THREE IMPORTANT STORIES

HEART OF CATECHESIS THREE IMPORTANT STORIES JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 13 LET S SHAKE ON IT During the time of Jesus, when you went to visit someone in their home it was customary to greet someone with a kiss and provide water to wash their feet. Travel on dirt roads in sandals made people s feet dirty. It was considered an act of kindness to make provisions for foot washing and further an act of service and humility to wash the feet of another. The kiss served as a greeting. From early times a kiss was not only a token of love, but also a symbol of profound respect. See Genesis: 27:26, 29:13, 32:1, 33:4, 45:15, 48:10, 50:1 Exodus: 4:27, 18:7 1 Samuel 10:1, 20:40-41 2 Samuel 14:33. 19:40 DID YOU KNOW? The handshake comes from medieval Europe, where kings and knights would extend their hands to each other, and grasp the others hand as a demonstration that each did not possess concealed weapons and intended no harm to the other. PARENTS & CATECHISTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Sacred Scripture LUKE 7:36-50 LUKE 10:38-42 MATTHEW 9:9-13 The Sinful Woman Martha and Mary The Call of Matthew Catechism of the Catholic Church #1446-1452 Contrition and Forgiveness

Page 2 THREE IMPORTANT STORIES STUDENTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Sacred Scripture Grades K-4 New Catholic Picture Bible pp. 136-137 The Call of Matthew pp. 140-141 The Penitent Woman pp. 172-173 Jesus with Martha and Mary Grades 5-12 LUKE 7:36-50 The Sinful Woman LUKE 10:38-42 Martha and Mary MATTHEW 9:9-13 The Call of Matthew Catechism Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism pp. 40-46 Sacrament of Confession and Contrition Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 pp. 144-157 Contrition and the Sacrament of Confession Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #1446-1452 Contrition and Forgiveness THEME: OBJECTIVES: TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES JESUS TEACHES ABOUT MERCY, PEACE,...AND PRAYER Read and discuss the Three Important Stories emphasizing these points: Jesus uses everday encounters to teach Jesus calls each of us individually to follow Him Jesus ask for a heart contrite and true Good works in service of Christ are important, but Prayer and Contemplation are even more important Review the SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION and How to Go to Confession NOTE TO CATECHISTS THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL STORIES FROM JESUS LIFE WE WOULD LOVE TO TELL THIS YEAR...BUT SINCE OUR TIME IS LIMITED, WE HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE THESE 3. WE SHALL COVER MOST OF THESE STORIES IN THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST AND THE OLD TESTAMENT YEARS. OPENING PRAYER: JESUS PRAYER LORD JESUS CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER

JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 13 Page 3 REVIEW TERMS COVERED IN LESSON 8-12 THE INCARNATION CONFESSION DIVINITY JESUS CHRIST HOLY ORDERS TRUTH SALVATION ANOINTING OF THE SICK MYSTERY GRACE FAITH MARRIAGE HOPE SIN SACRAMENT CHARITY ORIGINAL SIN PRAYER MORTAL SIN HEAVEN VENIAL SIN HELL CONCUPISCENCE PURGATORY REVIEW: PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW TERMS THE STUDENTS HAVE A GOOD GRASP OF THE BEGINNING OF THE CREED, LET S EXPAND ON THAT AND START WORKING ON THE NEXT FEW PARAGRAPHS IN PREPARATION FOR THE LESSONS TO COME: I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, OF ALL THINGS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE. I BELIEVE IN ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, BORN OF THE FATHER BEFORE ALL AGES. GOD FROM GOD, LIGHT FROM LIGHT, TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD, BEGOTTEN, NOT MADE, CONSUBSTANTIAL WITH THE FATHER. THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE. FOR US MEN, AND FOR OUR SALVATION, HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS INCARNATE OF THE VIRGIN MARY, AND BECAME MAN. FOR OUR SAKE HE WAS CRUCIFIED HE SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED. UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES

JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 13 Page 4 READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE SINFUL WOMAN LUKE 7:36-50 CATECHISTS PLEASE READ THRU THIS STORY WITH YOUR CLASS WHO WERE THE PHARISEES? The Pharisees in Jesus time were experts when it came to knowing the Scriptures and following the 613 Laws [including the 10 Commandments] from the Torah (the first 5 Books of our Bible). Their minds were full, but their hearts were cold. They were usually more interested in doing good deeds so that they could be seen doing them, and so admired by others. They were hypocrites. They were not interested in becoming truly holy themselves by REVIEW: inner conversion. When Jesus began to preach and teach they recognized that He was a threat to their way of living and their understanding of the Word of God. So they began to oppose Him and to look for ways to stop Christ from preaching about the Kingdom of God. WHY DOES THE WOMAN COME TO JESUS? The woman is a sinner, and she knows it. She is ashamed of herself. She knows that she needs God s mercy and forgiveness and realizes that somehow Jesus has the power to bring God s mercy to her. WHAT DOES SHE DO FOR JESUS? The woman was brave. The people in the town knew that she had done many bad things, so she knew they probably would not want her at the banquet with so many respectable people. They might have embarrassed her, thrown her out, or maybe even hurt her [they used to stone women like her]. But her courage, which certainly came from the Holy Spirit, brought her into the banquet hall and to the feet of Jesus. Here she showed a great and awesome respect for Christ by washing His feet with her tears, anointing them with her expensive and fragrant oil, and drying Jesus feet with her hair. This was her way of praying to Him and asking Him for God s mercy. WHAT SMALL MIRACLE DO WE SEE IN JESUS HERE? If you re not paying attention, it is easy to miss it. Jesus knows Simon the Pharisee s thoughts He reads his mind. St. Luke tells us that Simon passes judgment on the Woman and on Jesus to himself in his own mind. But Jesus, Who is God, knows the thoughts of men. He knows our thoughts too! HOW DOES JESUS SHORT PARABLE MAKE GOOD SENSE? Jesus simple story about the two men who owe money they can t pay back is something we can all understand. We are all indebted to God, since He made us and all of us have sinned [except our Blessed Mother]. There is no way we could ever repay God all that we owe to Him. And some people have done very bad things and have lived terrible lives but they are still children of God. Sometimes, when they ask for His Mercy and are forgiven, they recognize how good God has been to them, and later go on to become great saints [like St. Augustine who was a big sinner before his conversion, or St. Longinus, the Roman Centurion who crucified Jesus]. WHAT DOES JESUS DO FOR THE WOMAN? Jesus forgives her sins, WHICH ARE MANY, and allows her to go in peace. HOW DO THE PHARISEES & OTHERS PRESENT REACT TO JESUS FORGIVING THE WOMAN? They behave in the same manner as when Jesus told the Paralytic Man that his sins were forgiven with closed minds they ask, Who is this who even forgives sins? They are nowhere close to knowing or believing that Jesus is God, and can forgive sins. WHO DO WE THINK THIS WOMAN WAS? It is a good guess that this woman was Mary Magdalene. Immediately following this story, Luke goes on to tell us about the Holy Women who traveled with Jesus and the Apostles and helped them in their ministry, and mentions Mary Magdalene by name. If you read all of the Gospels carefully, it would appear that Mary Magdalene is also the sister of Lazarus and Martha. And so we shall see her in the next story

Page 5 THREE IMPORTANT STORIES REVIEW OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION CONFESSION: THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH JESUS FORGIVES THE SINS WE HAVE COMMITTED OURSELVES 1. MATTER: THE CONTRITE PERSON HIMSELF CONFESSING HIS SINS. 2. FORM: IS WHEN THE PRIEST GIVES ABSOLUTION, I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 3. EFFECTS: IF THE PERSON HAS ANY VENIAL SINS [LESS SERIOUS], THEY ARE FORGIVEN. IF THE PERSON S SOUL IS DEAD IN MORTAL SIN, THE SOUL IS BROUGHT TO LIFE IN GRACE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT RETURNS TO INDWELL THE SOUL. WE ALSO RECEIVE GRACE WHICH WILL HELP US TO AVOID SIN IN THE FUTURE. CATECHISTS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THE ENCLOSED CHILDREN S GUIDE TO CONFESSION TO HELP EXPLAIN THE HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION EMPHASIZING SORROW FOR SINS AND INTENTION NOT TO SIN AGAIN. READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: MARTHA AND MARY LUKE 10:38-42 CATECHISTS PLEASE READ THRU THIS STORY WITH YOUR CLASS WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MARTHA AND MARY? With their brother Lazarus, they lived in a village [a suburb?] not far from Jerusalem in Judea. We are not exactly sure of the timing for this story but decided to put it in here because of the importance of Mary Magdalene. Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus [who we shall meet later] were special friends of Jesus. WHAT WAS MARTHA S MISTAKE? Many people think that Martha s being busy at work was her mistake but this is not likely. Jesus did not tell her to stop working [He wanted dinner!] In this very short but memorable story [only 5 verses long] there are three words [adjectives] which Luke [and Jesus] use to describe how Martha is going about her business; distracted, anxious, and troubled. This is her problem. Jesus is right there with her, and she is so worried about what she is trying to do for Him that she is not taking time to be with Him! Do we do this sometimes? WHAT WAS MARY DOING? Christ at the House of Martha and Mary Peter Paul Rubens, 1628 Mary was sitting at Jesus feet and listening to His teaching. This, by the way, is one of the reasons that we think that the Sinful Woman, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Bethany are one and the same person she is almost always at Our Lord s feet 1) in the story of the anointing in Luke 7 described above, 2) in this story with Martha, 3) later on in the Gospel of John when Lazarus dies, 4) at the second anointing a week before Jesus death, 5) at the foot of the Cross, and 6) on the morning of the Resurrection.

Page 6 THREE IMPORTANT STORIES WAS MARY PRAYING? Yes she certainly was. Many people think that praying is talking to God. This is only a part of PRAYER LOVING CONVERSATION WITH GOD. One very important part of Prayer [and conversation] is listening just quietly being with God. WHAT KIND OF PRAYER IS THIS? This type of prayer is called CONTEMPLATION described by St. Teresa of Avila as a simple, loving gaze at God [like when we are quietly in the church kneeling before the monstrance or the Tabernacle]. ARE THERE PEOPLE IN OUR TIME WHO DO THIS IN A SPECIAL WAY? Yes. Some men and women are called to a life of prayer and penance. Women who wish to be with Jesus in a special and beautiful way become sisters or Nuns and live in a monastery where they spend their lives in quiet prayer and simple work. Men who choose to listen as their primary vocation in life are called Monks or Brothers and they too live in a monastery where they pray and work quietly to bring God s Kingdom among us. They set a good example for us for we must never forget to find time to pray and to be quiet with Our Lord. READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE CALLING OF MATTHEW MATTHEW 9:9-13 CATECHISTS PLEASE READ THRU THIS STORY WITH YOUR CLASS WHAT DOES JESUS SAY TO MATTHEW? FOLLOW ME. Several of the other Apostles had been called before Matthew. They were already following Christ by living with Him, learning from Him, and growing in holiness. God has work for all of us we are all called to follow Jesus. But some men are called to follow Him in a special way as Priests and some women are called to be Religious Sisters or Nuns.and this means giving up many things [including getting married and having families] to live more closely with Jesus. HOW DO YOU THINK THE APOSTLES REACTED TO JESUS CALLING MATTHEW? The Bible does not tell us what they thought. Tax collectors were feared and hated by the people of Israel, because they worked for the Romans or for Herod and took money from people who were poor and gave it to unjust men who were rich. Matthew lived in Capharnum and would certainly have collected money from Simon [Peter] and his brother Andrew also James and John and their dad, Zebedee. Tax collectors also often took more money than they were supposed to and kept the extra money for themselves. So they were big sinners thieves and traitors to their own people. The Apostles were probably confused and angry that Jesus would choose someone like Matthew to join their band of brothers. HOW DID THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES REACT TO JESUS SPENDING TIME WITH TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS? You guessed it they were mad and asked the Apostles why Jesus, who was supposed to be holy, would spend time with sinners. WHY DID JESUS SPEND TIME WITH TAX COLLECTORS AND SIN- NERS? Because they needed Him the most! Christ said, THOSE WHO ARE WELL HAVE NO NEED OF A PHYSICIAN, BUT THOSE WHO ARE SICK. Again, Jesus is reminding us of who He is THE SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY MADE MAN, THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF THE FATHER, who was sent to teach us about our Father and to save us from our sins. Calling of Saint Matthew Arnold Houbraken, 1710

JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 13 Page 7 Ask God to help you remember what your sins are and ask Him to help you be sorry for all your sins. Now, think of the 10 Commandments and try to remember your sins. This is called an examination of conscience. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS CHILDREN S GUIDE TO CONFESSION 1. I must know what my sins are. 1. YOU SHALL NOT HAVE FALSE GODS BEFORE ME. 2. YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE LORD S NAME IN VAIN. 3. YOU SHALL KEEP THE LORD S DAY HOLY. 4. YOU SHALL HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER. 5. YOU SHALL NOT KILL. 6. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. 7 YOU SHALL NOT STEAL. 8 YOU SHALL NOT LIE. 9. YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR S SPOUSE. 10. YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR S GOODS. Did I remember to say my prayers each day? Have I been selfish? Did I offend God by using His Holy Name in a disrespectful way? Have I used bad language? Did I miss Mass on Sunday or a Holy Day through my own fault? Did I misbehave in church? Did I pay attention at Mass? Did I purposely cause others to be distracted during Mass? Did I disobey my parents, teachers or elders? Did I talk back to them or try to make them angry? Did I do what my parents told me rather than what I wanted to do? Did I do my work, studying and chores? Did I fight, argue with or hurt anyone? Did I lose my temper? Was I unkind or mean to others? Did I make fun of anyone, pick on anyone or call them names? Do I hate others or wish them harm? Do I forgive others? Did I purposely dress in a way that was not modest? Did I take anything that did not belong to me? Did I harm the property of another? Have I cheated or helped others to cheat? Did I return things or money that I borrowed? Did I tell a lie? Did I falsely accuse or blame someone? Did I cause someone s reputation to be harmed by repeating or saying mean things about them? Did I read, watch, or listen to impure things? Did I want to destroy, hide or break something that was not mine? 2. Be sorry for my sins. 3. Make up my mind not to sin again.

4. Tell my sins to the Priest. Go into the confessional. Make the sign of the cross while saying: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. (or how long it has been since your last confession) Confess your sins. Listen to the priest as he gives you your penance and remember it. He will then ask you to make an Act of Contrition These are my sins. 1... 2... 3... For these and all my sins, I am truly sorry. O My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. Then the priest will say the words of absolution. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen When the priest says Go in Peace you say: Then you may leave. Thank you Father. 5. Do the penance the Priest gives me.