Lessons in English
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Focus:
Because of the faith of a mother, Jesus heals her daughter.
Jesus has come for all people.
Jesus hears our prayers.
Materials Needed:
- Bible
- Candle
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 Discussion:
- Have you ever asked for something and been told no?
- Did you give up? Or did you keep asking?
- What were your reasons that you should have it? Were they good reasons?
- Did you finally get what you wanted? Why or why not?
In today’s Gospel, a mother asks Jesus to help her daughter and Jesus turns her down. . . at first. Listen carefully to what happens.
Music:
Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.
Make the Sign of the Cross.
Sunday Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28
Together read the Sunday Gospel. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081620.cfm
Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.
Discussion:
- What did the woman ask of Jesus?
- What was his response to her? Did this surprise you?
- Did she take no for answer? What did she say to try to convince Jesus?
- Did she convince Jesus to help her? What did he do?
- Why do you think Jesus said no at first? What was his reason?
- Ideas to understand from today’s Gospel;
- Jesus came to save the “lost sheep of Israel,” the Jews, but his ministry became extended to all those who believed in him, including the Canaanite woman. Her prayer was answered because she had faith in Jesus.
- Persistence in prayer must also include trust and faith in Jesus and that we ask for what we want. When we ask God for something this is called a prayer of petition.
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:
- Create a prayer wall – Create a space in your home where you can post prayer intentions that you may have. Use post-it notes or something similar to write your prayer on and place it in the designated wall space. Post prayer requests that you may receive from others as well. Recall these prayers any time you pray as a family (morning, meal time, bedtime, etc).
- Explore discrimination – The Canaanite woman confronted discrimination in today’s Gospel. What is discrimination? Where is it in our world? Does your family face it? If they do, what do you do about it? What can you do to help people in our world who face discrimination on a daily basis? Explore Catholic Social Teaching to find resources to help confront discrimination. https://www.crs.org/sites/default/files/usops-resources/17us495_cst_handout-kids_en-digital.pdf
Music Suggestions:
Gathering: Come, Christians, Join to Sing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdP5gkF1EBE
Psalm Response: Psalm 67: O God, Let All the Nations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Lqg6Np1n8
Presentation of the Gifts: Age to Age
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqHRXkukdCI
Communion: The Cry of the Poor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aqTngprDY4
Hymn of Praise: A Rightful Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jfQ-ADjxcI
Other Web Resources:
Loyola Press:
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:
https://www.catholicmom.com/sunday-mass-activities
USCCB:
https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/ot-20.pdf
Strong Catholic Faith:
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/breaking-open-the-word—augustseptember—cycle-a.html
Pop-Up Catechesis:
https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/
