The new life in Christ

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s gospel may at first seem difficult and confusing. However, this gospel was written primarily for a Jewish audience. The Jews had been waiting for the Messiah for a long time. Many, however, did not accept Jesus as the Son of God, the promised one. In this context, it is easier to understand Jesus’ words: “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.” Since there were many Jews who did not accept Jesus, some family situations proved difficult. Some of the family members believed in Jesus and others did not. It brought about family separation and difficult situations which made some leave the ones they loved.

This passage puts emphasis on two things: first and foremost, on faith. Faith must be given priority. The second concept is that of hospitality. We need to accept each other. Jesus also refers to the cross we need to carry. There cannot be any compromises, if we want to follow Jesus.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 10, 37-42)

Jesus said to his apostles: “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 a righteous man 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 the little one is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and how do they affect you now?
  3. How can you be a more hospitable person? As a family how can you grow in this virtue?
  4. When talking with the family, how, for example, do you refer to the refugees? About the poor in Malta?
  5. Listen to this song and reflect on it, (The least of these)
  6. Together with your family find the right time to read this gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare:
    a. The Bible reading from St Matthew (10, 37-42)
    b. A lit candle
    c. Cover the table with green cloth
    d. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  7. Go through the steps with your kid’s (2 age groups are being suggested)
  8. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  9. Be creative 😊
  10. Go to the Prayer Spaces section to continue praying as a family

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that following him and being his disciples will also bring along hard times for us. Jesus expects us to be friends with everyone.

We will learn that:

  • Jesus knows that there will be difficult times for us when we follow him
  • Jesus wants us to welcome everyone, he wants us to be friends with everyone
  • A picture of Jesus (see below)
  • Colours
  • Blank papers
  • Cardboard paper
  • Glue
A picture of JesusDownload

Is there a doormat outside the house? Is there something written on it? Is there WELCOME written on it? If we do not have one, did we ever see one of these doormats? Some houses, instead of having a doormat, have a decorative sign with the word WELCOME. Many shops have a WELCOME sign. What does this word mean?

Jesus told us that when we do something good for someone else, we would be doing it to him. Let the children give examples of acts of kindness. Help them give concrete examples from their daily lives. Adults may likewise mention their own examples. Jesus speaks to all of us and not just to the children.

We ask: Was is it always easy for us to accomplish the things we have mentioned?

Jesus knows that it is not always easy, and he is pleased when he sees our efforts. He promises that he is always with us.

When we are ready, we allow the children to colour the picture below. When they are ready, they may draw some of the acts of kindness mentioned earlier, on the blank paper. Even the adults may join and draw (or write) their own situations. All these drawings may be glued on the cardboard paper and placed somewhere where it is easily seen. This poster will function as a reminder that Jesus wants us to welcome and be friends with everyone.

Sign of the cross.

We pray the Our Father and remember that God loves everyone, and he is father of all.

Listen to the song, Jesus is my best friend.

Today Jesus tell us, that being his disciples and being like him, will mean that we should be prepared to face hard times. When we are passing through difficult times, we may say that we would be carrying our cross. Jesus never promises that if we love him and follow him, we will be free from trying times. His only promise is that he will help us and always be by our side.

There was once a man who compared his cross to that of others and thought that he was suffering far too much. So he turned to Jesus and said:

“Jesus, this cannot continue for much longer. My cross is too heavy, I cannot carry it anymore!”

And Jesus replied:

“Very well, my son. Look over there, can you see that door? Go, open it and place your cross inside that room. Then there is that other door, open it, in that room you will find many crosses, pick out any cross you wish.”

The man could not believe his luck! He did exactly what Jesus told him to do. He put his cross in one room, and he entered the other to make his choice. He wanted to be very careful in his choice, he did not want to end up worse off. In this room he saw many crosses of different sizes. He did not want a large one, so it took him quite some time, he kept going around, comparing and measuring. In the end, in one corner, he saw, what he thought was a cross, smaller than all the others. “That’s the one I want!” and he went to Jesus and told him about his choice.

Jesus smiled and he said: “Of course my son, take the cross you chose, but be aware that that is the same cross you just brought in!”

We will learn that we will encounter difficult times, the best way to live through this time is to put our hope in God

Materials Needed:

  • Cut outs of different sized crosses (there should be more than there are members in the family)
  • Pencils
  • A crucifix

We ask: what are your thoughts about the story we just heard?

What are our crosses? Give time for everyone to speak. It could be that the children have fears and feel that the current situation of social distancing, the fact that they cannot meet their friends that they used to, is a heavy cross for them. Allow them enough time to express themselves. The adults likewise should take a turn to speak about their cross.

What did Jesus promise us?

Now, everyone chooses one among the crosses and writes upon it the troubles or difficulties they are currently facing. When everyone is ready, each takes another cross and writes upon it the crosses (or sufferings, problems) borne by particular people. It could be something specific such as an illness a family member is passing through, or something more generic, such as the sufferings of refugees, or of people living in poverty. All these crosses are subsequently placed at the foot of the crucifix. Jesus is not asking us anything greater than what he himself lived through. The promise he made, i.e. that when we turn to him, he will be with us, is true.

Listen to the song Footprints in the sand.

Sign of the cross.

Thank you Lord, you are always with us. Teach us to trust in you, give us faith so that we remember that we are always in your presence. Amen.

Gospel in SymbolsDownload

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.