Reflecting on the Gospel

with Children

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gather together, light your candle and make the sign of the Cross

Read the Gospel, reflect quietly, thinking about what it says to you

Reflect on the questions then finish with the prayers

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SEASON OF CREATION - Pope Francis is encouraging parishes and schools to participate in a Season of Creation, for 4 weeks, ending October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. We are called to prayer, reflection and action towards care of our common home, and the planet Earth.

OPENING PRAYER

O God, remind us of your sacred laws and how to keep them so we may love you and our neighbour, Through Jesus your Son. Who lives and reigns with you, God, for ever and ever. Amen

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia! Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of Jesus. Alleluia!

GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire vineyard workers. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them to his vineyard. Going out at the third hour he saw others idle in the market place and said, “You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage.” So they went. At the sixth hour and again at the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. At the eleventh hour he went out and found more standing round, and he said, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” “Because no one has hired us” they answered. He said, “You go into my vineyard too.” In the evening, the vineyard owner said to the manager, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.” So those who were hired at the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner. “Those who came last have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.” He answered, “My friends, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last-comer as much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?” Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.’

The Gospel of the Lord. ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

CHILDREN’S DISCUSSION STARTERS

How did the farmer find workers for the vineyard and when did the farmer pay the workers?

Why were some of the workers jealous?

Can you think of a time when you were cross because someone received more than you?

How does it make you feel when someone is generous? Share a time when this happened.

Focus In the Gospel, Jesus gives us an example of when the workers hired last are paid the same as those who worked many hours more. Sometimes we think we know what others deserve, but God reads hearts and gives his mercy and love without reserve. Jesus asks to follow God’s ways, as he did.

For Parents

Talk with the children about ways of being and acting that make us truly happy. Judging others, being mean and selfish, makes our hearts small and troubled. Being generous, forgiving, always willing to think the best of others, expands our hearts and makes us happy and free. God is always willing to give us many chances and appreciates every effort we make. Help children see this I the way we should act toward everyone.

LET US PRAY

Leader: Let us open our hearts in prayer to our God who is always near.

Reader: We pray we may better protect and care for the earth, our common home, which provides for us, and also oceans teeming with living creatures. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer. Reader: We pray governments will promote fair wages for the poor and look after all who have lost work or business due to Covid. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray greedy people will have a change of heart. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray those who are looking for employment will find a job in this difficult time. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray we will have generous hearts and always believe in God’s goodness. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray for staff in our schools as the school holidays begin. May they find time to be refreshed after the many challenges of distance learning . May families also enjoy their well earned break. Lord hear Us. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: O God, how generous is your love for us. Hear our prayers and help us to work for the coming of your kingdom. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God is generous to us, let us try to find ways to be generous this week as we begin the school holidays. May the Lord bless us, protect us, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen © Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd © St Mary's Press Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart is associate director of early adolescent ministry in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Previously she served for six years as th e director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska. © Greg Sunter Greg Sunter has worked in Catholic Education (Brisbane) for many years, most recently as a member of the Religious Education team and Mission and Formation team. He has extensive experience of praying with young people and forming others to lead prayer with young people. He is the author of books on adolescent faith, is a regular speaker at youth and evangelisation conferences, and is a retreat and reflection facilitator and presenter. His areas of interest include religious education, theology, scripture, spirituality, Catholic ethos, prayer, and ministry with young people. © The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.