February 19, 2023

INTRODUCTIONHOMILIESPAPAL HOMILIESGROUP SHARINGCHILDRENMUSIC

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Readings

The Liturgy Centre

Love one another
Wise vs foolish
Forgiveness
Make peace
Pray for your enemies

YOUNG CATHOLICS

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on holiness and loving our neighbor. The first reading tells us not to bear grudges and gives us the Golden Rule. The second reading reminds us that all of us are God’s temples. And in the gospel, Jesus tells us that we must love everyone, even our enemies.

Why Must I Pray for My Enemies

Jesus commanded us to love. The Catholic Church teaches that respecting life is more than just not hurting other people. We must actively work for peace and justice, even for those we are in conflict with.

Love Your Enemies Activity Sheet

This Love Your Enemies activity sheet can be used for religious education or Children’s Liturgy of the Word. It is a fill in the blank sheet.

Sunday Connection

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

GRADES
1-3

Children at this age often struggle with sharing. They understand the difference between being stingy and generous, and at times are tempted to get even with someone for being stingy or greedy.

GRADES
4, 5, and 6

At this age, children like to make and follow rules and take pride in doing things perfectly. Explain to them what Jesus meant by “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” Help them understand that Jesus calls us not to do everything correctly, but to do our best to help serve God’s kingdom on earth.

GRADES
7-8

Young people at this age often exercise their freedom of expression by saying or doing things in opposition to their parents’, teachers’, or other elders’ wishes. Use this experience to highlight how Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” was in opposition to what was socially acceptable in Jesus’ time and in our own time as well

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FEATURED ACTIVITY

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

THE MASS BOX

Love Others Pillow

Young people at this age often exercise their freedom of expression by saying or doing things in opposition to their parents’, teachers’, or other elders’ wishes. Use this experience to highlight how Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” was in opposition to what was socially acceptable in Jesus’ time and in our own time as well

SOURCE: Catholic Crafts with Clare

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Loving your enemies?! A fun Catholic reflection for kids based on the readings for 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle C. (2022)

SOURCE: Catholic Kids Media

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SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

WORKSHEET

DOWNLOAD PDF

SOURCE: SDC Worksheets

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SALFORD DIOCESE, UK

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

WORD SEARCH PUZZLE

SOURCE: Salford Diocese Office for Liturgy

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THE KID'S BULLETIN

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

REFLECTION

SOURCE: THE KID’S BULLETIN

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MINISTRY TO CHILDREN

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

CHILDREN’S SERMON

What is Love? – Valentine’s Day

Use this Children’s Message around Valentine’s Day. The theme is “What is Love?” and uses common Valentine’s Day props for a Bible Object Lesson.

DOWNLOAD

SOURCE: Ministry to Children

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SERMONS 4 KIDS

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Love Your Enemies

OBJECT: A large heart cut out of red poster board

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44 (

What do you think of when you see a heart? (Hold up the heart.) Most of us would probably say that when we see a heart, we think of love. Who do you love? Do you love your parents? Do you love your brother or sister? How about your best friend? Do you love your teacher? It is easy to love these people, because they love us too.

Are there any boys or girls that are mean to you at recess? Has anyone ever said something about you that was not true? Do you love those boys and girls? Should we really be expected to love people who are mean to us, treat us badly, and say ugly things about us? Well, let’s listen to what Jesus told us to do.

One day Jesus was teaching out on a hillside. We call his lesson that day “The Sermon on the Mount.” In his sermon, Jesus said some things that really surprised his listeners. “You have heard that you should love your neighbors and hate your enemies,” Jesus said. “But I say, love your enemies — and if someone does mean and hateful things to you, pray them.”

Crossword Puzzle

SOURCE: Sermons 4 Kids

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SERMON WRITER

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Don’t Follow Along

OBJECT: Dominoes

Jesus teaches we should not follow along and do something hurtful to get back at the person who has hurt us.

Have you ever played a game of dominoes? As you can see, dominoes are small tiles that have black spots on them. Dominoes first came from China hundreds and hundreds of years ago, but now people all over the world use dominoes to play many different kinds of games. The most common is a game in which you take turns, trying to match up the number of black dots on the dominoes. The person who matches up all their dominoes first is the winner.

Sometimes it is fun to set the dominoes on end to make a long row. When you push the first one over the dominoes continue to topple until all of them have fallen down. (Demonstrate how this works.)

The Stolen Baseball Glove!

OBJECT: None

Jesus said, “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”(5:24)

Kyle got a new glove for his birthday. He was ready for Little League. His dad used a felt marker to write his name inside the strap. Kyle could hardly wait to go to his first practice.

That first Little League practice went very well. Kyle liked the way the glove fit. He liked the sound the ball made when it hit the glove. It was almost as great as the sound the bat made when it connected with the ball. All the guys on a team liked his new glove.

A few days later, Kyle and some of his friends went to the park. They threw a few balls and ran the track before Kyle and Joe headed back toward Kyle’s house. Dylan and Eric were still at the park. When they got to Kyle’s house, Kyle realized that he had forgotten his glove. He and Joe ran back to the park, but they couldn’t find it.

Kyle’s parents were sorry to hear that he had lost his glove. They didn’t have money to buy another one, so, Kyle used his old glove, even though it was growing thin in spots, and the strings were wearing out.

A couple of weeks later at Little League practice, Eric was showing off a new glove. Kyle took one look at it and knew it that glove was his. Eric had stolen it. Eric’s name written with in big letters on the thumb.

SOURCE: THE SERMON WRITER