Children's Liturgy Series: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

Jesus teaches us that God is generous. We should be greatful for what we have and not be envious of others.

Holy Spirit, Come! Dwell in my heart. Illuminate my mind. Direct my footsteps. Be my guide.

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o'clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.'
So they went off.

And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o'clock, he landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.'
He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'

When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.

And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day's burden and the heat.'
He said to one of them in reply,  My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear a parable, or story, that Jesus told his disciples about workers in the vineyard, a place where grapes are grown. Some of the workers get upset because they’re only focused on one thing and miss the bigger picture.

Say: Some of the workers arrived early in the morning. Then the owner of the vineyard saw more workers and offered them work. Some started at nine in the morning, some at noon, some at three o’clock, and some at five o’clock. What happened later when the work ended? (The workers got paid.) 

Say: The ones who started at five o’clock got paid first. They made as much as the ones who worked all day! The ones who started early were not happy. 

Ask: Why do you think they were upset? (They had been working for a longer period of time. They thought they should get more than the others.) 

Say: That’s right, but the ones who were first had agreed to the wages. They got exactly what they’d agreed to.

Say: Jesus tells us that the last will be first and the first will be last. He teaches us that God loves and values each one of us. He gives us his love freely and generously. When we spend our time thinking that we deserve more that we have, it’s as though we have our hands on our heads, blocking some of our vision. We cannot see and appreciate the wonderful gifts God gives us. We miss out on having a grateful, generous heart. Let’s all take time this week to notice and be grateful for the many gifts God has given us.