For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Hello Parents, Today we read about the Kingdom of God, and the treasures within. In an essay by Lisa Reno in MagnifiKid! July 26, 2020, “A precious gift!” the author talks to children about something of great value:
“Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God is a treasure. A treasure can be other things than money. It’s something extremely precious. Jesus is saying that faith is precious! The merchant who finds the valuable pearl is happy to sell all he owns in order to have it. When you begin to discover the gift of faith, your life begins to change…The more you search for God, the more you will find that his is the Kingdom of Love! Keep searching for the treasure! When you find God, you will find all!”
Encourage your children to seek beauty in the things around them–an interesting rock, a beautiful sunflower, a seashell, or an empty nest, etc, These are all gifts from God and are a wonderful part of the Kingdom of God. Connie Goldin
Our Art Gallery
Sunflower Prints–A Treasure of Summer
Our Art Project–An Easy-To-Make Icon
An icon is an art form that depicts Jesus, Mary, saints, and important people from other Bible stories. They are usually painted on wood in gold paint or on gold leaf. Here is an example of an icon that I own:
Make a quick and easy icon at home, using an uncoated paper plate, children’s gold metallic paint, and any type of markers. Paint the plate and let dry completely. Add symbols representing Jesus, such as a cross, Sacred Heart of Jesus, three crosses representing the Crucifixion, a Chi Rho (an early cross) and a fish for the Christian symbol for Jesus. Encourage your child to write short sentences about God on the icon. I used a white gel pen on top of marker to enhance the cross. Use whatever art supplies you have a home. If you don’t have gold paint, use a bright color of poster paint or tempera. The icon above has a bright green lacquer for a background, and I think it’s beautiful. Punch the top of the finished icon plate with a hole puncher and use a ribbon or string to hang it on the wall.
Our Reading
Source: USCCB.org Matthew, chapter 13:44
“Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.’”