Children's Liturgy Devotional, Children's Sermon, Children's Homily,Catholic, Christian,Good News B37 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, John 6:41-51, written by Joan Y. Edwards

Cycle B

Good News B37

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 6:41-51 Bible Gateway New International Version

They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"

The Jews from Jesus’ hometown have a lot of trouble believing that he came down from heaven. They found it hard to grasp that Jesus was God, the Son. Imagine that you grew up next door to Jesus here in Charlotte. He left town and went to the mountains near Asheville and then flew all over the world teaching the people about baptizing with water and the spirit. He taught people to forgive. He said to love God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole mind and love your neighbor as yourself.

When he comes back home to Charlotte a couple of years later, thousands of people swarm to see him. You are able to get a front row seat. He wears a wireless microphone and walks in the middle of the stage. He says “I did not come from Virginia, Delaware, New Hampshire or Maine. I came down from heaven. No living person has seen God the Father except for me. The prophets said the people will be taught by God. I have been traveling all over the world, and now I am back in the Nazareth area of Charlotte. And, I am here to teach you today. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. I am going to die so that you may live. I am going to die so that your sins may be forgiven.

Would you believe his words? Would you believe that he was the Son of God? This same man grew up next door to you. This same man helped rebuild your house when a tree smashed it during a storm.

Many people believed that Jesus truly was the Son of God because of how he was able to heal so many people. Many doubted. Many did not like to hear that they should repent for their sins and forgive others.

Do you really know your neighbors? Would you believe that they are in God’s family? Would you believe that they came from God? God is in each one of us. If you do not see God-like qualities in your neighbor, take a deeper look. Get out your Goodness Magnifying Glass and look again. God made everyone to look like him and be like him, so there is God’s Goodness in each of us. If you are feeling bad because you did something you are ashamed of, get out the Goodness Magnifying Glass and look in the mirror. See that smile….there’s God’s Goodness. Forgive yourself and forgive others, because Jesus died on the cross so that you may live eternally. If something bad has happened to you, get out the Goodness Magnifying Glass and look at all the good things that have happened in your life, too.

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to help you see his goodness in everyone you meet, especially your neighbors and yourself.

“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.