Weekly Kids’ Reflection in our Parish Bulletins – Comments on these reflections can be sent to heykids23@gmail.com
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – November 17, 2024
Hey, Kids! – We are nearing the end of the calendar year of 2024. I see the days go by on my calendar every morning when I wake up. The calendar allows me to prepare for important days that are approaching. All of us in one way or another use the calendar to help us know what is expected on each day and plan for future days.
Christmas is coming up and is probably one of the most celebrated days around the world. When I was little, I used to be on extra good behavior around this time of the year. I knew that if I behaved well, it meant that I may get the extra special gifts that I wanted under the Christmas tree. Now that I am older, I ask myself, “Why was it so hard to be on my best behavior for Jesus ALL year? Why didn’t I keep busy on doing His will all year?”
That reminds me of today’s gospel. Jesus told his followers that a very important day was coming – a day when people would see him coming in the clouds with power and glory. He told them that on that day he would send his angels to gather his people and take them home to heaven to be with him. That’s an important day, isn’t it? When is that day going to be? Jesus didn’t tell his followers that part. In fact, he told them, “No one knows that day or hour I will return. Only the Father knows. That is why you must be ready. I will come at a time when you least expect it.”
WOW! If we don’t know when He is coming, how will we be ready? It’s not like Christmas and we know what specific day that will be. How will we prepare? We can prepare by doing the things that Jesus would want us to do: love one another, care for the sick, feed the hungry, and help the poor. If we are busy doing those things, we will be ready when He comes.
As we prepare for Christmas, let us try to be on our best behavior. Not for the extra special gifts under the tree but for the joy that it brings to us to grow closer to God. When the holidays are over, let us continue to be on our best behavior because we simply do not know when our time will come to be with Him. Let’s always keep busy doing His will.
Let’s Pray: Dear Father, even though we don’t know the day or hour when Jesus will come to take us to be with him, let us live in such a way that we will be ready when he comes. Let us be on our best behavior, no matter the date on the calendar. Amen.
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – November 10, 2024
Hey, Kids! – Sometimes, the smallest of gifts can be the most touching of all. Years ago, when I announced that I was going to get married, my little 5-year-old cousin was so happy for us. She screamed with delight and quickly ran into her bedroom after we told her the news. She came back, closed her eyes, put her hands in mine and said, “I know this isn’t much, but I want you to have it for your wedding.” It was a dollar bill. I hugged her so tight, kissed her on the cheek, and told her that she didn’t have to give me her money – we had our wedding savings covered. She insisted that I keep it. So I kept it; it is saved in my jewelry box and I still have it today.
Every time I see that dollar bill, it brings a smile to my face because it reminds me of how sincere her gift to me was. I always think about that gift and how we should always give gifts to our loved ones with this much love and sincerity.
Today’s gospel from Mark reminded me of this kind gesture. Many rich people were putting large amounts of money into the collection basket/treasury. Then a poor widow came and put a few coins into the basket. When Jesus saw this, he said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
Jesus knew that the rich people were giving from their extra money and the poor woman was giving all that she had. She did it with love and respect for God. This touched Jesus because he knew it must have been difficult for her to give all that she had, but Jesus knew that she was sincere in her gift giving.
As we approach the holiday season, we can become very focused on the gifts. What are we going to give our friends, parents and family members? What are we going to get? Instead, we must try to focus on Jesus. After all, it is HIS birthday. Maybe you can start a collection for a charity or donate some of the toys you get for Christmas to children in need. I know it can be hard to give up things we love, but think of the smile you can put on someone else’s face. The smallest gesture can and will go a long way. As long as your gift is sincere – it can bring a smile to anyone’s heart. Give like my cousin gave to me – with a loving heart – and you can please the Lord.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help me to give and receive with an open heart.