Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE Dismissal Session The Dismissal Session is for catechumens only who are dismissed from worship before the Creed (RCIA #75.3). The Dismissal Session group may gather for the Catechetical Session at another time during the week. Catechetical Session When the Dismissal Session is immediately followed by the Catechetical Session, parents or other sponsors join the group after Eucharist. Baptized children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist may also join in the Catechetical Session (RCIA #254; Appendix III, #19). Select the session options that fit your time frame. Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 John 1:35-42 Doctrine correlations John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, revealing Jesus as the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel s redemption (CCC #608). In all his life Jesus is our model who invites us to become disciples and follow (CCC #520). RCIA team notes In rare circumstances catechumens receive a new name during the rite of acceptance or on Holy Saturday. Refer to RCIA #33.4, 73, and 200. If this is the case for your group, plan to make a connection to Jesus giving Simon the name Peter. Catechumens become familiar with the Christian way of life helped by the example of the faithful (RCIA #75.2). See the Crossing the Ages activity option. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet and new nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers green cloth on table or counter space for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to John 1:35, prayer cards potted plant, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches liturgical calendar sticky notes (optional) Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home guests (optional), scratch paper, pencils, plain paper, color pencils Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, potted plant, liturgical calendar, and crucifix on a green cloth. On separate numbered cards, print the first half of each line of the prayer. Plan to collect to reuse. Cut nametag paper into footprint shapes. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide available in Gather Comprehensive and Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, from GIA Publications, Inc. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Building Community Plan a path for the game. Mark with sticky notes the location of any furniture that is moved. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Professions as Vocations Consult with parish staff to contact faith community members whose professional callings are ways of following Jesus, or plan a presentation on the topic. See the catechetical session plan for ideas. Bring recycled scratch paper, pencils, plain paper, and color pencils. Closing Prayer Print the sentences of the closing prayer on cards numbered in order for readers. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 2
DISMISSAL SESSION GATHERING (15 MINUTES) Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of the Word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the catechumens as they arrive. Have them check in and print their names on a footprint shape and staple it to yarn or attach to a lanyard. Distribute prayer cards to readers to prepare. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. Show the beginning of Ordinary Time on a liturgical calendar. ( ) Light the candle. Teach the response Come for the reign of God is at hand. Have the prepared readers lead, and the others respond. Reader: All: Reader: All: Reader: All: Reader: All: Hearing the call and inspired to follow: come for the reign of God is at hand. You who are casting and you who are mending: come for the reign of God is at hand. Recognizing Jesus who has authority over evil: come for the reign of God is at hand. Healing the sick and serving the needy: come for the reign of God is at hand. Song Suggestion: You Are Mine. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, Here I am; I come to do your will. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 40, calling for the response by lifting a hand. I waited, and God stooped toward me and put a hymn to our God in my mouth. (response) You wish not sacrifice, O God, but ears open to obedience. (response) To do your will, O my God, is my delight. Your law is within my heart. (response) Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 3
CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the Faith at Home pages from the previous session. BUILDING COMMUNITY Follow the Leader: Show the path for the game. Ask a volunteer to lead in playing Follow the Leader. Show a signal you will give for the leader to move to the back of the line, and the next person takes over leading. After everyone who wishes has had a turn to lead, everyone helps replace furniture. Say: We had fun in our little game. When we choose to answer the call and follow our real leader, Jesus, it is a very serious decision. RECALLING THE WORD (10 MINUTES) Have everyone sit with Bibles in a circle. Use the following as a guide. For information, refer to Insight for the Catechist and the reflections on the Faith at Home page. Always affirm the catechumens responses adding comments to aid their understanding. Help everyone find 1 Samuel 3:3-10. Say: Mention: Samuel was a young boy when he first knew God was calling. In ancient times, people of faith believed that God gave them messages in dreams. In this biblical story, Samuel is a boy who went to help the temple priest, Eli. Samuel was sleeping when he heard a call. What do you notice in this story? What is the lesson for us? God calls us in other ways. Sometimes we realize God s message in something we experience or in something we hear or read. Have the catechumens find 1 Corinthians 6:13-20. What is Saint Paul teaching about our bodies? What does becoming a member of the body of Christ mean to you? What does becoming a temple of the Holy Spirit mean to you? Have everyone find John 1:35-42. What are some of the names or titles for Jesus in this passage? (Explain as needed.) Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 4
Affirm the members comments. (Note: Refer to RCIA #33.4, 73, and 200. If the catechumens have received a new name in the rite of acceptance or will receive a new name on Holy Saturday, make a connection to Jesus changing Simon s name to Peter.) Mention: When the child Samuel felt called, he responded by promising to listen to God. The disciples listened to Jesus and followed. During liturgy at this time of the year, we explore what being called by God means. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) We listen to God, and God listens to us, so we offer prayers for ourselves and others. When I lift my hand please respond, Speak to our hearts, O God. God who comes in many ways, help us to know when you are speaking. (Lift a hand for the response.) May all members of the body of Christ, show respect for the human body. (Lift a hand for the response.) Jesus, you command us to come; help us to see. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: God who speaks to us in many ways, hear the prayers we have spoken and those we hold in our hearts. May your Holy Spirit guide us, united as one in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All: Amen. Option: Break for a snack or social time. If the group disperses now and meets for catechesis later in the week, collect nametags. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 5
CATECHETICAL SESSION The Catechetical Session follows the Dismissal Session either immediately or at another time during the week. The catechetical session is designed for catechumens and parents or sponsors to grow in faith together. The status of the catechumens never is to be confused with that of baptized children preparing for confirmation or Eucharist, who may join in this catechesis as supportive companions (RCIA, Appendix III, #19). GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS (5 MINUTES) Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session is not following the Dismissal Session, allow an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering segment in the Dismissal Session. Have those arriving check in and put on nametags. PRAYING Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Use the ( ) prayer from the Gathering Prayer Ritual in the Dismissal Session, another prayer, or sing a gathering song from liturgy. ENGAGING THE WORD (15 MINUTES) Ask half of the room to keep track on their fingers how many times they hear a form of the word follow. Ask the others to keep track on their fingers how many times they hear a form of the word stay. Proclaim John 1:35-42. Ask the groups to report the number of times they heard their assigned word. Ask: If these were the only two words you heard today, what would the message be? (Affirm their answers picking up on Follow and stay with Jesus. ) SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups with Bibles. (If there are only a few participants, lead the discussion as a whole group.) Print the questions on large paper or marker board or distribute questions on cards for an adult to lead. Circulate to offer support as needed. CONVERSING ABOUT JOHN 1:35-42 Pick out each action verb in the passage; what different actions are the disciples doing? Which of these actions have you done for Jesus? SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 John 1:35-42 Insight for the Catechist The evangelist John makes Jesus identity clear, Lamb of God, Rabbi, the Teacher, Messiah, the Christ. John leaves no doubt that this is the one of whom Moses spoke. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the final atonement of Israel. John tells us to look no farther. Jesus, who teaches all we need to know, is the anointed one of God sent for our salvation. The disciples inquire about Jesus place of abode. John, however, has already stated the Word made flesh dwells among us, as Holy Wisdom pitched her tent to dwell among the people Israel. Andrew, Simon Peter who Jesus calls Cephas, and another disciple hear the call and respond by following Jesus. Listen to Jesus teaching, hear the call, and realize that the only response is to follow. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
With the whole group, conclude: John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John reveals that Jesus is the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of redemption. That means Jesus saves us. All of you, come and see. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Summarize: Jesus is our model. All of his life, everything Jesus said and did taught us how to live. Jesus invites us to become disciples and follow. During these sessions we learn to follow the way of Jesus. CLOSING PRAYER Invite everyone to respond after each statement, Come, see, and follow. Distribute cards and have readers lead the following: Behold, Jesus is the Lamb of God. (response) Jesus, the rabbi, is our teacher. (response) The Messiah, the Christ, is here. (response) Go forth from this place. Follow Jesus in what you say and what you do. And may the ever-living God bless us, (Make the Sign of the Cross on yourself as a model for everyone.) protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. All: Amen. Distribute the Faith at Home page. Collect the nametags. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Professions as Vocations (Examples of the Christian way of life, RCIA #75.2) Introduce the guests. Invite them to tell about how their professions are part of their vocation to follow Jesus. If guests are not available, explain how a profession can be a vocation using the following examples and others common in your community. A tow truck driver and spouse often sacrifice peaceful nights. The driver brings comfort and guidance to people in distress. An airline attendant may wear a cross to symbolize a willingness to give comfort to someone traveling to a funeral, to see a sick loved one, or in search of a job. A teacher may sacrifice having a high salary to provide spiritual guidance to children and their families. A paramedic may silently offer prayers for injured patients and their families. After the presentation, distribute recycled scratch paper, pencils, plain paper, and colored pencils. Show how to fold the plain paper into fourths and open it to form boxes for the parts of a cartoon. Ask everyone to design a four part cartoon strip showing a situation where a profession is a vocation. After they plan on scratch paper, they draw the final copy in the boxes and add color. Assign partners for those who wish. As they finish, have them share with one another. Choose a way to share the cartoons with the faith community. Display them on a bulletin board, make copies to insert in the bulletin, or have someone scan them for the parish website. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 8
Faith at Home Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B Remember Sunday s Word 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 John 1:35-42 At a convenient time for the family, gather around a dining table or in the living room. Silence all electronics. Place a Bible opened to John 1 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON 1 SAMUEL 3:3B-10, 19 God s call comes to young and old in various ways. While sometimes it comes as a dramatic event, it came to Samuel in the still of the night. Sometimes God calls several times until getting the right response, Here I am. You called. I am listening. How did catechumens in the family first receive their call from God? What is something God may be calling each of us to do? Prepare refreshments. While enjoying the treats together, share interesting ideas that have come in the night. REFLECTING ON 1 CORINTHIANS 6:13C-15A, 17-20 In a society where promiscuity was the norm, Christians needed guidance. Freedom from ancient Mosaic Law left many confused about moral values. Saint Paul made it very clear for them and for us. Christians are members of the body of Christ and receive extra strength as temples of the Holy Spirit to live accordingly. What kinds of things do some people do that are harmful to their bodies? What kinds of things do we do to avoid immorality? Why does being members of the body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit make a difference? Choose some advertisements for discussion. Decide which ones use the human body in ways that do not reflect being temples of the Holy Spirit. Decide on a Christian response to advertisements that use the human body in ways contrary to Paul s teaching. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
REFLECTING ON JOHN 1:35-42 The evangelist John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, Rabbi which means Teacher, and Christ, the Messiah. John is telling us that Jesus is the sacrificial victim whose life is offered for the atonement of sins. Jesus, as the anointed of God, teaches followers the way of salvation. Who first pointed out Jesus to each of us? What were our first responses? To whom might we say, We have found the Messiah? Come, follow me Roll out a length of shelving paper about six feet long. Have clean up supplies handy. Put several layers of paper towel in shallow pan and cover with tempura paint. Everyone takes off shoes and socks. Take turns stepping in the paint in the pan and then on the paper to make a path of footprints. After the paint dries, add words along your path, such as, Come and see! We follow Jesus. Display your path along a wall as a reminder that this family follows Jesus. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B TeamRCIA.com