Children's Liturgy Guide

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Jesus Finds Zacchaeus

Reading: Luke 19:1-10

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 short man named Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so badly that he climbed up a tree. Jesus saw him, called him by name, and went to his house, and this meeting changed Zacchaeus's heart.

Key Points

  • Jesus notices and seeks out everyone, even those others ignore or dislike
  • Zacchaeus was a tax collector whom people did not like, but Jesus chose to visit him
  • When Jesus shows us love, it helps us want to change and do good things
  • Jesus said he came to find and save those who are lost

Background

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, meaning he worked for the occupying Roman government and likely cheated people by collecting extra money for himself. He was wealthy but despised by his community. The crowd grumbled when Jesus chose to stay at his house because they saw Zacchaeus as a sinner unworthy of such honor. Jesus's statement that salvation has come to this house and that he came to seek and save the lost reflects his mission of mercy and redemption for all people, especially those on the margins. For children, emphasize that Jesus sees us even when we feel unseen, calls us by name, and his love helps us want to be kind and good. Set aside the complexities of Roman taxation and the theological weight of the term salvation.

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 seeing us and loving us. Help us listen to your story today and learn how your love can change our hearts. 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 really, really wanted to see something but you were too short or there were too many people in the way? What did you do?

Example: One time at a parade I could not see so my dad lifted me up on his shoulders so I could see everything going by.

Bridge to the reading: In today's reading, we will hear about a man who was very short and really wanted to see Jesus. The crowd was so big that he could not see, so he came up with a clever idea to make sure Jesus would notice 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 was the name of the man who wanted to see Jesus, and what was his job?

    Example: His name was Zacchaeus and he was a tax collector, which means he collected money from people.

  2. What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus over the crowd?

    Example: He ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree because he was too short to see over everyone.

  3. What surprising thing did Jesus do when he saw Zacchaeus in the tree?

    Example: Jesus stopped and looked up and told Zacchaeus to come down because he wanted to stay at his house today.

  4. Why do you think the other people were upset that Jesus went to Zacchaeus's house?

    Example: They were upset because Zacchaeus had taken extra money from people and they thought he was a bad person who did not deserve a visit from Jesus.

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 Zacchaeus felt when Jesus called him by name and wanted to visit him?

    Example: I think he felt really happy and surprised because nobody else was being nice to him but Jesus wanted to be his friend.

  2. Is there someone at school or in your neighborhood who sometimes gets left out? What could you do to make them feel noticed?

    Example: There is a kid who sits alone at lunch sometimes and I could go sit with them and talk to them and be their friend.

  3. This week, how can you show someone in your family that you see them and care about them?

    Example: I could help my little brother with something or tell my mom thank you for making dinner and give her a hug.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in a tree and called him by name. Even though other people did not like Zacchaeus, Jesus wanted to be his friend and visit his house. This meeting changed Zacchaeus's heart and made him want to be kind and good. Jesus sees each one of us and loves us the same way.

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 feel left out or overlooked, that they may know Jesus sees them and loves 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.

Just before Communion, we say 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' These words echo what happened when Jesus chose to enter the home of Zacchaeus, someone others thought was unworthy. We ask Jesus to come to us too, knowing his love can change our hearts.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for always seeing us and calling us by name. Help us share your love with others this week, especially those who feel alone. 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 Finds Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

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.

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

Words to find

  • Zacchaeus
  • tree
  • Jesus
  • climb
  • house
  • welcome
  • friend
  • change
  • love
  • seek
  • found
  • short

ChildrensLiturgy.org