The Surprise in Emmaus

 

The picture is from a diorama my grandchildren were playing to demonstrate the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  I always think of this story when people talk about others being rude.

My grandkids thought Jesus was being rude because He disappeared when breaking bread at the table.  "How rude!" they exclaimed, in the middle of supper!

In reading Luke 24:35 today, I noticed that the verse specifically said that the disciples came to know Jesus in "the breaking of the bread."

Duh!  Some Catholic I am.

Jesus is in the Eucharistic bread.  There's no need for a double Jesus.  When He broke the bread, He was present in the bread.  They were having a celebration of the Mass.  

Youth Softball

 What inning are we in?
Fifth, much to my chagrin.
That’s all?
Ah, Softball.

I’ve endured the worst.
My own children, first.
Now grandchildren next,
Why am I so vexed!

If they throw it’s overhead,
they will surely miss, I dread.
No one can catch the ball,
They run and trip and fall.

Strike one, two, three
It's not easy you see.
The pitcher can’t throw.
Yet the batter gives it a go.

Look, she’s up, my little pup!
My heart gives a hiccup.
I hold my breath and will
her to drill it over the hill.

She swings and tips
the ball in the catcher’s mitts.
My heart feels very sad
Please don’t feel bad.

Mercifully the inning’s over
My pup’s now in the clover
Don’t worry no one can hit
But as luck would have it

Finally, the game is called
It's too dark the see the ball.
Who won?  It’s all the same.

Good game!  Good game!

We all acclaim, Good game!

Let the Children Come to Me

 Jesus must have been kidding when He said that.  Maybe He meant it tongue in cheek--sarcastically.

Whenever my grandchildren go to Mass they are perfect.  However, whenever we go into an empty church, they behave like stampeding wild mustangs.  They take off and are all over.  I can't keep up.  One is in the sanctuary, the other ran up the choir loft, then in the sacristry, climbing up statues, playing the organ.  

I thought I'd teach them what Adoration was.  I took them to Adoration.  Thank goodness they listened to me and behaved appropriately.  That was a Eucharistic Chapel.  But once we left that room, they rocketed to outer space. 

They are impressed with the statue of Michael the Archangel, and that's how I got them outside before they wrecked the church.  While I showed the 11-year-old the large statue of Michael with his sword killing Satan, the 7-year-old went over to Mary and picked her beautiful hydrangeas.

Was I wrong to tell her to be sure to tell her Confessor, when she makes her First Confession, to tell the priest that she stole flowers from the church?  And if he yells, assure him that they weren't from his church, but the shrine across town.

Good grief!  Suffer the children.   

Peanut Butter Babel

 

Today we learned the story of the Tower of Babel.  The grandchildren made the tower out of saltine crackers and peanut butter.  Then grandma and grandpa came and destroyed much of it by eating it.

Lesson learned.  The grandchildren made a mess because they didn't work together.  

Bible Tabs for Kids

 How do you like it? I didn't know if my grandkids would be too young for a Bible (10 and 6).  The six-year-old is obviously too little because she can't read.  So she gravitates to children's versions of the Bible.  But the 10-year-old was impressed that we are using a REAL Bible and not just a children's stories.  

I didn't know how the Bible would be accepted so I bought the cheapest one.  The print is really too small to read, but not for a child.  I'm trying to make it fun, yet very grown-up.  The ten-year-old now knows how to look up the book, chapter, and verse.  In fact, she likes doing it.

I bought these tabs to help her find the books easier.  Aren't they cute?

Lesson One

 How did my lesson plan go?  Well....I'm not sure.  I don't know whether to be disappointed or not.  I'm teaching my grandchildren their faith.  One is 10 the other 6.  

I started by explaining God.  He created everything.  He is great.  I was only talking for a couple of minutes and I could see that the youngest was bored.  So I started talking about their parish church.  I gave them each a picture of their church.  On the facade are six statues.  I told them what each one was and showed them other pictures of that statue that were clearer.  When I showed them St. Paul, I said that he is holding a sword because he was killed with a sword.  The older one said, "Grandma!!! She's only six."

If they are upset because Paul was beheaded, what can I say about Jesus' crucifixion!!!

So I changed the subject to explaining the Mass.  I told them the Mass is the reenactment of Jesus' Last Supper.  Then I showed them Da Vinci's Last Supper.

Next was prayer. We tried to teach the 6-year-old how to bless herself.  It wasn't easy.  She kept skipping "The Son."  I told the big sister to help her every night.  

We finished by singing "Down in the River."

It took 20 minutes.  I worked days--Days, on this lesson plan and we completed it in 20 minutes.  But I won't be able to judge how it went until next week when we meet again.  I'll see how much they retained.  

As I was leaving I heard big sister say, "See, there was nothing to be afraid of."  This sentence made me reflect on the six year old.  What did she learn?  I'm not sure. I think she was confused; she didn't know what to think.  And now I know that she was nervous and afraid.  Poor kid.  No wonder she had such a terrible time learning to bless herself. May the good Lord help her and me.