16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C: July 21, 2013

First Reading: Amos 8:1-12

Under Wildwood by Colin Meloy  (Written for ages 9-12)

Comment: “Hear this, you that trample on the needy…” When reading this text, it becomes pretty clear that destruction is on the horizon for those who have abused the poor and needy for their own gain. In the second book of the Wildwood series, Colin Meloy explores the exploitation of children in a factory setting. Though Mr. Uthank appears to be running a home for wayward youth, he is actually using children as the labor force for his factory. Eventually the Unadoptables reveal his evil and start a revolt. In the chapter Season’s End, readers encounter Uthank helplessly standing by as the empire he built on child labor burns to the ground. Alongside Amos and the Unadoptables, we are being invited to call out the injustices that we witness, and perhaps participate in, within our own world.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

How To by Julie Morstad

(Written for ages 3-6)

Comment: “It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” While the language is quite complicated for small children, this hymn of praise could be described as a how to guide. Through it, the Colossian community hears how to live as reconciled people, to sing Christ’s praise, and to live lives proclaiming the good news. Morstad’s book uses simple language alongside beautiful images to help children imagine different ways to do things. Use this story as a springboard to wonder with your children about how to praise God, follow Jesus, and be the Church.

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 38-42

Chloe, Instead by Micah Player

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: A lot of debates rise up about how one might interpret the story of Mary and Martha. In discussing this text with children, I would avoid language of one sister being better than another. Instead, look at the feelings that are expressed. Martha is frustrated with her sister for choosing actions that are different from her own. Kids with siblings will understand how such frustrations arise. In Player’s book, Molly is frustrated with her little sister Chloe. Molly wishes Chloe would be more like her and less like Chloe! In both the text and story the frustrated sisters learn that it’s ok to have a sibling that acts differently. In fact, their sisters might even have something to teach them!

The Lectionary Links this week were written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, July 21, 2013 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.