5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
3-6 year olds
We know that long before Jesus was born, God prepared the people for his coming. The prophet Isaiah told everyone,
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2)
We know Jesus is that light. He said,
I am the light of the world. (John 8:12)
We know that Jesus died, but then he rose to new life, never to die again. We know that the light of his Risen life can never go out.
We know Jesus. He is the Light.
In the Gospel this Sunday, though, Jesus tells us a surprising thing:
You are the light of the world.
Who, me? You?
Who is the light after all?
Let's think about light.
The light of a candle is beautiful. It catches our attention. We like to watch the flame.
We can think about how beautiful Jesus is. His words catch our attention. We like to watch him and to listen to stories about him.
Without light, there is darkness, which can be frightening and confusing. We think about the people walking in darkness and know that might go the wrong way or get hurt. Light helps them know the way to go and to stay safe. Light helps us to see.
We can think about how Jesus helps us to see, and know which way to go and to stay safe. We remember that he is the Good Shepherd who leads his sheep and,
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4)
They know his voice. They know him.
I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. (John 10:14)
We know Jesus. We know that we have been given his light at our Baptism. But I think it is knowing Jesus that really lets us share that light, that makes that light really shine.
From one light, so many lights. The light grows and grows! So beautiful.
Others will be attracted to the beauty of the light we share with Jesus, and soon maybe everyone will see and follow and be safe.
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