Welcome to Little Prophets! We would like to share with you some great tools for helping our younger Catholics take a closer look at the Sunday readings. Please visit the Children’s page at sundayprep.org/ for many more videos, activities, sermons and more for children of all ages.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus performs his greatest miracle. It is clear that Jesus loves Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, and he is saddened by the death of his friend Lazarus. However Jesus knows that his friend will rise again. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In raising Lazarus from death to life, Jesus proves what he says in verses 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die.”
Today’s Gospel shows that Jesus is the savior of the world. Jesus brought his friend Lazarus back to life. This miracle sheds light on the saving event of Christ’s dying and rising, his Paschal Mystery.
Let us pray:
Dear Jesus,
thank you for giving your life for us.
You are the savior of the world.
Amen.
Message found on:http://rclblectionary.com/
The theme for today is the saving event of Jesus’ life, Death and Resurrection, the Paschal Mystery. Bring to today’s session several different crosses, crucifixes and/or pictures of crosses and crucifixes. Place them in the center of the meeting space. Begin by asking the children to choose a cross or crucifix that helps remind them of Jesus’ love for them. Invite the children to share with the group how the cross or crucifix they chose reminds them of Jesus’ love. Discuss:
- Why are the cross and crucifix important symbols for Chrisitans?
- What does a cross or crucifix help you to remember?
- What helps you to remember Jesus’ love for you?
LITURGY LINK
Which of the following gestures do we do when the Gospel is proclaimed by the priest or deacon – sit, stand, or kneel? Why do we do that?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Remember a deceased family member in your prayers this week.
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Martha (Feast Day July 29)
First Century
Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. Jesus frequently dined in their home. No doubt Martha was an active sort of person. On one occasion, she prepares the meal for Jesus and his friends and says what she thinks is obvious: All hands should pitch in to help with the dinner. However, Martha’s moment of glory is her simple and strong statement of faith in Jesus after her brother’s death. “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.’” (John 11:25-27)
FUN FACTS
Did you know that each year March and June end on the same day of the week?
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Lazarakia
This traditional Greek Lenten bread recipe will help to bring today’s Gospel story to life!
2 lbs. unbleached, all-purpose flour
3/4 cup olive oil
1 cup cane sugar
2 packets active dry yeast
1-3/4 cups lukewarm water (plus a little more if needed)
1 tsp orange peel, one tsp cinnamon or a combination of both
1 tsp salt
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix all the dough ingredients and then knead well, until the batter becomes a nice soft dough. You may need to add a little extra water, depending on the quality of the flour. Cover and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes in a warm place.
Shape an egg-sized amount of dough into an oblong. For the hands, form two little ropes of dough and place them in an x-shape across the middle of the oblong. Form a third little rope into a circle and place it on top of the oblong for the head. (Visit web site link to see picture.) Place two cloves in the middle of the head for eyes. Repeat the process with remaining dough.
Place the Lazarakia on the baking sheets and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread rolls turn golden-brown.
Variation: chocolate-filled Lazarakia
A favorite, though not so traditional, variation is to wrap a piece of vegan dark chocolate inside the oblong shape before adding the embellishments. The chocolate melts during baking, thus creating chocolate-filled Lazarakia.
From https://orthodoxpebbles.com/lazarakia-recipe/
Material found on: https://www.52sundays.com/
Catholic Kids Media is an effort to evangelize the culture, providing quality Catholic programming for kids that does not water down Catholicism. They develop resources for parents and teachers to instruct children in the Faith and practices of prayer. You can visit their YouTube Channel here.
52 Sundays contains unique content for each Sunday of the calendar year. To help all families reclaim the Lord’s Day and grow in the habits of discipleship, the Archdiocese of Detroit created 52 Sundays, a weekly resource that provides a structure for living Sunday in a distinctly Catholic way. You can visit that website here.
The Kids’ Bulletins are a resource for Catholic kids who would like to have some fun while learning about the readings from the Sunday Mass every week. (Ordinary Form) They are made by a mom in Canada who is happy to share them with anyone who can use them to help learn or teach about the truth and beauty of the Faith. You can visit her website here.
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