In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches the apostles that by serving others (especially the meek and the poor), we are actually serving God himself.
Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognize when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRPZxznx2DU (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)
Say: Think about the people you see on the news or in magazines or TV shows.
Ask: Who are some people who are considered great or very important? (Answers will vary. Children might mention presidents, kings, queens, movie stars, sports stars.) Why are they thought of as great or important? (Accept all reasonable answers. Children might note that these people have a lot of money or power or a special talent.)
Ask: What did Jesus tell his disciples would make them great? (being a servant to all) Say: In Jesus’ time, children didn’t have any power or rights. Jesus told the disciples that they are great in the Kingdom of God when they serve the people who have the least, like children.
Say: Jesus teaches us what is most important. It is not having the best things or being the best at something. When we freely and lovingly serve others, we are great in God’s eyes.
Close by praying: Jesus, help us be your loving servants. Then invite children to join you in praying the Lord’s Prayer.
Source: thekidsbulletin.com
Father in heaven, for the conversion of sinners, 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
