In today's Gospel, we learn about how Jesus called his first apostles to drop what they were doing at the time, leave it all behind, and come follow Him.
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 help us to understand the lesson you have for us today. Please give us the wisdom to know when you are calling us to do something, and the courage to stop what we were working on and do the more important job you are calling us to do. We ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Source: CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA (2021, JAN). Jonah, Jesus and the new world. [VIDEO]. YOUTUBE. CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHBIIgPKVA
Give each child a fish shape and crayons or markers. Say: One day, Jesus was walking by the sea when he saw some fishermen. They caught fish by casting large nets into the sea. Let’s spend some time coloring our fish!
Give children a few minutes to color, not long enough for them to complete their task. Say: Let’s stop what we’re doing for now! Come follow me. Lead the children over to a spot where you can read today’s Gospel verse.
Ask: Was it easy or hard to stop coloring your fish and come sit over here? Why? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
Ask: What did Simon and his brother Andrew do when Jesus said, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men”? (They left their fishing nets and followed Jesus.) How about James and John? Did they continue to mend their fishing nets, or did they follow Jesus? (They followed Jesus.)
Say: The disciples knew that following Jesus was the most important thing they could do. Jesus calls us to follow him too. Sometimes that means we stop doing something that is less important so that we can do the important things Jesus asks of us. Let’s tell Jesus we will follow him joyfully.
Invite them to write a message on the back of the fish telling Jesus they will follow him. Give children time to finish coloring.
Close by praying together the Lord’s Prayer.
Father in Heaven, thank you for bringing us together for this Children's Liturgy Lesson. Help us to have the courage to be like Peter, Andrew, James and John and drop what we are doing to do what Jesus is calling us to do. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
