Begin with a few moments of quiet.

Invite all present to sit comfortably.
When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.
Now return to breathing normally.

Use some of this quietening music to help come into a space of prayer

Opening ourselves to the Presence of God in our lives

Have a conversation, allowing each person present a few moments to think about and to reply to the following.
Thinking back over the week, let us share with one another
What is it that I want to say thank you for?
What is it that want to say I am sorry for?

Now begin with the following prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus
Thank you for all He did for us
And all that He continues to do
Help us to trust in you
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening
We know you work things for good
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Introduce the Gospel

Today is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today Jesus tells us a story to explain that the kingdom of heaven is like a priceless treasure that we would swap our most precious possessions for.…. 

Read the Gospel Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘One day a man was digging in his field when his spade struck a box which was buried there. When he opened the box he was amazed to find it was full of treasure. He quickly buried the treasure again, went away, and sold his house and all that he owned. With the money he made, he bought the field from the farmer, and then ran back and dug up the treasure.

There was another man who was a merchant who bought and sold pearls to earn a living. One day he happened to find the most beautiful, perfect pearl he had ever seen. He too went away and sold everything so that he would have enough money to buy that pearl for himself.’

Jesus said, ‘God’s Kingdom is the real treasure, as perfect and precious as the pearl; you would give up everything you have for it, because it is worth more than anything else in the whole world.’ 

A video to help see the Gospel Differently

Have a Conversation about the Gospel

The writer of this Gospel is called Matthew. He was one of the twelve apostles who helped Jesus to tell everyone the Good News. He was a tax collector before he started to help Jesus.

Close your eyes and think about this question:
If you had to leave your house very quickly and you could only take one precious thing with you, what would it be? 
What do you think your parents or guardians might take? 

When you value or treasure something a lot do you look after it?
Would you give it away or swap it with a friend?
Why? 
What makes it so precious to you? 

Jesus tells us today that the kingdom of heaven is so valuable, worth more than all our possessions, that we would be very happy if we should sell everything in order to have it. What is he telling us when he says this? 
Can you imagine the kingdom of heaven being that good? 
What can we do to find the treasure of God’s kingdom for ourselves? 

When we live as Jesus taught us and follow his example we will have God’s love, which is worth more than all our worldly possessions. Jesus taught us to share, to be loving and forgiving, to be kind, generous and honest. 

Can you think of two examples of how you can do some of these things this week. You might like to write them down or draw a picture to represent them. Maybe you could stick it on your fridge or keep it in your bedroom to remind you to live as Jesus taught us. 

The Kingdom of God is a treasure, just like …

• Loving parents and guardians
• Good friends
• A healthy body
• A happy school
• A safe place to live

The Kingdom of God is a treasure.

End with a prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much. When I am frightened, help me to remember that you are with me. Help me to live as you have taught me to and to appreciate your love as a treasured possession. Amen

Some Activities

Here are some activities you might like to complete during the coming week as a reminder of this Gospel today.