness precisely in Him. What a comfort, as well, to know that it is God who makes this ultimate happiness possible: “I am the way” (John 14:6). We must remember that God has fought for us and won the victory. Victory is ours when we keep following Him (He is the way!) until we finally rest in Him (He is our end!). Praised be Jesus Christ!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:16-20 - When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen I say to you, no slave is greater than his master…If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says this phrase, “no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16), right after He washes His disciples’ feet. Right before this statement He says, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). If God serves others, we too should serve others. Being a great man or woman in Christianity looks dramatically different than being a great man or woman in the world. We have a wonderful example of this in the photographs of our popes (our leaders) stopping to kiss children, or to minister to the sick, and to people with disabilities.
Jesus doesn’t just want us to honor the idea of service, He wants us to serve: “…blessed are you if you do it.” If we want to be like Jesus, we must serve. At home we must serve the smallest among us. In our family we must serve the elderly. At school we must serve the lonely. At work we must serve the annoying. Service may be washing feet, but it may also be spending time with, and including someone, or having a good conversation. In prayer, think–who do we know who is: sad, lonely, weak, small, disabled, embarrassed, smelly, annoying, awkward? … Now, serve them! Blessed are you if you do it.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 12:44-50 - Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
As we have already mentioned a few times, the story of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus is like the climactic chapter in a book that makes the rest of the story make sense. It is interesting to see the readings that the Church picks out for us during the season of Easter. Many of those from the Gospel of John go back and retell the mysterious statements and actions of Jesus early on in His ministry. Some of these give hints about Jesus Himself, about who He really is, and about who the Father is. Once we know that He has risen from the dead, they all make so much more sense. It is as though the Church is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see that Jesus is God!?” Do we?
The Resurrection is so strange and powerful, that if it is true, so must everything else be true that Jesus did and said. The Resurrection is the supreme proof of our Faith. By it, Jesus reveals Himself as God the Son. As the Son, Jesus tells us He is showing us God the Father. This is why He says, “whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” As the Church is showing us Jesus, so Jesus is showing us God the Father. It is as though Jesus is asking us at Easter, “Now do you see? Now do you see the Father!?” Do we?
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)
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:22-30 - The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Father and I are one.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. John, more than any other writer in Scripture, speaks of the relationship of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells the Jews: “The Father and I are one.” Certainly, any listener can grasp the basic meaning here, but as Christians we should deeply ponder the inner Life of the Blessed Trinity. The Three Divine Persons are each distinct Persons, but they are not separated from each other. They are bound together in a unity of love. St. John, in one of his letters to his churches (John 1), says that God is love.
The clearest image we have of this invisible reality is in something we see every day. God made mankind in His image (Genesis 1). This doesn’t mean that we look like Him, but it does mean that we can understand something about Him by observing ourselves. God made mankind male and female– the first of these were Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve, themselves two distinct people, joined themselves together in love in a bond of marriage, and (as Genesis 2 tells us) “the two became one.” Marriage is the great image of the Holy Trinity, a community of Persons who, though distinct, are not separate. They are bound together, as one, in love. In prayer, reflect on how our marriage and our family beautifully reflect God’s inner Life in the Trinity. How can we better reflect the love of the Trinity in our life?
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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Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:1-10 - Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
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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Fourth Sunday of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:1-10 - Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Abundant life.
That is what Jesus has come to give. Take a moment to think of all the people we know whose lives we would describe as “abundant” (not “exciting”, but “full” or “rich” or “satisfied”). Can we think of a lot of people...or only a few? The fact is, there are many, many people who desperately want abundant life but don’t have it. They still are not satisfied after years of searching for pleasure, security, wealth, and comfort. They live for their weekends, breaks, and vacations. They feel they always spend the best part of their energy on their job. They want to have deep relationships with God, their spouse, and their children, but they don’t know how. Their lives lack true abundance.
Jesus wants them, and us, to be fulfilled, satisfied, and deeply happy. He comes to give us abundant life. It is not a hard formula. Jesus + Our Lives = Abundance. We won’t find abundant life in vacations, pleasure, security, wealth, or comfort. There is only one way for a life to be abundant. It is by living with, and in, Jesus. It is by living with the Sacraments, prayer, and virtue. It is by living intentionally, and prioritizing one’s vocation (e.g., Marriage and Family). But many Catholics have this abundant life in Jesus, and they wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:60-69 - Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is interesting to see what Jesus doesn’t do in the Gospel. Many of His listeners are so thrown off by His teachings about eating His Flesh that they no longer follow Him. But notice that Jesus doesn’t chase after them. He doesn’t say to them “Wait, wait, I was only speaking of this symbolically.” He lets them go. Certainly Jesus wants people to follow Him, for their own good. But this teaching isn’t optional. The Eucharist is too important.
Certainly, many teachings of the Faith aren’t easy. Jesus never said they would be. In fact, after this incident, He turns to His disciples and asks frankly, “Do you also want to leave?” He asks us this question as well. What will we do when we can’t understand one of His teachings? Will we decide that we are right and that the Church is wrong, and walk our own way? Many have. Or will we stay? We don’t need to understand everything perfectly; the faithful disciples didn’t. Instead, we need to have faith—faith that God is always doing what is best for us. This is part of the glory of Easter. In the darkest hour of disappointment, dismay, and death, the Lord rises victorious! “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Luke 8:50).
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)
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Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:52-59 - The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
“Amen, amen, I say to you…” Jesus says. He is really driving home the point that He is actually speaking about eating His very Flesh and drinking His very Blood. His listeners, the Jews, understand clearly what He means—and it really bothers them. “The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us His Flesh to eat?’” Why is Jesus so adamant about this? He is adamant because it is by eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood that we are in Him and He is in us.
We are unified to Christ through the Eucharist. If we want our flesh to be united to His Flesh we need to go to Communion. If we want our blood to be united to His Blood we need to go to Communion. If we want our soul to be united to His Soul we need to go to Communion. If we want our humanity to be united to His Divinity we need to go to Communion. We cannot be poisoned by the false and ignorant Christianity of those “Catholics” who do not attend Mass. It is not an option. Jesus drove this message home for His listeners. We must drive it home, and deeply into our family life. We might even need to insist on this truth to our friends. We miss out on much when we don’t come to Mass— we miss out on Christ and the sweet blessedness of remaining in Him and He in us.
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)
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Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:44-51 - Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is telling His listeners exactly what He means when he says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” Make no mistake about this, He isn’t speaking of symbolic bread. Here He clarifies that, “the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” Jesus does not intend for Christians to believe that Holy Communion is only a spiritual symbol of Him. This is where many Christians greatly err. Catholics Christians, on the other hand, know the truth about the Eucharist. At Communion we know that we actually eat Christ’s real Body, His Blood, His Soul, and His Divinity—not just symbols. The Eucharist is the real thing.
It is still the Easter Season, and we have to strive to live this season appropriately. Every Sunday is a little Easter, really. One excellent way to live Easter is to reflect on who we are united with at Communion. We are one with Jesus, who has risen from the dead!
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)
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:35-40 - Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus states that He came down…to raise up. God doesn’t call us to be with Him by reaching Him ourselves. First, God descends. There is something special to this downward movement of God. We think of God as so lofty and high above us—and certainly He is. But God chooses to show us something different about Himself–something not yet known, something never expected. When we first see God after His birth, He appears as a tiny, poor, helpless, homeless baby lying in a feeding trough in a dirty cave. When we last see God before His death, He is beaten mercilessly, mocked, spat upon, naked, poor, helpless, homeless, hanging, bleeding, dying. God has descended to the depths of the misery of man…and He has plumbed that depth. In so doing He has reversed the power of sin and trampled death underfoot.
And it is here that He says, “It is finished.” Three days later, at the Resurrection, the earth cannot contain the magnitude of His glory. God’s descent into man’s misery ends with God’s ascent, with man, into God’s glory. “I came down,” says the Lord, “that I should raise.”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:30-35 - The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Last week we discussed how things that happen earlier in the Scriptures point toward Christ’s Death and Resurrection. This is continuously the case with the stories, prayers, prophecies, and promises of the Old Testament. After the Israelites fled from Egypt, the Lord fed them manna, bread from heaven, during their time in the wilderness. This is the story to which the people in the Gospel are referring. They are looking for a similar kind of sign. But their expectations are too low.
Jesus isn’t here to give a sign, but to be the real thing. The sign of manna was meant to signify Him. Jesus isn’t here to give bread from heaven, He’s here to be bread from heaven, the “true bread.” When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are receiving God in a special way that He has been preparing for us since the beginning. We must be more mindful about the great gift of God Himself that we are receiving at Mass. Jesus, the True Bread from heaven gives us life every week (or even every day) at Mass. In prayer, consider what special attention we pay to this mystery, and how we can do more to show our gratitude. Are we willing to stay for a few minutes longer to pray after Mass while Christ is still physically inside of us? Can we spend time attending Adoration, or attend Mass during the week?
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)
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Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:22-29 - [After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The crowds ask Jesus a question that sounds very pious and faithful, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” As good as this question sounds, their focus is incorrect. The crowds are focused on the good they can accomplish themselves. Jesus turns the focus back to God (to Himself). Our job is to believe in Christ; His job is to accomplish His works.
In the Gospels, it is the faith of believers that amazes Jesus and moves Him to action. Faith is closely related to humility. The virtue of humility is so necessary to the Christian life. It takes the focus off of us and places it on God. It’s really all we can bring to the table—an awareness that we can do nothing, mixed with a trust that He can accomplish anything. “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.” In prayer, beg God to increase our faith and our reliance on Jesus Christ.
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)
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Third Sunday of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 24: 13-35- That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Were not our hearts burning within us…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyWhat we see in the encounter of the travelers with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is something very familiar. We have heard some of the phrases used in this story before, such as, “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” Indeed, the whole structure of the story is very familiar. It actually parallels the structure of the Mass: first there is the proclamation of the Scriptures, and then there is the breaking of the Bread. These two parts of the Mass are called the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
It is very important to notice that after His Resurrection, Jesus doesn’t choose to show himself frequently to massive crowds or to appear at the center of the Temple. Instead, even while still bodily present on earth, even before His Ascension into heaven, Jesus chooses to make Himself known in the Mass. And this is still where we can find Him today. If we want to meet the Risen Christ, who can set our hearts on fire like he did for those travelers long ago, then we need to be at Mass. Consider in prayer: how often do we go to Mass? How attentive are we to the readings? How respectful are we in our actions? How much do we long to see Christ?
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)
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Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:16-21 - When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“It is I. Do not be afraid.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The disciples were afraid. Who wouldn’t be afraid when, out on a boat on the sea, in a fierce wind, during the middle of the night, they see a figure walking toward them on the water? Of course they were afraid. Sometimes we pray for safety, ease, and comfort—for smooth sailing. But another Gospels tell us that it was actually Jesus who sent the disciples across this sea, at night, before the windstorm. Oftentimes God won’t save us from trouble; but He will always save us. There is a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis’ children’s series, The Chronicles of Narnia, about a godly figure, Aslan the Lion: “He isn’t safe. But he is good.” Jesus might be a little like this.
God’s answer to getting us through tough situations very often isn’t to remove the obstacles, difficulties, or sufferings. Instead, He give us Himself in the midst of these. To get safely to the other side of the lake the apostles didn’t need a calm sea. They needed the Lord’s presence. The answer to our difficult situations might not be to escape from difficulties, but instead to recognize and welcome the closeness of the Lord. What difficulties are we struggling with? The victorious, Risen Lord is with us. In prayer, ask Him to guide our way and to help us through.
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)
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Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 6:1-15 - Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event of the multiplication of the loaves of bread takes place during the middle of Jesus’ public ministry. But the Church gives this Gospel passage to us to read during Easter time, which takes place at the end of Jesus’ public ministry. What does it have to do with Easter? The Gospel story gives us some hints. One hint is that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them.” We know that He will do that again at the Last Supper. The Gospel also tells us that the “feast of Passover was near.” Very often the Gospels show Jesus preparing people for something that will happen later. That is what Jesus is doing here.
Everything in Jesus’ public ministry makes better sense when we understand His Death and Resurrection. This Gospel passage certainly does. It takes on a deeper meaning—not only is it a miracle that feeds a hungry crowd, but it is an introduction to the Eucharist. Everything that happens in our life, too, makes better sense when we understand that it is related to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Life has meaning. Our actions have meaning. Suffering has meaning. Death has meaning. All this, because of Jesus. We must get used to viewing our lives, our choices, our sins, our sacrifices–as relating to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Because they do!
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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Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:31-36 - The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” We sometimes think that He means that if we truly believe in Him (and love and obey Him) as our Faith teaches us to do, then we will someday go to heaven—to eternal life. And we are right. But St. John, in his Gospel, doesn’t consider eternal life something we can receive only after we die. He tells us that we already have eternal life, now, here on earth, if we possess Christ.
A deep truth is at work here. Christ Himself is our life. It is Christ Himself who is eternal life. To demonstrate this, let’s look at what God says when He reveals His Name to Moses; He says, “I AM.” Ultimately, God is; He lives eternally and infinitely. So, then, if we have eternal life, we don’t just possess life, or live life. If we have eternal life, it means we are existing and living in God. Our life is a Person, Jesus Christ. Knowing this, consider how loving the crucified Jesus is, and how victorious the Risen Jesus is. This is your life! He is your life!
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)
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:16-21 - God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a Bible verse that we should all memorize if we can. It is the famous “John 3:16” quote. It is a wonderful mini-gospel: God loved us so much that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die for us so we would not die in our sins, but instead have God’s Life with Him. That’s awesome.
The very first sentence of the very first paragraph of the very first section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says beautiful words about this truth. It says that God made man to share in God’s own blessed life. We exist to exist in God. That is why God made us. God made us to be ultimately happy by sharing in His own life. This is exactly what He offers us at Easter: participation in His Life. We need to enter into Easter now, today, and forever.
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 prayers.
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)
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Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:7-15 - Jesus said to Nicodemus: “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You must be born from above.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “a ruler of the Jews” who comes to Him in secret in the night. Jesus is speaking to Him about life in the Spirit, in the Holy Spirit. “You must be born from above” and “so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The Easter Season is a great season to reflect on such a passage, especially in light of the readings we have heard in the last few days. When Jesus appears to the apostles, for instance, He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
By Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, He restores to mankind the life of the Holy Spirit in us. What He gives to the apostles, He gives to us. Jesus’ Resurrection to new life is not only His Resurrection from the dead; it is also our resurrection from the dead—from not having the Holy Spirit, to having the Holy Spirit. This is our great, lasting gift: the Holy Spirit, who is given to us at Baptism. The Sacraments are the keys to obtaining God’s Divine Life, His New Life, His Holy Spirit.
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)
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Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3: 1-8 - There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Church presents to us this Gospel passage about Jesus and Nicodemus more than once during the year. As we read it this time, during Easter, consider why it is that it belongs here in this season. This Gospel event actually happens near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry on earth, while the Resurrection happens at the very end of it. But it is at the end of Jesus’ ministry that we better understand what He was saying here, earlier, about the Spirit. And that is how it often works with the teachings of Christ. Christ teaches us in many ways: through Scriptures, Church teachings, the wisdom of others, and through life experiences. But often what He’s teaching us doesn’t make sense until later, when His plan unfolds.
God knows what He is doing. We don’t. Like Nicodemus, we have to trust and, sometimes, we have to wait. It is essential, when we don’t understand God’s plan, that we pray. We must pray about our lives particularly in light of the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Nothing will make total sense to us apart from these mysteries. But with them, everything will make sense. Christ is always at the center of every situation. We must remind ourselves of this constantly. In prayer, let’s all consider our biggest current life events—whether they are blessings or difficulties; then let’s consider how they might relate to the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally let’s all tell ourselves very slowly and carefully, “The point of this situation I am going through now, is that through it I can be with Christ.”
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)
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Second Sunday of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 20: 19-31 - On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Unless I see the nailmarks in His hands…I will not believe.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Thomas is a wonderful representation of the modern “educated” man. He must see and touch, have proof through his senses, before he believes. This is how we have been falsely taught to think today. We have been taught that we must prove everything through the scientific method, and that if we can’t prove something by testing it, then it cannot be real, or knowable, or reliable. This lie is harmful to education. And worse, it is harmful to souls. Often, the most important things cannot be tested. But they are, indeed, very real.
Jesus is very gentle with Thomas. He lets Thomas put his hands in His wounds. So Thomas believes. Jesus is also very gentle with us. He lets us touch Him in the Eucharist. All the Sacraments have a physical component, as well as a spiritual one. Through them, we experience Christ with our senses. The Resurrection, also, is not just a spiritual event. It is both a physical and a spiritual event. God isn’t just saving our souls, but also our bodies. Nevertheless, we need to grow as comfortable in the spiritual realm (the realm of things not seen) as we are in the physical realm (where we can see, taste, and touch). For Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” In prayer, beg God to improve the vision of our spiritual eyes, so we will be blessed.
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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Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16:9-15- When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
St. Mark gives a brief and straightforward overview of the major events that happened after the Resurrection. And this account is very useful. He sums up many events which took place over an extended period of forty days. His account here ends with Jesus instructing the apostles to go “proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Are we following this instruction of Christ? Are we sharing the Good News of the Faith with others, many others? Do we share the Gospel with all whom we can—with those whom we know well, and with strangers? People are empty, lost, dissatisfied, and deeply lonely. We cannot keep this Good News to ourselves because we fear embarrassment or awkwardness in sharing it. The Lord thirsts for souls. Souls, though many don’t know it, thirst for the Lord. The Lord has asked us to play some part in this mission. One very helpful way to share the faith is to learn (and even practice!) a concise explanation of the Faith (or of our own faith story) to share with others. St. Mark and St. Peter did this in their Gospel. In prayer, consider what things we might say to share our Faith, and make a list of those with whom we might share it. Consider practicing this explanation with our family.
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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Friday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 21: 1-14 – Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis must have been an especially wonderful experience for Jesus’ disciples, especially St. Peter. St. John remembers it with joy and is inspired to write about it. They are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberius) after an unproductive night of fishing. Then Jesus comes to shore and tells them to try again…which certainly must have sounded somewhat ridiculous to them. However, they obey, and they catch a huge number of fish.
If we are attentive, we’ll remember that this isn’t the first time this has happened to Peter (or Andrew, James, and John). Three years earlier, when these four were fishermen barely knew Jesus, a similar miracle occurred and it lead them to believe. Now, here, after the Resurrection, Jesus comes to call them again. Their life with Him is not over, and neither is their call. In a sense, it is only just beginning. They are to carry the Good News of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection to the ends of the earth, to the end of time.
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)
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Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:35-48 - The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It should be a real comfort to us that the first thing that Jesus says to many of those to whom He appears after His Resurrection, is “Peace.” He doesn’t directly mention love, or life, or victory…but peace. Certainly, by saying this Jesus wants to calm the natural fears of those who are “startled and terrified” at seeing Him raised from the dead. But there is also a deeper meaning in His greeting.
Jesus is proclaiming a new reality for those who believe in Him. They are, for the first time, at peace with God. The separation, curse, and opposition that mankind’s sin had caused between us and God has been overcome. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, there is a new, profound peace: a peace between God and man. In the life of grace given to us through the Church, especially through the Sacraments, we are brought into this peace. Accept the peace offered to you by Jesus. He means it when He says, “Peace be with you”…with you! In prayer, let’s ask the Lord for the grace to receive His gift of peace.
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)
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Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 24: 13-35- That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Were not our hearts burning within us…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What we see in the encounter of the travelers with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is something very familiar. We have heard some of the phrases used in this story before, such as, “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” Indeed, the whole structure of the story is very familiar. It actually parallels the structure of the Mass: first there is the proclamation of the Scriptures, and then there is the breaking of the Bread. These two parts of the Mass are called the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
It is very important to notice that after His Resurrection, Jesus doesn’t choose to show himself to massive crowds or to appear at the center of the Temple. Instead, even while still bodily present on earth, even before His Ascension into heaven, Jesus chooses to make Himself known in the Mass. And this is still where we can find Him today. If we want to meet the Risen Christ, who can set our hearts on fire like he did for those travelers long ago, then we need to be at Mass. Consider in prayer: How often do we go to Mass? How attentive are we to the readings? How respectful are we in our actions? How much do we long to see Christ?
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)
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Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20: 11-18 - Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…she turned…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene is one of the most fascinating and beautiful figures in all of the Scriptures. She had been lost deeply in sin, had lived a disgraceful life, and was possessed by seven demons (St. Mark tells us so). This is where the Lord found her, and He healed her. And because of this, she loved Him greatly. It is not a coincidence that of all the people to whom Jesus could have come to reveal the new life of the Resurrection, He comes first to her. By choosing Mary, he shows that he wants to introduce sinners to a completely new life of grace.
Mary assumes that Jesus is the gardener at the beginning of this Gospel story. St. John mentions this misunderstanding because it is significant to the full meaning of the Gospel. Here, Jesus is meant to remind us of Adam, the first man, a gardener, whom God placed in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, Adam had communion with God until he sinned. Now, once again in a garden, God has restored man to communion with Him through the “New Adam,” Jesus. Mary doesn’t recognize this at first. Notice that in the Gospel she turns twice. She is already facing Jesus, unrecognized, it seems, when St. John says again, “she turned.” This time her heart also turns. Now she sees truly that goodness is stronger than sin, that life is stronger than death, that Jesus is victorious, and that we who are disgraceful sinners have victory with Him. In prayer, turn and look at the Risen Jesus!
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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Monday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28:8-15- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas are “fearful yet overjoyed.” They have just seen an angel of the Lord who showed them Jesus’ empty tomb and told them, “He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said.” They are “fearful yet overjoyed” because something totally new is beginning for them. They don’t know exactly how, at this point, but they sense their lives are changing. Their lives are not simply changing in the sense that something around them is now different, but their lives are changinginto completely new lives. They are beginning to experience the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Resurrection changes everything. Regardless of whether the rest of the world understands or pays attention to what is happening (certainly they will in the end), those who love Christ and believe in Him do change. He lived our death in union with us. We live His Resurrection in union with Him. His Resurrection is our Resurrection. Christ is victorious. With Him we are victorious. How will we celebrate this victory in prayer, in our hearts, in our home, and in our family? What are we doing to celebrate our victory? We cannot celebrate enough!
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)
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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:1-9 - On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…he had to rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“Ancient Easter Homily”— by Bishop Melito of Sardis—From the Liturgy of the Hours)
“The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud:
Who will contend with me? Let him confront me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.
Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.”
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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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord –
At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 28:1-10 - After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud“Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“The Paschal Homily” – by St. John Chrysostom – 407 AD)If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let them enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. / If anyone is a grateful servant, let them, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord. / If anyone has wearied themselves in fasting, let them now receive recompense…
He that was taken by death has annihilated it! / He descended into Hades and took Hades captive! / He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: "Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower region”…O death, where is thy sting? / O Hades, where is thy victory? / Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! / Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! / Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! / Christ is risen, and life reigns! / Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! / For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept. / To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages. / Amen. *(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_Homily)
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture above. (Optional – allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer)*
(Consider saying special prayers around the Easter Vigil.)
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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Holy Saturday
Office Reading – Extra Reading
There is no Mass on Holy Saturday Mass. Instead of the daily Mass Gospel, therefore, we are including a reading from the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Awake, O sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
(“An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday” —the Lord descends into hell)
“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.
The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: 'My Lord be with you all.' And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
"The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”
(http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html)
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Saturday.)
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)
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Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (A, B, C)
Today’s Gospel reading at the Mass is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from John 18:1-19:42.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings. Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ is the single most staggering event to ever have been witnessed in all of history. It is, somehow, at once, utterly horrible and utterly blessed.
The horror of Jesus’ Passion and Death is not only that Jesus was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed. It is that he was hideously tortured, repulsively insulted, and excruciatingly killed by us. The events of that particular day, Good Friday, were not the cause of Jesus’ suffering and Death, but only the occasion of His Death. Our sin is the cause of His suffering and Death. The physical horrors we see at Jesus’ execution are only the visible portion of what He endures. In His soul He faces the drastic state of mankind’s situation in sin, and suffers the full burden of each and every individual sin that each of us and every man and woman has ever, or ever will, commit—from the beginning of time to its end. His pain is literally unfathomable.
And yet, astonishingly, it is here, exactly here at the Cross, at the lowest point of our decisive misery, that Jesus Christ saves us. Jesus Christ does not save us at our heights—He saves us at our depths. We were stuck in sin, apart from God, and powerless to change our situation. But, out of infinite love, Christ changes it for us. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our misery so that we can unite with Him in His glory. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our suffering so that we can unite with Him in His healing. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our death so that we can unite with Him in His Life. At the Cross, Jesus unites with us in our sin so that we can unite with Him in this victory over sin. At the Cross, Jesus unites Himself with us who are in separation from God so that we can unite with Him in His union with God.
It is impossible for us to speak worthily enough about the infinite love of God that He pours out to us—sinners—on the Cross. At the Cross everything is for us. For at the Cross is Christ.
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Good Friday.)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (A, B, C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 13:1-15 - Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
No matter how beautiful and important Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper is, it seems a bit strange to us Catholics who are so focused on the Eucharist that we wouldn’t read instead about Jesus instituting the Eucharist. There are probably a number of reasons for this, for instance we actually do cover Jesus institution of the Eucharist every Mass already during the Consecration. But there is another reason that we will focus on here. What we are doing at Mass when we read these events, is not simply remembering that Christ doing these Events, we are actually participating in these Events themselves.
When we come to Mass, or do anything Liturgical, we are mystically (spiritually) taking part in the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. In the Mass, we first encounter Christ in the reading of the Word, then we encounter Him in the Eucharist. So, reading this Gospel from the Last Supper and then receiving Christ in the Eucharist (which He institutes at the same Last Supper) is a perfect progression. We, like the disciples (actually with the disciples), take part in one part of the Last Supper, and then take part in another part of the Last Supper. It helps us understand that we are really there participating in the Life of Christ. That’s actually what we do every Mass, and we should especially pay close attention to it in these days. We are participating in Christ’s Last Supper and Agony tonight, His Passion and Death tomorrow, His Time in the Tomb Saturday, and His Resurrection on Sunday… and forever!
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.)
(Consider saying special prayers on Holy Thursday.)
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)
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Wednesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 26:14-25 - One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is dumbfounding to consider the power of Jesus. For instance, the Gospel shows that Jesus knew He would be betrayed. He knew who would do it. He knew that He would be crucified. He knew all of it…all along…always. Jesus has a divine, infinite intellect, meaning that He knows everything. Yet He never changed His course. He went willingly to Jerusalem. He didn’t expel Judas on the way. He never treated Him with any contempt, only love.
It is important to know that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him. Jesus lays it down Himself. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again” (John 10:18). Jesus has all the power. He is utterly, completely in control of the situation when He goes through with His Crucifixion and Death. He chooses it. He chooses it for our sake, not with any contempt, only love.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 13:21-33,36-38- Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When does Jesus say, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him”? He says it at the beginning of His Passion, when He is betrayed. Jesus is glorified, and God in Him, in His suffering, His weakness, and His Death. Here we expect only to see misery, never glory. How could Jesus show His infinite glory here? Yet moment by moment, situation by situation, exactly amidst these things, Christ’s victory, His power, His abounding Life begin to be revealed. He willingly accepts His betrayal; He accepts His arrest; He accepts His denial; He accepts His beatings; He accepts His crowning with thorns; He accepts His sentence; He accepts His Cross; He accepts His falls; He accepts His nails; He accepts His insults; He accepts His Death. And thus begins His glory. “And when the Centurion…saw that He thus breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly, this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of Holy Week
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 12:1-11 - Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Mary of Bethany can teach us much about what it is to genuinely love Jesus. This is not the first time we have seen her in the Gospels. She is the one who sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him while her sister Martha is busy serving. There, Mary shows us true prayer. And Jesus defends her decision to be there, silent, at His feet. In this Gospel passage, Mary shows us true worship. And Jesus defends her from those who disapprove of this eccentricity. Mary and Jesus reveal a very important lesson to Christians about the extravagance of worship.
Loving worship is the most fitting offering we can make to God. We are limited creatures, He is our infinite Creator. We owe Him worship. And no matter how great our worship may be, it is utterly nothing compared to what He deserves. God prescribes extravagant worship to the Israelites. Jesus defends the extravagant worship of Mary. Therefore, we understand that the Liturgy shouldn’t be cheaply done: music and art should be sacred, not chintzy; people should dress well, not casually; priests should present the Gospel’s good news, not present messages that feel good; the length of the Liturgy should be appropriate, not short; And we need to spend time and money on the Liturgy…sometimes even a disproportionate amount of time and money. We need to realize that worship is about giving God glory first, not giving us pleasure first. How can we worship differently, and better this Sunday?
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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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (A)
Today there are two Gospel readings at the Mass. The first is from the Procession of Palms, and is from Matthew 21:1-11. The next is a reading of the Lord’s Passion, and is from Matthew 26:14-27:66.
For today’s Gospel readings, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
SEE ABOVE
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is Palm Sunday, and it marks the beginning of a particularly important time. There are two Gospel readings on this day: one is about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the other is about Jesus’ Last Supper, Agony in the Garden, Passion, and Death. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Jesus’ last week before His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Jesus’ hour is at hand. The Gospel begins here. Notice what the Gospel says Jesus does when His Hour comes—He gathers with the apostles. “When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.” This is key for us.
As Catholics we talk about Liturgy. The word “liturgy” comes from the idea of a “public work”—not so much meaning an activity that many people are involved in, but instead a work that is done on behalf of many people, to benefit them. Jesus’ Passion and Death are works done on behalf of us, the public, that give us infinite benefit. So in the liturgy we aren’t simply remembering these events from the life of Jesus, we are actually participating in them! Through the liturgy we take part in His life, suffering, Death, and His Resurrection. When His Hour comes, Jesus joins with the apostles. As Jesus’ modern day followers, we also must be with Him. How else can we experience His Cross, Death, and Resurrection, and all their benefits? This week should look very, very, very different than any other week of the year. What are we doing this week to join with Jesus in His Hour?
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)
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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 11:45-57 - Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.
So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So from that day on they planned to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Evil is hard at work. And we are making a very dangerous mistake if we do not heed this fact, because evil can cause great destruction. But there is something even more important to consider: God can take anything and use it for the cause of good. In this Gospel, the Sanhedrin is plotting to kill Jesus. Soon, they will be in league with the Romans in this plot. What neither of them know is that Satan is in on this plot with them as well. Yet, what they all least suspect is that in some mysterious way God is in on this plot too. And He will have the last laugh.
The killing of Jesus on the Cross is the greatest evil in the world. What its planners do not know, however, is that God will use exactly this to be the salvation of the world. He utterly stifles evil by making the Death of Christ the showcase of His glory—by rising from the dead and saving the world along with it. God can turn all things to good: yes, even our past mistakes, even our weakness, even our sins. This is the mystery of the Cross. In prayer, consider that God wants to take our greatest failings and make them into our greatest strengths.
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)
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Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 10:31-42- The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Yesterday we touched briefly on the inner life of the Blessed Trinity. In today’s Gospel there is even more we can learn about the life of the Trinity. Jesus says, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” A great mystery concerning the Trinity is how Three Persons can be One God. Much light is shed on this by a theological phrase about the Blessed Trinity, that the Three Persons are “distinct, but not separate.” That means that God the Father is not God the Son, who is not God the Spirit. They are distinct. However, they are not separate; they are one.
How can distinct things not be separate? Jesus says “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” God the Father pours His life and His love into God the Son. God the Son offers His whole life and being to God the Father. They make gifts of themselves to the other out of love. This is their bond. In his letters to his churches, St. John also writes another famous phrase, “God is love.” Well, here on earth, married couples especially are called to be an image of God, because they also are distinct persons who are not separate but who are united in love. In marriage, two distinct people, husband and wife, give themselves to the other out of love. About this union the Scriptures say, “they are no longer two, but one…” (Matthew 19:6). Let’s now pray for all marriages.
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)
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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:51-59- Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of the times in Jesus’ ministry when He clearly declares that He is God. Jesus is God. We are very familiar with what Jesus does while on earth, but perhaps we are a little less familiar with who He is. Each week at Mass we say the Nicene Creed—the summary of beliefs of the Catholic Faith. We should understand it well. God is Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Second Person, God the Son, takes on flesh and becomes man—Jesus.
Let’s look deeper into the Creed at the section beginning with “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ…” How is Jesus the “Son” of God the Father? The Son of God is not a son in the human sense. It is not true that at one point He didn’t exist, and then at another point He came into being. He is always proceeding from the Father, eternally. The Father is always “begetting” Him, eternally. The Son is always coming forth from the Father. He is not “made” or created by Him. The Father and the Son are of the same substance—consubstantial. The Son is as limitlessly and perfectly infinite as His Father. Like His Father, the Son is fully and infinitely God. He is God from God.
It is He whom we receive each week at Mass—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. So pay attention to the Creed, and to the Eucharist.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:31-42 - Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Everyone today, whether holy or sinful, wants freedom. But many misunderstand freedom. Many think that freedom is the ability to do whatever you want: have impure relationships, do whatever feels good, drink too much, marry and divorce, ignore the faith, ignore morality. But when the moment comes that they want to stop these things, they often find that they are unable to stop. (This is the case with an addict, for instance.) All along, they thought they were free to do whatever felt good, when they were actually enslaved by their own sin. It is hard to get free.
Sin makes us slaves. When we do bad things we don’t just carry these actions around with us as a history of what we’ve done. What we do actually forms our soul. We carry these things in our soul. When we sin on one occasion, our soul is twisted. On the following occasions we will find it easier to sin, and harder to do the right thing. Sin enslaves us. Even the littlest sins aren’t to be toyed with—they will move us toward big sins. Christ alone has the power to free us from the cruel slavery of sin. To be truly free we need Him. In prayer, consider what sins are present in our lives. Then ask Christ to help us to become truly free.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 8:21-30 - Jesus said to the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’? ”He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.” They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When is the Son of Man “lifted up” by the people? It’s on the Cross. Jesus tells these people that it is on the Cross that they will realize that “I AM.” (Remember that “I AM” is what God says His Name is to Moses.) So Jesus tells these people that it is on the Cross that they will realize that He is God. If we wish to understand who God really is, we must understand the Cross. The Cross gives us the clearest picture of who God truly is. On the Cross Jesus gives Himself totally to God the Father for the salvation of the world. But Jesus, the Son, always gives Himself to the Father, eternally. And the Father gives Himself eternally to the Son. Their Life is a life of perfect unity. “I do nothing on my own…the one who sent me is with me,” says Jesus.
Perhaps during prayer we can look at the Cross. And when we do, perhaps we can see it not only as a symbol of sacrifice for our salvation, but also as the greatest expression of how the Son gives Himself to the Father always. (It should be said that the Son’s eternal gift of Himself to the Father isn’t a painful one, like His gift on the Cross, but it is a total one, in which He holds nothing back.) Do you want to see what God is like? Then watch Him empty His life out in total love.
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)
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Fifth Sunday of Lent (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 11:1-45 - Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” He said this, and then told them, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.” So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.”
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”
So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”
Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, he responds immediately…by not going to help him. What an odd line we hear in this Gospel! “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he [Lazarus] was ill, he [Jesus] remained for two days in the place where he was.” Jesus loved them, and that is why He didn’t go immediately to save Lazarus from death. He tells his disciples why: so that they might believe. If they believe, they will see the glory of God.
Jesus doesn’t always help us in the way we want or at the time we want. Often he lets us suffer. He allowed Lazarus to suffer death. But we have to realize this spiritual truth—if God allows us to suffer, it is because He has something greater in store for us. It is better, then, that we suffer at times, because God can bring an even greater good out of those situations than if we had never suffered at all. Certainly, we should avoid unnecessary suffering, but when God gives us sufferings we can’t change, we should accept them as great and maybe even miraculous blessings in disguise.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:26-38 – In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is crucial that we note that Mary’s glory isn’t because she has total power in herself. Instead, the glory of Mary is that God’s glory lives in her. Mary so completely opened herself to God, that God not only came to her, but God lived (and lives) in her. This perfect union of people with God (us with God!) is the goal of the Christian life.
If we sense that we are too weak to unite ourselves to God, we are actually quite right. But we are only part of the equation… and the little part at that. The other part of the equation is God. God provides for our limitations with His own power. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” The Most High can overshadow us, our limitations, our weakness, our sin with His infinite power. And then He will make us good. This is our faith. And it is certainly not impossible for God. In prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to change us and to open us up more to God. God’s work in Mary shows us that the wonders He is willing to do in us humans are, quite literally, infinite.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 7:1-2,10,25-30- Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Jews were trying to kill Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Sometimes we don’t pay close attention to what the Gospels say because we have heard them so many times. But sometimes what they say can be truly shocking. Think about this: people were actually trying to kill Jesus during His public ministry. That’s a lot of pressure that He had to endure. And though He might have changed some travel plans (as we see in the Gospel), He doesn’t change His message. We should follow His example.
We might not have people trying to kill us for being Catholic, but we really do face some challenging situations in being Catholic. Our government, our media, and our largest entertainment outlets are trying to falsely redefine marriage and family, advance contraception, and promote abortion. And we cannot be silent. If we are good Christians we have to be ready to take a stand—in society, at work, at school, with co-workers, with friends, with family. If we suffer some opposition or insults—Christ says we are blessed. Why does this make us blessed? Because Christ is allowing us to share in what He went through, in His life. Are we willing to stand up for the truth? Ask for the grace and strength to stand up for the truth in prayer.
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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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:31-47 Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But you do not want to come to me to have life.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus accuses the Jews here of not wanting to come to Him to have life. Life is what Jesus is offering them—abundant, eternal life. Certainly Jesus’ listeners want to access this kind of life, but they don’t want to access it through Jesus. They want the goal—abundant, eternal life—without taking the way to the goal —Jesus. So many people are like this today. They want a deep, rich, fulfilling life, but they don’t want to accept the true path to get there.
This is what Jesus means when He says later in John, “I am the way…and the life” (John 14:6). Just as we won’t likely end up in Hawaii if we buy a ticket to Cleveland, so we will not find abundant life if we don’t seek it in Jesus. We have to stop fiddling around and wasting our time with awards, popularity, success, money, winning…these things are nice, but never life-giving. There is only one way to be fulfilled. Jesus is the way. Are we deeply fulfilled?
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)
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:17-30- Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.
Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…for what he [the Father] does, the Son will do also.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God is pure spirit and therefore has no body. Mankind cannot smell, taste, touch, hear, or see Him. But one of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity became man as well. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (called the Son or the Word) took on flesh. This is Jesus. In Jesus, mankind has smelled, tasted, touched, heard, and seen God. In Jesus we see how loving, gentle, serious, intentional, patient, slow-to-anger, and self-giving God is. We see what he does and doesn’t do. We see how He acts and reacts. We see what He likes and dislikes.
Jesus is the face of God. He reveals the Father perfectly. If we want to understand God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to know God, we can—in Jesus. If we want to receive God, we can—in Jesus. We need to become very familiar with the Person of Jesus, as well as with His life and His actions. Spiritual reading (especially reading Scripture and the Catechism or other solid Catholic literature) can help us become more familiar with Jesus. Are we seeking out any of these aids?
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)
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 5:1-16 - There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do you want to be well?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Does Jesus’ question to the crippled man seem silly?—“Do you want to be well?” It shouldn’t. This Gospel brings up something very important about the Christian life—that it requires our effort and work. Jesus offers healing to everyone without exception. Everyone wants to be healed, of course. But some don’t want it enough. They don’t want to do what it takes to receive His healing or to do what is demanded afterwards. Many people would rather miss out on healing than lose some money, pleasure, success, or popularity. We all make these mistakes. This is why we’re not yet saints.
When Jesus heals the man, He orders him to begin a new activity: “pick up your mat.” Even after healing—even after living the Christian life well, we must continue to fight against our sickness. What are these sicknesses? Lust, anger, irritability, negativity, vanity, over-eating, drinking, dishonesty, laziness, excessive desire for popularity, money-love, comfort-love—these are all symptoms of spiritual sickness. In prayer, try to identify two things: 1) what sicknesses have plagued us, and 2) what might we still do to combat these faults?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 4:43-54 - At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The man who comes to Jesus (actually he travels to see Jesus) has a plan. He wants Jesus to help him, so he goes directly to Jesus to ask Him “to come down and heal his son.” But Jesus doesn’t follow this man’s plans. Jesus doesn’t go anywhere. He never sees the boy, touches him, or prays over him— none of that. He just says, “You may go; your son will live.” That was not the man’s plan! He could have left full of doubt, thinking that since Jesus didn’t come with him, his son would now surely die.
But the Gospel says that “the man believed what Jesus said to him and left.” And, of course, it happened just as Jesus said. Jesus healed the son more quickly and easily than the man ever imagined in his plan. Jesus doesn’t ask for our help or ideas when answering our prayers. He just wants our faith. We must learn to do what God is asking, even if we don’t understand. His plans are always better than ours. Ask God in prayer to help us to be less concerned with our plans and desires, and instead to hope in His plan. Who knows, His plan might lead to a miracle.
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)
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Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readingsRead this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 9:1-41 - As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Many Jews traditionally thought that God’s blessings and God’s punishments on people would show up visibly in their lives—that the blessed would be rich and have good health, and the wicked would be punished with poverty, blindness, or illness. This is what the disciples mean when they ask Jesus whose fault it is that this man is blind. Jesus replies that the man’s blindness is not a curse, but an opportunity for God to show His power.
Our weaknesses aren’t punishments from God or obstacles to Him (no matter how much we might think they are). Jesus, God Himself, says instead that they are opportunities to encounter Him. The blind man might never have encountered Jesus, God made flesh, if he had not had the terrible suffering of being blind. The man’s blindness was the reason that Christ stopped to address him. The blind man’s encounter with Christ changed his life—and perhaps his eternal life. Let us never forget—never forget!—that the weak are precious to God. Let us remember this especially if we are suffering weakness ourselves.
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)
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Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 18:9-14 - Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This awesome Gospel passage shows us a very important lesson—one that might confuse us a bit at first. The man who proudly performs all the “righteous” acts of the law is not the one who pleases God. Instead, the man who hasn’t kept the law, but humbly begs God for mercy, pleases God in his prayer. Humility is a main ingredient for pleasing God and obtaining union with Him here and in heaven. Why is humility so important? It is impossible for us creatures who are little, weak, dark, selfish, sinful, dying…to impress a God who is infinitely great, strong, light, self-giving, perfect, living. God doesn’t owe us because of our greatness. No, God helps us in our littleness.
If we are justified before God, it is due to His mercy, not to our merits. When we beg God for mercy we not only admit our littleness, but we declare His infinite greatness. The saints—such as Térèse of Lisieux or Mother Teresa—understood this, but many people do not. Faith tells us that it is up to God to save us. And it is up to us to accept His help. We can do this only in humility. Never forget that we are beggars. Beg God for humility in prayer…it is the only way to receive God!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12:28-34- One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In another Gospel Jesus follows this line with the statement: “On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Everything depends on love. Someone may ask, “If the secret to living well is simply to love—then why do we bother with the Ten Commandments, different rules about fasting and abstaining, rules about when to take Communion and when not to, and the one million other rules that Catholics keep? The answer is this: we need rules because we don’t love enough. If we loved God and others perfectly, then we wouldn’t need rules.
Love gets easier with practice. Many things are like this—all habits, whether good and bad, become easier the more we practice them. For instance, prayer seems easier when we do it often; watching our temper gets easier after we control them a few times, “getting the last word” seems less important after we make an effort not to. Rules, whether from the Church, our parents, or ourselves, are helpful in training our spiritual muscles until they are fit—fit to love. Prayer, watching our temper, remaining silent—and loving—will all be easier for us if we put in the effort to establish these good habits in our lives. Then we won’t need rules; we’ll be beautiful people who live by one rule: love. Practice love!
(Note: to love is explained by St. Thomas Aquinas as ‘to will the benefit/good of another.’)
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:14-23 - Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are many ways not to be with Jesus: someone could flat-out reject Him; someone could accept Him as a teacher or leader but not as God; someone could believe He is God but choose not to follow Him. As Catholics, we are probably most likely in danger of the last option—we may believe He is God, but we may often fail to allow that belief to affect our lives.
There is only one way to be with Jesus. That is, to both believe in Him and to choose to follow Him and to live with Him. Jesus doesn’t say, “Whoever is not with me is just fine.” He does say, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” If we want to be with Jesus, and not against Him, we must be where He is. We will be where Jesus is if we are doing three major things: receiving the Sacraments, praying daily, and living moral lives. Do we attend Mass each Sunday and go to Confession when needed? Do we pray each day? Do we avoid mortal sin and try to build virtue? Of these three areas (Sacraments, prayer, and the virtuous life) where are each of us weakest? How can our union with Jesus become stronger in these areas?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The theme from yesterday’s Gospel reading about forgiveness is also found in today’s Gospel reading about the fulfillment of the law. The Law and the prophets that Jesus is speaking of were foundational to the Jews. They believed, rightly, that God gave these to them as a special blessing to them. But they had not lived up to the Law, and according to the Law, that was not acceptable. If today God still expects His people to live worthy lives—to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), then how are we to accomplish that?
We have to get past the misunderstood notion that we fulfill the Law by never sinning. It’s too late for that—we’re sinners. There is another way, however, and this is the way God intends. Jesus Christ fulfills the Law perfectly. He is “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). If we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, as our Catholic Faith offers us so many opportunities to do, then we fulfill the Law in Him (and He in us). If we set our hope for pleasing God in never sinning, we are wasting our time. If we set our hope in uniting ourselves to Christ who is perfect, we will obtain the blessedness that is rightfully His. Consider in prayer how we can grow in union with Christ.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 18:21-35- Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Most of us have heard the old saying, “forgiveness is divine.” There is a lot to that saying, but one important truth that it brings to mind is that sometimes forgiveness is simply too big for us. Have any of us ever felt that we didn’t want to forgive someone, or even that we simply couldn’t forgive someone? This might sound strange, but we might actually be right. Maybe deep, complete forgiveness isn’t human—that is, with human power alone, it’s impossible. If some forgiveness isn’t humanly possible, then how could Christ demand it of us? How can He say that we need to forgive in order to be forgiven?
Whether we feel capable or not, Christ commands us to forgive. The secret to forgiveness, however, isn’t to muster up enough power or holiness or forgetfulness to finally pardon another person. The secret is to allow God to forgive another person in us. God has already forgiven them, in fact. We are the ones who need to accept this fact, and let it become as true inside us as it is in God’s eyes. Then we will know the truth, that “forgiveness is divine,” and we will have obtained blessings for two people: for the one we forgive, and for ourselves.
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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Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:24-30 - Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: ‘Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus has courage. He isn’t a loud-mouth. He isn’t a hot-head. He doesn’t need the last word. But he always says what needs to be said, even if it isn’t easy. Here, in the synagogue at Nazareth, He is speaking to people whom He knows well, many of whom He has known since His childhood. And He tells them something they do not want to hear. Though He speaks out of love, He also speaks plainly and clearly.
How often do we speak up when we should? It is not easy to tell co-workers that they should stop doing something immoral, or to tell friends that what they did was wrong, or to tell relatives that you are breaking a family holiday tradition for the sake of your faith. It is also difficult to tell a stranger that God loves them, or to tell the truth when it means you may suffer. Jesus suffered for speaking the truth. We shouldn’t expect anything different. We are asked to be witnesses to the truth. While this might not be an easy mission, it is a mission of love. Sometimes loving isn’t easy.
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)
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Third Sunday of Lent (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 4:5-42 - Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”
At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are two very thirsty people in the Gospel passage today…but their deepest thirst is not for water. One of these people is a Samaritan woman. The other is Christ. The Samaritan woman is not presented very positively in this story. Samaritans were half-Jews who had mixed with and married people from other nations. Because of this, the faith of Samaritans was considered to be weakened. This woman’s faith is, perhaps, especially weak: she is all alone, and she seems to have lived a questionable moral life with many different husbands and men.
When Jesus says “give me a drink,” He is really thirsting for this woman’s soul. His desire, his thirst, is to fill her deepest needs, to quench her thirst. Looking at her life, we can assume that she is desperately thirsty: she is a part of a strange religion, all alone, possibly repeating the same pathetic sins over and again, feeling all the while completely unsatisfied. She is just like so many people today. She is just like us. Are we unsatisfied because, like her, we fill our lives with distractions and earthly loves? We will never be satisfied with anything—anything—but God. When the woman says, “Sir, give me this water” (John 4:15), she is asking for what we all search for: true satisfaction. In prayer, consider the ever-fitting words of St. Augustine: “You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You” (Confessions 1.1.1). Are we thirsty for true satisfaction? Jesus tells us that He Himself will satisfy us.
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)
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Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 15:1-3,11-32 - Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The prodigal son, as he is called, returns to his father empty-handed and humiliated from his time of sin. He is correct to confess to his father: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” But his is father is less concerned with justice than he is with love. He is less concerned about dealing with his son’s actions and more concerned about dealing with his son.
When we have nothing else, we have God. Sin always leaves us empty and always leads us toward humiliation. And though God surely hates sin...He does not fear it. We see this quality of God clearly in Jesus Christ. Jesus does not shy away from sin. In the Gospel He eats with sinners, and enters their homes. Jesus enters into the depths of sin. Why does He go that far? Because it is there that sinners have been lost and are dying. He goes there to recover the lost sons of His Father. He goes there to recover us. God is less concerned about dealing with our actions and more concerned about dealing with us. During prayer, let’s look honestly at our sins and examine our consciences. But more importantly, let’s also look to our Father’s mercy, which is much greater than our sins.
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)
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Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 21:33-43,45-46 - Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Did you never read in the Scriptures…?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is set in Jerusalem, during the week before Jesus’ death. Here He is teaching the people using parables. This parable is about how the Jews have not been faithful to their God. Its setting makes it especially important. Jesus is telling the Jews that because of their unfaithfulness their blessings will be taken away and given to another people. The Gospel says that: “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that He was speaking about them.” So they want to arrest Him, and very soon they will.
Jesus says to His listeners, “Did you never read in the Scriptures…?” Are we familiar with the Scriptures? If we are very familiar with the Scriptures, then we will be able to understand what is happening around us and how we should respond. Jesus is saying that the Scriptures actually relate to our lives here and now, and that we should try to recognize this. Is there a time in our family life where Scripture seemed to give us guidance on how to live? Do we seek to be guided by the truths of the Gospel? How can we better listen to Scripture during times of prayer? There may be some very practical things we can do, such as changing how we sit, what we look at, etc….
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)
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Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 16:19-31 - Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that the rich man was a Jew. He calls Abraham his “father,” and Abraham tells him that his family has Moses and the prophets to listen to. But it isn’t simply enough to be part of the right religion. Many Catholics today have this problem. They are part of the true Church, but they don’t care to learn or to live out its moral teachings. They don’t realize that they have a greater responsibility than others to live to a high standard. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Luke 12:48).
We have to be very clear that our Catholic Faith isn’t worth much if it is just a badge we wear. It needs to penetrate deeply into our minds and our hearts. It needs to be present in our lives. Are we Sunday Catholics? Are we cafeteria Catholics? Or are we genuine Catholics? The real Christian life is a dynamic and beautiful one. God wants to be in you and have you in Him. In what practical ways are you opening yourself to God each day?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 20:17-28 - As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He rightly deserves all praise. Yet He comes to man instead “to serve and to give.” “To serve and to give” is a great maxim for marriage and family life. Marriage is a Sacrament of service that is “directed towards the salvation of others” particularly one’s spouse and children. The first of its vows states: “Do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself in marriage?” For each spouse, a wonderful result of marriage and family life is that he or she becomes happy. But that is the result only when our goal is to give ourselves away in order to make others happy.
In prayer, consider how the members of our family do a good job serving and giving. Consider also how you do a good job serving and giving. Finally, consider how you could do a better job serving and giving. (Be practical!) At the end of prayer, make a resolution to put this into practice.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Humility is something often misunderstood. Often humility is thought of as the refusal to accept compliments or to admit one’s strengths. But humility is actually an honest acceptance of your true self. And it is utterly necessary for living the Christian life. Some of the saints are particularly clear in speaking about humility. We need to realize that we are absolutely incapable of saving ourselves, of reaching God, or of pleasing God. We need to realize that we are little, filthy, weak, poor, dark, made-from-nothing, dying sinners.
This is the point: God descends to save us. Look at the manger and look at the Cross. He became little, filthy, weak, poor. He Who is everything becomes nothing. He Who is light enters our darkness. He takes on all sin. He dies. Why? Because that is where He needed to descend in order to reach us and to save us. No matter how high we ascend, we cannot deserve to meet God. We actually meet God down low—because He descends there to find us. That is why the humble possess God. They don’t rely on their futile efforts to reach God; they rely totally on His mercy.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 6:36-38 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is pretty self-explanatory. Let’s not try to read too much into it. The same point is repeated throughout: what you give, you’ll get back. The Gospels weren’t written to give puzzling lessons that we will only solve by being clever. We will probably be more holy people if our goal in reading the Gospel isn’t to have a fancy interpretation, but to try to take the Gospel at its word.
Here are the areas Jesus mentions specifically in this passage: mercy, judgment, forgiveness, generosity. With each of these, Jesus promises that the more generous we are in these areas, the more generously we will receive them in return. Let’s each pick one of these areas that we usually succeed in, and thank God for that. Let’s also each pick one of these areas that we struggle with, ask God to transform us, and try to pick one practical specific way we can practice improving on this struggle over the next twenty-four hours.
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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Second Sunday of Lent (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 17: 1-9 - Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is my Son; listen to Him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In the Gospel today we have a, if not the, mountaintop experience for the Apostles Peter, James, and John during Jesus’ ministry – the Transfiguration. And even though the event is about Jesus, it really seems to be given for these Apostles. Beyond having these three central Apostles present – Peter, James, and John – it also has three of the most central historical Jews present – Jesus, of course, Moses, and Elijah. Perhaps we would include Abraham and David in that group of historical Jewish giants, as well. But most likely we can assume that the reason that it is Moses and Elijah who appear and are speaking with Jesus at the Transfiguration is because they represent the whole teaching of the Jews, being summed up as the “law and the prophets”. God gave the Law to Moses. Elijah was the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. But they also represent for the Jews a certain looking ahead, a hope, a promise that in their lives and the generations to follow that was not yet fulfilled.
It is a wonderful to consider also that there are three other Persons present at the Transfiguration – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father speaks. The Son is Jesus. The Holy Spirit always present with the Father and the Son, but at times in Scripture is present overshadowing in a cloud. So here at the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, and Peter, James, and John finally see clearly the fulfillment of their hope, their promise, their people, their world, and their entire lives – Jesus, who is the beloved Son of God.
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)
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Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus said to his disciples: “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 and sisters 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
“…be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Okay, no problem! That’s easy! We’ll just go ahead and be absolutely perfect now! Of all the commands of Jesus, this one has a kind of comical ring to it at first, because it seems impossible that we could be perfect just like God the Father. And it is impossible to be perfect on our own. But we are not alone.
Through the Incarnation, life, suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, Jesus is with us, and we have the opportunity to be one with Him. He became like us, so we could be like Him. He became man, so we could become like God. We can live in Christ and Christ can live in us. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4), He says. If we are one with Christ, part of His Body, in Him we are “perfect, just as the heavenly Father is perfect.” Only Christ is perfect and lives perfectly. If we are in Him and He is in us, we share in His perfection. Praised be Jesus Christ!
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)
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Friday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:20-26- Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors…But I say to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Here Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount. It is helpful to know that He just finished telling the crowd that He has “not come to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfill them.” Jesus is not disregarding the teaching of the Old Testament—He is completing it. How did Jesus complete the law and the prophets? As God, Jesus completed them in Himself. Jesus lived the law perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the promises made to the prophets. God is the fulfillment of all that people strived for. God is the fulfillment of all that people looked forward to.
That is why, even as important as Jesus’ moral teachings are, Jesus’ message is first about Himself. “But I tell you…” He is what matters—more than the law, or the prophets, or anything else. The Faith is more than an intellectual pursuit. To live it fully we must come to know and love a Person, the God-man Jesus Christ. In prayer, consider: What are we doing to know God more? What are we doing to love God more? Are we asking Him to increase our knowledge and love of 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)
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Thursday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 7:7-12- Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a hard Gospel. So many people have had the experience of asking God for something, only to receive what seems to be silence in return. There are many things that should be said about this experience. The first thing to note is that God wants to give us Himself. This is His primary gift to us. This is why He gives Christ to humanity and why He gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask. Second, God wants to give us what will bring us to Himself. God is willing to give us things that will bring us to Him. We might ask for these, and we might not ask for these. Sometimes these things are good (like a new job); sometimes they are difficult (like an illness).
Third, God isn’t interested in giving us what isn’t good for us—what won’t bring us to Him. The Gospel says that the heavenly Father gives “good things” to us. Fourth, there are times when He refuses to give even a good gift (like more income) if it might draw us away from Him. Fifth, God might not be saying “no” to our request; He might be saying “not now.” In these times, He is asking us to persevere in prayer. Certainly, God is a mystery to us. But we must always trust that God knows everything, He always does what is best for us, and He wants our true happiness even more than we do. We can always be certain that whatever God is giving us or is not giving us, it is the best thing for us.
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)
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Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 11:29-32 - While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“...there is something greater than Solomon here…there is something greater than Jonah here.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is speaking to His generation of Jews. He provides two examples from Jewish history where Gentile pagans turned and listened to God. One of these examples is the men of Nineveh who repented when the prophet Jonah preached to them. The other is the queen of Sheba who traveled from her kingdom to hear the wisdom of Solomon, King of Israel. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day refused to believe in Him because they wanted to see particular signs. Jesus challenges them by speaking of pagans who are closer to God due to their repentance and faith.
As Catholics, we are privileged more than any other people on earth because we have received the fullness of truth. We are also particularly responsible for the truth we have been given. Many Catholics squander their faith. They do not care for the teachings, the practices, or the worship of the Church. The Lord is speaking to them in the Gospel today. There are many other Catholics though, who treasure their faith. They truly believe that “something greater is here” than they could ever find anywhere else. We have been given the greatest gift on earth. Are we thankful? Are we repenting from sin? Do we believe Christ’s teachings?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:7-15 - Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is so much richness in the Lord’s Prayer (the “Our Father”). It is a prayer that comes straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. The necessary elements of all other prayers are contained in it. It addresses God as our Father. (Shouldn’t that change our approach to prayer!?) It shows that God plays an active role in our prayer and gives great attention to our lives. It should be reflected upon, phrase by phrase, and word by word, time and time again.
Instead of, or in addition to praying a part of the Rosary in prayer today, take some time now to say and slowly repeat the “Our Father” together a few times (five times, maybe). Think of the words and phrases, and what they mean. Enjoy your prayer. Consider yourself a child speaking to your loving, attentive Father in heaven…because this is what is really happening!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the First Week of Lent
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 25:31-46 - Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There are some Gospel passages that we have heard so many times that we don’t pay very close attention to them. The passage, “I was hungry and you gave me food…” is one of those passages. But we would do well to pay great attention to it, because Jesus is using it in the context of eternal judgment. We will be judged on our love and our acts of love. Take a moment to look at the things Jesus mentions, called the “corporal works of mercy” and see how well we do the following: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner.
We might not do all of these things directly, but we can do all of them in part. We can give food, clothes, or money to our shelters or parish drives. We can include the unpopular people in our activities at school or work. We can visit the hospital, the lonely neighbor, the nursing home or prison, or write an elderly family member more often. The love of charity is a lived-out love. It matters how we love. It matters to those who need to be loved. It matters to God. Ultimately, it matters to us. Which one of these works can I improvement upon? Is there a work of mercy that I can do today?
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)
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First Sunday of Lent (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 4: 1-11 - At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him, “Again it is written,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:
The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus…was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familySome things should be mentioned about temptation. First, we’ll talk about Jesus’ temptation. Second, we’ll talk about avoiding temptation. What does the Gospel mean by saying that Jesus is “tempted”? Jesus is not tempted in the sense that he really desires the devil’s offers, debates the decision back and forth, and finally chooses rightly. Certainly Jesus does see that the things offered to Him are good (bread, kingdoms, the ministry of angels), but that doesn’t mean that He is enticed to accept them from the devil or to go about obtaining these things in a way that isn’t good, or holy, or just. So the “temptation” of Jesus is not really about something happening in Him (an interior struggle of good versus evil), but something happening to Him (the devil is working to make Him fail).
We will have temptations until we die. They appeal to us because we are not divine and we are affected greatly by sin. Still, Jesus gives a great example of how to deal with them. First, Jesus deals with temptation quickly. It is much easier for us to resist a sin right at the beginning than it is after we have already entertained the thought of it or have started down its path. Second, Jesus knows the Scripture and the doctrines of the faith well enough to combat the tests and lies presented to Him. Immorality causes many sins, but so does ignorance. Third, Jesus knows that just because the things offered to Him are good, it doesn’t mean they are good for Him. We must understand that good things (money, power, pleasure, honor, etc.) in the wrong way, or wrong amount, or wrong time are very bad for us. In prayer, consider what frequently tempts us, and how we can conquer the temptations quickly.
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)
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Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 5:27-32 - Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus comes to call Matthew right in the midst of Matthew’s work. Matthew probably wouldn’t have chosen this as the opportune time for the Lord to show up and ask him to come along. Nevertheless, that is when Jesus comes to him, and Matthew has a choice to make. The Lord isn’t much concerned with waiting for what we feel is the perfect time: when we feel like when we have more time, when our finances are better set up, when school is out, when we’re less busy, when we’re not as tired. The Lord just shows up, and we, like Matthew, have to make a choice.
“Follow me.” That’s all Matthew gets. We shouldn’t expect much more. Jesus doesn’t say where He’ll lead us. He doesn’t say what we’ll need in the process. He doesn’t tell us what will happen along the way. He just says, “Follow me.” We know where the Christian journey ends—heaven! But Christ doesn’t assure us of anything along the way…that is, except Himself. Ask St. Matthew to intercede in bringing you the boldness—the love, to follow Christ. Beg the Lord: “Help me to love you more, and therefore to follow you!”
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Friday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9:14-15 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is bringing up a very important principle in a simple way—He is a masterful teacher! Jesus is saying that not all times demand the same thing. In the Christian life there isn’t just suffering all the time…but there isn’t just merriment all the time either. There isn’t just work all the time… but there isn’t just relaxation all the time. We don’t have a “health and wealth” Gospel, nor do we have a “sickness and poverty” Gospel. The Christian life is a full life that can’t be lived or understood by just one feeling or mood.
Our Christian life has all this complexity and richness because Christ’s life on earth was rich and full. The Christian life isn’t just about living like Christ. It’s about living in Christ and with Christ. We are meant to be one with Him—in His life, and He in ours. That is why we have “Liturgy” in the Church. By going to Mass, living the liturgical seasons, suffering in Lent, and rejoicing in Easter—we aren’t just remembering Jesus, we are living His very life with Him. We do all these things because we are the Body of Christ, connected to Him and His Life. That is the main reason why we sacrifice and fast in Lent, and then feast at Easter. In prayer, consider how this truth enriches your Lenten sacrifice and how it will enrich your Easter joy!
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)
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Thursday After Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 9:22-25 - Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Christian life is about following Christ. Christ gives us some things that are required for following Him in today’s Gospel. To follow Him, someone must “deny himself” and “take up his cross daily.” Lent is a wonderful time to get used to denying ourselves. If we can learn to deny ourselves some little things that we want (e.g., TV or candy), this can train our wills to make bigger, more important sacrifices in life, like denying ourselves sleep to help with a sick child, or denying our wants so we can help to make a family member happy.
Look, as well, at how often Jesus says we must take up our cross—daily. We do not pick certain times to follow Christ. We must do it every day: at school, at work, on weekends, with friends, with enemies. Is there a part of our Christian life in which we are inconsistent? Prayer, fasting, almsgiving? Are there sins we give in to? Impatience, laziness, lust, anger, demanding our own way, using others? During prayer, consider what little suffering has come our way today, and how we can accept it as part of our “daily cross” in following Christ.
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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Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18- Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When you give alms…When you pray…When you fast…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Lord says to his listeners, “When you give alms…pray…fast….” He says when we do these things, not if we do these things. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We all should be doing these things. These three activities help us to become less “attached” to things, even good things (like food or our material possessions) and more attentive to God. The goal is that we rid ourselves of unnecessary or harmful things and fill ourselves with what is necessary and good—with God.
When picking out a Lenten resolution, it is wise to choose one particularly suited to us individually. If there is a sin or attachment keeping us from God, we should spend Lent ridding our life of it. (If we watch TV too much but don’t struggle with eating too much candy, it won’t do much good to give up candy. Give up TV instead.) Think also in terms of doing something extra, for example: filling our TV time with prayer, spiritual reading, or a project of kindness. Lent isn’t just a time where we try to get better; Lent is actually a time where we try to be more united with Christ…in part by beginning to suffer a bit with Him so as to be more prepared to rise with Him at the Resurrection. What would best help us to do that? That should be our Lenten resolution.
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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Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:30-37Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Catholic Church is pro-life and pro-family because Jesus is pro-life and pro-family. The reason that we often return to this concept of the importance of life, marriage, and family in our prayer, is because these are some of the main cultural battles we are facing today. If we were in the midst of World War II, we might write about the evils of Nazism, but in today’s world, life, marriage, and family are under attack.
Couples and families have to have an attitude of openness and generosity toward having children. Historically, large families have always been seen as a blessing. Today, many in our society see it as a curse or a burden. Even among Catholics there are some who think that large families are irresponsible, old fashioned, or not worth all the work. The Church says differently. The third vow of marriage says differently. Jesus says differently. And any large family would say differently too. Reread Jesus’ words: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” If we are to live as reasonable humans (let alone Catholics) we need to let Jesus, not the world, form our concept of family.
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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Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 9:14-29 –As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The man from the Gospel who approaches Jesus is very needy and troubled, and why wouldn’t he be?! He says to Jesus, “…if you can do anything” …(basically)…please do! Jesus responds, it seems, almost with a challenge, repeating his words, “If you can…!” Jesus puts some of the responsibility back on the man: “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Jesus is always able to help us, heal us, work wonders for us. The problem is very often that we lack faith.
The boy’s father in the Gospel realizes that his faith is weak, and he prays a wonderful and humble prayer: “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Much more wonderful than that is the Lord’s response. He doesn’t wait until the man has perfect faith to heal the man’s son, but accepts the man’s humility, his desire for faith, and the tiny broken bit the man has. And Jesus heals the man’s son. Our faith is like this man’s. We should repeat this prayer often when we feel how weak our faith is. Pray this during prayer, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
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)
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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.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
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Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 9:2-13 - After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“There he was transfigured before them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This event is a hugely important one for many reasons. It is difficult (almost dangerous) to cover it so quickly. But like the three apostles, we will only take a portion of its awesomeness away at the present. Jesus is transfigured at the top of Mt. Tabor. Here, Peter, James, and John see Him in His glory. Though they clearly don’t understand much of what is happening at this point, the mere sight of Jesus in His glory is enough to strengthen their faith greatly. They will need this new strength, as very soon they will come down the mountain and see the same Jesus dying on the Cross.
God chooses to give us “Tabor moments” where He makes His Presence powerfully and beautifully clear. These are great gifts. When they happen, we need to soak them up. But when God asks us to move from these mountain-top experiences back into our homes, jobs, schools, even sufferings, we need to carry these experiences with us as a bolster to our faith. Then, when we’re in the midst of hard times or dry times spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, or at work, with friends, or with family…we must remember the beautiful clarity that God has given us and that, no doubt, He wants to give to us forever.
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)
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Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 34 – 9:1 Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus asks a reflective question in the Gospel, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world…?” Certainly gaining the whole world would be attractive – think about it. Consider: all the money, all the power, all the pleasure, all the fame, all the comfort. Really, it’s pretty awesome. Who wouldn’t want that? Who doesn’t want that? And are all these things evil? No. Essentially they are good, because God made them good. But they can’t be our goal. Why? Gaining the world and also gaining God doesn’t work naturally and it doesn’t work supernaturally.
Let’s look at these two reasons: 1) It doesn’t work naturally: The fact of the matter is that we will all die. And then all that we have gained on earth, whether nothing or the whole world, is lost to us – we take none of it. If our life was spent to gain things, then our death becomes our total failure. 2) It doesn’t work supernaturally: The fact of the matter is that love is a choice. There is something about the human heart that won’t let it be divided. Our hearts won’t love God enough if we love stuff too much. On the other hand, our heart won’t love stuff too much we love God enough. “No one can serve two masters”, Jesus says about loving God and money, “he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). What is crowding our hearts?
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 27 - 33 Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke[MD6] this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… the Son of Man must suffer greatly”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Peter misunderstood what many Christians still misunderstand: that God has the power to draw good out of suffering. Christians have called this the “scandal of the Cross”. The Cross of Christ looks like a complete and utter failure. God hangs dead. Yet (what we don’t find out until later in the story is that) this is the moment of victory. Christ enters sin, and suffering, and death to conquer sin, and suffering, and death. His Resurrection is supreme proof of this victory. But He wins it by His death.
Christ suffers, and so we must suffer. But as we suffer, we must understand like Him (even if no one else recognizes it) that though painful, suffering is not absolutely evil or absolutely bad. As St. Paul tells St. Timothy and us, “if we suffer with Him, we will also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Suffering can, and should, unite us to Christ. Let’s consider in prayer what situations we are suffering in that are out of our hands… Let us not waste these sufferings, they are some of the most important links we have to unite us to Christ, to benefit our souls, and to benefit the souls of others. Remember, “we will also reign”!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 22-26 - When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What is the meaning of Jesus’ putting His hands on the blind man’s eyes a second time? Did Jesus’ miracle not work? There are many great lessons here. Here is one: The blind man of Bethsaida shows us something of the Apostles. Peter was from Bethsaida (as was Andrew his brother and possibly other Apostles). Directly before this in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus has just reprimanded the Apostles in the Gospel for not understanding the meaning of what He is doing, saying “do you have eyes and not see”. Then, entering Peter’s hometown, Jesus takes a blind man out of town to heal Him… and the man isn’t totally healed at once, but after a second touch from the Lord. Well, directly following this event in the Gospel of Mark, is the great event of Peter confessing to Christ, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Peter is a great example in Gospels of failing first and succeeding later. Peter is a great example for us. Peter was not perfect, but He was repentant. When the Lord corrected Peter’s mistakes, Peter didn’t get offended, he got better. And it was Peter (imperfect but willing) who the Lord chose to build His Church.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 14-21 - The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Leaven is a substance that makes dough expand. Because people baked their own bread in Jesus’ day, everyone knew that just a little bit of leaven or yeast can change the whole consistency, look, and feel of bread. Jesus talks about leaven in the Gospels as an example of how the presence of something very small can have a very big impact – either positively (as He speaks of Christians as leaven) or negatively (like the leaven of the Pharisees or Herod).
We can’t just allow “little” sins to continue. Certainly we have to be patient with ourselves (because God is patient with us) and not get overly concerned about our little faults, but on the other hand we have to take sin seriously. One major reason is because sin grows. Very serious (or “grave”) sins don’t usually just happen… they happen because we have allowed “little” sins to go unchecked, and then they grow bigger and bigger. The point is not that we should worry about our little issues, but that we consider these little issues that we might let slide: time-wasting, dishonesty, skipping prayer, disrespect of authority, gossip, inappropriate TV or music, cutting corners, laziness, crass jokes, etc. Remember, a little bad can have a big negative effect. On the other hand, the little good effort it will take to fight our faults can have an even greater positive effect.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 11-13 - The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus… He sighed from the depth of his spirit”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is perfectly balanced. On one hand we see his extreme patience, gentleness, and kindness. On the other hand we see his clear determination, firmness, and justice. And none of these are opposed. He is the complete and perfect man. Notice here that the Pharisees come to argue with Jesus, who doesn’t avoid confrontation. But amidst His deeply rooted disagreement with them, and even the justified anger He may have had here concerning their ignorance and their sin, look at how Jesus responds. He sighs deeply from His spirit.
Jesus cares about people disagreeing with Him... not only about proving their mistake wrong. Many serious Catholics have turned others who are atheists and non-believers, supporters of abortion and the redefinition of the family, inaccurate news anchors and dishonest politicians, fallen away Catholics and faithless priests… into their enemies. We serious Catholics sometimes become focused only on winning the argument. Certainly these are arguments worth having – and worth winning. But our opponent in the argument, is not our opponent in life. Caring about the argument is only one necessary part of the battle. Caring about the soul of the person we rightly disagree with is another. During prayer, let’s pray sincerely for those who oppose Christ and the Church, and as well for our own love to increase.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readingsRead this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 5: 17-37 - Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Law of Moses is given to the Jews as a special blessing, but it also serves as a guide to keep them doing right and avoiding wrong. Laws are only given to guide the imperfect; the perfect are guided only by love. So the Jews are subject to the Law because they are weak. Jesus, however, is perfect and doesn’t need to Law to guide Him. So He is truly “above” the Law. Nevertheless, Jesus is not interested in ignoring the Law, but instead in fulfilling it.
Certainly there are parts of the Old Testament, the Law, and other non-law customs that are hard for us to understand. But Jesus repeatedly tells His New Testament listeners that they bound to uphold, (or sometimes even go beyond) the morality given before them. This idea puts Christian beliefs at direct odds with many people today. Certain actions or sins that many people today now praise as normal and even good are explicitly rejected by the moral principals of Law that Jesus commands us to follow. Will we let modern culture form our minds and our souls, or will we trust the mind and the authority of Jesus Christ. If we want to abide by God’s law, the law of real love, we will have to learn to trust the mind and authority of Christ.
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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Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 8: 1-10 - In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people.
He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Look at this Gospel! There is a message to learn here that we probably won’t hear very often in our wealthy parts of the modern world. Here, a massive crowd of people have followed Jesus away from their homes and have remained with Him for days listening to what He has to say. This crowd has abandoned everything to follow Him. Then their food runs out.
Today, we fear following God because we fear it’s not “practical” enough. We fear the food will run out. So we follow God to a point. We give money to a point. We help the sick to a point. We put our reputation on the line to a point. We operate this way because we don’t really trust that God will take care of us when we can’t take care of ourselves. But look at the Gospel: when the crowd can no longer help themselves, Christ Himself helps them. Christ knows their situation. Christ cares for their situation. Christ solves their situation. It’s no different with us. Christ knows, cares, and will help us. But He can only catch us… when we have faith to let go.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 31-37 Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He has done all things well.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is a beautiful Gospel passage in itself, but instead of focusing on it directly, we are going to focus on it in its context in the Gospel of Mark. Just a couple chapters before this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to a mostly Gentile (non-Jewish) area that St. Mark referred to as the “territory of the Gerasenes”. There, Jesus healed a possessed man, and then was asked to leave by the residents. The healed man begged Jesus to let him follow wherever Jesus goes, but Jesus refused and told the man instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” St. Mark notes, “the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him: and all were amazed” (Mark 5:19-20).
Now in today’s passage, Jesus returns to the region of the Decapolis (meaning “ten cities”) that the healed man has been evangelizing. This time, far from rejecting Jesus, the residents are praising Him, “He has done all things well.” Look at what happened when one healed man told others of what the Lord had done for Him! By his evangelization, he brought his family and friends to Christ. We can offer the same. Our witnesses matter! What has the Lord done in our lives? And who have we told? “Announce to them all that the Lord… has done” for us!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 24 - 30 Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is one of the most troubling Gospel passages because of how it seems that Jesus is treating a woman in a desperate situation. Actually, it’s astonishingly beautiful. He certainly wants to give her what she begs for, and ultimately He does, but (as Augustine says) first, Christ actually makes this non-Jewish woman more deserving of the gift by making her persevere in faith in Christ. She receives healing and on top of that she places faith in the One to Whom it belongs!
It is worth mentioning here, that we see more evil spirits (aka - demons = fallen angels) in the Gospels when Jesus is outside of traditionally Jewish territories. There is a reason for this. Those who are open to God receive His blessings (for instance, His protection from evil) in a different way than those who are not open to God. We Christians have to (have to!) take seriously the fact that we have an amazingly important blessing of faith and that we need to share this blessing with people who don’t know the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have what everyone is seeking for… we’d be selfish if we did not share with them what they need and (whether they know it or not) what they really ultimately want!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 7: 14 - 23 Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit. Licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
To understand this Gospel correctly, we need to understand that Jesus is having a discussion about the Jewish Law. We catch Him in the middle of it. According to the Law, Jews were forbidden to eat certain foods that were “unclean” (eating these foods would make a Jew unfit for ceremonial worship). Jesus is stressing that what actually makes someone truly unfit to come before God is not their diet, but their sin.
Sin is very dangerous, and we have to know that. It is dangerous not simply because it hurts us and others, but because by sin we distance ourselves or separate ourselves from God. Many people today try to fool themselves into thinking that sins aren’t bad because they seem so “normal” or “legal” or “private”. But Jesus Christ tells us our sins are serious and that they “defile” us. We don’t conquer sin by ignoring it. We conquer sin by admitting it and turning to Christ who conquers sin for us on the Cross. It is worthwhile to examine our consciences every night and ask for Christ’s to forgive us. Do we do this daily? During prayer now, let’s each consider our recent sins and bring them to the Lord to be conquered.
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)
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 7:1-13 - When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: /This people honors me with their lips, / but their hearts are far from me; / in vain do they worship me, / teaching as doctrines human precepts./ You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is a good thing to have good traditions. We all have many of these. But there is such a thing as poor, or even bad traditions. This is why it is not okay just to accept something because “well, it’s a tradition, and we’ve always done it this way.” This false idea, of course, badly hurts many people in fraternities, sororities, bachelor and bachelorette parties, at 21st birthdays, in Las Vegas, in celebrating Mardi Gras, New Year’s, etc. But we must be careful of other traditions as well—less obvious ones—that poorly affect our faith. These happen in our families and even in our parish.
We must be careful that our traditions are in line with the word of God, as Jesus says. Take, for example, our holidays and Sundays: does our family pray more on Christmas, or less (because of our schedule); does our family slow down on Sundays, or is it a time of busyness (because there are errands to run and sports leagues to attend); does our parish do Easter egg hunts on Holy Saturday, or wait until after Easter? We need to be very intentional. Start with Sundays and Holy Days (especially Holy Week through Easter)—what is one thing more (or less) we could do build up good traditions— traditions based less on “what we always do” and more intentionally on God’s word?
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)
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Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:53-56 - After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Isn’t this a great scene from the Gospel? People are about their daily business, going around town as normal, when Jesus shows up. Then there is a frenzy. St. Mark writes that they “scurried.” It’s almost funny to picture grown-ups, professionals, old people, town officials, etc., all scurrying around, collecting their sick family, friends, and neighbors to bring them in to Christ while He is in their region. They drop what they are doing because something more important is at hand.
We have to do the same. We never know when Christ is going to show up. All of a sudden, sometimes, He can strike us with His presence. By His presence He may grant us great peace amidst trials, or clear direction in a long-considered decision, or a deep consolation from the Holy Spirit. These are great gifts of grace from God. The proper response is to draw closer to Him as well. In these moments we should put aside what we are doing and attend to the Lord Jesus, who shows up unexpectedly. Can we recall a time when, unexpectedly, the Lord has drawn close to us?
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)
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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:13-16 - Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is talking to His disciples here, and by extension us, at the Sermon on the Mount. He tells us that we are the light of the world, and we are supposed to let that light shine. This is a very important teaching for us. Jesus is saying that the world is in darkness. Picture someone stumbling around in complete darkness looking for help, looking for comfort, looking for safety. Now picture us as the only hint of light around—what is our responsibility? Should we hide our light? Or must we shine our light for all to see?
The world needs Catholics. The world needs Catholics to be authentic Catholics. (The world has had enough of bad Catholics.) There are many people who are in great spiritual danger. They are looking for help, and comfort, and safety—but they are finding none. Wake up, Catholics! Our life is not about our school, jobs, home, friends, fun, stuff… Our life is about God. There are many people looking for this real meaning. They need us to help bring this light to them. We need to be less selfish, less afraid, less comfortable. We need to share our faith. In prayer, consider how each of us can practically share our faith with someone in darkness today.
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)
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Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:30-34 - The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus said “rest.” Does that strike us as odd? It sure seems like Jesus had a lot of things going on. Yet after the apostles get back from their mission of traveling, teaching and healing, Jesus tells them to take some time to recuperate. This is a major problem for people today. The reason that many people don’t have deep faith lives is because they are simply too busy: volunteering, traveling, over-working, exercising constantly, attending every school event, etc…
Our souls suffer when we fail to prioritize. Our souls suffer. God has certain things He wants us to do—and He wants us to do these well. If we are going to devote ourselves to the faith, to our marriage, to our family, to our state in life—we have to get proper rest as well. We have to learn to say “no” to things—even good things if they aren’t necessary or healthy. We will never be good Christians until we do. In prayer, consider which of our many activities might be unnecessary or unhealthy. How do they inhibit necessary and healthy activities?
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)
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Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 6:14-29- King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is worth looking at the lives and roles of these two very different men in the Gospel: Herod and John the Baptist. Herod was a selfish ruler who was immoral and a bad family man. His life exemplifies how sin grows greater and greater: from self-indulgence to selfishness and pride, to adultery, and finally to murder. John was a righteous and holy man. His life exemplifies how devoting one’s life to Christ means also devoting one’s self to defending truth, faith, and morals—as John defended marriage.
There are lots of opportunities to grow in sin today (especially sexual sin). There are also lots of opportunities to defend the dignity of human sexuality and marriage. Make no mistake, there is an invisible war going on in this area. If we are Christians who treasure the truth of the Gospel, we must stand very firm (maybe speaking up publically at times) on sexual morality and the nature of marriage. If good people do nothing, the invisible enemy will continue to progress. In prayer, consider how we stand up for sexual morality and the values of marriage.
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)
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Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is the first mission of the organized Church. Look what Jesus sends the apostles out to do. He sends them out to do what He has been doing—preaching repentance, driving out demons, curing the sick. But how can these common men do the same things that God in the flesh does? The secret is this: He gives them His authority. Jesus has authority over the physical and the spiritual realms. So when the apostles go out on this mission, awesome things happen. The apostles don’t accomplish anything with their own authority, but they accomplish much with Christ’s.
Today, the Church continues on this mission. It troubles many people that the Church claims to work with Christ’s authority in the world today. But Scripture shows clearly that that’s how Christ set it up while He was walking the earth, and that is how he left the Church after His Ascension. The things the apostles have authority to do—teach and heal—are the same things the modern Church has authority to do. We should have confidence that the Church spreads Christ’s teachings and gives Christ’s healing in the Sacraments. During prayer, consider how the Church has been a gift from Christ to us.
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)
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
We read in the Gospel that Jesus “was not able to perform any mighty deed there.” This might cause us some confusion, because we know God can do anything. Jesus certainly has the power in Himself to perform mighty deeds wherever He wants to, but He has set things up in such a way that often He requires another ingredient to be present along with His power before He performs His wonders. That other ingredient is our faith.
The reason that Jesus couldn’t (didn’t) perform many miracles in His hometown was because the people lacked faith in Him. The same is true today. We might have missed out on great miracles because we lacked the necessary faith in Christ. People sometimes get mad that God didn’t help them out, when the fault might be all their own. (Of course, God won’t always work wonders if we have faith. He determines how to work for us and chooses what’s best for our souls.) The decision and the power are God’s. Our part is to have faith. Are we praying and working to grow in faith?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 5:21-43 - When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
“Do not be afraid; just have faith” sounds like a very nice idea to apply when we have a speech to give or a test to take… But Jesus says it to a man whose daughter has just died. He went to Jesus for emergency help, but they didn’t make it back in time. The man’s daughter had died; nothing more could be done. So it is a radical thing when Jesus tells the man: A) not to have fear, and B) to believe. But to believe what, we wonder—certainly no one had ever seen anyone raised from the dead at this point in the Gospels.
Jesus is not telling the man to believe that some good, natural outcome might be possible. No, Jesus is telling the man to believe in Him. This is part of the mystery of faith—not to believe because we have some idea of what God can do, but to believe in Him even when we have absolutely no options left. Then we can understand what it means that He works wonders. God still does miracles—often He just waits for our faith.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 5:1-20 - Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyThis passage from the Gospel certainly has some uncomfortable parts to it. None of us likes to think too much about the reality of evil or evil things, like demons. As much as the modern world tries to ignore the subject, we have to face the fact that they are prevalent, powerful, and have real influence over people today. Jesus encounters demons often. In the Gospel, Jesus goes into a Gentile region across the Sea of Galilee and encounters a possessed man. The demons in this story tell us something about the way they work—they are so twisted that they always work toward destruction.
But there is an infinitely stronger figure in the Gospel as well: Jesus. Jesus is our great hope and our great victory over evil. Look at the immediate effect that Jesus’ great power and His tender pity has on this once terrifying, possessed man, now “sitting there clothed and in his right mind,” being instructed by Jesus to be an evangelist to this region. We must learn to rely on Jesus as our strength against evil. We must beg him to help us fight against our own weakness, temptation, sin, and the evil around us. He is the ultimate victor. What sins are slowly destroying us? Have we asked the Lord for His tender pity and infinite power?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:35-41 - On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“They woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
At least four of Jesus’ disciples knew how to sail very well. They spent much of their lives fishing on the sea. But here they face a situation in which, despite the skill and experience they have, they find themselves coming up short. First, their stress becomes worry. Then, their worry becomes panic. They fear they might actually die. As terrible as this situation is, it shows us something very important: some situations in life are too big for us to handle; we just don’t have the power.
We should learn from the many things the disciples did wrong, and the one thing they (finally) did right. First, the disciples wrongly assumed that because God let them struggle, that He must not care: “do you not care that we are perishing?” Actually, God allows us to struggle because He cares. He makes us better, and brings us closer to Himself, by our struggles. Next, the disciples count on themselves first, and approach God only after all their efforts, resources, and powers fail. Actually, it’s not God’s fault that our problems grow out of control…. Often it’s our fault that we have not come to Him much sooner. Last, the disciples keep their eyes fixed on the problem instead of the solution. Though we need to take our trials seriously, even more, we need to take our God seriously. He’s much more powerful than any storm, and when the disciples finally do approach Jesus, He calms their storm with great ease. If we need our storms calmed, we must come quickly to Jesus. He will give us rest.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:26-34 - Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…[It] is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Roman Catholic Church is the strongest and the longest continually operating institution in the world. It outlasts and overcomes wars, nations, attacks from the outside (and sadly, sometimes from the inside), and evils of all kinds. It exists almost everywhere on earth, but most strongly in believers’ hearts. But it wasn’t always this way. It started, basically, with twelve otherwise ordinary men. These were the men to whom Jesus “explained everything” in private. These men were changed by Christ and then they went out and changed the world.
The world can change again. It can change for the good. But this change won’t come from our government or any other human institution. If it happens, it will happen by way of ordinary men and women like us whose lives have been changed by Christ. Look at the impact of modern believers like Térèse of Lisieux, Louis and Zélie Martin, Fr. Josemaría Escrivá, Edith Stein, Gianna Beretta Molla, Mother Theresa, John Paul II… Their legacies are having tremendous effects on the Church and the world. The world needs saints. The world needs us to be saints. How are we being changed into saints by Christ?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 4:21-25- – Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The principle presented in this Gospel passage is that you reap what you sow, or you get what you give. It can be applied to many different good things—like generosity and faith. It can also be applied to many different bad things—like stinginess or harshness. We have to remember that what we do matters. These things matter to God and to others, but they also matter to us.
It could almost be said that we become what we do. When we sin, for instance, we not only carry a sin on our soul, but the sinful action shapes us (twists us, really) so that doing that sin will be easier for us next time. And when we do good, we not only carry a good deed on our soul, but the good action shapes us in such a way that doing good will be easier for us next time. Virtue is a disposition or a readiness to do good: easily, quickly, and with joy. Vice is a disposition to do bad. Our actions matter to us since they shape us. Is there a bad action we can choose to avoid today? What good action should we repeat?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMark 4:1-20– On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that/ they may look and see but not perceive, / and hear and listen but not understand,/ in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”/Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
God is in charge of the seed, the word, which is always good. We are in charge of the soil, our souls, which need attention. We must remove from them anything that endangers the seed’s growth.
Danger 1: evil. Some people must remove clear, grave spiritual dangers (e.g., the occult, fortune telling, etc.), and harmful spiritual interests (e.g., vampires, spiritually dark movies, etc.) from their lives. But more commonly, we must remove all our grave sins which quickly deter our progress. Danger 2: shallow faith. (This is perhaps the meaning of lacking roots.) Faith must go deeper than feelings alone. Reflection (i.e., daily meditation) is a great means to avoid this. Danger 3: anxieties and competing loves. Jesus warns us against things that intrude on our faith. These include being caught in unnecessary busyness and unnecessary concerns, and having too much love for goods which can compete with the faith (e.g., pleasure, power, wealth, honor, etc.). Do we face evil, shallowness, anxieties, and competing loves? We are in charge of our soil. What needs improvement?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:31-35-The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus’ Mother and some of his cousins (called “brothers”) come to see Him when He is preaching in a town nearby. Maybe they were coming to surprise Him. If they heard Jesus’ response, they might have had a bit of disappointment. Most mothers would. But because we know Mary was sinless, we know she didn’t have any self-pity. She knows her Son always does what is best, so she gives Him the benefit of the doubt, and probably spends time reflecting on this event in her heart.
Certainly Jesus was the most loving Son that ever walked the earth. Certainly He always did what was best for His Mother. Because Mary would have reflected on this event, she would have realized that Jesus was not putting her off, but silently honoring her. “Whoever does the will of God is my… mother.” Other than Christ, no one ever did the will of God more perfectly than Mary. She was the single most worthy of recipient of this statement of Christ. After reflection, she would have joyfully known that her Son had thought of her especially while amidst the crowd, giving her a secret honor that only she could have recognized. We also must reflect on our sufferings to realize that though God allows us who serve Him to suffer, He allows it for our good and for our ultimate joy.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:22-30 – The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is confronting the people who accused Him of being evil because He commanded demons. He is saying that that would mean Satan is undermining himself and his own work. Jesus uses a few analogies, like the one about “a house divided against itself.” Though He might be talking about a royal house, the analogy holds true for every common household and family.
Unity is important to God. In fact, God Himself, the Blessed Trinity, is a unity of Persons. At the Last Supper, Jesus prays that future believers (we) will be united as He is united with God His Father. There is no more important human unity than Marriage, and from this, the family. We must work on our unity. Do we fight with each other? Are we impatient? Are we generous? Are we meek? Do we share well? Do we try to have real conversation? Do we prioritize good family time? Think about how we can be a better family and be better to each other. Then make a resolution.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:20-21– Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When His relatives heard of this they set out to seize Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Oh boy, relatives! Just like so many people today, Jesus also had relatives who didn’t understand Christianity. They thought that He had gone too far, that He was too religious, that He was “out of His mind.” Have we heard our relatives say any of these things about serious Catholics before?
We shouldn’t be surprised—and we definitely can’t be deterred by—relatives and family members (even Catholic ones) who don’t understand the importance of living a genuine Catholic life. If we are truly living a Catholic life, we will have opposition; others will say we’ve gone too far. In truth it is they who don’t understand reality. Show them much love. Christianity will cost everything, including some tranquility between family members. If this happens: don’t resent them, don’t be too surprised, and definitely don’t be deterred. You are sharing this suffering with Christ!
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)
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Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:13-19 – Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The word disciple means one who is called. The word apostle means one who is sent. First Jesus calls these men “that they might be with Him,” and from there He will “send them forth” as part of His mission. It is very important that we learn to bewith Christ. Then we will be most effective in what we are to do for Christ. The Twelve lived with Jesus. They watched Him eat, sleep, pray, heal, get tired, get angry, have compassion, live His mission. So they learned how to eat, sleep, pray, heal, get tired, get angry, have compassion, live His mission.
Being comes before doing. When God reveals His name, He says, “I AM” (Exodus 3:14): be-ing. We must learn to be with God: in daily meditation, in visits to the Blessed Sacrament, in taking moments to calm down and recollect, in keeping Him in mind while doing house work, at the table at family meals…only then will we be truly effective at doing. Where and when can you take moments to stop daily and “practice the presence of God”?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:7-12 – Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Oftentimes the greatest witness that someone can present to others about Christ isn’t their words or their reasonable argument, but the fact that the way they live has changed. Jesus had already cured many, and as a result of these wonders, others wished for the same things for themselves. If we are healed (or at least greatly improved) in our impatience, or harshness, or bad temper, or lust, or laziness, etc… that will be the greatest witness we can provide to our families and friends about the power of Christ.
It may not seem so at first, but everyone today really wants to see people who are truly good. Deep down they have some hope that maybe it can really happen. Christians are to be this witness. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). If we don’t give this witness, who will? Christ will heal us from our weakness and our darkness—some of us rather quickly, but some over long periods of time. Then we will shine like a city on a hill. We must seek Christ’s healing and then follow His instruction to “go and sin no more.” In prayer, ask where it is that Christ is giving us opportunities to improve in areas of weakness.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 3:1-6-Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Jews had many laws written in the Torah (“the Law”) which they had to follow. The Pharisees believed, as well, in an oral tradition that could interpret the Law. This added many new laws to many aspects of the Jews’ lives, including the way they spent the Sabbath. Most work was forbidden on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were so caught up in these laws that they opposed Jesus’ healings on the Sabbath.
God rested on the Sabbath from the work of creation. But God continued the work of sustaining what He made. Regardless of the Pharisaical law, Jesus is God. God sustains His creation, even on the Sabbath. This is why we so often see Jesus working miracles on the Sabbath. Besides being wonderful in their own right, Jesus’ Sabbath healings have an added importance, because they subtly show His divinity. God wants to sustain us in a special way on the Sabbath: at Mass, at prayer, at rest. Prioritize Sunday. It is God’s day.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 2:23-28-As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
How do we spend our Sundays? Do we fill these days with Mass, relaxation, family time, special prayer, meals? Or do we fill them with errands we needed to run, odd jobs, sports games and practices, homework? Jesus is telling us, “The sabbath was made for man.” God gives it to us because we need it. God is never wrong. If we are wasting our Sundays, then we are wrong. The Lord wants something from us on Sunday—us. The Lord wants to give us something on Sunday—Himself.
We need to seriously assess how we spend our Sundays. Do we live them like Catholics (actually all humans) should? Or do we spend them like slaves to our busyness, our unintentionality, our boredom? God wants our Sundays to look different. During prayer, think how we can set aside Sunday as a holy day full of God, family, rest, and festivities. Then as a resolution, let’s all spend 5 minutes talking about making a few changes (starting this weekend).
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 2:18-22-The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
As Catholics we live differently than everybody else (even other Christians). There are numerous examples of this, but one in particular is that we live by a liturgical year and its calendar. This is where the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time come from. Just like winter is lived differently than summer, so the liturgical seasons are lived differently. Added to these seasons we have feast days. Our liturgical year is not simply meant to remind us of Christ, but to bring us into the Life of Christ, to live with Him.
We need to celebrate more. The seasons of Christmas and Easter, as well as special feast days (e.g, our patrons’ feasts) and anniversaries (e.g., Baptismal and Wedding anniversaries), and even Sundays should not be overlooked. They should be celebrated with desserts, dinners, events, or special prayers. As Catholics, we have much to celebrate, and we should live like it. We also must fast. The season of Lent is a particular time of fasting. Most Fridays are as well. We shouldn’t overlook these as times of giving up something: meat, sweets, etc. We must live like we believe. What will I do differently on Friday and on Sunday?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
Saturday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 3:22-30 – Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
John’s whole life was about Someone else. He was completely devoted to Jesus. It determined everything he did: what he did, wore, ate, preached; how he looked, where he lived, who he rebuked, etc. It determined what he didn’t do: drink, cut his hair, work a normal job, have worldly comforts, keep his disciples, marry. He was killed before he reached thirty-five. His whole life before was spent on his mission to “prepare the way of the Lord.” When Jesus comes, John fades silently away into the background. When one of his remaining disciples brings this up (perhaps in supportive complaint), John says it is his joy to see Christ’s ministry surpassing his own. “He must increase; I must decrease.”
Our lives, as well, are totally about Christ. Everything we do should be devoted to Christ. Today in prayer, we should each consider where we are prideful. Then we should ask the Lord to help us find joy in doing good without any notice. (John the Baptist, pray for us.)
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
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.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 2:1-12 -When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus performs this wonderful healing of the paralyzed man for a much deeper reason than the healing of the man’s paralysis. He heals the man’s soul as well. Through this miraculous physical healing of the man, Jesus is proving to the crowds that He has the authority of the Divine—specifically, the divine authority to forgive sins.
It is important to hear in the Gospel that no one but God has authority over sin. It shows us that Jesus is divine, that He is God. But it also shows us that we don’t have power over sin. The fact that this is a paralyzed man is no mere coincidence. He cannot move from his state (physically or spiritually). Similarly, we are spiritually paralyzed by sin. We need the authority of Christ to heal us and strengthen us. We should regularly go to Confession (and certainly every time we commit a mortal sin). Also, we should examine our consciences and say some act of contrition daily. Do so now in prayer. We need Jesus in our fight against sin.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Friday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 5:12-16 – It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… but He would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Everyone knows people who are good examples of prayer: their grandma, their priest, their young child. All of these can be great aids to prayer. But the greatest example of prayer for us should be Jesus. Jesus is perfect. There is so much we can learn from His approach to prayer. What is wonderful, though, is that much of it is very easy to apply.
The Gospels tell us much about when, where, why, how Jesus prayed. Of course Jesus prayed often about many things, but these few chapters of Luke show us certain specifics. Jesus would take periods of time aside from daily life and work for prayer. He would do this alone. He would do this often in the morning or evening. (We can assume because it would be easier to focus with less distractions). Jesus prioritized his prayer. (He even set aside healing the very sick to pray). Do we prioritize our prayer like this? If no, we need to be more like Jesus. If yes, we’re doing a great thing.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture above. (Optional – allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and pray
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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Thursday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 4:14-22 – Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, / because he has anointed me / to bring glad tidings to the poor. / He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives / and recovery of sight to the blind, / to let the oppressed go free, / and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, / because He has anointed Me.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus’ hometown all spoke highly of Him and were amazed at His words. Afterwards, though, Jesus criticized this group for having a lack of faith. They certainly were interested in Him, approved (at first), and were even amazed by Him. They were interested in Jesus working wonders for them to see, but they weren’t interested in placing their faith in Him. It is exactly because of this lack of faith, the Gospels later tell us, that Jesus doesn’t do many wonders there.
Many times people with little or no faith want to see God do miracles. They want to see these out of interest or amazement, maybe proof. These might not be wholly bad. But it is not amazement and interest that will make God respond with miracles, it is faith. Faith (our reliance on God) causes Him to act on our behalf. God gives us the virtue of faith at our Baptism. We should take great care of it: grow it (pray, study, reading about saints, fellowship, etc) and protect it (from falsehood in media, entertainment, bad relationships, etc). What helps our faith? Do these. What hurts our faith? Avoid these.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:40-45 – A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What an awesome man that leper must have been! He had a terrible disease which affected or dominated most every aspect of his life. But his faith was great. Amidst all his suffering he trusted that the Lord knew best and left his request in the Lord’s hands. “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Suffering only exists because of sin. God never wills suffering. But God does allow suffering. Why? Why would God allow suffering? God allows suffering (and sin) because He has the power to turn it to good. Take the Cross for example: in the Cross, the foremost example of sin and suffering becomes the way to our salvation. God allows us to suffer because He has a greater purpose in mind. As He tells the leper, “I do will it”—he also wills our healing. May we trust God, like the leper, knowing that whatever we are facing, God always works for what is absolutely best for us (Romans 8:38).
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Wednesday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:45-52 - After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Even the disciples’ hearts were hardened, St. Mark writes in his Gospel. We must remember that they were men, normal men with normal lives. They weren’t without sin when Jesus called them (look at St. Matthew), and they weren’t without sin long after Jesus calls them (look at St. Peter). But due to their constant encounters with Jesus they actually changed. Their lives took on different meaning, greater purpose, and heightened joy. If they would have looked at their insignificance, their unpreparedness, their remaining sin, they never would have joined Christ and helped transform the entire world.
“Do not be afraid” Jesus says. Do not be afraid of evil, of suffering, of death. But also, do not be afraid of ourselves. Jesus knows we are weak… and He calls us anyway. Jesus’ power is greater than our weakness. St. Paul, calls himself “the least of all the holy ones” (Ephesians 3:8) in part “because I persecuted the Church of God.” Jesus says to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Be not afraid of life in Christ!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
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Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:29-39 - On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“For this purpose have I come.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
In the Gospels there are times when Jesus leaves a place or people who are in need. This may trouble us. Don’t worry, Jesus loves everyone and He always does what is best for people. If He seems cold or indifferent or leaves a person or place in need, we must understand that Jesus knows the situation, sees all things, and understands the people’s deeper needs. For example, a non-Jewish woman had to beg Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus not only healed her daughter, but, in the process He masterfully challenged and increased the woman’s faith.
There’s a difference between Jesus’ ultimate mission and his public ministry. Jesus’ mission is to reconcile the world to God, saving us by the forgiveness of sins. This mission is for all. His ministry is different. He ministers most directly to the “lost sheep of Israel.” He doesn’t go everywhere to everyone (though He came for everyone). He saves the world (including those He leaves) while working only with a small group of people in the world. We also must know our purpose. Our gift to the world is mostly given by our faithfully working in our little area. The family is our primary ministry: it comes before volunteering, church retreats, or ministering to extended family. What can we leave behind in order to better fulfill our purpose?
(Note: the point on our families as our primary mission, is especially true for spouses and parents. Children will live their own individual missions more particularly one day.)
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)
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Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1:21-28 – Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority? We probably picture a passionate Jesus teaching on the Sabbath, pounding his fist with authority on the synagogue pulpit. But there is a deeper “authority” that the Gospel refers to. Jesus isn’t just teaching with a new style, different from that of the scribes. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the Authority. He is adjusting the people’s morality on the grounds of this authority, “But I say to you…”
The heart of Jesus’ message and the heart of Christianity is not a set of teachings on faith and morals. It is a Person. And this Person is Jesus Christ. Jesus has authority over all things, because He is God. We don’t have to go far to learn His purpose for us—Jesus wants to give us Himself. On earth and in heaven our blessed role is the same, to receive Jesus Christ.
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)
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Tuesday after Epiphany
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:34-44 - When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When Jesus saw the vast crowd, His heart was moved with pity for them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus wants our good. Jesus wants what is ultimately best for us. He gives the people what they spiritually need when He teaches them, and on top of that He gives them what they physically need when He feeds them (miraculously). Jesus isn’t too big to be concerned with our daily needs (“Give us today our daily bread”). The people in the Gospel who rush to follow Jesus without even bringing along food, receive God’s great care.
They learn a vital point of the spiritual life. God is more concerned with our happiness, even more than we are. If ever He has us go through a difficult time temporarily, it is only because there is more happiness that waits for us on the side of it. Let God take care of all the happy provision; it is up to us to follow wherever He goes.
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The Epiphany of the Lord
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyMatthew 2:1-12 - When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“King Herod…inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea...”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Scriptures contained many prophecies concerning the Messiah (“The Christ”) who was to come. Some of these prophecies are referred to in the Gospels around Jesus Christ’s birth: He would be born of a virgin, announced by John, coming from Bethlehem, coming out of Egypt. One interesting thing, though, is that some of these prophecies seem like they wouldn’t actually match up with each other. For instance: Jesus’ Mother lived in Nazareth, but the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, yet the Christ was supposed to come out of Egypt… In the end, all of these prophecies do happen right in the events of Jesus’ day: a census takes Joseph and pregnant Mary to Bethlehem; Herod attempts to kill the Baby Jesus and the Holy Family escapes to Egypt.
God works salvation in real events and real people (yes, even through real tragedies) right here on earth. God can take any situation, good or bad (even sin!), and turn it into good. It is very important that we accept what we cannot change. God may be silently, surprisingly, blessing us. Is there any situation we need to accept and let God manage?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas (Dec. 31)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyJohn 1:1-18 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.'" From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
One of the many wonderful things about the apostles carrying out the “Great Commission” is how they carried out their mission. They certainly did go out everywhere preaching the Gospel and baptizing people in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as they were commanded. But as they did, they witnessed to the fact that they had seen Jesus Christ’s glory: “we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). They had all witnessed Him after His Resurrection from the dead. And it had changed their life.
A true experience of Christ should change our lives. It is certainly a powerful thing to know the faith, to communicate it, to argue for it if called to, and we should strive to do these things. But it is a powerful, personal thing when we can say, “Jesus Christ changed me.” This is a strong witness to a desperate world. “We saw His glory.” Have we seen His glory? Have we shared this “witness” with others? A great Christmas gift to another person might be our personal witness of Christ in our lives.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas (Dec. 30)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 2: 36-40 -There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
There is a very quiet similarity among those of the Israelites who are faithful in their long, long waiting for their redemption. While others grew weary, lost interest, forgot, thought twice about it, became like everyone around them…the faithful kept hope, they kept expecting God’s promise. If hope in God is to be true, it must be placed completely in God. Oftentimes we might think that we have hope in God when we are hoping that one of the possible positive circumstances that we see up ahead will practically work out. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting possible positive circumstances to practically happen, that is a different thing than hope. St. Paul speaks about the virtue of hope in his letter to the Romans when he says, “Now hope that is seen is not hope” (Romans 8:24). Hope comes when we can’t see any practical possibility…when the only way for things to work out is through the power of God.
Though the practical outlook seemed rather bleak for those awaiting the redemption of Israel, Anna still expected God to work. She had no idea how he would work…only that he would work. The infinite power and creativity of God cannot be properly understood by our limited practical thinking. God is simply bigger and greater than we can comprehend. Those who are willing to hope beyond their circumstances, to hope beyond their own sight, will have their hopes fulfilled…beyond their grandest dreams. While the rest of the world passes by unaware, they, like Simeon and Anna, get to hold the Christ Child in their arms. This is the fulfillment of Christmas. Are we holding the baby Christ in our arms and in our hearts during these days?
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas (Dec. 29)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 2:22-35-When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
]The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He came in the Spirit into the temple…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familySimeon gives us a wonderful example of Christian meditation (mental prayer). This is the type of prayer that we are practicing together daily. It has always been used by the saints, as it helps us to listen to God. Simeon was a holy man, living a steady life, while waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” Finally one day, the Holy Spirit leads him to the Temple where He encounters the baby Jesus.
The Scriptures don’t say much about how the Spirit led Simeon into the Temple that particular and fortunate day. Maybe it was indeed something very mystical, but perhaps Simeon, like so many Biblical heroes and historical saints, simply tried to listen to God in prayer and afterward make a small resolution to apply that prayer in his life that day. Perhaps Simeon’s prayer that day pointed him to the Temple, and when he followed this inspiration he found the Lord. The inspirations of the Holy Spirit always, always, always lead us toward the Lord. That is why we must be attentive to Him in prayer, and then make a resolution to put into practice that day what we just prayed. Be very attentive and willing in prayer.
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs (Dec. 28)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 2:13-18 – When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah,/sobbing and loud lamentation;/Rachel weeping for her children,/and she would not be consoled,/since they were no more.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The following is a meditation from another work.
“There is anguish for us, twenty centuries later, in thinking of the slain babies and their parents. For the babies the agony was soon over; in the next world they would come to know whom they had died to save and for all eternity would have that glory. For the parents, the pain would have lasted longer; but at death they too must have found that there was a special sense in which God was in their debt, as he had never been indebted to any. They and their children were the only ones who ever agonized in order to save God's life…” (Sheed, F.J., To Know Jesus Christ. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1962)
God allows suffering because He can bring an even greater good from it. If we have any question about this we need to look no further than the Cross. Man killed God. This is utterly the worst thing that man could do…yet God makes this very thing the means to man’s salvation. Praised be God forever!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (Dec. 27)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 20:2-8– On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Then the other disciple also went in…and he saw and believed.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Right after the Feast of St. Stephen, which reminds us of certain suffering and death, we celebrate the Feast of John the Evangelist and we read about his entering into Christ’s empty tomb with Peter. He enters this place of a death, and he finds it empty, void. Life has conquered death! And in these two days of Gospel readings after Christmas, the whole of reality is played out. After the difficulties of suffering and death, we will find them powerless because we will be united to the risen Lord.
We have much to celebrate indeed. Let’s consider in prayer, and then after prayer in discussion with the family, how we can celebrate more throughout this Christmas season. What things can we add to our days and nights that are festive, leisurely, and holy? We have every reason to celebrate!
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)
December 26, 2021 — Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Year C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family:
Luke 2:41-52 (C)– Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“… his mother kept all these things in her heart.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is celebrated the first Sunday after Christmas Day. It is a happy day for us, not only because the feast day is placed within the Octave of Christmas, but also because the Holy Family is a subject of great love & affection for us. And yet in all of the three Gospel readings we have for this feast day (remember, there’s a three year cycle of Mass Gospel readings), there is some trouble that the Holy Family must face. These three Gospel passages are the only readings we have about the family life of Jesus after His birth and before His public ministry thirty years later. The events are: the Presentation in the Temple, where Mary explicitly hears that her motherhood will bear great suffering; the Flight into Egypt, where the Holy Family escapes the attempted murder of Jesus; and (the reading we are given today) the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, where Mary and Joseph experience great anxiety looking for their lost Son.
There are many lessons we can learn from these events, but we will focus on three. First, family life is difficult and involves suffering. No matter how happy, loving, and peaceful was the life of the Holy Family, in every story we know of Jesus’ childhood, there was some suffering. And no matter how happy our family life is, the same will be true for us. Second, we see in a particular way with the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple that, as much as our family members “belong” to us, in fact they truly belong to God infinitely more. Notice that Jesus doesn’t apologize to Mary and Joseph, even though they had suffered much by His decision to stay behind in Jerusalem. He simply answers that first His allegiance is with His heavenly Father.
Parents must remember this (sometimes painful) reality with their children too. And this leads to our third lesson. Mary and Joseph do not thoroughly understand Jesus’ explanation of His actions. There will be times that we do not understand God’s workings in our family life either. And no doubt this will be difficult. But we must learn from, and respond like, our holy loving mother. Amidst all the trails of her Holy Family life (and all the joys as well) that she doesn’t fully understand, Mary does not get upset but instead accepts the situations in faith and pondered them in her heart. If we do this, then the situations that we don’t first understand, we will come to realize are actually gifts of God’s love for us.
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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Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Mass at Dawn
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 2:15-20 - When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
(It is simply too glorious. In addition to, or in place of the meditation below, it may be best to choose your own piece (or pieces) of this “good news of great joy” to meditate on or just to bask in. Take some extra time today to savor this Gospel passage.)
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The shepherds are baffled, of course! In their utter amazement they are moved to go with haste to Bethlehem. And what else could they really do?! They have just heard (from a “multitude of the heavenly host,” no less!) of the single greatest event that has ever happened—ever. And the lives that they knew (of hum-drum hopes, of meaningless effort, of unfulfilled spirit…), these were forever transformed. They had to go. They had to go!
And the same is true for us. Today we hear about the birth of a Savior for us. And it’s simply not enough just to hear about it. We have to go to it, to experience it, to make it our own. We have to go! This is what faith is really about. It’s about more than our teachings, our actions, our prayer. It’s about a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ. And today that Person comes to us, as a little, tiny Baby. Jesus Christ has come, and our empty lives are now filled with joy. Today (right now!) in the reflections of our heart, in the Mass, in our renewed commitment to set out on a whole new life…we have to go. We have to go…to Him. We have to experience Him. We have to make Him our own.
He waits—for us—this is why He has come!
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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Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Mass During the Night
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 2:1-14 – In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud. It is simply too glorious. In addition to, or in place of the meditation below, it may be best to choose your own piece (or pieces) of this “good news of great joy” to meditate on or just to bask in. Take some extra time today to savor this Gospel passage.)
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the familyIt’s almost not right just to choose one piece of this Gospel story to focus on for prayer. We should spend some quiet time with the whole story. This night and the following day must be times of heightened prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and celebration. While many people in this story notice nothing different about this night (and while so many in our world notice nothing different about this night), we must not be like them. Tonight everything changes for us.
You see, according to the angel in the Gospel, God is not just “born”…God is “born for you.” God does not take on flesh and enter the world to perform an act all by Himself. God takes on our flesh and enters our world to perform an act for us, and with us. This is your flesh and my flesh, your world and my world, your darkness and my darkness, your sin’s misery and my sin’s misery, your utter need and my utter need…that Christ enters into. So this is your good news and my good news, your peace and my peace, your great joy and my great joy. For unto us (unto us!) is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord!
Do not be like the world tonight, which is too busy or too sleepy to welcome God in the Flesh. He has not come for nothing…He has come for you! Welcome Him tonight into your heart!
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)
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December 24th + Christmas Eve
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:67-79 – Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Zechariah is happily prophesying at the birth of his son, John. Numerous times he brings up a promise, or covenant, that God had made with His people. And here in the Gospel, after numerous generations and hundreds of years, the time has arrived for God to come and dwell among His people. It is like the dawn breaking after the longest night of darkness in the shadow of death.
God comes to us out of mercy. We carved for ourselves a dark world and certain death because of sin. But God saw us “cast to the ground, perishing, tyrannized over by Death, and He had compassion on us” (St. John Chrysostom (c.347-407) Homily 5, 1-2 on the Epistle to the Hebrews). In his tender compassion, He comes to give mankind salvation “by the forgiveness of their sins.” With overwhelming thankfulness in prayer, let’s consider how our great misery is overcome by His triumphant, greater mercy!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
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December 23rd
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:57-66- When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Most people don’t like to be confrontational—they don’t like to upset others. And while there are certainly some people who are all too ready to be confrontational, most of us could use a bit of extra courage. So it is refreshing to see Elizabeth stand up against her relatives who are trying to push their ideas, which are against what she knows to be right. After a time of disagreement she takes her firm stand, “No. He will be called John.”
People of faith need to take a stand. We need to take a stand especially in regard to faith and family. Sometimes this means disagreeing with, and even engaging in confrontation with relatives and friends. God has put parents in charge of their children, and expects them to do what is best for their children’s souls and their true happiness. If our family is not having some confrontation, some push back, or some differences from other families, we should ask ourselves if we are being serious enough about living our faith. Families of faith take a stand.
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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December 22nd
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:46-56-Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Almighty indeed has done great things for Mary, and He wishes to do great things for us through Mary. Jesus Christ is the source of all grace (God’s help and God’s life) for mankind. Jesus is given to mankind through Mary. She is not the source of grace for us, but she is the channel of grace for us. She brought Christ to the world, and she continues to do so now. This is the will of God.
We must draw very close to Mary. She is our spiritual Mother and our help. Mary loves us more than any other human being (other than Christ) ever can. Like any wonderful mother she wishes to see her children happy. Mary wishes to see us happy. She brought Christ to us. She will bring us to Christ. Like helpless babies we need to rely on Mary our Mother for everything. Let us spend a little extra time praying our portion of the Rosary tonight, while focusing on our glorious Mother.
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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December 21st
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:39-45Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
After Christ, Mary is the single greatest human ever to live. She is greater than all of the saints in all of history put together. She was (and is) so completely open to God, and He has so completely abided in her, that we can say that she is “almost infinite.” So it is very significant that we see in the Gospels that she does not always have a perfect understanding of what is happening. In a few places in the Gospels, Mary needs time for prayer and pondering in her heart before she truly grasps the mystery in front of her.
The phrase, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled,” is such a powerful one. She believes. Even with a normal, limited human mind, she believes. Mary is a model of faith for us, not because she knows absolutely everything from God, but because she believes absolutely everything from God. Remember the Gospel principle about faith: the more we have, the more we get. Let’s ask God for faith…and believe we will receive it.
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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December 20th
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 1:26-38 – In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It is crucial that we note that Mary’s glory is not from a power within herself. Instead, the glory of Mary is God’s glory living in her. Mary so completely opens herself to God that God not only comes to her, but God lives in her! This perfect union with God is the goal of the Christian life.
If we sense that we are too weak for union with God, He provides for our limitations with His own power. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” The Most High can overshadow us, our limitations, our weakness, our sin, with His infinite power. And then He will make us good. This is our Faith. And it is certainly not impossible for God. In prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to change us and to open us up more to God.
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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December 19
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the familyLuke 1:5-25 – In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord."
Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.
Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Zechariah was an older Jewish priest who was serving in the Temple one particular week. He had been chosen to burn incense in the Holy Place of the Temple. There he would pray for all of Israel. At home, Zechariah and Elizabeth had spent many years of their own lives praying for children, but they had none. Elizabeth was barren, and they were both now too old to have children.
So when the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the Holy Place of the Temple with the words, “your prayers have been heard…you will bear a son,” he is announcing the answer to both prayers. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s constant personal prayer for a child was heard. But this miraculous child, John the Baptist, would be the herald to the coming Lord. So this baby announces that the Lord is soon coming. This was an answer to all of Israel’s prayers. If God does not answer our prayers as we expect Him to, it is only because He has something much better in mind. Trust that God always does what’s best for us...and for everyone else as well.
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)
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Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 1:18-24 – This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Joseph…do not be afraid…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Notice that in the Scriptures, when an angel of the Lord appears with a message of revelation to mankind, often the recipient of the message is afraid. This is what happens to John’s father, Zechariah, to a group of shepherds, to Joseph, and even to Mary (though Mary’s fear is of a different and better quality) around the time of the birth of Christ. The Gospel from today’s Mass presents the case of Joseph. Joseph is afraid to take Mary into his home, since she has mysteriously been found pregnant—an extremely difficult personal, social, and legal situation for both Mary and Joseph. So the angel begins his message to Joseph, “Joseph…do not be afraid,” before revealing to Joseph that Mary’s child is from the Holy Spirit.
When God works in our lives, He doesn’t simply ask us to do things we can already handle. If He asked only these things, we would never grow. Instead, God often asks of us things that are too big for us to handle. (Do we have any of these challenges in our lives right now?) When God asks something difficult (too difficult) of us, fear is the wrong response: fear that God will allow us to be crushed, fear that God is perhaps being cruel, fear that God expects us to handle the situation alone…. When God asks something too difficult for us, it is because He intends to help and to provide what we cannot. So, difficult situations are opportunities for us to grow in faith. If Joseph had run away in fear, he would have missed Christ Jesus, who God was giving to him! If we run away in fear, we risk missing the same thing. Do not be afraid! God is constantly trying to give us Himself!
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)
Subscribe to Pier Email Subscribers to Pier receive family prayer delivered daily via email.
Email Address Subscribe to Pier Email Congrats, you’re subscribed to Pier! You’ll start receiving Daily Family Prayer via email very soon.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.
The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.