RECONCILIATION HEALS OUR BROKEN HEARTS A Lesson on God’s Love and Forgiveness

GRADE SIX

RECONCILIATION HEALS OUR BROKEN HEARTS A Lesson on God’s Love and Forgiveness GRADE SIX AIM The students will learn that sin hurts our relationship with God and others and that the Sacrament of Reconciliaton heals our brokenness. REFLECTION Read aloud to the students the “Teaching About Anger” (Matthew 5:21-26). This scripture passage illustrates Jesus’ teaching that we must be reconciled one to the other. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION  Show the class a large-piece puzzle already put together. (the puzzle may be any picture but preferably something religious)  Compare the puzzle to a person’s heart. It is whole, unbroken, beautiful, complete.  Introduce the concept of sin as the damaging of relationship with God and others (CCC1440, 1849). Mortal sin destroys our bond with God. Sin ruptures the heart, tearing it apart.  Begin to take the puzzle apart while citing examples of sin:  When I don’t care for the poor (remove a puzzle piece).  When I cheat on a test (remove a puzzle piece).  When I disobey my parents and teachers (remove a puzzle piece).  When I don’t take time to pray (remove a puzzle piece).  When I fail to share my talents (remove a puzzle piece).  When I waste natural resources (remove a puzzle piece).  Make reference to how the puzzle looks—SIN can break us apart in the same way the puzzle is broken apart.  Discuss reconciliation as the healing of our broken hearts due to burden of sin (CCC 845, 1435, 1424, 1443).  Begin to rebuild the puzzle while citing examples of reconciliation:  When I stop cheating.  When I help the poor.

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When I seek forgiveness for my sins. When I am a good steward, a good friend, a good student. When I share my gifts. When I make an effort toward peace. When I make an effort to help someone else. When I stand up to someone who is bullying.

 Show the completed puzzle. Mention that it is not broken, but whole, complete, beautiful once again. ACTIVITIES  Encourage the class to discuss ways that reconciliation can be fostered between people.  Ask the class to brainstorm people they know who have been models of reconciliation and what qualities they possess as persons of reconciliation. PRAYER OF CELEBRATION Using an instrumental selection from a CD, have the class pray silently, prompting them to think about a person with whom they need to be reconciled. In their prayer, encourage them to offer peace for that person. Conclude by praying together, The Lord’s Prayer.

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.

THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE A Lesson on God’s Love and Forgiveness

GRADE SIX

THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE A Lesson on God’s Love and Forgiveness GRADE SIX AIM The students will learn that:  God created us and gave us free will  Our free will allows us to make our own choices  Sometimes we choose to sin  Sin is forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) REFLECTION Read Sirach 15:11-20. This Scripture reading is used to show that God has given us free will, and that our choices make a difference in our relationship with God and others. MATERIALS  Catechism of the Catholic Church  A few wrapped gifts  Bible  “MAKING DECISIONS” handout  “EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE handout  CLOSING PRAYER CARD PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION 

Write the word FREEDOM on the board. Have the class tell you what freedom is. Write their responses on the board.

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Explain that human beings, having been created in the image and likeness of God, have free will )CCC 1730 – 1738)

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To illustrate freedom, have a few packages gift wrapped. Inside may be a pencil or candy—something simple. Set the packages on the table for all to see. Choose one student to select a package. After the student has chosen a gift, ask him/her to talk about their freedom to select. Facilitate discussion and emphasize that free choice is a gift—a gift from God. In life, we will be faced with much greater choices than which gift to select.

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Read aloud the passage from Sirach 15:11-20. This passage from scripture illustrates our free will and admonishes us to choose God—to choose life.

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Explain that sometimes we choose to turn away from God. Sometimes we choose the wrong path—we walk away from God—we sin (CCC 1849 – 1876).

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The good news is that we can always return to God. This happens when we are truly sorry for our sins, confess them and ask for God’s forgiveness. As Catholics, we seek God’s forgiveness for our “bad choices” in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).

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The gift of the Sacrament of Penance helps us to restore our union with God. The graces we receive through the Sacrament of Penance make us stronger in our faith commitment to try NOT to sin again, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and to ask ourselves “What Would Jesus Do?”

ACTIVITIES 

Distribute the handout “MAKING DECISIONS” to each student. Have students write two moral issues that young people often face. Ask them to write how their Catholic faith might help them make the right decision for each of the moral issues.

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Distribute the “EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE handouts and prepare students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by leading them in an examination of conscience. Conclude with a communal Act of Contrition.

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After all have received the sacrament, distribute the prayer card and conclude with the following prayer of celebration:

GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH THANK YOU FOR GIVING US FREE CHOICE. SEND YOUR SPIRIT TO GUIDE US, SO THAT ALL OUR CHOICES MAY LEAD US EVER CLOSER TO YOU. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH THANK YOU FOR GIVING US FREE CHOICE. SEND YOUR SPIRIT TO GUIDE US, SO THAT ALL OUR CHOICES MAY LEAD US EVER CLOSER TO YOU. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

+ List two moral issues that young people often face in today’s society. + For each issue, write how your Catholic faith might help you make the right decision.

MORAL ISSUE #1:

MORAL ISSUE #2:

 Is my relationship with Jesus the greatest priority in my life?  Have I ignored God, Mass and prayer?  Do I only use God’s name in a respectful way? Do others respect God and the things of God because of my example?  Do I seek to bring about God’s kingdom in my home, my parish, my community?  Do I let “things” come between me and other people?  Am I a gentle person? Do I treat other people as the gifts they are?  Do I respond to others with understanding, or do I avoid those who are hurting?  Do I use/develop my talents wisely?  Am I a just person? Am I fair to my parents, brothers and sisters, teachers, everyone I meet?  Do I reach out to people? Am I approachable? Do I listen to others?  Do I forgive those who have hurt me?  Do I care for those who are in need?  Do I see the good in others?  Do I react without thinking?  Is my reputation more important than other people’s?  Does my love show itself in my willingness to give of my time to help others?  How do I treat those who ask to use something of mine?  Have I been jealous?  Have I said hurtful things or ruined another’s name?  Have I cheated?  Am I trying to look upon others as dwelling places of the Holy Spirit?  Do I use substances that are not good for my health?

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD

CONFESSION  Prepare yourself by praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance.  Make a good examination of conscience. Remember, God loves you and by your baptism calls you to be a follower of Jesus.  Enter the confessional or reconciliation room (you may either sit before the priest or remain behind the screen). After the priest greets you, make the sign of the cross and say: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was… (say when you last went to Confession)

 Now make your confession of sins. Ask Father for any help you may need. Be honest. Tell Father each sin and how many times you committed it.  Listen as Father talks to you. He may give you some advice.  Father will give you a penance – it might be a prayer or a good action to do later as a sign that you intend to try harder to please God.  Next, express your sorrow in a prayer to God. You may use your own words or the following Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, And I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.  After your Act of Contrition, Father, as the representative of Jesus and the Church, grants the absolution (forgiveness of your sins. During this prayer, Father will extend his hands over your head).  Listen thoughtfully and receive the gift of forgiveness.  Finally, Father praises God and tells you that you may leave in the peace of the Lord.

 Kneel down in Church and thank God for his forgiveness and grace.  Remember to do your penance and try to follow Jesus.

ACT OF CONTRITION O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. And I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, To confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.