Page 5 - Children Celebrate Preview

John makes no mention of this, perhaps because he assumes audience familiarity with the other three Gospels. Perhaps, also, he has a different ax to grind — demonstrating that Jesus’ real point was to overturn empty, worn-out modes of worship, in time replacing them with the holy and perfect sacrifice of the Eucharist.
Children’s Connections
If children do not learn to give God all the love
and respect that is rightfully God’s, their love and respect for themselves, for other human beings, and for God’s creation will fall short as well. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the First Commandment requires us
to show respect for “the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us” (2120).
Deep respect for the Eucharist is reflected in
the very design of our church interiors. Most prominent is the altar, where daily we fulfill Jesus’ command to celebrate the Eucharist in memory of him.
On the altar, Christ becomes newly and truly present in the forms of consecrated bread and wine. Because Christ remains present in these forms as long as they continue to subsist, the tabernacle containing previously consecrated hosts is also given a prominent place, and a sanctuary light always shines near it.
Using the Children’s
Leaflet
The leaflet for this week helps children learn respect through a summary of the Gospel story, prayer, and a creative activity.
Distribute copies of the leaflet. If time permits, read with the children the summary of this week’s Gospel. Point out the artwork and ask the children what is happening in the picture.
Teach children that when they enter a church, they should dip their hands into holy water and cross themselves while silently reciting the Sign of the Cross. It is a way to remind themselves that they are entering into God’s presence.
Before entering or leaving their pew, they should genuflect in the direction of the tabernacle or, if one is not present in the main body of the church, bow before the altar. This is a way of saying hello and goodbye to Christ truly present where his people gather to celebrate the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist.
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Ancient Altars
The ancient Jews constructed an altar simply by gathering stones together
and piling them on top of each other. Stones were kept in their natural state to represent their supernatural Creator. They were not in any way reworked by human hands or held together by man-made mortar.
An animal was slaughtered somewhere nearby, then its blood poured out upon the altar. This contact between stones and blood represented God’s contact with humankind.
By the time the Jews constructed their first temple during the reign of Solomon, a different style of altar had evolved. Over a heap of natural stone or earth was placed a huge square slab of solid bronze. The altar builders had to keep themselves pure as the stone or earth they used. In turn, rabbinical literature stated, “If the very stones of the altar are to be treated with respect and with decorum, how much more living man!”
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