Primary Session
Mark 4:26-34
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Creator God,
open our hearts to receive the seed of the your Word
and its meaning for our lives today.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
Place before the students several small bowls of different sizes and kinds of seeds, including a bowl of mustard seeds. Label each bowl of seeds, but place the labels face down so that the children cannot see the names of the seeds. Make sure that the mustard seeds are the smallest seeds on display. (Note: If you cannot find a packet of mustard seeds, look for mustard seed in the spice section of your grocery store.) You may also wish to search the Internet for pictures of mature mustard seed plants/bushes.
Begin by inviting volunteers to share the kinds of seeds they planted in their gardens or in science class this year. Were the seeds they planted large or small? Did they plant many or few of the seeds? What are they doing to help the seeds grow? What does God the Creator do to help the seeds grow?
Listening to the Word of God
Proclaim the Gospel: Mark 4:26-34.
Allow for silent reflection.
Invite the children to guess which bowl of seeds is the bowl of mustard seeds and why. (The seeds are the smallest seeds on display.) Take the time to discover the names of the other seeds on display by inviting volunteers to either guess or read the labels you have prepared for each type of seed. Also show the children the picture(s) of mustard seed plant(s)/bush(es).
Scripture Discussion Starters
- What did Jesus say about the mustard seed?
- What was Jesus comparing the mustard seed to?
Scripture Background
The early Church community, for whom Mark was writing, was very small. The parable of the mustard seed told by Jesus is meant to encourage the Church community that even though they are small, their efforts will grow and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
There are many kinds of seeds that we plant at home, at school, and with friends. These are seeds like kindness, helpfulness, and love.
- What are some other seeds we can plant at home, at school, and with friends?
- Who has planted one of these seeds in your life this past week?
- What did that person say or do to plant a seed?
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Parables of Jesus
The special name for the type of story Jesus tells in today’s Gospel is parable. A parable is a simple story told to teach a lesson. In the parables, or “simple stories” Jesus told he used everyday objects known to all, such as salt, light, coins, yeast, and even a father and his sons. Jesus wanted people to be able to relate to the stories he told. He wanted everyone to be able to understand his teachings about God, and about how children of God are to live.
- What is the everyday object Jesus used in today’s parable?
- What is the message, or the reminder of today’s parable for each of us?
Liturgy Connection
Each week we are sent forth from Mass to “glorify the Lord by our lives.” Today’s parable reminds us that these efforts do not have to be big, headline-making efforts. They are often the small efforts made every day: speaking words of encouragement; helping an elderly neighbor; doing our chores; praying for the sick and for those who are in need; and keeping our promises to others. All of these efforts, combined with the efforts of others, help the Kingdom of God to grow.
The Gospel in Life
Every day we have the opportunity to plant small seeds of kindness, helpfulness, and love in the lives of others. In doing so, we are living as disciples of Jesus. What one seed will you plant at home this week? Take a moment of quiet to ask God to help you plant this seed, and to help this seed grow.