Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Theme – Jesus Teaches Us the Way to Be Blessed

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Welcome & Gathering

(Gather the children together in a quiet space.
Place a Bible or an image of Jesus where they can see it.)

Leader:

“Today Jesus teaches us something very important.

He teaches us
how to live,
how to love,
and how to be truly happy.”

Pause.

“Jesus uses a special word today.
It is a word we don’t always understand the same way.”

Say clearly:

“Blessed.”

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 to You today.
Help us to learn Your way of love.
Amen.”

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Introducing the Theme

Ask the children:

“What do you think it means to be happy?”

Allow a few answers
(toys, friends, holidays, winning).

Say:

“Those things can make us happy for a little while.

But Jesus is talking about a deeper happiness —
a happiness that stays in our hearts.”

Say:

“Jesus teaches us that being happy is not just about what we have,
but about how we live and how we love.”

Explain gently:

“Today Jesus goes up a hill
and teaches His friends
how to live God’s way.”

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The Gospel (Simplified – Matthew 5:1–12)

(Read slowly and calmly.)

Jesus sat down and began to teach His friends.

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit —
people who trust God.

Blessed are those who are sad —
God will comfort them.

Blessed are the gentle —
they will receive great gifts from God.

Blessed are those who want to do what is right —
God will fill them with goodness.

Blessed are the kind and forgiving —
they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart —
they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers —
they are God’s children.

Blessed are those who are teased or treated badly
because they follow Me —
God is very close to them.”

Leader:
“The Gospel of the Lord.”

Children:
“Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Reflection & Discussion

Ask:

“Did Jesus say that only rich or important people are blessed?”

(No.)

Ask:

“Who does Jesus say is blessed?”

(Kind, gentle, forgiving, peacemakers.)

Say:

“Jesus is teaching us that God’s way
is different from the world’s way.”

Explain:

“The world says:
Be the strongest.
Be first.
Win.

Jesus says:
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Trust God.
Forgive.
Make peace.”

Connect to the First Reading simply:

“In the first reading,
God says He loves people who are humble
and who trust Him.”

“Humble means:
knowing we need God.”

Say clearly:

“When we try to live like Jesus,
God calls us blessed.”

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Optional Activity 1 – Beatitudes Actions

(Choose if movement is helpful.)

Leader:

“Let’s use our bodies to remember Jesus’ words.”

Teach simple actions:

Poor in spirit – hands open
Kind and forgiving – hands on heart
Peacemakers – arms open wide
Pure in heart – point to heart
Trusting God – hands together

Say each line slowly and do the actions together.

Explain:

“These actions help us remember
how Jesus wants us to live.”

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Optional Activity 2 – “Blessed When…” (Quiet option)

Leader:

“I will start a sentence,
and you can finish it in your heart.”

Say slowly:

“Blessed when I share.”

“Blessed when I forgive.”

“Blessed when I help someone.”

“Blessed when I make peace.”

Say:

“These are ways we live like Jesus every day.”

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Living the Gospel This Week

Ask:

“How can we live the Beatitudes this week?”

Offer examples:

Being kind at home
Including someone at school
Saying sorry
Forgiving
Helping someone who is sad

Say:

“We don’t have to do everything at once.

Jesus is happy
when we try.”

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Prayer

(Invite the children to close their eyes.)

Leader:

“Jesus,
thank You for teaching us how to live.
Help us to be kind.
Help us to be gentle.
Help us to trust God
and make peace.
Amen.”

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Sending Back

Leader:

“Today Jesus showed us
the way to be truly happy.

When we go back to Mass,
let’s remember:

Jesus calls us blessed
when we live with love.”

Make the Sign of the Cross together
and return quietly to the assembly.