Children's Liturgy Series: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

In today's Gospel we learn about Jesus's teaching ministry and how He is able to speak and act with authority. We learn about how it's important to follow our words with actions.

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 us with peace, love and wisdom. Help us to understand the message you have for us today.  Help us to recognize when you would like us to put our words into action like Jesus did.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Tell the group that you would like to learn a new skill—you want to learn to play the piano. Ask: What are some requirements that I should include on my list of qualifications for a piano instructor? (a degree in music, experience with the instrument, experience with teaching, and so on) Would it be enough for me to find a person who could read music? Is it enough to look for someone who has a college degree in music? No, when looking for the best piano teacher, we usually look for someone who has both a music degree and experience in playing the piano and teaching students.

Ask the group: What do we mean when someone is said to “walk the walk and talk the talk”? (It means that there is consistency between the person’s words and actions.) Why is this important? (People are credible if their actions and words are consistent.)

Say: In today's Gospel we see one of the ways in which Jesus’ actions demonstrated the power and authority behind his words. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel.

Ask: How did the people respond to Jesus’ teachings and healings? (They were amazed and astonished; they recognized that he spoke and acted with authority.)

Say: As people of faith, we want others to observe consistency between our words and actions. In what ways does the Church demonstrate the power of the words we teach about Jesus? (through outreach to the poor and the sick, in our work for justice, and so on) In particular, when we act with justice toward others, we demonstrate the authority and power of what we believe about God.

Father in Heaven we thank you for your teaching ministry and the kindness you showed to those who were sick in health and in spirit. Please bless each one of us in this room. Help us to have the courage to be like you and show kindness to those in our community who have been pushed aside and forgotten. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.