Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Setting priorities

Reading I: Numbers 11:25–29 (sharing the gift of prophecy)
Reading II: James 5:1–6 (saving the right focus)
Gospel: Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48 (sharing our possessions)

Key Passage: Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. (James 5:4)

Adult: What are the three most important values motivating your daily decisions?
Child: Could a poor person who is wise be richer in a way than a foolish person who has many things? Why?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

True wisdom

Reading I: Wisdom 2:1, 17–20 (the wicked speak)
Reading II: James 3:16—4:3 (true wisdom and worldly desires)
Gospel: Mark 9:30–37 (second teaching of the paschal event and words against ambition and envy)

Key Passage: He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

Adult: What evidence do you see in the world around you that many do not accept Jesus’ teaching on power and ambition?
Child: Why is it wrong to feel envy for what belongs to another?
(from Pastoral Planning.com)

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Faith and works

Reading I: Isaiah 50:4–9 (salvation through the Lord’s servant)
Reading II: James 2:14–18 (faith and good works)
Gospel: Mark 8:27–35 (first teaching of the paschal event and the doctrine of the cross)

Key Passage: Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. (James 2:17–18)

Adult: Why should faith always lead to good works?
Child: What good works can you do to show your faith in Jesus?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Rich in faith
Reading I Isaiah 35:4–7 (Israel’s deliverance)
Reading II James 2:1–5 (against favoritism)
Gospel Mark 7:31–37 (healing of a deaf-mute)

Key Passage Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)

Adult: When has your faith in Jesus enabled you to speak out on an issue of importance?
Child: What does your belief in Jesus mean to you?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)