Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

Younger children may be concerned with doing things the “right way” and, consequently, be hard on themselves and on others. We can teach them that Jesus calls us to lift one another up and encourage others in their faith journey.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: Imagine that you see your little brother or sister [or a younger child] trying to do a chore that you usually do. He or she is trying to be helpful but is not quite getting the hang of the chore and is making a bit of a mess. Ask: What would you do? Would you tell the child he or she was doing it wrong and do the chore yourself? Or would you be encouraging and show the child how to do the chore? Why? (Accept reasonable answers. Invite children to see that being kind and helpful to the child, who is trying to do a good deed, lifts up the child and lets him or her know that he or she could learn.)
2. Say: In our lives as Christians, we are called to be helpful and kind and to lift one another up on our faith journey. That’s what we will learn about in today’s Gospel. Jesus’ disciples have seen someone who is healing others in Jesus’ name. The disciples tried to stop the man because he was not a follower of Jesus. They thought he was doing something wrong and that only they should be able to heal in Jesus’ name. Listen to hear what Jesus’ said to the disciples.
3. Read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 9:38–43,45,47–48.
4. Ask: What did Jesus say to the disciples who tried to stop the man from healing in his name? (He told them not to stop the man.) Jesus saw that the man was doing good deeds and beginning to show faith in him. He did not want the disciples to stop him.
5. Say: Jesus teaches us that every good deed we do pleases God. He also wants us to appreciate other people’s good deeds. Our job is to love and care for one another and help one another be faithful disciples of Jesus.
6. Pray that you will be people who do good deeds and help one another grow in faith. Close by praying the Glory Be to the Father.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

Older children sometimes exclude the contributions of others in their desire to establish their own proficiency and excellence. We can teach them that Jesus calls us to avoid jealousy and to remain open to the contributions of others as we seek the Kingdom of God.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Write on the board the word jealousy. Ask the group: What does it mean to be jealous? Why might a person be jealous of another person? What are some signs that a person is jealous? (Accept all reasonable answers, but be sure that the conversation moves beyond being jealous about possessions; if needed, redirect the questions to raise the issue about being jealous of another person’s abilities or power.)

2. Say: Being jealous of another person can sometimes cause us to exclude or disregard the contributions they make. In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ reply to a question from his disciple John about a person who was using Jesus’ name to heal. It sounds as if Jesus’ disciples might be jealous of this power. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel to see what Jesus teaches his disciples about jealousy.

3. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48.

4. Ask: Why did the disciples want to stop the person who was healing in Jesus’ name? (because this person was not a follower of Jesus) What answer did Jesus give to his disciples? (He told the disciples to let this person continue.)

5. Say: The disciples sounded jealous because they thought that they were the only ones who would be able to heal others using the power of Jesus’ name. Jesus teaches them that they should not be jealous. Instead they should remember that all who do what God wants are equal in his eyes and are working together to serve the Kingdom of God.

6. Say: This is important for us to remember. Whenever we do something good for another person, even the smallest good deed, God is pleased with us. And God wants us to appreciate the good deeds of others, who are working, like us, to serve the Kingdom of God.

7. Conclude in prayer together, asking God to keep us from being jealous of the things others can do and asking God to help us work with others to serve the Kingdom of God. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

It is a normal part of adolescent development to question and even experience moments of doubt about one’s faith. In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus encouraging even the smallest signs of faith.

Materials Needed

• Pictures of an infant, a toddler, a child, a teenager, an adult, and an elderly person

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Show the group the pictures of people in various stages of life. As you show each picture, ask the group to identify the stage of life represented. Ask the group: What are some ways in which we characterize the various stages of life? For example, how are infants different from toddlers? How are children different from adults? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

2. Say: We know that during our lifetimes we change in many ways. We mature physically and emotionally. We learn more, and we achieve greater independence and autonomy.

3. Say: During our lifetime our faith also changes and, hopefully, matures. But this development isn’t as easily recognized as our physical maturity or growing independence.

4. Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ disciples tell him they stopped someone from performing a healing in his name because the person was not a follower of Jesus. Let’s listen to this Gospel.

5. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48.

6. Ask: What reply did Jesus give to his disciples about their action? (He told the disciples to let this person continue.) What did Jesus say about this person? (that he couldn’t heal in Jesus’ name and speak badly of him at the same time)

7. Say: Unlike the disciples, Jesus did not make a negative judgment about this person just because he was not a follower of Jesus. Jesus saw in this person’s actions the beginnings of faith. Jesus went on to talk about how important it is not to hinder a person’s growth in faith.

8. Say: There may be times in our lives when we feel like we have little faith or that our faith is weak and insecure. Jesus will not judge us for this. In this Gospel we find encouragement for these times of doubt. If we continue to pray and act on our faith during these times, Jesus will help our faith grow stronger.

9. Conclude by praying together that our faith will grow deeper as we stay faithful to Jesus and the Church. Pray together the Act of Faith.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Jesus teaches that whoever is not against him is for him.

Family Connection

The second part of today’s Gospel contains a strong message for those who share the responsibility of fostering faith. It is indeed an awesome responsibility. Today’s Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey toward God. We don’t always get it all or even get it right. But we pray for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of faith, in ourselves and in others. There are plenty of obstacles that might prevent the growth of faith. Let us pray that we are not contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith in Jesus.

s you gather as a family, observe that there are things in our lives that nurture our faith and things that can hinder it. Talk about some of the things that nurture our faith—healthy family relationships, healthy friendships, good literature, and so on. Name some of the things that might be an obstacle to faith—unhealthy relationships, scandals, and so on. Observe that Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel that we are to do everything we can to help one another have faith in Jesus and do all that we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48. Conclude by praying together that we will be a family that helps each other grow in faith. Pray together today’s psalm, Psalm 19, or the Lord’s Prayer.