Primary Session
Luke 2:22-40
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you God for the gift of my family.
Help us to show love and care for all members of our family.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is The Fourth Commandment: Responsibilities and Gifts of Family Life. To begin provide blank sheets of white paper and crayons, and invite the children to draw a family totem pole. Show an example of a family totem pole that includes squares for each family member piled on top of each other. Invite the children to draw and decorate a square for each member of their family, writing the family member’s name in the center of each square. Discuss:
• Who are the members of your family?
• What is your favorite family event?
• How do you show thanks for the gift of your family?
Allow time for discussion. Family is a gift from God. On The Feast of the Holy Family we remember Mary, Joseph and Jesus—the Holy Family.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today listen to a story about the Holy Family.
Read Luke 2:22-40.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Who is Jesus’ family?
• Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple?
• How did Mary and Joseph show love and care for Jesus?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
The Feast of the Holy Family highlights that Jesus was born into a family. Today’s feast celebrates that through Jesus Christ all of human nature is sacred, including family life.
In today’s gospel Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple. The Temple is a place in Jerusalem where the people worship God. Mary and Joseph followed the Jewish law of their time by presenting Jesus to the Lord in the Temple in Jerusalem. A faithful man named Simeon greets the Holy Family in the Temple. He shouts for joy that Jesus will be the glory of Israel. Anna also greets the Holy Family. She predicts that Jesus’ family will suffer great sadness. After the presentation in the Temple, Mary, Joseph and Jesus return home to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph love and take care of Jesus in Nazareth, helping him to grow up. Today’s gospel reminds us how the love of our families helps us to grow.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Why do we call Mary, Joseph, and Jesus the Holy Family?
• What does your family do to show faith in God?
• How does your family help you to grow?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Fourth Commandment: Responsibilities and Gifts of Family Life
We believe that the family is a gift from God (CCC 2203). Like all gifts from God, we have a responsibility to use the gift of family properly. Church teaching helps to guide families. The fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16), is the basis for the Church’s teaching on family.
The Church understands that family life is a potential blessing for everyone. Our families care for us and help us to grow. When parents show God’s love to their children and when their children return this love, family life is blessed.
• How can you follow the fourth commandment?
• How do you show respect for your parents?
• How does God help families?
Sacrament Connection
Through the Sacrament of Marriage, the married couple becomes a sign of God’s own love for humanity and the love Jesus has for the Church itself.
The Gospel in Life
How can you show kindness and respect for the members of your family this week?
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