Page 4 - Children Celebrate Preview

March 4, 2018
Third Sunday of Lent
Today’s Readings
Liturgy of the Word with Children
Preparation
Children’s Leaflet
Have on hand copies of the Children’s Leaflet for this Sunday. Distribute copies at the start of the session.
Prepare with Prayer
Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector. (Psalm 19:14)
Scripture Background
The most important thing to know about the Decalogue, subject of today’s First Reading, is that the three commandments concerning love of God come first for a reason. Only out of love for God can we authentically love our neighbors.
The story in today’s Gospel is covered by all four Evangelists, but John’s version is unique: He shows Jesus cleansing the temple early in his public career. Keep in mind that the Gospels are not, strictly speaking, biographies of Jesus. Therefore we cannot expect any of them to follow strict chronological order. Rather, each Gospel is a verbal portrait of Jesus, with events ordered and narrated in such a way as to illuminate some vital truth about his nature and mission.
From John we learn that from the very beginning, Jesus was in conflict with the religious authorities of his day. After all, those money changers operated with the full knowledge and consent of Jerusalem’s religious leaders. They performed a necessary service, changing worshipers’ pocket money into special temple-issued coins, the only currency allowed for purchase of the animals needed for ritual sacrifices.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke suggest that Jesus was angry because the money changers overcharged their customers.
Exodus 20:1–3, 7–8, 12–17 Psalm 19:7, 8, 9cd–10ab John 2:13–22
Prepare the Meeting Space
In the worship area, on a table draped with a violet cloth, place:
Ô a Lectionary
Ô a battery-operated candle
Ô a crucifix
Ô a set of flash cards printed with the
underlined words from the Gathering story on the next page, and perhaps a picture postcard of a church.
Suggested Music
See page 64 for more information.
Gathering: “LOVE God” (Seeds CD-2, Track #21) or “Saying Yes” (Promise & Good News CD-1, Track #17)
Gospel Acclamation: “Glory and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ” (Promise & Good News CD-2, Track #23)
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