Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well.

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

Jesus showed compassion to those who were suffering. Teach younger children that, as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to show compassion to people who are struggling or unwell.

Materials Needed

• sheets of paper, markers or crayons

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: Let’s all think of a time when we didn’t feel well. Maybe we were sick or having a bad day. Ask: What were some things that our family or friends said or did that helped us feel better? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
2. Say: How blessed we are to have family and friends who show compassion for us when we are not feeling well! Jesus showed compassion to all those who were suffering. In today’s Gospel, we will hear about how he helped people who were sick and suffering.
3. Read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 1:29–39.
4. Ask: How did Jesus show compassion toward Simon’s mother-in-law and other people who were sick? (He cured them.) Say: Jesus showed compassion by healing the sick. He taught them about God’s healing love.
5. Say: Let’s all think of one person in our lives who is unwell or having a hard time. We will share Jesus’ healing compassion with the person by making them a card for him or her. Show children how to fold the sheet of paper or cardstock in half to make a card. Invite children to draw pictures on the outside of the card. Help children write a short, loving message inside.
6. Invite children to spend a moment praying for the person who is sick or suffering. Then pray that Jesus will help you be a healing presence by showing love and compassion to all those who are sick and suffering. Close by praying the Sign of the Cross.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well.

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

Older children can appreciate the compassion and care that was extended to them when they were sick. Some of them may even have had experience helping others who were sick. The Church continues to extend Jesus' healing presence to those who are sick through pastoral care and in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Ask the group to think about times when they were ill. Ask: What did you want most when you were sick? What did other people do to help you when you were sick? How have you helped others who were sick?

2. Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus cured Simon's mother-in-law, who was sick with fever. We also hear how Jesus cured many other people. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel.

3. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 1:29-39.

4. Ask: What did Simon’s mother-in-law do after Jesus healed her? (She served Jesus and his disciples.) We see in her example that one of the things that those who are ill need most is a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a contribution.

5. Say: The Church continues to bring Jesus’ healing presence to those who are sick. What are some things that our Church does for those who are sick? (We visit the sick; we bring Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist; we pray for those who are sick; we celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.)

6. Conclude in prayer together, asking Jesus to be with those who are sick. Pray prayers of petition for those who are sick; after each petition, pray “Jesus, heal us.” Conclude by praying the Glory Be to the Father.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

Young people are learning the importance of managing their time to accommodate their increasing responsibilities and activities. We can help them understand the importance of intentionally making time in their day for prayer.

Materials Needed

• Paper
• Pens

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Distribute paper and pens and ask each young person to write a schedule of his or her day, listing all the things he or she has to do today (for example, eat breakfast, go to school, go to a music lesson or sports practice, do homework and chores, eat dinner).

2. Say: We have many important activities in our day, and some of us are busy from morning to night. We make the time for these activities because they are important to us.

3. Say: In this Sunday’s Gospel, we see that Jesus also made time in his day for the activities that were important to him. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel.

4. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 1:29–39.

5. Ask: What activities of Jesus are described in this Gospel? (healing, driving out demons, preaching, praying) What activity do we see Jesus deliberately making time for? (prayer) How did he make time for prayer in his busy day? (He woke very early and went to a place where he could be alone to pray.)

6. Say: Even though there are many good and important activities that we must do each day, our busy lives cannot become an excuse for failing to pray. Following Jesus’ example, we may find that we also need to be deliberate about making time in our day for prayer.

7. Have the young people look back at their daily schedule and ask them to consider quietly what steps they might need to take to be sure that they make time for prayer. Encourage the young people to be steadfast in their intention to make time for prayer each day.

8. Conclude by praying together the psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 147, praising God for his goodness to us.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law and many others as well.

Family Connection

We know from last week’s Gospel that Jesus gathered and prayed with the community in the synagogue. Today we learn that Jesus also took the time to pray alone. Following the example of Jesus, we also pray together with our community, and we take the time to pray alone. Our children observe our prayer with others. We might want to take the opportunity to talk with them about our private prayer, however, so that through our example, they may learn to make private prayer an important part of their daily lives.

Gather as a family and talk about the ways in which your family prays together (at Mass, grace before meals, bedtime prayers). Invite each member of the family to talk about his or her private prayer: When do you pray? Where do you pray? How do you pray? What do you pray for?

Jesus modeled for us a life of prayer. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 1:29-39. Talk about this Gospel with your family. Ask questions such as the following: What do you think Jesus was praying about in today’s Gospel? What guidance have you received from God in prayer? Conclude by asking God to bless our times of prayer so that we can know and follow God’s ways. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.