Your Family Rule of Life
Please begin by saying the Prayer to the Holy Family found on page 2 of the Retreat Guide. Then, watch the video below. When you are done, continue with Section 4 in the retreat guide.
The Scripture Reflection artwork and questions are provided below in a larger format than the printed PDF to increase your child’s engagement.
Scripture with Reflection Questions
Read this Scripture passage prayerfully and carefully. Don’t rush. Reflect upon this artist’s depiction of a family at prayer as an additional way of entering into this mystery.
You may wish to read this article from the museum where this painting is located to learn more about the imagery and details in this work: https://www.theleidencollection.com/artwork/the-prayer-before-the-meal/
Ephesians 6:1-4, 11-18
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Questions to Discuss
- Which commandment is Paul quoting in the second sentence of this passage? What blessing comes from living this commandment well?
- This passage calls parents to discipline their children, but in a Christian way. How do you think “do not provoke your children to anger” speaks to this? Children are called to obey their parents. How can this dynamic in your home of obedience and discipline lead you to better unity as a family?
- Do you believe in the existence of the Devil and his interest in waging spiritual warfare against your family? How might you follow Paul’s advice in this passage to protect yourselves in this spiritual battle? Perhaps you might share any events that showed you that evil is real and interested in the downfall of your family.
- What connections do you see between putting on the “armor of God” and having a Family Rule of Life?
Prayer: Reflecting on the Painting, Prayer Before the Meal
After reading the passage from Ephesians chapter 6 and discussing the questions above, spend some time meditating on the painting, Prayer Before the Meal.
Consider these details in the painting, or any other detail that catches your interest:
- The board hanging on the rear wall serves as the family’s creed (or Mission/Rule of Life). It is from Proverbs 30:7–9 and reads, “Three things I desire and no more. Above all to love God the Father, not to covet an abundance of riches, but to desire what the wisest prayed for, an honest life in this vale. In these three all is based.”
- Inscribed on the chandelier are words from The Our Father prayer, “Thy will be done.”
- Notice the skull on the shelf in the background. Why would they want to meditate on the reality of death and our mortality? Careful inspection of the skull shows that it is crowned with a wreath of wheat. What does this signify?
- The parents have a very particular posture. What is it for each of them and what does it mean to you?