Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Luke 17:5-10
Jesus teaches the apostles the importance of faith and service to God.

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

Materials Needed

• mustard seeds (or other small seeds); a small box or container in which children can keep the seeds

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Give a few mustard seeds to each child to hold. Ask children to describe the seeds. (tiny, brown) Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about having faith the size of a mustard seed. Ask: Do you think that means a lot of faith or a little faith? (a little faith) Say: Listen carefully as I read.
2. Read aloud Luke 17:7–10.
3. Say: Jesus’ disciples asked him to give them more faith. Jesus tells us that if we have even a little faith, we receive God’s help in doing what he calls us to do. Ask: What are some things that God calls us to do at home, at school, and at church? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
4. Distribute the boxes or containers and invite children to put the seeds inside. Say: Keep these seeds to remind you that God can do wonderful things when we have just a little faith.
5. Pray the Glory Be to the Father.

Gospel Reading
Luke 17:5-10
Jesus teaches the apostles the importance of faith and service to God.

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

The optimism of youth believes that small things can make a difference. This is an example of what it means to have faith the size of a mustard seed. We can nurture the faith of young people by showing how in small but real ways, we each can participate in the Kingdom of God.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Introduce today's readings by saying: In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of faith and how with even just a little faith, God will help the disciples of Jesus to work wonders. Before we read today's Gospel, let's think about some of the ways people make a difference in the lives of others.

2. Invite the group to prepare a list of jobs/occupations that people hold. Choose one or two jobs from this list and ask the group to identify how these jobs make a difference in the lives of people. Next, ask the group to identify some of the rewards for doing this kind of work. Say: Whenever a person is able to make a positive difference in the life of another, we see God's action at work in our world.

3. Say: Now let's listen to God's Word and hear what Jesus teaches us about faith and action. Ask a volunteer to read Luke 17:5-6. Ask: What does is mean to have faith the size of a mustard seed? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

4. Ask a second volunteer to read Luke 17:7-10. Ask: How does this teaching make you feel? (Accept all reasonable answers.) What does this reading tell us about why we should want to do the work of God? (This is what God requires of us; doing God's will is its own reward.)

5. Ask each person in your group to identify one thing that he or she has done that made a positive difference in the life of another. Then invite each person to write a short paragraph about this task and about how it makes them feel to do it. These will be used in the closing prayer.

6. In conclusion, invite the group to enter into a prayerful spirit around a prayer table. Invite each person to place on a prayer table the paragraph that he or she wrote about an action that made a difference in the life of another as a sign of their willingness to serve God in faith. Pray together that God will transform these actions and make them serve God's kingdom as you pray aloud Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Prayer for Generosity or sing, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace."

Gospel Reading
Luke 17:5-10
Jesus teaches the apostles the importance of faith and service to God.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

Young people at this age are capable of participating in many types of service opportunities but may need to be challenged to be more generous with their time.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Ask whether any of the young people have earned awards.

2. Invite volunteers to share examples.

3. Point out that while it feels good to achieve recognition, it has no place in God's kingdom.

4. Tell the young people that in the Kingdom of God, we are called to do service for others without seeking recognition. Say: The service we provide for others flows from our faith in God. Faith and service are tied together.

5. Invite a volunteer to read aloud Luke 17:5-10. Ask: What does this reading tell us about why we should want to do the work of God and serve others? (Because serving others is what God requires of us; because doing God's will is its own reward.)

6. Ask if anyone can explain the term covert operation. (an action undertaken in secret)

7. Tell the young people that you are going to invite them to participate in a covert operation involving doing service for others.

8. Guide the group to brainstorm simple acts of service that can be performed without attracting attention.

9. Record the list on the board and number each item.

10. Write the numbers on small slips of paper. Create enough slips so that there is one for each young person.

11. Place the slips in a container and invite each young person to choose a slip. Have him or her write down the act of service that he or she will perform in secret in the days ahead.

12. Say: When you do your act of service, remind yourself that doing God's will is the only reward you need.

13. Conclude by praying the Doxology (Glory Be to the Father), reminding the young people that all praise is directed to God.

Gospel Reading

Luke 17:5-10

Jesus teaches the apostles the importance of faith and service to God.

Family Connection

There is much in today's Gospel that resonates in family life. In our daily attempts as parents to live up to the confidence and trust that our children place in us, we come to know the wonders that God can do with just a little faith. In family life we also learn about obligations that are their own rewards. The daily tasks that family members do for one another and for the household are simply the manifestations of our responsibilities to one another.

Take a turn with each member of the family and identify some of the little things that each family member does that make a big difference in your family life.

Read today's Gospel, Luke 17:5-10. Talk about how each person is called upon by God to believe that God can work miracles in our lives, that God can use us to make a difference in our world.

Together as a family, pray Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Prayer of Generosity. Ask that God will work through your family to make a difference in the lives of those around you.