TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C. Notes for Leaders

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1 CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C Notes for Leaders A key theme in Luke's Gospel is journey and the essence of Luke's gospel is Jesus' journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. To fully comprehend this passage and the gospels for the next few weeks, one needs to look at the whole of Luke's chapter 9. It begins with a call and commission to the disciples to go out and proclaim the kingdom. Jesus calls them 'apostles' which means 'one who is sent'. Following this story is the episode of the feeding of the five thousand in which Jesus says 'Give them something to eat yourselves', clearly indicating that, as disciples they (and we) have a responsibility to be involved in Jesus' ministry. We can't leave everything to him. In this gospel story, Jesus asks the question, 'Who do the crowds say I am?' After being given several answers by the disciples, Jesus asks for a direct response: 'Who do you say I am?' It is Peter who steps forward and declares Jesus the Christ, the anointed one of God. This is the first time the disciples recognise Jesus as the Messiah. In the latter part of this gospel (Luke 9:28-36) we hear, as we did on the second Sunday in Lent (Transfiguration), an answer to Jesus' question, 'Who am I?' The voice from the cloud (God) will tell Jesus, 'You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased'. Invite the children to answer the question posed by Jesus, 'Who am I?' Who is Jesus for you? What does Jesus mean to you? Also in this week's gospel we will hear how Jesus tells the disciples that suffering and perhaps death are essential parts of discipleship. The journey theme thus continues, the journey to the cross. In this week's gospel account, we find Jesus in prayer. This indicates that this is

2 a key moment in Jesus' life. Discuss with the children the importance of prayer in the lives of Christians. Share with them your own (as leader) preferred ways of praying. Encourage the children to discuss their own reasons for praying and where and when they like to pray. Invite the children to share their idea of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Assist them to identify practical ways of demonstrating discipleship: through friendliness, forgiveness, gentleness, concern for others etc. We are not long out of the Easter season in which the Holy Spirit was a central figure. Recall the reading from Galatians 5:22 which refers to the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness trustfulness (or faithfulness), gentleness and self-control. Invite the children to give themselves a 'fruit rating' on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10. How do you rate as a Spirit-filled disciple? The reading from Galatians talks about all people being equal in the eyes of God. If this is true then there should be no difference in the way we treat one another. Encourage the children to reflect on their relationship with their family and friends and other people in the school and parish communities. The simple message for younger children is that Jesus asks us to care for others and think of others and their needs as well as our own. INTRODUCTORY RITES OF MASS Dismissal and Procession from the Church I invite the children, please, to stand. My dear children, you will go now to hear God's word, to praise God in song and to reflect on the wonderful things God has done for us. We will await your return so that together we may celebrate the Eucharist. A cross bearer leads the way out. CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD Introduction Create a simple prayer focus that articulates the liturgical flavour of the season. Use a green candle and piece of green material. Include a sign that says. Who am I? The Children s Lectionary is enthroned in a place of honour with the candle. This is the twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today we are reminded that Jesus is the Messiah, God s very own Son. A moment of silence follows. [First Reading]: Galatians 3:26-29

3 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians Brothers and sisters: All of you are God s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. And when you were baptised, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham s family, and you will be given what God has promised. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. [Responsorial Psalm]: Ps 100:1-3, 5 R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord! R. You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. R. The Lord is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever. R.

4 [Gospel Acclamation]: John 10:27 Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia. Gospel: Luke 9:18-24 A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke When Jesus was alone praying, his disciples came to him, and he asked them, What do people say about me? They answered, Some say that you are John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet from long ago who has come back to life. Jesus then asked them, But who do you say I am? Peter answered, You are the Messiah sent from God. Jesus strictly warned his disciples not to tell anyone what had happened. Jesus told his disciples, The nation s leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. They will reject him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life. Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life,

5 you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Receiving the Word Liquid Picture A liquid picture is a form of drama that allows a story to be presented in a flowing or liquid manner. The process follows this pattern: Choose a familiar scriptural story and divide it into five or six main sections. For each section choose one or two short phrases. Choose a simple action for each section. Choose one person for each section. These five or six people stand with their backs to the rest of the group. A teacher or leader introduces the story with a simple statement. The first student, turns to face the group, repeats a phrase two or three times (once is not enough for children to remember!) then freezes. Process continues until the last student finishes. The teacher or leader concludes with a simple statement. Leader: Jesus asked the disciples, 'Who do you say I am?' Are you John the Baptist? No! Are you Elijah the prophet? No! Are you the Messiah? Yes! Leader: Jesus is the messiah, God's very own Son. Profession of Faith I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell;

6 on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. General Intercessions Leader: Let us pray now for the leaders of our church, our world, for those in our community and for our own needs. Reader: We pray that the leaders of our Church will work together for peace and unity. Lord hear us. Reader: We pray for all victims of terrorism. Lord hear us. Reader: We pray for people who have died in floods or fires. Lord hear us. Reader: We pray that our faith in Jesus will be strong and constant. Lord hear us. Leader: Loving God, listen to the prayers we make in the name of Jesus. All: Amen. DISMISSAL Dismissal and Procession to the Church. As we go to celebrate the Lord s Supper, we carry God s word in our hearts. May God s Holy Spirit help us to put it into practice. A cross bearer leads the way out.