WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
OCTOBER 2004

 

This poor man called;
the Lord heard him

Activity Page

And - Much more for Mission Sunday
on www.missio.org

 

  
 

CATECHIST BACKGROUND NOTES

Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday. The Gospel tells the story of two very different ways of praying. The Pharisee thinks he has earned salvation because he has observed all the outward laws.

The taxman acknowledges his sinfulness and need of God’s forgiving love. Jesus tells this story to help us to understand that God loves everyone and salvation is for all who call on God in their need. We can help children to understand this message by encouraging them to turn to God in prayer with open hearts.

 

  
 

GLOBAL DIMENSION

Children are encouraged to show solidarity with children worldwide, especially the poor, through sharing financially with them and through their prayer. Like children in other war-torn countries, children in Sri Lanka today suffer the aftermath of 20 years of war. Children there pray for peace. They pray the rosary and light little prayer lamps called pahanas (See drawing on Activity Page). Will you encourage your children to join in prayer with them today so that all children may live in peace?

 

  
 

DISPLAY:

Bible, globe, candle.

  
 

GATHERING:

Place Bible on display open at Luke 18:9-14.
Remind the children that today is World Mission Sunday when we remember children everywhere, but particularly the children in Sri Lanka who pray for peace.
Indicate on the globe.

  
 

THE WORD

Read a simplified version of today’s Gospel or use the following adaptation which may be dramatised.

Jesus: Two men went up to the Temple to pray.
One was a Pharisee. He kept all the Temple rules and laws.
The other was a tax collector. He sometimes cheated people
Pharisee: Thank you God. I keep the rules. I’m better than other people.
Tax Collector: God forgive me. I have sinned.
Jesus: The tax collector went home at peace with God.
   
Catechist: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
   
Everyone: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

  
 

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Discuss the story with the children.
l Why did the Pharisee think he was better than everyone else? What do you think?
l What was different about the way the tax collector prayed? Why did he go home at peace with God?
l How do we pray? In what ways can we try to live in peace with God and with each other?
— loving each other and loving children everywhere, through prayer and sharing.

 

  
 

PRAYER

  Light candle
Catechist: Let us be still and tell God we are sorry for
the times we have not loved each other
– PAUSE
  Let us pray for his peace and forgiveness
– PAUSE
  Let us pray that all children may live in peace
– PAUSE
  Now let us share peace with each other
– SIGN OF PEACE
 
 

 
GOING FORTH

Let us go out and live in peace and friendship with
each other and with children everywhere