Playgroup Activity and Community Catechesis

Today at playgroup, we learned about Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus' ministry.  What can we learn from John?

John was obedient to his call to prepare the way for Christ.  It required great humility to speak so boldly, gaining fame among his followers, yet remaining simple and insisting that there was still another "coming after me who is mightier than I." (Matthew 3:11)  John himself must have wondered at times what he was doing wandering around in the wilderness!  He even sent a message to Jesus, asking "are you really the One?"  (Matthew 11:3)

But John was faithful to his task, and those who repented and listened to John found something even sweeter than honey - Jesus Christ, the One who came after John.  Those who did not listen were disappointed, and did not prepare their hearts to receive the Savior of the World.  In the end, John's obedience to God's call for his life cost him the price of his head, when he was martyred by Herod (Matthew 14:1-12).

So often in our lives, our faith calls for obedience.  Our leaders in the consecrated life take very serious vows of obedience!  As lay people, we may not take this vow, but we can practice the wisdom of this virtue.  It is easy to become proud and think that we know better than God or those whom He has placed in authority over us.  But submitting ourselves willingly to service, obedience, and holding our tongues at times can be very rewarding: we may learn a lot and serve God in wonderful ways that we couldn't if we had thought ourselves the "better authority."

Obedience to God's teaching in the church is similar to obedience to church authority.  We may not always understand why God asks of us what He does... but submitting ourselves in humility to the demands of our faith helps us to grow in understanding in ways that simply "bucking our heads" does not.  We feel called to follow Him, but we don't always understand the call.  This is normal and OK.  We each  must strive to faithfully answer, "Yes Lord.  Here I am.  Send me.  Your will be done."

Our children often ask us WHY?  Sometimes the best answer we can give a child is "because."  We are also children of God, and just because we do not yet understand does not mean that we have not been given Good Counsel.  What choice will we make for Him?  Can we, like John and many of the saints and martyrs, practice humble obedience?  How can we encourage obedience in our children?  And as our children practice obedience to us, how can we learn from their example?  How can we become children of God?  Obedience can also help us to grow in holiness and become a "voice the desert" to those around us who need to hear God's word.

Click and print the picture below.  Enjoy working with your children on the bible verse this week.  We hope to see you next Tuesday!

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