“From the Bible: Gratitude” from Blessed First Reconciliation, Page 17
For Parents To Teach To Their Children
from Blessed First Reconciliation, Page 17
“When we take time to pray, reflect, and count our blessings, we realize that God has blessed us in so many ways.
Gratitude is the best response to any blessing. There is a wonderful story in the Gospel of Luke about gratitude.
One day. while Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, ten me with leprosy approached him and asked him to cure them.
Most people would not go anywhere near a person with leprosy because the disease is very contagious, but Jesus had mercy un them.
He blessed them and said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
Along the way, the lepers realized that they had been healed. It was a miracle!
When one of the lepers saw that he was cured of this horrible disease, he was filled with joy and immediately went back to Jesus and praised him at
the top of his voice.
Jesus asked the man, “Where are the others.”
A lovely scene I’d seen on a walk.
Our Gospel Readings
The Gospel According to Mark, CHAPTER 1:41-45 USCCB
“A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
‘I do will it. Be made clean.’
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
He said to him, ‘See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.’
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere”
Catholic children have tools in their toolbox for making good choices. From kindergarten, they learn about The Ten Commandments. They start to work on The Beatitudes at this early age, and they learn about “Works of Mercy” both Corporal and Spiritual in first and second grade. Making an ethical or moral choice is a lot clearer with these guidelines. Having a “Moral Compass” that is internalized helps us listen to our conscience. Then, when it is time for First Reconciliation, children learn to use The Ten Commandments, and the other teachings, for an “Examination of Conscience.” The Moral Compass within, given to us by God, keeps us on the right path.
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
And,
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love God. Love Others.
Double Love Commandment
Our Art Project for Kids of All Ages! Try drawing or painting a simple picture of the leper thanking Jesus.
I painted this on a small canvas panel, using a Magnum Sharpie for the thick line, and a fine tip Sharpie for the outlining. Then, I used children’s washable markers to fill it in with color.
Mary and “The Magnificat”
Print and Collage of Immaculate Heart of Mary
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
for he has looked with favor on me.
From now on all generations will called me blessed.
For the mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”
“Closing Prayer” Blessed First Reconciliation, Page 28
Rose for Mary—Symbol for Mary, Watercolor Paper, Watercolor Colored Pencils, Watercolors and Brush, and Gold Ink Pen
“We are all children of God.”
Blessed FIRST RECONCILIATION Page 10
Dynamic Catholic
“Hail, Holy Queen Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!” Amen.
