12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B:  June 24, 2012

First Reading: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49

For those looking for a storybook version of this tale, Mary Auld’s David and Goliath tells the story from David’s anointing to the moment he presents Goliath’s head to King Saul. It’s a bit gruesome there at the end, but provides options for a well illustrated story with a helpful index of useful words and questions.

Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: David faces a very scary task with confidence because he believes in God’s power.  It is empowering to remember that God strengthens us to do things that we ourselves or others may doubt is possible. No one imagined they’d ever called Rodeny Rat a hero. Rodney is the little guy everyone teases, he hides in his coat to avoid conflict. Yet when he’s chosen to lead Simon says, this little rodent emerges from his coat with a sudden awareness that he can save his classmates from the new school bully, just by being himself!

**Note that this book is one online reviewers either seems to love or hate. Explore how the story makes you feel. It has the potential to inspire good conversation, especially if you wonder with kids about what they like and dislike about the story or ways they might have written the it differently.**

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

King of the Playground by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: In her commentary on this passage from 2 Corinthians, Elisabeth Johnson focuses on Paul’s commitment to the work of reconciliation. Johnson emphasizes that rather than walking away from conflict, Paul, “as an ambassador for Christ entrusted with this message of reconciliation, [was] compelled to take the same risk with those who [had] wronged him.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?lect_date=6/21/2009&tab=3) In King of thePlayground, we also see a story of hurt and reconciliation played out between Kevin and Sammy. Kevin’s dad helps inspire courage so that he can take the risk of seeking reconciliation with the one who wronged him. 

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:35-41

Loon Baby by Molly Beth Griffin

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: When reflecting on storms, many children would be able to give some sort of answer to Jesus’ question, “Why are you afraid?” Part of me wants to respond, “Well, Jesus, storms are scary. Thunder is loud. The waves are going crazy. I think our boat might capsize!” The disciples we afraid and Jesus was asleep. When he awoke and was actively present with them again, the storms and their fears subsided. Loon baby experiences fear of storms and being lost in the lake when he can’t find his mother. He wails a cry, “a high-low shuddering cry, a mournful, wavering cry, a sinking, giving up cry…” and then his mother appears and his experience of the lake changes and his fears subside.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, June 24, 2012 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.