Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Theme: Being Salt and Light for Others
Welcome & Gathering
(Gather the children in a circle.
Place a candle and a Bible in the centre.)
Leader:
“Today Jesus tells us something very important
about who we are.”
Pause.
“He says:
You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together.
Leader:
“In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Leader:
“Jesus,
help us to listen,
help us to understand,
and help us to live Your word.
Amen.”
Introducing the Theme
Show the children the candle.
Ask:
“What does a light do?”
(Helps us see, makes dark places brighter.)
Ask:
“What happens if we hide the light?”
(It doesn’t help anyone.)
Say:
“Jesus says we are like lights.
God’s love shines through us
so other people can see it.”
Now ask:
“Does light make noise?”
(No.)
Say clearly:
“Light doesn’t shout.
Light just shines.”
Gospel Proclamation (Simplified – Matthew 5:13–16)
(Read slowly.)
Jesus said to his friends:
“You are the salt of the earth.
Salt makes food better.
You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp
and puts it under a bowl.
They put it on a stand
so everyone can see.”
Jesus said:
“Let your light shine
so people can see the good you do
and thank God.”
Leader:
“The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children:
“Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reflection & Discussion
Ask:
“Did Jesus say we might be light one day?”
(No — He said we are light.)
Say:
“That means Jesus trusts us.”
Explain gently:
“Being light means
living like Jesus —
being kind,
helping others,
forgiving,
and telling the truth.”
Say:
“We don’t shine to get attention.
We shine
so people can see God’s love.”
Connect to the first reading:
“In the first reading,
God says we shine
when we help people who are hungry or sad.”
Optional Activity 1 – “Shine or Hide?”
Leader gives examples and children respond:
Sharing your lunch → Shine
Being mean on purpose → Hide
Helping someone who is hurt → Shine
Ignoring someone who is lonely → Hide
Say:
“When we live like Jesus,
our light shines.”
Optional Activity 2 – Hand Light Prayer (Quiet option)
Ask children to open their hands.
Leader:
“Imagine God’s light in your hands.”
Say slowly:
“Jesus,
help my light shine at home.”
“Help my light shine at school.”
“Help my light shine with my friends.”
Living the Gospel This Week
Ask:
“What is one way
you can be light this week?”
Offer ideas:
Being kind
Saying sorry
Helping at home
Including someone
Saying a prayer for others
Say:
“We don’t have to be perfect.
We just let Jesus shine through us.”
Prayer
Leader:
“Jesus,
thank You for calling us light.
Help us to live like You.
Help us to love like You.
Help us to shine
so others can see God’s love.
Amen.”
Sending Back
Leader:
“Jesus trusts you to be salt and light.”
“Let your light shine.”
Make the Sign of the Cross together
and return quietly to the assembly.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 