Children's Liturgy Series: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the two sons, and teaches that actions speak louder than words.

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 Spirit so we can understand the lesson you have for us today. Help us to be inspired to take your words, internalize them, and put them into practice with action in our daily lives. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, 'but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

Say: Let’s play a game. Direct children to do an action. But as you say one action, do another. For example, you might tell children to raise their arms while you put your arms out in front of you or tell them to pat their head while you pat your shoulders. After a few turns, say: That was a bit confusing, wasn’t it? I told you to do one thing while I did another! And that was just a game!

Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that it is important that we are consistent in our words and our actions. Say: The father asked his two sons to work in the vineyard. Ask: What did the first son do? (He said no but then changed his mind and went to work.) What did the second son do? (He said yes but then didn’t do the work.) Ask: Which son did what his father asked? (the first son) Why might the second son have said yes and then not done the work? (Accept reasonable answers.)

Say: Sometimes when we are asked to do something, we might say yes and then forget. Other times, we might have no plans to do what we are asked. We say yes, but we don’t mean it. Jesus teaches us that our actions are as important as our words. We are called to love and obey God in our words and in our actions. Take a moment and think of a commitment you will keep this week.

Close by praying together the Lord’s Prayer.

Father in Heaven we thank you for the lesson today. Please bless each one of us in this room. Please give us the courage to not be a hypocrite and to follow our words with action. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.