Childrens Liturgy of the

Word

There is a kind of Christianity made up of devotions reflecting an individual and

sentimental faith life which does not in fact correspond to authentic popular pi-
ety. Some people promote these expressions while not being in the least concerned
with the advancement of society or the formation of the laity, and in certain cases
they do so in order to obtain economic benefits or some power over others.
EVANGELII GAUDIUM

There seems to be a human tendency to want to domesticate the

powerful, transforming and healing love of God. This is Jesus criticism in
todays Gospel and Pope Francis criticism of some of the religious
practices in todays Church. Those who claim special knowledge, who
look the part, know the rituals and say the words by rote may look down
their nose at those who do not. This sort of religious elitism prevents
them from offering welcome and hospitality to the newcomer, or to
someone who is perhaps returning to the church of their childhood.
Devotions, liturgy and rituals can be a wonderful way to express and
mediate the joy of Gods love when they are open and inclusive, rather
than being the exclusive property of a few religious specialists who desire
to draw a line between themselves and the other.
However, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has a way of breaking free from the
confines of neatly packaged religious practices, and has the power to
move people out of their comfort zones in spite of their efforts to tame
and control the Word of God. This constant, life-long call to a deeper
 conversion of faith can take us by surprise at times, especially when we
encounter Jesus in unexpected places and people, and this can remind us
that we still have much to learn about Gods ways, it is to say the least, a
humbling experience.

A small table, green cloth, candle, bible and cross.

Loving God, we come to hear your Word on this Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary
Time.
We sign our forehead with the sign of the cross as we open our minds to
understand to your Word.
We sign our lips with the sign of the cross, help us to speak your truth.

We sign our hearts with the sign of the cross, may we carry the Good News of
Jesus and share it with everyone we meet.

A reading from the book of the prophet Malachi

The Lord says this:

Although I am the Lord All-Powerful,
you priests have turned from following me.
Your teachings have led many people to do
sinful things,
and you have broken the promise that Levi made to me.
So I made everyone hate and despise you
because you disobeyed me and did not treat all people alike.
Don't you know that we all have the same father?
Didn't the one God create us all?
So why do you cheat each other
by breaking the promise that your ancestors made?
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Show me your paths
and teach me to follow;
guide me by your truth
and instruct me.
You keep me safe. R.
Please, Lord, remember,
you have always
been patient and kind.
Show how truly kind you are
and remember me. R.
You are honest and merciful,
and you teach sinners
how to follow your path.
You lead humble people
to do what is right
and to stay on your path. R.

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

Brothers and sisters:

We could have demanded help from you.
After all, Christ is the one who sent us.
We chose to be like children or like a mother nursing her baby.
We cared so much for you,
and you became so dear to us,
that we were willing to give our lives for you
when we gave you God's message.
My dear friends,
you surely haven't forgotten our hard work and hardships.
You remember how night and day we struggled to make a living,
so that we could tell you God's message
without being a burden to anyone.
We always thank God that you believed the message we preached.
It came from him,
and it is not something made up by humans.
You accepted it as God's message,
and now he is working in you.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Alleluia, alleluia.
You have one Father, your Father in heaven;
you have one teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Alleluia.

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

"The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law
are experts in the Law of Moses.
So obey everything they teach you,
but don't do as they do.
After all, they say one thing and do something else.
"They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders
and won't lift a finger to help them.
Everything they do is just to show off in front of others.
They even make a big show
of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms,
and they wear big tassels for everyone to see.
They love the best seats at banquets
and the front seats in the meeting places.
And when they are in the market,
they like to have people greet them as their teachers.
"But none of you should be called a teacher.
You have only one teacher,
and all of you are like brothers and sisters.
Don't call anyone on earth your father.
All of you have the same Father in heaven.
None of you should be called the leader.
The Messiah is your only leader.
"Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of
the others.
If you put yourself above others,
you will be put down.
But if you humble yourself,
you will be honoured."
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Invite the children to share with you how they learn prayers and what to
say and do at Mass?
o Who teaches them?
o Do they find it easy to learn them?
o Do they sometimes get the words wrong?
Share with the children that they must not feel embarrassed about not
knowing all of the prayers off by heart or making a mistake because Jesus
wants them to show people his love in simple ways and he is just as happy
if they talk to him in their own words.
It is special to say prayers with everyone at Mass too and to pray together
as one community, remember that the grown-ups once had to learn them
and they probably made mistakes too. It is a special job for the older
 people to teach the young people and new comers to the church by
example. Not just what to do and say but how to live and how to care for
each other.
Invite the children to share with you the ways that they think Jesus calls us
to live our lives and care for each other.

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;
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.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the
Liturgy Corporation.

Leader: Loving God, help us to grow more and more in our faith as we
pray;
Reader: We pray for the Church, may our prayers communicate the love of
God in the world. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: We pray for leaders in our Church, may they teach us the meaning
of prayers and devotions and call us to love God more deeply. Lord, hear
us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: We pray for the people in our parish community, that our prayers
and devotions move us to care for people in our local area in practical and
compassionate ways. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader: We pray for people who taught us to be faithful in simple and
caring ways and who have gone to their eternal rest. We especially
remember our deceased family and friends. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Loving God, we make our prayers in the name of Jesus, who calls
us to live in faith with one another.
Amen.

Having been fed at the Table of the Word, we now prepare to share in the
celebration of the Eucharist. May we show others the joy of Gods love in
the coming week.