“…whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Source: USCCB.org Matthew, chapter 5:19
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Hello Parents, When we began the preparations for First Reconciliation for your children, we started with the Ten Commandments. This week, Jesus tells us,
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
USCCB.org Matthew, chapter 5:20
Jesus is saying that the Scribes and Pharisees, although they are the legal experts, are missing God’s message of love and mercy. Jesus is telling us that we have to do better than the Scribes and Pharisees, and follow the God’s Commandments, looking at the Laws with great consideration:
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment;”
USCCB.org Matthew, Chapter 5:21-22
We all experience anger, at times. Jesus is saying we must not let our anger hurt others. Anger, harsh words and acting out physically, can wound others, and hurt them in different ways. Jesus says anger is also “liable to judgement.”
We can help children, and ourselves, practice ways to avoid acting immediately in anger:
Think, “STOP.”
Count to ten.
Breathe and calm down.
Back away, or leave the area.
Ask Yourself, “What would Jesus do?”
Say, “I’m sorry.”
Our Moral Compass
“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’”
USCCB.org Matthew, chapter 5:37
We were given a conscience by God that provides us with a “Moral Compass” to help us make moral choices. We use the laws given to us by God, the Father, by Jesus, God the Son, and with the help of God, the Holy Spirit to stay on the right path. We call on the Holy Spirit, to give us strength to make the right choices, and help us love others.
Our Readings–Source: USCCB.org
“Sixth Sunday in ordinary Time”
Reading #1
“If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
whichever he chooses shall be given him.
Immense is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.
The eyes of God are on those who fear him;
he understands man’s every deed.
No one does he command to act unjustly,
to none does he give license to sin.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms, chapter 119:33-34
“R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”
“Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes,
that I may exactly observe them.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.”
R. “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”
The Gospel
Matthew, chapter 5:20-37
“Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you,
whoever is angry with brother
will be liable to judgment.
‘You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
‘Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
Anything more is from the evil one.’”
Our Art Gallery
“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
and what has not entered the human heart,
what God has prepared for those who love him,
this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
Source: USCCB.org Corinthians, chapter 2:9-10
Methods and Materials
This is a fun, quick and easy way to paint a beautiful heart created by finger painting.
I wrapped a piece of cardboard from the back of a depleted watercolor pad with aluminum foil. Next, I used white liquid children’s acrylic paint to cover the aluminum foil for the heart painting, and I let it dry. Again using my fingers, I drew the red heart, leaving a bit of white paint showing around the heart’s border. The next step was to smear bronze liquid acrylic all around the heart. The final step was to spread a bit of luminous acrylic paint on to the heart and around its border. Voila! A lovely heart for a Valentine’s Day card, a poster or a gift.
P.S. The metallic paint washes off with soap and water and is water-based. However, a little scrub with the fiber side of the sponge takes the paint off easily from hands and counter tops.
Our Music
“Eye Has Not Seen” By Notre Dame University Folk Choir at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Suggested Homework Ideas
“Bringing It All Together”
“Here is a list of the Ten Commandments. Most of them tell us what not to do. In the spaces provided, list some of the good things that a child of God should do.”
“You shall worship the Lord your God and only Him should you serve.”
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
“Honor your father and your mother.”
“You shall not kill.”
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”
“You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s.”
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Source: MagnifiKid! February 16, 2020. Vol. 17. Part 3. Section 4. Page 13
Encourage your child to memorize the Ten Commandments. Other, age-appropriate versions are here:
From A Child’s Guide to Reconciliation
