Children s Liturgy of the Word Judith, 9 years old, from Belgium, writes to Pope Francis and asks him what makes him happy in his work? Pope Francis replies; Dear Judith, It makes me happy to be with people. That is what makes me happy. If I cannot be with people, I spend time with Jesus and talk to him about people. I can t imagine myself alone. Judith, I like your drawing. I think of myself as you have drawn me: hand in hand with you and your friends. Being together with others brings me joy. And as the pope, I think I ought to be with people. DEAR POPE FRANCIS: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World. By Pope Francis. Published in Australia by Garratt Publishing. 32 Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170. Copyright 2016 Liberia Editrice Vaticana, www.liberiaeditricevaticana.com Text Loyola Press. Illustrations Loyola Press Here we go again! Another group of religious experts trying to get Jesus into trouble. This group are experts in Jewish Law that is the Law that was given to Moses, better known as the 10 Commandments. This sacred Law of the Covenant was not to be misinterpreted but followed to the letter, involving intricate, complex rituals around cleanliness and how to behave and function in every aspect of life to ensure that each Commandment was obeyed. For many people this slavish obedience and standard of living was beyond their means and ability, leaving them regarded as being beyond the hope of God s love and favour.
Jesus cuts through all of that cumbersome expert knowledge and simply states what the Commandments are based on, love of God and love for each other. A fact that the Pharisees could not dispute. God has lovingly created each and every one of us in his image and likeness, and yet when we look at each other, or ourselves in the mirror we don t tend to see that. We are created in love and we are created for love. It is in relationship with each other that the Commandment of Love is truly lived out in everyday life. As Pope Francis says; we ought to be with people. A small table, green cloth, candle, bible and cross. Loving God, we come to hear your Word on this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We sign our forehead with the sign of the cross as we open our minds to understand to your Word. We sign our lips with the sign of the cross, help us to speak your truth. We sign our hearts with the sign of the cross, may we carry the Good News of Jesus and share it with everyone we meet. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians Brothers and sisters: When we told you the good news, it was with the power and assurance that come from the Holy Spirit, and not simply with words. You knew what kind of people we were and how we helped you.
So, when you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad. You became an example for all the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia. And because of you, the Lord's message has spread everywhere in those regions. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. R. I love you, Lord, my strength. I love you, Lord God, and you make me strong. You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter. R. You are the living Lord! I will praise you. You are a mighty rock. I will honour you for keeping me safe. Your faithful love for David will never end. R. Alleluia, alleluia. All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them. Alleluia.
A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew After Jesus had made the Sadducees look foolish, the Pharisees heard about it and got together. One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, "Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.' This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Ask the children if they know some of the Ten Commandments? Share with the children that the Pharisees were experts on how to obey each Law or Commandment and they had developed some very complicated ways of making sure that people lived in such a way that they would never break any of the rules. This made peoples lives very hard, and it also made them worry that if they broke a rule God would not love them. The Pharisees were more concerned with obedience than the spirit of the Law of Moses. In today s Gospel the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus into breaking a rule about the Commandments, but Jesus told them that the Commandments are all about loving God and loving others. The Pharisees knew this was
true and everyone else who heard Jesus say this was reminded about how much God loves them. Invite the children to share with you, how they live the Commandment of Love every day. o How do they love God? o How do they love others? o How does God love them? o How do others love them? 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; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation.
Leader: Loving God, help us to grow more and more in our faith as we pray; Reader: We pray for the Church, may we be a sign of the Commandment of Love in practical, peaceful and just ways in the world. Lord, hear us. Reader: We pray for leaders in our society, that they make rules that help us to care for each other. Lord, hear us. Reader: We pray for the people in our parish community, that we live the Commandment of Love and not judge others harshly but encourage them with our welcome and care. Lord, hear us. Reader: We pray for people who now rest in God s eternal love. We especially remember our deceased family and friends. Lord, hear us. Leader: Loving God, we make our prayers in the name of Jesus, who reminds us how much God loves us. Amen. Having been fed at the Table of the Word, we now prepare to share in the celebration of the Eucharist. May we show others the joy of God s love in the coming week.