Theme: “God loves the humble heart.”
Welcome & Gathering
Leader:
“Good morning everyone! Today Jesus tells us a story about two people who went to pray — one thought he was better than everyone else, and the other simply asked for God’s mercy.
Jesus shows us that God listens most closely to the humble heart.”
Light a candle.
Say together: “Jesus is the Light of the World.”
Make the Sign of the Cross.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Opening Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, You love every one of us the same.
Teach us to be humble, to say sorry when we’ve done wrong,
and to trust in Your mercy.
Help us to pray with honest hearts. Amen.”
Introducing the Gospel
Leader:
“Today’s story is called The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
A Pharisee was someone very strict about following the rules.
A tax collector was someone everyone disliked because they often took too much money.
Both went to the temple to pray — but only one really spoke to God.”
Invite children to make a small cross on forehead, lips, and heart:
“May God’s Word be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.”
Gospel (Simplified)
(Luke 18:9–14 paraphrased)
Leader reads slowly and clearly:
Jesus told this story to some people who thought they were very good and looked down on others.
Two men went up to the temple to pray.
One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up proudly and prayed like this:
“Thank You, God, that I’m not like other people — greedy or dishonest. I fast twice a week and give money to the temple.”
But the tax collector stood far away. He would not even raise his eyes to heaven.
He beat his chest and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Jesus said, “I tell you, it was this man — the tax collector — who went home right with God.
For everyone who makes themselves important will be made humble,
and everyone who humbles themselves will be lifted up.”
Leader:
“The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Discussion & Reflection
Ask:
“Who were the two men in the story?”
(A Pharisee and a tax collector.)
“What was the difference in how they prayed?”
(One was proud; the other was humble.)
“Which one did Jesus say went home close to God?”
(The tax collector — the humble one.)
Say:
“Jesus wants us to talk to God honestly, not to brag or compare ourselves to others.
The Pharisee’s prayer was all about ‘me.’
The tax collector’s prayer was about God.
When we come to church, we don’t come to say, ‘I’m good.’
We come to say, ‘God is good.’
That’s what humility means — not thinking badly of yourself, but thinking truthfully and trusting God’s mercy.”
Connection to Life
Leader:
“Sometimes we might be tempted to say, ‘At least I didn’t do what he did!’ or ‘I’m better than her.’
But Jesus says, that’s not how God sees things.
He loves everyone.
And when we’re humble — when we say sorry, when we forgive, when we help quietly — we make His heart happy.”
Short Story Illustration:
“Once a little girl got a medal at school and said, ‘I’m the best!’ Her friend said, ‘Well done,’ but the teacher smiled and said, ‘The best people are the ones who help others be their best too.’
That’s the lesson of today — not to be proud, but to be kind and humble.”
Small Activity Options
a. “Prayer Hearts” craft:
Give each child a paper heart.
On one side, write or draw “Proud Prayers” (me, me, me!).
On the other, write or draw “Humble Prayers” (God, please help me; thank You; sorry; help others).
Fold the heart with the humble side facing out — “This is the kind of heart God loves.”
b. Simple Drama:
Two children act as Pharisee (standing proudly, arms crossed) and Tax Collector (hands on chest, head bowed).
Have the others say which one prayed well and why.
c. Memory Verse practice:
“Everyone who humbles themselves will be lifted up.” (Luke 18:14)
Child-Friendly Profession of Faith
Leader:
“Let us tell God what we believe.”
“Do you believe in God the Father, who loves everyone the same?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
“Do you believe in Jesus, who forgives our sins and teaches us to be humble?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
“Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who helps us to love others with kindness?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
Intercessions (Simple Prayers)
Leader:
“Let us pray to God who listens to every prayer.”
1️⃣ For Pope Leo, our bishops, priests, and teachers — that they may guide us to follow Jesus with humble hearts.
Lord, hear us. → Lord, graciously hear us.
2️⃣ For people who are proud or angry — that they may find peace in God’s mercy.
Lord, hear us.
3️⃣ For all who are poor, sick, or sad — that they may know God is close to them and loves them deeply.
Lord, hear us.
4️⃣ For ourselves — that we may pray each day with humble and thankful hearts.
Lord, hear us.
(Optional: Hail Mary)
Closing Prayer
“Loving Father,
You lift up the humble and hear the prayers of those who trust You.
Help us to pray like the tax collector — simply, honestly, and with love.
Make our hearts gentle and our words kind.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together.
Memory Line & Send-Out
Leader:
“Let’s remember today’s message:”
All together:
“God loves the humble heart!”
Leader:
“As we go back to church, let’s walk quietly and remember —
the best prayer is the one that says, ‘Lord, have mercy, and thank You for loving me.’”
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 