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Sixteenth Sunday
in Ordinary Time - Year A
July 17, 2005
Primary Session
Matthew 13:24-43 [or short form 13:24-30]
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you God for helping us to grow.
May our love for you grow stronger each day.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The theme for today is the problem of moral evil. To begin, provide each
child with scissors, crayons, and an outline of a simple flower. Invite
the children to color and cut out their flower. Discuss:
- What helps flowers to grow?
- What keeps flowers from growing?
- What helps people to grow?
- What keeps people from growing as Godís children?
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today, Jesus tells a story about weeds and wheat. Listen to learn how Jesus wants us to grow.
Read Matthew 13:24-23 [or short form 13:24-30].
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- What does Jesus teach with this story about weeds and wheat?
- How does Jesus want us to grow?
- Why does God allow the weeds to grow?
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In today's gospel, Jesus tells a story about seeds to help us understand the Kingdom of God. In the story about weeds and wheat, the weeds try to choke out the good seed but the sower does not get rid of the weeds right away. The weeds are allowed time to change. The good seeds represent the faithful and the weeds are evil doers. Jesus is the sower. This story shows how God allows time for the evil doer to change and grow in faith. In the end the weeds get separated out and thrown away and the faithful ones, the wheat, enjoy the harvest. Jesus teaches that judgment is reserved for the Lord alone in the final days. Today's stories about seeds, wheat, and leaven, show how the faithful grow strong in God's love.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
- What does today's gospel teach about God?
- Who helps you to grow in God's love?
- How can your love for Jesus grow stronger each day?
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Problem of Moral Evil
God does not cause evil in the world. There is no simple answer to why God allows evil to exist at all. The Church helps us to understand that there is evil that we do, and evil that is not our responsibility, such as an earthquake that kills innocent people. Sometimes we choose to turn our backs on God. Moral evil is the evil that we choose to do.
God created us with the freedom to make choices. We make good choices and sometimes we make bad choices. We are responsible for our choices. Jesus showed us how to make good choices. He showed us how to love others and ourselves. We show our love for God and others when we make good choices. God is on our side, helping us to make good choices. Good moral choices help us to grow as God's children.
- Why is it important to make good choices?
- What does it mean to be responsible for our choices?
- What helps you to make good choices?
Grade 1 Chapter 15, pp. 126-131
Grade 2 Chapter 22, pp. 224-227
Grade 3 Chapter 19, pp. 193-199
The Gospel in Life
How can you show your love for God and others this week?
