In today's Gospel, Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount and reminds us that the law of Moses still stands but that we are to go one step beyond it.
Father in Heaven we give you praise and glory. We thank you for bringing us together today for this Children's Liturgy lesson. Please send us the Holy Spirit and open our hearts and minds so we can understand your teaching of the Beatitudes and how to follow your law and use the Beatitudes to find ultimate peace an joy in our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
After teaching the people about being salt and light, Jesus continued sharing more about how God wants us to live.
Jesus said something very important:
“I didn’t come to get rid of God’s laws.
I came to complete them.”
The people had heard God’s rules for many years—rules about loving God and loving others. Jesus wanted them to understand that these rules were still important, but He also wanted them to learn what was in God’s heart.
Jesus explained that doing the right thing isn’t just about following rules on the outside—it’s about having love and kindness on the inside.
Jesus Talks About Anger
Jesus told the people:
“You have heard, ‘Do not hurt others.’
But I tell you, don’t even stay angry with someone.”
He wanted them to know that unkind words and hurtful feelings can be just as damaging as hurting someone physically.
Jesus wants us to make peace and try to fix problems with others.
Jesus Talks About Keeping Promises
Jesus said that promises and marriages are special, and we must treat each other with love and respect.
He taught the people to take relationships seriously and to care for each other the way God cares for us.
Jesus Talks About Telling the Truth
Jesus also said:
“You have heard, ‘Do not lie.’
But I tell you, let your ‘yes’ mean yes,
and your ‘no’ mean no.”
That means we should be honest, trustworthy, and truthful.
We don’t need fancy promises—we just need to say what is true.
What Jesus Wanted Them to Learn
Jesus wasn’t just giving rules—He was showing everyone how to live with love:
Be peaceful instead of angry
Treat people with respect and care
Be honest and trustworthy
Let your heart be filled with goodness, not just your actions
Jesus was helping them understand that following God is not only about what we do on the outside—it’s about who we are on the inside.
Source: One minute with Jesus (2023). Gospel Matthew 5 17-37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1wkIwuV2ws
Draw an octagon on the board (the shape of a STOP sign, with eight sides)
Ask if any of the children recognize this shape. Explain that the shape is an octagon meaning that it has eight sides.
Tell the children that this shape is also used for a traffic sign and that it is colored red and has one word on it. (a STOP sign)
Say: We have STOP signs and other traffic signs to protect us and to keep us safe. These signs remind us that we have laws to obey.
Write the word LAW on the board. Ask for volunteers to explain what a law is. (a rule that we must obey)
Say: In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about the Law that God has given us and how he has come to fulfill this Law.
Ask: What does it mean to fulfill something? (to make it complete)
Say: Jesus tells us in this Sunday’s Gospel that the best way to understand God’s Law of love, is to listen to Jesus and to live like him.
RECALL
Q1: Why did Jesus say He came — to get rid of God’s laws or to complete them?
Sample answer:“He came to complete them.”
Q2: What did Jesus say about being angry with other people?
Sample answer:“He said we shouldn’t stay angry or say hurtful things.”
Q3: What did Jesus teach about telling the truth?
Sample answer:“That our ‘yes’ should mean yes and our ‘no’ should mean no.”
RELATE
Q1: How do you feel when someone gets angry at you or says something unkind?
Sample answer:“It makes me feel sad.”
Q2: How dOes it feel when someone keeps a promise to you?
Sample answer:“It feels good and makes me trust them.”
Q3: How do you feel when someone is totally honest with you?
Sample answer:“It makes me feel safe.”
APPLY
Q1: What is one way you can make peace with someone if you’ve had an argument?
Sample answer:“I can say I’m sorry and try to fix things.”
Q2: What is something you can do to treat people with respect and kindness?
Sample answer:“I can listen, share, and speak nicely.”
Q3: How can you practice being honest this week?
Sample answer:“By telling the truth even when it’s hard.”
KEY TAKEAWAY
Jesus teaches us that loving God means loving others with our words, our actions, and our hearts.
Source: Copilot. (2026). Jesus continues teaching the Beatitudes in the style of mexican folk art [large language model]
Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
