Christian Unity
Jan 23, 2022 (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time) - "We are the Body of Christ"
(entry by Lyse Rowledge)
This Ordinary Time Sunday is still an eventful one! It’s the only Sunday during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. A few years ago, Pope Francis also designated it as Word of God Sunday. It’s not a coincidence they fall at the same time since the Bible unites all believers.
I’m going to focus on the second reading about the many parts, 1 body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:12-30). What better reading to illustrate ecumenism? God created each of us to work together. By cooperating, we show the world the unifying love of the Trinity.
There are various visual, aural and kinetic ways to learn about this reading! Feel free to pick the activity that best suits your child:
The word according to Mr. Potato Head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFSY-41pVzw
Dance/Discussion from Sermons4Kids
Start by doing the Hokey Pokey!
What would happen if you were doing the “Hokey Pokey,” and your left hand refused to do the “Hokey Pokey” because it wanted to be the right foot? Or what if the head said, “I don’t need any of you, I can Hokey Pokey all by myself!”
This would look silly and just isn’t possible. The hands, the feet, and the head are all part of the “whole self.” And no part can take the place of another.
Every person is an important part of the Church, just like every body part is important to the whole body. Together, we make up what is called the “Body of Christ.”
We each have special gifts that are important to God and His Church. Some of us have been given the gift to be a teacher, while others have been given the gift of healing, helping others, or leading people. Maybe you have the gift of being creative, being a great listener, or something totally different.
- What is one special gift God has given you?
- How can you use it to serve others
Prayer Stretch from Celebration Church
“Dear God, thank You for our bodies and the body of Christ that we are all part of as followers of Jesus. We want to thank You for all the people and gifts who are part of Your Church.
· As we kneel down (kneel) we thank You for the people who pray in our church.
· As we sit on the floor and stretch out our legs (do this slowly), we thank You for the people who sit on the floor and care for the babies and little kids in our church.
· As we get back up and stretch our arms (move arms above your head), we thank You for the people who lift and carry things to create a space for us to worship You in our church.
· As we bend over at the waist and touch the floor between our feet (do this slowly), we thank You for the people who clean the floors, rooms, and chairs in our church building.
· As we stand up and lift our knees up one at a time and march (keep a slow steady rhythm), we thank You for the people who spend time on their feet at Mass, like priests, readers and altar servers.
· As we hold our hands out (extend arms straight in front of you, waist height, palms up), we thank You for people who serve by giving their time and their money in our church.
· As we take the hand of the person next to us (encourage kids to hold hands) we thank You for every single person following Jesus in this church. Thank You for the chance to work together to point others to Jesus.”