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Children's Liturgy Series: The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

Author: Joyce Bott

Introduction

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that to be great in God's Kingdom, you must be a servant of all.

Opening Prayer

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

Gospel (Mark 10:35-45)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POhgWYG5kAc (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)

Reflection

Say: In today’s Gospel, James and John seek a place of honor in the Kingdom of God. 

Ask: What is the symbol of the honor that James and John seek? (a seat at Jesus’ side when he comes in glory) What does Jesus say will be required of the people who will receive such an honor? (to suffer in the same way that Jesus will suffer) What is Jesus’ answer to James and John? (that Jesus cannot give them the honor that they seek)

Say: In the words that follow, Jesus teaches his disciples what it will take to be great in the Kingdom of God. What does Jesus say? (that those who wish to be first in God’s kingdom must be the servants of others)

Ask: What are some honors that are given to those who serve others? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Do you think that people serve others in order to win prizes? (Probably not.) Then why do you think people spend their lives serving the needs of others? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Conclude by praying that we may receive honor in God’s eyes by learning to serve others in love. Pray together the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis.

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Closing Prayer

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