Theme: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Theme: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

Summary: Zacchaeus, very short in stature, becomes a towering symbol of faith in his encounter with Jesus. Here we have a short guy who scrambles up a tree to see this Jesus that he has heard so much about. Jesus takes the opportunity to help him get out of the situation of “being up a tree,” because of his past. In the conversation between Zacchaeus and Jesus, we see the two sides of the compassion in Jesus’ invitation to Zacchaeus and in Zacchaeus’ response. The Lord extends forgiveness to us, but there must be a response on our part. It is God’s intention that all the lost be found but the lost have to want to be found!
 
Scripture . When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Luke 19:5 
 
One day Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to town. He had heard about Jesus and he wanted to see him, but he was so short that he couldn't see over the crowd. He climbed up in a tree so that he could see. As Jesus passed by, he called to Zacchaeus, "Come down, because I am going to your house today." Zacchaeus climbed down and took Jesus to his house. While Jesus was there, Zacchaeus told Jesus that he was sorry for the wrong things he had done and that he would give half of all he owned to the poor. He also said that he would repay anyone he had cheated four times that amount. He may not have been very tall, but Zacchaeus became a giant in God's kingdom that day because he decided to follow Jesus.

Dear Lord, we are thankful that you don't care whether we are big or small. Help us to be willing to follow Jesus and stand tall for Him. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): As younger children become more outwardly focused, they may begin to compare themselves to others negatively. Learning that God loves each of us as we are supports children in developing a healthy sense of themselves and their abilities and challenges.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Children of this age are still working out their place in relation to others. The temptation to self-importance is great. By our good example, however, we can teach them that God wants us to leave room in our hearts for him and other people.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people at this age can be very competitive. Competition, by its very nature, encourages one to draw attention to oneself and can tempt one to excessive pride. This Sunday's Gospel offers a good antidote to pride—humility.
 
My Promise to Jesus: Jesus, this week, I will put my love into action. I will look for ways to be kind to others.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life.  Whom do you know that reminds you of Zacchaeus?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
The Hundred Dresses
Written by Eleanor Estes
ISBN: 13:978-0152052609
 
Pray that God will give you the spirit and the willingness to enter into the world of the other person in order to be compassionate. Ask for forgiveness for the times you could have said or done the loving and compassionate thing and chose not to do so.

Family Discussion: In the family, one sometimes observes a level of competition between children for parent attention, for acknowledgement of their abilities. Somehow, children seem to internalize that the attention given to one member of the family diminishes the attention given to another. In this way, children can often sound like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable. Parents who provide continual reminders to their children that they are loved for who they are, not for what they do, help children develop a healthy spirituality.

As a family, talk about what it means to compare oneself to another. Discuss whether it is helpful to compare oneself to another. In what ways might this be positive? (when it motivates one to use one's talents) In what circumstances might this be unhelpful? (when it proves discouraging, when it prevents one from valuing the abilities of another)

As a family, read today's Gospel, Luke 18:9-14. Discuss: What was wrong about the prayer of the Pharisee? How can we emulate the prayer of the tax collector?
Pray together as a family in thanksgiving for the blessing that is each member of your family. Pray that your family will be free from unhealthy competition. Pray in thanksgiving that God's love for us is unconditional.