Children's Liturgy Series: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

In today's Gospel we learn about God's generousity in the parable of the 'Workers in the Vineyard'. We are reminded that God has already given us everything through Jesus' suffering on the cross. Everything above and beyond that is an example of God's generousity and we should receive it with a grateful heart without comparing ourselves to others.

Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this Children's Liturgy lesson. Please send us the Holy Spirt and fill our hearts with peace, love, and gratefulness. Help us to be grateful to God for what we have, without comparing ourselves to others. In Jesus' name we pray.

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a landownerwho 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, the landowner 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, the landowner 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."

1. Recall Questions (What happened in the story?)
Who owned the vineyard?
What job did the workers do in the vineyard?
Did all the workers start working at the same time?
When did some workers start working?
Early in the morning?
In the middle of the day?
Near the end of the day?
At the end of the day, what did the owner give the workers?
Did the workers who came late get less money or the same money?
How did the workers who started early feel when they saw this?
What did the owner say to the workers who complained?
What was Jesus teaching through this story?

2. Connect Through Empathy (How did people feel?)
How do you think the workers who worked all day felt when they saw everyone receiving the same pay?
Have you ever felt like something was unfair? What happened?
How do you think the workers who came late felt when they received a full day's pay?
How do you think they felt knowing the owner was so generous to them?
Why do you think the vineyard owner chose to be extra kind?
How would you feel if someone gave you a gift you didn't expect?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to be happy when other people receive blessings too?

3. Real-Life Application (What should we do?)

Scenario 1
Your teacher gives everyone a sticker for participating, even though some students answered more questions than others.

How might you feel?
Would you be happy for your classmates?
What would Jesus want you to do?

Scenario 2
Your friend gets invited to a special activity and you don't.
What feelings might you have?
How can you still be kind and supportive?

Scenario 3
Your younger brother gets a larger piece of cake because it is his birthday.
Would that be unfair?
How can you show joy for someone else's special day?

Scenario 4
A new student joins your class and quickly makes friends.
What would be a loving response?

Scenerio 5
A classmate who usually gets into trouble apologises and is forgiven.
How should we respond?
Why is forgiveness a gift from God?

Scenario 6
Your friend wins a prize that you hoped to win.
What might be hard about that?
What could you say to show kindness and encouragement?