Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
November 13, 2005

Junior High Session

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Matthew 25:14-30

Opening Prayer

Let us pray.
Thank you, God, for all of the gifts and abilities you have given us.
Help us to share what you have given us with people in need.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection

The topic for today is stewardship. To begin write on a chalkboard or poster paper, “Help me to use my gift of ______, to serve _____.” Invite the youngsters to reflect on the gifts and abilities that God has given them. Provide paper and pencils and invite the young people to fill in the blanks of the sentence. Discuss:

• What gifts and abilities has God given to you?
• How do you thank God for your gifts and abilities?
• How can you use your gifts to serve others in need?

Allow time for discussion. God gives us many good gifts. We are called to use our gifts and abilities to care for all of God’s creation.

Listening to the Word of God
In the Old Testament reading we hear about a praiseworthy wife. Listen to find out how she uses her gifts to serve others.

Read Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters

• Who is described in the reading?
• Why is the wife worthy of praise?
• How does she use her gifts to serve others?

In the gospel reading listen to find out how three servants use their gifts.

Read Matthew 25:14-30.
Allow for silence.

• What gifts are the servants given?
• How do the three servants use their gifts?
• Which servant does not use his gift wisely?
• What point does Jesus make with this story?

Scripture Background

Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.

In today’s Old Testament reading, God’s people are given guidance on how to care for all of God’s creation. The hard-working wife described in this passage is mindful of the poor and she helps her husband. The woman is strong in faith and she lives that faith by serving others. She is an example of wise stewardship of one’s God-given gifts.

In the gospel today, Jesus tells a story to teach about wise stewardship of our God-given gifts. In the parable of the three servants, each servant is entrusted with a different sum of money from their master who is leaving on a journey. Two of them invest wisely and double their money. The last one buries his money in the ground. When the master returns he is disappointed in the servant who does not invest wisely. He takes the money from him and he throws the servant out of the house.

In this parable, the master is like Christ, away for a time in heaven, until he returns to settle things with his followers. The settling of accounts is the final judgement and the servants’ rewards and punishments are meant to remind listeners of the importance of using God’s gifts wisely and well.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Why is the woman in the first reading praiseworthy?
• What does today’s gospel teach about using our God-given gifts?
• Why is it important to use our gifts wisely?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starter
Stewardship
The concept of Christian stewardship is to care for all that God gives us in creation. All of creation belongs to God. We are stewards of God’s household, sharing in the responsibility of caring for creation. Good stewardship involves caring for the poor and working for the common good.

Jesus is the model for good stewardship because Jesus shows us how to serve God and humanity. Catholics understand that we have a responsibility for others. We have been commanded to love God and our neighbor. Loving our neighbor is inseparable from loving God. Good stewards work on behalf of the poor and suffering in the world. In Catholic teaching these activities are called the corporal works of mercy. We serve Christ when we share our blessings with people in need. Being a good steward means that the way we use our personal gifts and the resources of this world assists in the building of the kingdom of God.

• What is the Christian understanding of stewardship?
• What are good stewards concerned with?
• What are some ways that you can be a good steward?

Sacrament Connection
In the Sacrament of Baptism we celebrate becoming members of God’s family, the Church. Being part of a family includes having some responsibility for one another. Membership in God’s family means that we are stewards of God’s household, sharing in the responsibility of caring for creation.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 4
Junior High, Morality, chapter 11

Connecting to Faith First®
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 4
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 19

The Gospel in Life

How can you use your gifts wisely this week?