I received a kind invitation to offer a blessing prayer
for Holy Family’s newly remodeled school of religion classroom. Renee worked to
refurbished the classroom into cheerful, happy place where children come to
learn how much God loves them. So, I brought along my puppet Spinach and
together we shared the following lesson based on this Sunday’s gospel story.
“Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But the person who makes himself humble will be made great.” Luke 14:11
This morning I have a balloon with me actually their teacher had bought ten balloons in the shape of different animals. A balloon is a simple toy, but it brings a lot of pleasure to people of all ages. There are so many things you can do with a balloon.
You can use balloons for decorations at a party or you can bat them around in the air like a ball. If you have a long, skinny balloon, you can even make it into the shape of an animal. Yes, a balloon can bring a lot of happiness, but it can bring sadness and disappointment too. If a you pop the balloon, the sudden noise can make you scared and cry.
You and I are sometimes are like a balloon. We sometimes get all puffed up and think we’re better than other people. We start blowing up the balloons.
Sometimes we may think we’re better than other people and we expect everyone else to think so too. (The kids blow into their balloons). Maybe we think we’re smarter than the other kids in our class. ( The kids blow more air into their balloons). Or maybe we think no one is as good as us in sports (They keep blowing more air). Or perhaps we think we are a better singer than anyone (They keep blowing). Sooner or later, if we keep getting puffed up by thinking we’re better than others, something will happen to burst our balloon. Some of the balloons began to deflate and some pop!!!
"Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But the person who makes himself humble will be made great.” Luke 14:11
Jesus teaches us not to be too proud and think we’re better than other people. Jesus says we are to be humble and realize that when we are good at something, it is because it is God blessing us with special gifts.
From now on, when you see a balloon, I hope it will remind you that we should not become too puffed up and think we’re better than other people.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends especially the children, who have come to learn how much you love them. Help us be humble and not think we are better than other people. Remind us that whatever abilities we have are a gift from you and that you are the one who deserves the praise!
