Children's Liturgy Guide

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Ready and Waiting for Jesus

Reading: Luke 12:32-48

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 not to be afraid because God loves to give them good things. He asks them to be like servants who stay awake and ready, waiting for their master to come home, because we never know when Jesus will come to us.

Key Points

  • Jesus tells us not to be afraid because God our Father wants to give us His kingdom
  • Being ready for Jesus means doing good things and helping others while we wait
  • Jesus is happy when He finds us doing what He asked us to do
  • We show we are ready by being kind and caring for others each day

Background

This passage contains Jesus's teaching on vigilance and preparedness for the coming of the Son of Man. The parable of the watchful servants emphasizes that disciples must remain alert and faithful, not knowing when the master will return. The passage also includes the parable of the faithful steward, which speaks to leadership responsibility. The theological depth here involves eschatological readiness and the accountability that comes with knowledge of God's will. For children, emphasize the comforting opening, 'Do not be afraid, little flock,' and the simple idea of being ready by doing good things, like keeping your lamp lit. Set aside the more complex teaching about degrees of punishment and the master's unexpected return at night, which can be confusing or frightening for young children.

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 loving us and calling us Your little flock. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how to be ready for Jesus by doing good things for others. 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 waited for someone special to come, like waiting for grandma to arrive or for your mom or dad to pick you up?

Example: Yes, I waited for my grandma to come visit us and I kept looking out the window to see her car coming down the street.

Bridge to the reading: Waiting for someone we love is exciting, and we want to be ready when they arrive. In today's reading, Jesus tells us about servants who stayed awake and ready, waiting for someone very special to come home.

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 does Jesus call His friends at the beginning of the reading?

    Example: Jesus calls His friends His little flock, like they are His sheep and He is taking care of them.

  2. What did the servants in the story keep burning while they waited for their master?

    Example: The servants kept their lamps burning bright so they would have light and be ready when the master came home.

  3. What did the servants do to show they were ready and waiting?

    Example: The servants stayed dressed and ready for work and they did not fall asleep even though it was nighttime.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wants us to be ready like those servants?

    Example: I think Jesus wants us to be ready because He loves us and wants to find us doing good things when He comes to see us.

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 feel when someone you love says they are coming to see you?

    Example: I feel so happy and excited in my tummy and I want to get everything ready and clean up my room for them.

  2. What are some good things you can do at home to be ready for Jesus?

    Example: I can help my mom set the table and be nice to my little brother and share my toys with him.

  3. This week at school, how can you be like a good servant who is ready and doing the right thing?

    Example: I can listen to my teacher and help my friends if they need help and be kind on the playground.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus call us His little flock and tell us not to be afraid. He wants us to be like servants who keep their lamps burning and stay ready. When we do kind things and help others each day, we are staying ready for Jesus.

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 who are feeling afraid or worried, that they may hear Jesus say 'Do not be afraid, little flock' and 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 light the candles at the beginning of Mass, we are like the servants in today's reading who kept their lamps burning, staying ready and awake for the Lord to come.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for calling us Your little flock and for loving us so much. Help us to keep our lamps burning bright by doing good things this week. May we always be ready to welcome You with happy hearts. 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

Ready and Waiting for Jesus

Luke 12:32-48

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • ready
  • waiting
  • lamp
  • servant
  • flock
  • awake
  • heart
  • master
  • faithful
  • light
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org