Children's Liturgy Series: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

In today's Gospel, Jesus commends a poor widow's offerings on her large sacrifice.

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 and fill our hearts with peace, joy, and wisdom.  Help us to understand your message today and have the courage to share our things with a generous heart.  Help us to trust that God always provides, especially when we have nothing left. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robesand accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretextrecite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasuryand observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in morethan all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,her whole livelihood."

Ask: Who were the characters in the story?

Ask: What happened in the story?

Ask: "Why do you think Jesus thought the widow's small gift was so special?"

• Emphasize that God looks at our hearts when we give, not how much we give.
  
• Explain that Jesus wants us to give generously, meaning we give what we can with a loving heart, trusting that God will take care of us.