Children's Liturgy Guide

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Jesus Forgives With Great Love

Reading: Luke 7:36-8:3

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

A woman who had done wrong things came to Jesus at a dinner party. She cried and poured special perfume on his feet because she loved him so much. Jesus told her that her sins were forgiven because of her great love.

Key Points

  • Jesus welcomes everyone, especially those who are sorry for their mistakes
  • The woman showed her love for Jesus through her actions, crying and anointing his feet
  • Jesus has the power to forgive sins
  • When we are forgiven, we feel thankful and want to show love back
  • Simon the Pharisee judged the woman, but Jesus saw her loving heart

Background

This Gospel contrasts two responses to Jesus: Simon the Pharisee offers polite hospitality but no warmth, while the sinful woman offers extravagant love through her tears, kisses, and costly perfume. Jesus teaches that those who have been forgiven much, love much. The woman's actions, washing feet with tears and anointing with oil, were acts of humble service that Simon neglected. Jesus publicly affirms her forgiveness, scandalizing the dinner guests who wonder how he can forgive sins. The longer reading includes women disciples who followed Jesus and supported his ministry. For children, emphasize that Jesus loves us even when we make mistakes, and when we say sorry, he forgives us. This makes us want to love him back. Set aside the complex theology of sin, the social scandal of Jesus being touched by a sinful woman, and the debate about who can forgive sins.

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 loving us so much and for always forgiving us when we are sorry. Help us to show our love for you today, just like the woman in the story showed her love for 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 done something wrong and then said sorry to someone? How did it feel when they forgave you?

Example: One time I broke my sister's toy by accident and I said sorry. When she hugged me and said it was okay, I felt so happy and I wanted to be extra nice to her.

Bridge to the reading: That wonderful feeling of being forgiven makes us want to show love, does it not? In today's reading, we will hear about a woman who was so thankful that Jesus forgave her that she showed him amazing 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. Where was Jesus eating dinner in this story?

    Example: Jesus was eating dinner at the house of a man named Simon, who was a Pharisee and had invited Jesus to come eat with him.

  2. What did the woman do when she came to Jesus at the dinner?

    Example: She cried and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them with her hair and put special perfume oil on them.

  3. What did Simon think about the woman coming to Jesus?

    Example: Simon did not think it was good because the woman had done bad things before, and he wondered why Jesus let her touch him.

  4. What did Jesus tell the woman at the end?

    Example: Jesus told her that her sins were forgiven, and he said her faith had saved her and she could go in peace now.

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 woman felt when Jesus said her sins were forgiven?

    Example: I think she felt so happy and relieved, like a big heavy feeling was lifted off her heart and she could smile again.

  2. When someone forgives you at home or at school, what is something kind you could do to show you are thankful?

    Example: I could give them a hug or draw them a nice picture or help them with something they need to do.

  3. This week, how can you show Jesus that you love him and are thankful for his forgiveness?

    Example: I could say my prayers every night and thank Jesus, or I could be extra kind to someone who is sad or lonely.

Recap

Today we heard about a woman who came to Jesus at a dinner party. She had made many mistakes, but she was so sorry and loved Jesus so much. She cried on his feet and put special perfume on them. Jesus forgave her and told her to go in peace. When Jesus forgives us, we want to show him love 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 children who feel sorry for something they have done wrong, that they may know Jesus loves and forgives them, 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.

Before we receive Communion, we pray words like the woman might have felt: 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' Like her, we come to Jesus knowing we need his forgiveness and love.

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 about your wonderful forgiveness. Help us to remember that you always love us, even when we make mistakes. May we show our love for you and for others 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 Forgives With Great Love

Luke 7:36-8:3

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • forgive
  • woman
  • tears
  • perfume
  • love
  • Simon
  • peace
  • faith
  • dinner
  • sorry
  • thankful

ChildrensLiturgy.org