Turning to Jesus

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s gospel follows last week’s gospel. However, whereas last week, one could have felt that it was extremely demanding: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me … whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me,” this week’s gospel is an encouraging one. It continues to emphasise the need for our commitment and to surrender totally to God’s will. The gospel shows that Jesus understands that life may be hard and that we may want to give up. He wants us to believe that he is with us.

Jesus does not make false promises, he does not present us with a magic formula. Sufferings and hardships will always be part of life. What he promises is peace. He promises us that with his help, the burden will become lighter. The peace that he offers will help us move on, to be able to face the situation. With Jesus’ help, these same struggles will help us grow and become stronger.

A story which sometimes makes the rounds on social media is about a stress management trainer. He was giving a course and he held up a glass of water. He asked about the weight of the glass. Many were those who tried to guess but none gave the desired answer. Although the weight of the glass does not change, if one holds it for five minutes, it is still bearable. Nonetheless, if one holds the same glass for an hour, one’s arm will probably go numb and one would not remain capable of holding it. The weight does not change, but it seems that the longer the glass is held, the heavier it becomes! This is exactly what happens to us when we do not seek help. Jesus promises that if we go to him with our troubles, he will be there for us.

Let us remember that Jesus too experienced this situation, when he did not wish to go through a particular situation. In the garden of Gethsemane, he confessed that he did not wish to pass through all that suffering, but he surrendered to the Father’s will. He received the courage and help he needed. The suffering remained, he did not escape from it, but he had the courage and strength to face it and go through it. And this is what he is offering us. He wants us to trust in him and turn to him in our needs.

In the first part of the gospel, Jesus refers to the ‘little ones’. To understand Jesus we do not require some extraordinary intelligence, instead we need to be humble and accept his will.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 11, 25-30)

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and how do they affect you now?
  3. What is burdening you at the moment?
  4. Did you ever open up to Jesus?
  5. How significant are these words to you? “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
  6. Together with your family find the right time to read this gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare:
    a. The Bible reading from St Matthew (11, 25-30)
    b. A lit candle
    c. Cover the table with green cloth
    d. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  7. Go through the steps with your kid’s (2 age groups are being suggested)
  8. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  9. Be creative 😊
  10. Go to the Prayer Spaces section to continue praying as a family

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that he will always care for us, especially when we are facing difficult situations and we think of giving up.

We will learn that:

  • Jesus knows that there are times when we find it difficult to do something which is good, even though we wish to do it
  • Jesus wants to help us
  • Pebbles or stones, one for each person present
  • A crucifix or statue/picture of Jesus which the children have in the bedrooms
  • A heavy luggage, heavy enough to make it difficult for the children to lift
  • Colours
  • A printout of the picture below
PictureDownload

We ask: what is a yoke? After allowing the children to say their thoughts, we show them the picture and explain that this was put on oxen to plough the fields. It was hard work, but because they were in pairs, they helped each other and the work was made easier.

What is Jesus telling us?

Look at the luggage/ When do we use it? Will someone try to lift it up? Allow the children to try and lift it up and bring it near you. When they see that it is difficult to lift, give them a helping hand.

We ask? What was different now? The weight of the luggage did not change, but because you received help, you managed to lift it up and take it wherever you wanted with less effort.

This is what Jesus would like to do. He sees us when we need help but at times we do not ask for his help. He expects us to seek his help, so that he might give us the strength to do those things which we are finding difficult to accomplish.

We ask: Are there things which you are finding difficult to do? Things which are troubling you? We allow everyone to have a turn.

If they wish, the children can now colour the picture while listening to Come to me.

Sign of the cross.

Everyone picks up a pebble and holds it in their hand. Think about what you have just said, about your burden. Then put it near the crucifix or statue/picture of Jesus.

Jesus, we know that you would like to help us do what we are finding difficult to do. Thank you for all your love and care. Amen.

We remind the children that whenever they are facing a difficult situation, they can go near Jesus, pick up the pebble, talk to Jesus about it and ask for his help.

Do you remember the cross we spoke about last week? Today Jesus tells us that he knows that at times this cross might be heavy to carry. He wants to give us the strength to carry it.

We will learn that

  • When we are going to give up we can always turn to Jesus
  • The way Jesus shows us is easier

Materials Needed:

  • Paper plates
  • Colours
  • Pencils
  • A crucifix
  • Picture of oxen with a yoke
pictureDownload

What is a yoke? Have you ever heard this word?

We show the picture.

Before the tractors, it was the animals which did the ploughing of the fields. The yoke kept the two oxen together and they ploughed the fields. It was hard work, but since they were a team, it became lighter.

We ask:

What do you think Jesus is telling us?

What are our difficulties? It may be a physical disability, family problems, disagreements with friends, illness, tough subjects at school. It could be a habit we are trying to stop, lying, for example, or selfishness, or anger. It could be that we did something, and we have not yet owned up to it! Or we are finding it difficult to forgive. All these can burden us.

Have you ever been invited to a friend’s house and when offered a meal, you thought that the plate was too full and that it was way too much to eat? What would be the best reaction in such a situation? One should speak up and ask for a smaller portion. This is what Jesus is asking of us. He knows that there are some situations which we cannot handle on our own. He does not want us to feel either too proud or nor shy. Jesus does not want us to be too proud or shy to ask for his help. When we ask Jesus for help, the problem will not vanish, but we will receive his help to see it through.

Each takes a paper plate and draw or write on it the burdens that they are currently facing. These are our yokes!

Since the yoke is tied to two oxen, they cannot go as they please. One will lead and the other follows. This is how they will manage to plough the field. Jesus says that his yoke is easy. He does not promise to remove our worries and burdens, but he asks us to allow him to lead us, and he will show us the best way to go.

We put our ‘plates’ infront of the crucifix. We listen and reflect:

Thank you Jesus, we know that you are with us in the most difficult times. You are there to help and care for us. Teach us to trust in you.

As in previous weeks the Prayer Space helps us to delve deeper into the gospel theme. This week it is about the people Jesus sends to us, so that through them, he gives us his help.

14 Sunday Gospel in SymbolsDownload

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.