In today's Gospel, Jesus draws a likeness of Heaven to a wedding feast. We learn that the doors of Heaven have been open for all, but only a few have said yes to the invitation.
Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this lesson. Thank you for making it possible for us to have access to you and your heavenly kingdom through Jesus. Please send us the Holy Spirit and soften our hearts to say yes to your invitation. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and 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 he 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.
The king 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."
Source: CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA (2020, OCT). The Parable of the wedding banquet. [VIDEO]. YOUTUBE. CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlQdr7Iu_to
Give children a party hat. Say: Today I’m inviting all of you to my party! We are celebrating that we are all disciples of Jesus!
Invite children to get a treat and talk about what it’s like to get invitations to parties (being sensitive to any child who may not have been invited to a party). Say: It is fun to go to a party. Getting invitations lets us know that we are liked and cared about. That’s why I invited all of you to this party. Jesus cares about you, and I do too!
Say: In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable, or story, about a wedding. Some people accept the invitation, and some people refuse it. Jesus tells the parable to teach us about being invited to be his disciple. Jesus invites everyone to be his disciple. Some people accept his invitation, and some people refuse it.
Say: The king sent out three invitations to the wedding feast. Ask: Which group of people accepted the invitation—the first, second, or third group? (the third group)
Say: Jesus invites us to be his disciple. When we say yes to his invitation, he offers us life with God forever.
Say: Let’s show Jesus that we are his disciples. Give children the invitations and the crayons or markers. Have children write their name and decorate the invitation.
Pray: Jesus, we have accepted your invitation to be your disciple. Help us follow you to God the Father. Pray together the Glory Be to the Father.
Father in Heaven we thank you for the lesson today. Please bless each one of us in this room. Please give us the grace to have the courage to say yes to Jesus' invitation to follow him. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
