Children's Liturgy Guide

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

New Joy with Jesus

Reading: Mark 2:18-22

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

Some people asked Jesus why His friends were not fasting like other people did. Jesus explained that when you are at a celebration with someone you love, it is a time for joy, not sadness. Being with Jesus is like being at a wonderful party.

Key Points

  • Jesus compared Himself to a bridegroom at a wedding celebration
  • When Jesus is with us, it is a time for happiness and joy
  • Jesus brings something new and wonderful into our lives
  • We can celebrate because Jesus is always with us

Background

This passage addresses a controversy about fasting. John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees fasted regularly as religious discipline, but Jesus's disciples did not. Jesus responds with the wedding imagery: the bridegroom is present, so celebration is appropriate. The metaphors of new cloth on old garments and new wine in old wineskins illustrate that Jesus brings a new covenant that cannot simply be patched onto old practices. For children, emphasize the joyful image of a wedding party and the happiness of being with someone we love. Set aside the complex theology of old versus new covenants and the eschatological dimensions of the bridegroom's departure.

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 be with us and fill our hearts with joy. Help us to celebrate the happiness of knowing Jesus every day. 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 been to a party or a celebration, like a birthday party or a wedding? What made it so happy and exciting?

Example: I went to my cousin's birthday party and we had cake and balloons and we played games and everyone was laughing and really happy together.

Bridge to the reading: It sounds like parties are full of joy when we are with people we love. In today's reading, Jesus talks about a very special kind of celebration, like a wedding party, and why His friends are so happy to be with Him.

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 people ask Jesus about His friends, the disciples?

    Example: People asked Jesus why His friends were not fasting like the other people were doing.

  2. What did Jesus compare Himself to in this story?

    Example: Jesus compared Himself to a bridegroom, which is a person getting married at a wedding party.

  3. Why did Jesus say His friends should not be sad while He was with them?

    Example: Jesus said they should be happy because it was like a wedding celebration when the bridegroom is there with everyone.

  4. Why do you think being with Jesus is like being at a party?

    Example: I think it is because Jesus loves us so much and makes us feel happy and special, just like at a fun party.

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 inside when you are with someone you really love, like your family?

    Example: It feels really warm and happy inside my heart, and I feel safe and like I want to smile a lot.

  2. What are some ways you can show you are happy to be friends with Jesus?

    Example: I can say thank you to Jesus when I pray and I can be kind to other people because Jesus loves them too.

  3. This week, how can you share the happiness of knowing Jesus with someone at home or at school?

    Example: I could tell my little brother that Jesus loves him, or I could share my snack with a friend to make them happy.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus told people His friends were happy because being with Him is like being at a wonderful wedding celebration. Jesus brings joy into our lives. We can be happy every day because Jesus is always with us and loves us very much.

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 children who are feeling sad or lonely, that they may feel the joy of knowing Jesus is always with them, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for being with us and filling our hearts with joy. Help us to share Your happiness with everyone we meet 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

New Joy with Jesus

Mark 2:18-22

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • joy
  • wedding
  • party
  • friends
  • happy
  • celebrate
  • bridegroom
  • love
  • new

ChildrensLiturgy.org