Tuesday of Holy Week

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The Lord called me before I was born,
from my mother's womb he pronounced my name."

(From the First Reading)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

From before we were born, God knew us. He knew our names. He called us. He called us by name.

How can it be that God knows us even before our parents know us? Even before our mother knew that she was carrying us? 

How can it be that God knows our name before our parents have chosen it?

There is something we know about God. We know that He created the heavens and the earth, and all the living creatures. He made everything.

Do you think that God knew everything He was going to make before He made it? That He knew the names of everything, and everyone, before He made it?

I wonder. 

I wonder how long ago He thought of me, and knew my name? 

How wonderful to think that He has thought of me, loved me, and called me by name, for so very long. How wonderful to be so thought of by such a great God!

Thank you, Lord, for knowing me, for calling me, for loving me.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."