Primary Session
Luke 9:11b-17
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Dear God,
Thank you for your love and care.
Help to make us willing to share.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
Today on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ we focus on the eucharistic banquet that we celebrate at Mass. Begin today’s session with a shared meal. Tell the children that Jesus shared many meals with his friends. Today they will celebrate a meal together. Provide a loaf of bread and grape juice for the children to share. Let each child break off a piece of bread from the loaf and eat it. Give each child a small cup of grape juice to drink. Discuss:
• What are you thankful for?
• Who do you share meals with?
• How would you describe a meal of love?
Allow time for discussion. The Eucharist is a special meal that Jesus told us to celebrate in memory of him. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives himself to us in the bread and wine.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today listen to how Jesus feeds thousands of people.
Read Luke 9:11b-17.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Why are the crowds following Jesus?
• What are the disciples worried about at the end of the day?
• How much food do they start out with?
• How does Jesus feed all the people?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel.
In today’s gospel Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus wants to show them that God loves and cares for his people. There is plenty of food to eat with some left over. No one is turned away, Everyone is welcome at the Lord’s table. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes is the only miracle found in all four Gospels.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• What does the miracle of the loaves and fishes teach us about God?
• Why is it important to share?
• How can you show people that God cares for them?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Real Presence
On the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ we celebrate our belief in the Eucharist. At Mass people gather in faith, and God makes Jesus present, his body and blood, in the bread and wine offered in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a special meal that Jesus told us to celebrate in memory of him.
In the Eucharist Jesus gives himself to us in the bread and wine. Receiving Jesus unites us with him and with all believers. We are fed so that we can go forth and love one another.
• What special meal do we celebrate at Mass?
• How does sharing in the Eucharist help us to love one another?
• How does sharing in the Eucharist help us to follow Jesus?
The Gospel in Life
With family and friends this week, collect cans of food and donate them to a local food shelf.
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