Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Let Your Light Shine

Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus tells his friends that they are like salt and light for the whole world. He wants them to do good things so that everyone can see God's love shining through them.

Key Points

  • Jesus calls his followers 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world'
  • A lamp is meant to be put on a stand so it can give light to everyone in the house
  • Our good deeds help others see God's love
  • We should not hide the good things God helps us do

Background

In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses two powerful metaphors to describe the mission of his disciples. Salt in the ancient world was precious, used for preservation and flavoring. Light dispels darkness and reveals what is hidden. Jesus is not asking his followers to become salt and light; he declares that they already are these things by virtue of following him. The challenge is to not lose their distinctive character or hide their witness. For children, emphasize the image of light: a lamp on a stand that shines for everyone to see. Set aside the theological complexity of salt losing its saltiness and focus on the concrete, visual image of not hiding a lamp under a basket. Help children understand that when they do kind and good things, they are showing others what God's love looks like.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for calling us to be your light in the world. Help us to shine brightly today by doing good things that show your love to everyone around us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever used a flashlight or turned on a lamp when it was really dark? What did the light help you see?

Example: One time the power went out at my house and it was so dark and scary, but then my mom got a flashlight and I could see everything again and I felt so much better.

Bridge to the reading: You know how that light helped you see and feel safe in the dark. In today's reading, Jesus tells his friends that they are like that light for the whole world, helping everyone see God's love.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. What two things does Jesus say his followers are like?

    Example: Jesus says his followers are like salt for the earth and they are also like light for the whole world.

  2. Where does Jesus say we should NOT put a lamp?

    Example: Jesus says we should not put a lamp under a basket or a bowl because then nobody can see the light at all.

  3. Where should we put a lamp instead so everyone can see it?

    Example: Jesus says we should put the lamp up high on a lampstand so it can shine and give light to everyone in the whole house.

  4. Why does Jesus want people to see our good deeds?

    Example: Jesus wants people to see our good deeds so they will praise God our Father who lives in heaven and know how much God loves them.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it feel when someone does something really kind for you, like sharing or helping you?

    Example: It feels so warm and happy inside, like when my friend helped me pick up my crayons when I dropped them and I felt like someone really cared about me.

  2. What is one good thing you could do at home to let your light shine for your family?

    Example: I could help my little brother get dressed in the morning without being asked, or I could help set the table for dinner to help my mom.

  3. This week at school, how could you be like a bright light for someone who might be feeling sad?

    Example: If I see someone sitting alone at lunch or on the playground, I could go over and ask them to play with me or sit with them and be their friend.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell his friends that they are the light of the world. He said we should not hide our light under a basket, but put it up high where everyone can see it. When we do good and kind things, we shine like a bright lamp and help others see how much God loves them.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For children everywhere who feel alone in the dark, that they may see the light of God's love through the kindness of others, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for teaching us that we can be your light in the world. Help us this week to shine brightly by being kind and helpful to everyone we meet. May our good deeds bring praise and glory to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:13-16

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

X J E C W K A C H K T E K E Y
V L I A R P S J S J S T A N D
T Z Y G L L W F H A S J M G T
X B R I G H T Z G W L Y X F T
Z H Y T I C T R P D S T X W P
C D Y D T I Q H U Z E K Q E S
S Q W B T D G P G O K E P A V
R C O Z L S Z V F I C P D J R
P E R L A M P A Y G L U W S S
F L L M E Q T H C L O I R M H
P N D N H H T J K I K O J D I
W V C Z E H R I L I Z S D S N
E B B R D W N Q P P V L B C E
H T R H W G I C Z V H T W A Z
K O F K E D Z J E S U S A G K

Words to find

  • light
  • salt
  • lamp
  • shine
  • world
  • good
  • deeds
  • Jesus
  • Father
  • bright
  • stand
  • city

ChildrensLiturgy.org