Proper 23 (28_th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Year C: October 10, 2010

First Reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Together in Pinecone Patch by Thomas F. Yezerski (Written for Grades K-4)

Comment: The unfamiliarity of a land that is not home is one expressed in the experience of immigrants. Together in Pinecone Patch describes two families that desperately love their homelands, yet are trying to survive in a gray, coal-mining town in Pennsylvania. In the scripture reading, Jeremiah shares God’s message with the exiled people.  They are to settle down, have families, and seek their welfare in the city of exile.  Children are given a glimpse of what it means to follow this message as they read of the love that grows between Keara and Stefan.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

The Light of the World: The Life of Jesus for Children by Katherine Paterson (Written for Grades K-3)

Comment: “Remember Jesus Christ…” Through this epistle reading, we understand that the act of remembering Jesus Christ is foundational for our identity as children of God; it is foundational to our way of life and the choices we make daily. We remember Jesus Christ in the sacraments. We remember Jesus Christ in our songs. We remember Jesus Christ in prayers. We remember Jesus Christ through stories. The Light of the World is a wonderful storybook created to help children remember Jesus Christ and recognize his light shining through them. “The light still shines through everyone who, like Jesus, lives the good news of God’s loving kingdom.”

Third Reading: Luke 17:11-19

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (Written for Grades PreK-1)

Comment: It is certainly an unexpected turn of events when Jesus heals 10 lepers and the one who returns to say thank you is a Samaritan. The relationship between Jews and Samaritans was hostile. Similarly the relationship between lions and mice is known to be hostile. In both the gospel reading and Pinkey’s illustration of Aesop’s fable, we encounter an unexpected exchange of mercy, compassion, and gratitude that breaks down hostile barriers.  (Note:  This is a wordless book, but the illustrations tell the story beautifully.  Pinkney won the 2010 Caldecott Award for best illustrated children’s book.)

Lectionary Links: Sunday, October 10, 2010 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.