Good News B14, Mark 1:12-15, Repent and Believe, First Sunday of Lent, Children's Devotional,Gospel based children’s homily, written by Joan Y. Edwards, Cycle B, kids inspiring words, liturgy of the word for children

Cycle B

Good News B14

First Sunday of Lent

Mark 1:12-15 New American Bible

Mark 1:12-15 Bible Gateway New International Version

Mark 1:12-15 Bible Gateway Contemporary English Version

“Repent and Believe”

Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days. He fasted, went without much food and water while he was there. Satan came to tempt him to do evil. So he prayed and prayed to his heavenly Father. His heavenly father sent angels to take care of him.

When he heard that John had been arrested he left the desert and came into Galilee proclaiming about the same thing that John had been telling people:

“Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.”

Today this can mean the same thing to you. Repent. Say to God, our heavenly Father: “I am sorry for my sins. I am sorry I said unkind things about a student at school. I am sorry I snapped at my mother when she asked me to clean up my room. I shouldn’t have spent the money I saved for the Church on candy. Will you forgive me, Lord and let me start over again today?”

God says to you, “My child, go in peace. Your sins are forgiven. Your slate is wiped clean. You have a new start today.”

During Lent a couple of weeks before Easter, many churches have a special penance service so that people can receive the sacrament of reconciliation or sacrament of forgiveness. When God forgives you, he gives you powerful graces to help you stay on the right path to heaven.

When you forgive others, you are giving them a chance to start over with you. You are giving them a gift of love, honor, and respect just like God does for you when he forgives you.

Making mistakes is human. Forgiving yourself and others is one of the most powerful gifts you can give. Jesus died on the cross so that we might enjoy eternal life in heaven through the forgiveness of our sins.

Say the “Our Father” to help you be more willing to forgive yourself and others. Praise God for his gift of forgiveness.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.