Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Heals and Prays

Reading: Mark 1:29-39

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

In today's Gospel, Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law when she is sick with a fever. Then many more sick people come to Jesus for help, and he heals them too. Jesus also wakes up very early to find a quiet place to pray to God his Father.

Key Points

  • Jesus shows his love by healing people who are sick and suffering
  • Jesus took time to pray alone with God the Father, even when he was very busy
  • After praying, Jesus knew he needed to go to other towns to share God's good news
  • We can bring our needs to Jesus because he cares about us
  • Prayer helps us stay close to God like Jesus did

Background

This passage shows Jesus beginning his public ministry in Galilee with a flurry of healing activity. The Greek word used for the fever 'leaving' Simon's mother-in-law suggests an immediate, complete healing. Theologically significant is that Jesus withdraws to pray at a critical moment of popularity, demonstrating that his mission flows from communion with the Father, not from human acclaim. The phrase 'a deserted place' echoes Old Testament wilderness encounters with God. Jesus's response to the disciples, 'Let us go on to the neighboring towns,' reveals his understanding of mission as proclamation of the Kingdom, not merely miraculous works. For children, emphasize that Jesus cares for sick people and that Jesus talks to God in prayer, setting aside the deeper theological questions about Jesus's divine and human natures or the relationship between miracles and faith.

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 always caring about us, especially when we feel sick or sad. Help us to learn from you today and to remember to talk to God like you did. We ask this in your name. Amen. 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.

Has anyone ever taken care of you when you were sick? What did they do to help you feel better?

Example: When I had a cold, my mom brought me soup and she put a cool cloth on my head and read me stories in bed.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone takes care of us when we are not feeling well. In today's Gospel, we will hear about Jesus visiting someone who was very sick with a fever, and we will see what Jesus did to help her.

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. Who was sick in the house that Jesus visited?

    Example: Simon Peter's mother-in-law was sick. She was lying in bed because she had a really bad fever.

  2. What happened when Jesus took her hand and helped her up?

    Example: The fever went away right then, and she felt all better. She even started serving them food and drinks.

  3. What did Jesus do very early the next morning while it was still dark outside?

    Example: Jesus woke up super early and went to a quiet place all by himself so he could pray to God.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted to find a quiet place to pray?

    Example: Maybe Jesus wanted to talk to his Father in heaven without all the noise and people around him asking for things.

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 do you think the sick people felt when Jesus made them better?

    Example: I think they felt so happy and maybe they wanted to jump around because they were not hurting anymore.

  2. Jesus found a quiet place to talk to God. Where could you go to have a quiet moment to pray?

    Example: I could go to my bedroom and sit on my bed, or maybe outside under a tree where it is peaceful and quiet.

  3. This week, who is someone you could help when they are not feeling well or having a hard day?

    Example: I could help my little brother if he gets sick by bringing him his blanket and his favorite stuffed animal.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law and many other sick people because he cared about them so much. We also learned that Jesus got up very early to find a quiet place to pray and talk to God his Father. Jesus shows us that helping others and praying are both important things we can do too.

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 all the children and grown-ups who are sick right now, that Jesus will comfort them and help them feel his love, 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.

When we pray the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, we ask God to help people who are sick and suffering, just like the people who came to Jesus for healing in today's Gospel.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us today that you care about people who are sick and that prayer is important. Help us to be kind to others who need help and to remember to talk to God every day. 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 Heals and Prays

Mark 1:29-39

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • heal
  • fever
  • pray
  • morning
  • quiet
  • Simon
  • Peter
  • help
  • care
  • town
  • sick

ChildrensLiturgy.org