Children's Liturgy Guide

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Makes Us Clean Forever

Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

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

This reading tells us that Jesus offered himself once to take away all our sins. Because of what Jesus did, we are made clean and holy in God's eyes forever. We do not need to keep doing the same thing over and over because Jesus did it perfectly one time.

Key Points

  • Jesus offered himself as a gift to God for us
  • This gift takes away our sins and makes us clean
  • Jesus only needed to do this once because his gift was perfect
  • Because of Jesus, we can be close to God forever

Background

The Letter to the Hebrews contrasts the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant priests with the single, definitive sacrifice of Christ. The author emphasizes that Christ's offering was efficacious once for all, achieving what endless repetition could not. The phrase 'perfected for all time' refers to our being made holy and complete in God's sight through Christ's atoning work. This theological concept of Christ as both priest and victim is central to Catholic understanding of the Mass. For children, emphasize the concrete idea that Jesus did something wonderful for us that makes us clean and loved by God, setting aside the technical sacrificial theology and priestly comparisons.

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 God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us how much you love us. Help us to understand today how Jesus makes us clean and brings us close to you. 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 had to wash your hands over and over again because they kept getting dirty? What was that like?

Example: Yes, when I was playing in the mud I had to wash my hands so many times because I kept going back outside and getting them dirty again!

Bridge to the reading: You know how you had to keep washing because the dirt kept coming back? In today's reading, we will hear about how Jesus did something so special that it made us clean in a way that lasts forever.

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 did Jesus offer as a gift for us?

    Example: Jesus offered himself as a gift. He gave his whole self to God for us because he loves us so much.

  2. How many times did Jesus need to do this?

    Example: Jesus only needed to do it one time. He did not have to do it over and over again like the other priests.

  3. What happens to our sins because of what Jesus did?

    Example: Our sins are forgiven and taken away. We do not have to worry about them anymore because Jesus took care of them.

  4. Why do you think one time was enough for Jesus?

    Example: I think because Jesus is God's Son, his gift was so perfect and so big that it could clean everyone forever and ever.

Application Questions

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

  1. When someone in your family makes a mistake and says sorry, how can you show them the same forgiveness Jesus shows us?

    Example: When my little sister breaks my toy and says sorry, I can forgive her and give her a hug instead of staying mad at her.

  2. At school, if a friend feels bad about doing something wrong, what could you tell them about how much Jesus loves them?

    Example: I could tell my friend that Jesus loves them so much and already forgave them, so they do not need to feel sad anymore.

  3. This week, how can you thank Jesus for making you clean and loved by God?

    Example: I can say a little prayer before bed and tell Jesus thank you for loving me and taking care of my mistakes.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus gave himself as a perfect gift to make us clean from our sins. He only needed to do this one time because his gift was so perfect. Because of Jesus, we are loved and close to God forever.

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 families who are learning to forgive one another the way Jesus forgives us, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

At Mass, during the Lamb of God, we say 'Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.' This echoes today's reading about Jesus taking away our sins through his gift of himself.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much that you gave yourself for us. Help us to share your forgiveness with our families and friends this week. 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

Jesus Makes Us Clean Forever

Hebrews 10:11-14, 18

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • gift
  • clean
  • forgive
  • love
  • forever
  • offering
  • holy
  • heart
  • sins
  • priest
  • perfect

ChildrensLiturgy.org