Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, Primary

Primary Session
Mark 2:23—28

Opening Prayer

Let us pray.
Thank you, God, for all of the great works of your creation.
Help us to spend each Sunday giving you thanks.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen. 

Opening Life Reflection

The theme for today is to keep holy the Lord's Day.  Provide a picture of a large clock with the hours of 1 to 12. Divide the circle of the face of the clock into four sections.  Invite the children to think about what their family does on a typical Sunday. Then write in each of the four sections of the clock something that your family does on Sunday.  Discuss:

• What are some reasons that Sunday is different from the other days of the week? 
• What things do you do that are special on Sunday that you do not do during the week?
• What are some ways that these activities help you to celebrate God’s creation?

Allow time for discussion.  God asks us to keep Sunday as a holy day.  This command reminds us of God’s love for us and the great goodness of God’s creation.          

Listening to the Word of God

In today’s gospel, listen to Jesus telling us that the Lord's Day is for the good of all people, and that anything that takes us away from making this day a good day should not be done. 

Read Mark 2:23—28
Allow for silence. 

Scripture Discussion Starters

• What are the disciples of Jesus doing on the Sabbath? 
• Why do the Pharisees question what they are doing on the sabbath?
• What is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees?

Scripture Background

Provide 2—3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section. 

The gospel today reminds us that the commandment to keep holy the Lord’s Day shows the great love and goodness of God.  Sunday is a day to rest and remember all the good that God has done in the world.  We too can rest and do good on Sunday. 

The Pharisees said that the disciples were harvesting grain on the sabbath, which was considered doing work.  Jesus said that they were picking grain for their meal for the day. To provide food for the daily meal is a good thing to do!  Jesus tells us that the laws for keeping the sabbath holy are to remind us to spend time to praise and thank God for his goodness. 

The longer reading of the gospel gives stronger examples of the importance of doing good on the sabbath. 

Questions for Deeper Reflection

• What do you think Jesus meant when he said “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath”?
• What are some things that you do not think would be right to do on Sunday?
• What are some things that you can do to keep Sunday a holy day? 

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starters

Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is the first day of the week because Jesus rose from the dead on this day.  From the earliest days of the Church, Sunday has been celebrated as the most important day of the week, the first of all feasts.  On this day, we give thanks and praise to God for all he has done.

We also spend time with our family and friends.  The commandment to keep holy the Lord’s Day includes both taking part in Mass and avoiding all that keeps us away from living as children of God.  Keeping the Lord’s Day holy calls us to take the time for one another and keep God at the center of our family life. 

• Why is Sunday called “the Lord’s Day”?
• What can I do to participate more fully in the Sunday Mass?
• Why is Sunday a good day to visit family and friends? 

Sacrament Connection

Each Sunday, We have the responsibility to gather to celebrate the Eucharist.  We keep Sunday holy by worshipping God, by taking part in the celebration of the Mass. Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion gives us spiritual nourishment to live a holy life doing the good that God wants us to do.

The Gospel in Life

This week look for ways to make Sunday and our time with our families special.