Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

Materials Needed

• two baskets (or paper bags) filled with a small treat, such as a sticker, for each child

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Give the baskets to two children and ask the children to sit down. Say: There are enough treats in the baskets for each of us. Would a disciple of Jesus keep these treats for himself or herself or share them with everyone here? (share) Invite the children to pass out the treats. Say: When we think only about ourselves, we keep everything we have. When we think of others, we share what we have.
2. Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to share what we have with others, just as [name the two children with the baskets] shared the treats.
3. Read aloud Luke 12:13–21.
4. Ask: Does the man think about others or only about himself? (only about himself) Say: He has plenty of things to keep himself happy, but he hasn’t shared any of his wealth with people in need.
5. Say: We ask God to forgive us for what we have done, and we also ask him to forgive us for what we have failed to do. When we fail to share what we have with others, especially those who have less than we do, we have committed a sin of omission. We are acting like the man in the parable.
6. Say: I will pray the prayer we pray in Mass to ask God’s forgiveness. Pray silently as I pray aloud.
7. Pray aloud the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God. . .”)

Gospel Reading
Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

Children at this age are concerned with issues of fairness and are drawn to participate in making things right. This Sunday's Gospel and the activity below are opportunities to help them consider the unfairness of hoarding wealth.

Materials Needed

• The words to the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”) written on the board or on a sheet of paper

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Invite the children to imagine that they have each been granted a $1,000 shopping spree.

2. Have them brainstorm how they would spend their money.

3. Invite volunteers to share their wish lists with the group.

4. Point out that there is a difference between buying things that we need and buying things that we want.

5. Mention that although it would be fun to be able to buy anything we want, there are many people in the world who don't have enough money to buy even what they need.

6. Tell the children that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to share the goods of creation with all people.

7. Invite volunteers to read aloud Luke 12:13-21.

8. Ask for volunteers to summarize the parable of the rich fool.

9. Say: The rich man in the story does not seem like a bad man; in fact, he seems like a smart businessman. Jesus, however, points out that this man's flaw was that he was thinking only about himself and his own comfort and security. When we fail to think about the needs of others, we call that a sin of omission. Each time we go to Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do. We call this prayer the Confiteor. Let's end our time by praying this prayer together.

10. Pray aloud the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”).

Gospel Reading
Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

Young people at this age are developing social consciences and sets of values, making them idealistic and passionate about social justice. This Sunday's Gospel and the activity below are opportunities to invite them to consider the issues surrounding the equitable distribution of the world's resources.

Materials Needed

• Large bowl of popcorn
• A serving spoon
• Disposable bowls (one for each young person)
• The words to the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”) written on a sheet of paper

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Bring in a large bowl of popcorn, a serving spoon, and one disposable bowl per person.

2. Before the session, indicate in pen on the bottom of the bowls how many spoonfuls of popcorn each person may take: One-fifth of the group may take one spoonful; three-fifths may take two or three spoonfuls; and one-fifth may take eight or nine spoonfuls.

3. Distribute the bowls randomly to the young people. Tell them to look at the number on the bottom of their bowl without revealing it to others.

4. Tell them to imagine that the popcorn is the only food they will have to in the days to come.

5. Invite them in groups of two or three to come forward and take their allotted spoonfuls.

6. Observe reactions as the one-fifth who take eight or nine spoonfuls fill their bowls.

7. When everyone is finished, ask how those who could take only one, two, or three spoonfuls felt watching some take eight or nine spoonfuls.

8. Point out that this activity demonstrates the unequal distribution of wealth in the world.

9. Explain that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to remember that the goods of the world are intended to be shared by all.

10. Invite volunteers to read aloud Luke 12:13-21.

11. Ask for volunteers to summarize the parable of the rich fool.

12. Say: The rich man in the story does not seem like a bad man; in fact, he seems like a smart businessman. Jesus, however, points out that this man's flaw was that he was thinking only about himself and his own comfort and security. When we fail to think about the needs of others, we call that a sin of omission. Each time we go to Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do. We call this prayer the Confiteor. Let's end our time by praying this prayer together.

13. Pray aloud the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”).

Gospel Reading
Luke 12:13-21
A person's life does not consist of possessions.

Family Connection

Family life helps us learn about the values of solidarity and the common good. As a family, we strive to respect the rights of each family member and make decisions that promote the common good of the family. Talk about what it would be like if the family ordered a pizza and then divided it unevenly, with some members getting as many pieces as they wanted while others got only a half slice. Talk about how you work to make sure that everyone in the family has his or her fair share.

Talk about how your family is also a member of the human family, called to share the goods of creation fairly and justly. Explain that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to remember that the goods of the world are intended to be shared by all. Read aloud Luke 12:13-21. Talk about the parable of the rich fool and ask family members to describe what they think he did wrong. Emphasize that although the man in the story doesn't seem bad, Jesus points out that this man's flaw was that he was thinking only about himself and his own comfort and security. Emphasize that when we fail to think about the needs of others, we call that a sin of omission.

Remind your children that each time we go to Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do. We call this prayer the Confiteor. End this time together by praying the Confiteor (“I confess to almighty God…”).