Reflect

Scriptural Prayer and Reflection:
Among the many ways to pray, scriptural prayer is one of the best for children. The stories, images, characters, and words of the Bible are an excellent starting point for a child’s prayer. Using Scripture as a foundation for prayer helps children to engage their imagination and, in turn, express their feelings, thoughts, and concerns. When you first start praying with the children, explain that praying is talking and listening to God.

How to find a Bible Passage
The Gospel of Matthew is in the New Testament of the Bible. Let’s look at the first reading Matthew 5: 8.
  • “Matthew” is the book of the Bible. You can use the table of contents to find where the Gospel of Matthew begins.
  • The number ‘5’ stands for the chapter. Look for the bold number ‘5’ in the Gospel of Matthew.
  • The number ‘8’ directs you to read the verses one through three.
Read Aloud Matthew 5: 8 The Beatitudes
In scriptural prayer, we listen to God’s voice by doing the following:
  • Did something in the reading catch my attention? Did someone seem to be talking to me?
  • Did the Scripture story give me an idea or make me think about a particular person or situation in my life?
  • How did the reading make me feel? What do the feelings tell me?

For Parents

Listen to the Ten Commandments from The Catechism in a Year by Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Focus

This week we will focus on the sixth Beatitude.
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”

What It Means:
Children are so good at listening to God and knowing He’s there for them. God wants us to live like Him and follow His words. It’s sometimes easier for kids to obey God than it is for adults who have seen so many unfair things happen in the world. Stay true to that aspect of being a child and having a pure heart.

Now Try:
Find time each day to pray. If you’re old enough to write, keep a prayer journal. If you’re not quite a reader yet, draw your prayers, and keep a journal of the pictures.

Watch

Watch these videos with your child. They are short! (Click on the [  ] symbol to watch the video in full screen.)
The Ten Commandments . . . 
or . . .  this video.
Saints devoted their lives to God. They show us how to live holy lives, just as Jesus taught us. Learn about Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Her feast day is November 17th. St. Elizabeth of Hungary was inspired by God to use her royal position, as a princess by birth and countess by marriage, to help the poor. She is perhaps best known for her miracle of the roses.

Pray

This week we learned about the greatest commandment to love God and love one another.
Pray this prayer as a family.
Return to First Communion page.