PREACHING TO ADULTS, TEENS, AND CHILDREN Homily Starters for Cycles A, B, and C The Editors of Celebrating The Lectionary Paper, $49.95 384 pages, 6" × 9" ISBN 0-89390-587-9 View Table of Contents View Excerpt Quantity:

This is a useful reference for any parish homilist who needs to reach all age groups on any given Sunday. It covers every Sunday in years A, B, and C and consists of personal and community reflection questions, general idea starters, and idea starters for each age group. Each section concludes with suggested images that help your parish connect with and apply the Scripture readings. It also includes an appendix with solemnities and feasts occurring on a Sunday.

Introduction

Sundays of the Year Cycle A

Advent

Christmas

Lent

Easter

Ordinary Time

Sundays of the Year Cycle B

Advent

Christmas

Lent

Easter

Ordinary Time

Sundays of the Year Cycle C

Advent

Christmas

Lent

Easter

Ordinary Time

Solemnities and Feasts appearing on a Sunday

Trinity Sunday

Corpus Christi

January 1 Mary Mother of God

February 2 Presentation of the Lord

June 24 Nativity of John the Baptist

June 29 SS. Peter and Paul

August 6 Transfiguration

August 15 Assumption of Mary

September 14 Holy Cross

November 1 All Saints

November 2 All Souls

November 9 Basilica of St. John Lateran

December 25 Christmas Day

Index
 

The following homily ideas are based on the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Diocese of the United States of America (National Conference of Catholic Bishops © 1998, 1997, 1970 by the Confraternity of Catholic Doctrine, Washington, D.C.).

Included are ideas for every Sunday of the liturgical year and those feasts appearing on a Sunday. In the United States the celebrations of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and the Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ affect the Sundays in Ordinary Time. As a result, the following Sunday is not used by parishes in the United States: cycle C, the 9^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This Sunday is not included.

1st Sunday of Advent (A)

PERSONAL REFLECTION

• What pilgrimage have I made? Why did I choose that place? What was it like to make this journey?
• Where am I going on my spiritual pilgrimage?
• What does, putting "on the armor of light" mean to me?
• What deeds or burdens am I taking along on my Advent pilgrimage that might better be left behind?
• In what ways am I watching for the coming of Jesus? How do I remain waiting vigilantly?
• The Isaiah reading is full of optimism. How do I reflect that optimism in my ministry?

COMMUNITY REFLECTION

• Is the parish on a spiritual pilgrimage? If so, what kind? Would a visitor to the parish be able to tell that a pilgrimage was taking place? What would be the clues?
• If the parish were to view itself on a spiritual pilgrimage, how would its celebration of Advent be different?
• Isaiah seems to describe two kinds of pilgrimages. One kind journeys toward God's house for worship; the other flows out of God's house as God's Word is carried over the world. How does the life of the parish reflect both types of pilgrimages?
• What can the parish do to reawaken the kind of spiritual vigilance described by Matthew? What specific things is the parish doing to watch for the coming of Jesus?

IDEA STARTERS

The psalmist's prayer for the peace of Jerusalem is touching in light of the unrest, tension, and periods of violence in the Holy Land. It is fitting that all Christians pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Many Christians today are critical of the church. Christians might ask themselves if their love for the church is anywhere near the love the psalmist has for Jerusalem.

Advent is sometimes considered to be an inner journey. Paul suggests that spiritual pilgrimages like Advent are not just an "inside job." Spiritual pilgrimages have to do with behavior, too. In the reading from Romans, Paul gives advice on the proper conduct for the Advent pilgrimage.

ADULTS: People still make pilgrimages today. Adults often have special places to which they return for restoration and healing. It might be a special place to camp, a favorite relative's home, or a retreat center. Adults know that certain locations help them become more of who they are; their visits to these special locations can be transforming, "mountaintop" experiences. Adults can relate to Isaiah's reading by imagining the whole world having such a "mountaintop" experience and then making great changes; for example, turning weapons of war into agricultural tools.

Pilgrimages differ from most other trips because what happens along the way is often just as important as the intended destination. This is especially true of spiritual pilgrimages like Advent or that spiritual pilgrimage called life. If people are in too big of a hurry to get where they're going, they're likely to miss a great deal along the way.

Adults can also relate to the idea of protecting their homes from thieves. If they know a burglar has been in their neighborhood, they take extra precautions when they leave the house. This is the kind of carefulness the readings call Christians to take with their lives.

TEENS: Although they probably don't use the word much, teens should be very familiar with pilgrimages. They are on one of the most exciting pilgrimages in life -- the pilgrimage from childhood into adulthood. In fact, in many ancient cultures (and in some parts of the world today), teens actually went on a pilgrimage or vision quest as a rite of passage into the adult world.

For most teens, Advent is not too important; their focus is on the commercial Christmas season. Teens do understand the importance of being prepared. School and sports require them to be prepared for tests, games, and activities. Teens also spend a lot of time preparing themselves for social events (ask any family which person spends the most time in the bathroom). On a more somber note, when a peer dies young people are forced to face their mortality. Young people might ask themselves what one thing they would do if they knew their life would end tomorrow.

Teens can also be an impatient lot, particularly with family members. However, if they are waiting for a phone call from someone they like teens can be surprisingly tenacious. They can sit waiting by the phone for hours if necessary. That's the kind of patience both Matthew and Paul suggest while waiting for the coming of Christ.

CHILDREN: Most children in the church know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. Advent is a bit more difficult to explain. Children who have watched their parents prepare for a party should be able to understand that Advent is about preparing a special celebration for Jesus.

Children sometimes can get so excited about the coming of Christmas that they begin asking the same kinds of questions they often ask on a long trip. "Is it time yet? Are we there yet? How much longer till Christmas?" Paul's words are helpful here. No, he says, it is not yet. But every day is nearer than the day before.

Paul also encourages everyone to eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ. Children could teach adults about this, too. Some children are so excited about Christmas they don't want to go to sleep at all Christmas Eve for fear of missing something. Paul says that's how everyone should be about Christ's coming -- so excited about it that they don't "fall asleep" waiting.

IMAGES

• Counting the days until graduation or a vacation or a return home after military service abroad, waiting for the mail to come.
• A parent falling asleep while waiting for a family member who is late coming home.