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SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2009

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Year [CYCLE B]

MAIN MESSAGE

[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass]

As this mass will probably be the last one this term, you might like to invite parents to attend the

children's mass. This is in keeping with our aim of involving parents in Catechesis. Their influence on the

child cannot be over-estimated!

The liturgy is very appropriate for families and, in particular, for parents. This would be a good

opportunity to encourage meaningful family prayer. In the Gospel today, Jesus says- 'What God has

joined together, man must not divide.' Later He says' Let the children come to me.'

It is an essential part of God's great plan that families live united- united to each other and to God.Such a family can withstand any attack of the Evil One. Such a family will bring God's kingdom into the

world in a powerful way.

This, then, is God's word to us today- 'Pray together if you want to stay together.'

(As people enter, give each one a blank 'house- shaped' slip or paper.)

INTRODUCTION:

Celebrant: Dear friends, you may be wondering why you have received a house-shaped paper. The

house represents our homes, our families. God has a very special plan for families. He made us to be one,

to be united. But this is not easy. Today we are going to listen to Gods word and discover how we can

live as God wants us to.

LITURGY OF THE WORD:

Commentator: In the First Reading we will see

how God started families. He knew that we

could not live alone and that we needed each

other.

First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24.

Commentator: The psalm we are going to read

is about a happy family with a father, mother

and children.

Psalm: 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

Commentator: In this reading St. Paul gives

some good advice about how we can live as a

united family.

Second Reading: Ephesians 6:1- 4, 10- 11, 18a

(Reading has been changed)

Commentator:Now we will hear what Jesus

himself has to say about marriage.

Gospel: Mark 10:6-9; 13-16.

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Homily:

Dear friends, Jesus often taught using stories. Today I would like to tell you a story about three pigs

and the houses they built. There is a very important message for us hidden in the story. See if you can

figure it out!

Once upon a time there were three pigs. They were brothers. When they grew up they left their

parents home to live on their own.

The eldest brother found some straw and he built himself a house of straw. It took him just a day to

tie the straw into bundles and make a house.

The second brother met a man selling sticks. He thought, These sticks will make me a quick and

easy house. So he bought the sticks and built himself a house. It was ready in just two days.

The youngest brother shook his head when he saw what his brothers had done. He said, These

houses are quick to make, but not at all strong. What if the big, bad wolf comes along? Im going to build

my house with bricks. So he bought some bricks and began building. His house took him many weeks to

build, but at last it was ready.

He had just lived in his house for a few days, when the big, bad wolf came along. The wolfs

favourite food was a nice fat pig! He went to the eldest pigs house and found the door locked. So he blew

so hard that the straw walls went flying. He jumped inside and ate up the eldest pig.

When he was hungry again, he went to the second brothers house, which was built of sticks. Againhe stood outside the house and huffed and puffed and blew the house down. He gobbled up that brother

too!

After a few days he came to the youngest brothers house. He shouted, Open the door and let me in!

The youngest pig said, No way will I open the door! I know what you did to my elder brothers! Then

the wolf tried his old tricks. He huffed and he puffed and he huffed and puffed and huffed and puffed

but he could not budge the house of bricks. At last he went away and the little pig lived happily ever after.

Dear friends, lets see if you have got this storys message! All fathers and mothers build homes of

different kinds. Some parents take a lot of trouble to build homes that are strong and safe. Some forget

that there is an enemy. They dont take too much trouble to build their homes. A question for you: Is there an enemy who is trying to destroy us? And who is the enemy? [The

enemy is the evil one, or the devil.] Just like the wolf in the story, he is out to destroy us and our families.

He knows that families are most important to God, and so he is always trying to destroy them. How does

he do this? He makes us angry with each other. He makes us hate each other. He tells us, You dont need

God! You dont need to pray. You dont have to obey God!

A very important question: How can we build strong homes, safe from the devils tricks? The second

reading gives us the answers. It says, Put on the armour that God gives you, so that you can stand up

against the devils tricks. It also says, Do all this in prayer, asking for Gods help. Pray on every

occasion, as the Spirit leads. In the Gospel, Jesus says, Let the children come to me!

So now we know how we can be wise, and build strong families. Stay connected to God! Pray, pray,pray. Each one should be spending a little time in personal prayer. Daily family prayer is absolutely

essential!

How can we conduct family prayer? Let me suggest a simple way, which will help us grow.

1. Sing a hymn of praise .

2. Thank and praise God. Each member can thank God for something.

3. Read Gods Word . Read a short passage. It could be one of the Mass readings of the day.

4. Break the Word . This means, share what God is saying to you through the reading. Say a short prayer

as a response.

5. Pray for your needs . You could pray for each other, or for friends or others in need. You could say a

decade of the rosary for all the intentions.Let prayer-time be something meaningful, not too boring and not too long and tiring, especially if your

children are small. God wants us to bring our children to him.

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The Lord will blessyouif you respect himand obey his laws.Your fields willproduce,and you will be happy

GOSPEL: A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

Jesus said, From the beginning, God made people male and female. Thatis why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, andtwo of them become one. So, since God has joined them together, peopleshould not separate them.

Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless themby placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stopbothering him.

When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, Let the children cometo me! Dont try to stop them. People who are like these little childrenbelong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into

FIRST READING: A reading from the book of Genesis:

The Lord God said, It isnt good for Adam to be alone! I need to make theright kind of partner for him.

The Lord then took some earth and made all the animals and birds. Hebrought them to Adam to see what names he would give to each of them.

Adam named all the tame animals and all the birds and the wild animals.Thats how they got their names.Not one of the animals was the right kind of partner for Adam. So the Lord Godmade him fall into a deep sleep, and he took out one of Adams ribs. Thenafter closing Adams side, the Lord made a woman out of the rib.The Lord brought her to Adam, and Adam said, Now here is someone like me!She is part of my body, my own flesh and bone! She came from me, a man. SoI will name her Woman!

PSALM: Response: May the Lord bless us all the days of our

lives.

ALLELUIA: Alleluia, alleluia. If we love one another, God will live in us in

Your wife will be asfruitfulas a grapevine,and just as an olive treeis rich with olives,your home will be richwith healthy children.

That is how the Lord willbless everyone whorespects him.I pray that the Lordwill bless you from Zionand let Jerusalem prosperas long as you live.

NB. All Readin s (exce t the second readin ) are taken from the Lectionar for Masses with Children

SECOND READING: A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to theEphesians:

Children, it is your duty as Christians to obey your parents, for this is the

right thing to do!God said, ''Respect your father and mother" and then he promised that ifwe did, we would be happy and live long.Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry.Instead, bring them up with Christian discipline and instruction.

Finally, build up your strength by being united to the Lord and by meansof his mighty power. Put on all the armour that God gives you, so thatyou will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks.