Ruben's Story
A Lenten Reflection
From Mission Together ........ and a follow up for the Summer!
|
|
May be used with
|
| DISPLAY: Bread roll, plastic bag, globe, Bible, crucifix, Mission Together box and candle | |
|
Introduction - Ruben’s Story
Ruben is five years old. He lives in Zambia, in Africa. His mum and dad died of AIDS. He is an orphan. He and his brothers and sisters live with their grandma. She is very poor. Sometimes there is not enough money to buy food to feed all the children. Every day Ruben goes to St Charles’ School. One day he was standing by himself in the playground. A kind lady visited the school. She saw Ruben. She knew he was hungry. She took a bread roll, put it in a plastic bag and gave it to Ruben. Ruben said, “Thank you.” Just then the school door opened. The older children came into the playground. A big girl came and stood beside Ruben. She was his sister. The lady thought Ruben might hide his bread roll in the bag and eat it by himself because he was very hungry. Instead, Ruben took the bread roll out of the bag and broke it in three. (Take bread roll and break into 3.) He gave a piece to the lady, a piece to his sister and kept a piece for himself. The lady left the school thinking about what had happened.
|
|
|
Reflection Light the candle and lead the children into reflection. Let’s be still for a few moments and think about Ruben. A FEW MOMENTS OF SILENCE Were you surprised Ruben shared when he was hungry? Why do you think he shared? Let’s think about ourselves. Do I think about other people’s needs? Do I remember to say thank you for gifts? Am I a giver or a taker? Is there a way that I can share today?
|
|
|
Jesus gives himself, his life and his love When Ruben took his bread roll and shared it, did it remind you of anything that Jesus did? Let’s find out. Read from 1 Corinthians 11:24-27 The Last Supper At the Last Supper before he died, Jesus took some bread. He thanked God for it. He broke the bread, and said, “This is my body, given up for you. Do this in memory of me.” As the meal was coming to an end, he took a cup of wine and said. “This cup of wine is the promise of God’s love for you. When you drink from it, remember me. Whenever you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you will be letting everyone know, that I died for you because I love you.”
|
|
|
Song: Sing or listen to “Take, Bless, Break and Give” Here I Am
Rejoice 2 no 42
|
|
|
Adapted from Eucharistic Prayer for Children 3
The response to our prayer is : Bless all children. Blessed be Jesus whom you sent to be the friend of children and of the poor. He came to show us how we can love you, Father, by loving one another. : Bless all children. He came to take away sin, which keeps us from being friends, and hate, which makes us all unhappy. : Bless all children. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with us always so that we can live as your children. : Bless all children.
|
|
|
Prayer
Children helping Children
Jesus asks us to be his friends and to share love. Let us remember that we are all brothers and sisters in God’s big family. Let us remember especially children like Ruben who are orphans and need our love, help and friendship. Let us remember how Ruben shares. During Lent let us pray and share with children everywhere by living up to our Mission Together motto, Children helping Children. SONG: World Children Here I Am Rejoice 2 no 23 |
|
|
Notes for Teachers This year the focus of our work in schools is the work of Mission Together with AIDS orphans in Zambia. Ruben is a pupil at St Charles’ Academy for children in Distress. This project was set up by funding provided by children in Mission Together. The school still looks to Mission Together for help with its nutrition programme. Will you help by encouraging the children to support this work?
|