Lessons in English
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Focus:
Jesus gives us hope by telling us we can share our burdens with him and they will be lightened.
Materials Needed:
- Bible
- Candle
- A heavy object
Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home Sunday celebration. Here is a video on how to do so: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2020/04/pop-up-catechesis-creating-a-prayer-space-in-your-home/
Light a candle. Call your family to prayer.
Opening Activity:
Call attention to the heavy object that you have in your prayer space. Have each family member pick up the object and hold it for a little while. After everyone has had a chance, reflect on holding the object.
- Did you think the object was heavy at first?
- How did your arms feel after holding the object for a while?
- If you had someone to help you hold the object, would it be as difficult?
Carrying something heavy for a long time can be a burden for us and become difficult.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus will tell us that we can come to him and he will help us with our burdens.
Music:
Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.
Make the Sign of the Cross.
Sunday Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
Together read the Sunday Gospel. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070520.cfm
Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.
Discussion:
- Do you have times that you feel like you are carrying something heavy? Or that something is really hard to do?
- Are there things that you are really worried about?
- How can you ask Jesus to help you with these things?
- What can we learn from Jesus to help us to carry our burdens?
- How can we help others carry their burdens like Jesus helps us carry ours?
Apostles Creed:
Together pray:
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; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from thence he shall 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.
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Universal Prayers:
As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.
The Lord’s Prayer
Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Family Activity Suggestions:
- Make time to rest today. Create a pillow or blanket fort inside or set up a tent outside. Make it very comfortable and inviting. Gather as a family and each offer one burden that you would like to give to Jesus today. Then spend some time resting, which may look different to each family member. Some may want to read or sleep. Or maybe it’s watching a family movie from the fort. Whatever you choose to do, make it a space of quiet and relaxation.
- Are there other ways you like to relax as a family? Maybe go for a walk, hike, or bike ride together. Do the relaxation activity your family enjoys most, but just as before the resting activity, take time to offer your burdens to Jesus.
- Jesus gives us hope that our burdens will be light. Brainstorm ways as a family to lighten someone else’s burdens and carry out that idea.
Music Suggestions:
Gathering: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ytf_TIujPw
Psalm Response: Psalm 145: I Will Praise Your Name for Ever, My King and My God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUG3kZoA6X8
Presentation of the Gifts: Day of Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTacujPDnpg
Communion: A Place At Your Table
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1_3aLZlkr8
Hymn of Praise: City of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXZTYV1Pq_M
Other Web Resources:
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
Catholic Mom:
http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/
USCCB:
https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/ot-14.pdf
Strong Catholic Faith:
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/breaking-open-the-word—junejuly—cycle-a.html
Pop-Up Catechesis:
https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/
