Children have an emerging sense of wonder and curiosity about the world in which they live.  As a catechist accompanying children and their parents during this year of sacramental formation there is also there is also an emerging sense of the Divine. This particular lesson provided the space for the children to explore the sense of the Holy in their lives.

The Holy Spirit speaks through our children, and it was evident during class with the children. One Scripture passage seemed to capture it all:

“People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, ‘Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.’” Luke 18:15-17

The lesson centered on CARING. The children worked in little communities charged with the task, “List people who care for you,” and write or draw “how they show they care. Yes, parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family members were listed by name. The children also included teachers, doctors and nurses, first responders. Their sharing  lead us into the heart of the lesson, Jesus as a model of love and goodness. How can we follow Jesus’ example of love by showing others that we care?

Each week at SCORE our goal is to help the children foster their relationship with Jesus. We have prayed together, listened to guided meditations, talked about Gospel stories, and shared faith. This past Sunday, we reflected upon “what would our Jesus look like.” One of the boys enthusiastically responded, “I am going home and drawing Jesus.” It is in the personal relationship with Jesus that the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist become meaningful and transformative. For the children, they’re articulating their experience of Jesus who cares and loves each one of them so tenderly.

The children were sent home with the Sunday’s lesson Jesus Saves Us. Please note: every week the children will take home the lesson that we discussed in class. Set time aside to review and discuss the lesson with your child. Each lesson has a special section for the family.   Also, from the same section you will find READY FOR THE SACRAMENTS with prompts to generate table conversation. This week’s prompt is a good one: As a family, recall a time you were traveling and got lost. How did you feel when you were lost? What helped you find your way again? How is this experience like the Sacrament of Reconciliation?