Sometimes, even if we are thoughtful people and trying our best to do what God wants, things don’t always happen the way we would like them to. Unfortunately, things can go wrong.

Carla visits the Zoo

One day, Carla’s family were going to the Zoo. Carla was really looking forward to going because her class has gone during the week, but she had been sick and hadn’t been able to go. Carla especially wanted to go into the cave where the snakes lived. But when they got to the zoo the snake cave was closed. Carla was so cross! She stamped her foot and said she wanted to go home. What was the point of coming to the zoo if she couldn’t see what she wanted to?

Carla’s Dad sat on a bench with her and said, ‘Now Carla, I know you are disappointed. But if you are in a bad mood for the rest of the day you are going to spoil the day for yourself and for all of us. There are lots of other animals here, why don’t we go and see what else we can find?’

Let’s think …

How do you think Carla felt?

If this happened to you, what would you do?

Ben buys new shoes

Ben and his mother were going shopping to buy him some new runners. He knew exactly which one he wanted, because everyone at school had them. He had told his mum all about the shoes and she said, as she always did, ‘We’ll see.’

 When they got to the shop Ben showed his mum which runners he wanted, but then his mum said, “Oh Ben, I’m sorry, but we just can’t afford to spend this much money on one pair of shoes! Let’s have a look at these ones….”

But Ben didn’t say anything. What was the point of getting new shoes if they weren’t what he wanted? His mum could see he was disappointed, so she explained to him that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to buy the shoes for him, but al the moment they just couldn’t afford them. Then she said, ‘How about we both start saving up for your shoes? You can save your pocket-money, and I will save some money too. Maybe in  a few months we will have enough to buy the runners you really want.’

Let’s think

How do you think Ben felt?

How do you think his mother felt?

Making a difference

The family is the best place for people to look after one another and to care for others. Yet there are still times when things go wrong in families. These times can involve disappointments, such as Ben’s and Carla’s, and can be hurtful. But often good things come out of difficult moments as members in the family try to make a difference. By looking after one another, families make a difference in the world.

Let’s think

How did Carla’s dad and Ben’s Mum make a difference in the stories?

Think of a time in your family when something went wrong.

What happened? Who was involved? How did you feel? Who took steps to make things better?

 

Jesus brought peace to people who felt left out and hurt or were suffering. Jesus knew that God wanted people to feel loved and cared for, no matter what others thought or what happened to them.

Jesus knew in his heart how he was to live.

In the Gospel of Luke we read about a time when Jesus read from scriptures in the Synagogue on Nazareth. When he read he understood that God was calling him to make a difference in the world in which he lived.

Let’s think

Watch the video above and then fill in the gaps.

Jesus believed that God wanted him to bring … to the poor, … to captives, give … to the blind and let the oppressed go …

What does the word anointed mean?

In the video Jesus declares that he has been anointed by the Lord God to be a bringer of peace to the world.

Anointing is a special action. In the Bible we read that when people were anointed with oil the were given a special job or mission to make a difference in the world.

The early Christians believed God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. This is why they called him Jesus Christ — meaning Jesus, the Anointed One.

When you are confirmed, you will be anointed on the forehead with Sacred Chrism — a mixture of olive oil and a perfume called basalm which is consecrated by the bishop. Like Jesus, you will be anointed by God’s Spirit so that you can make a difference to the people around you.

The bike ride

Sam and his uncle were standing at their front gate talking to Patrick and his Dad. The two grown-ups were neighbours and good friends, but Sam and Patrick weren’t friends. In fact, just that week Sam had squashed Patrick’s lunch at school and everyone had laughed at the mess. 

Then Sam’s uncle said, ‘Patrick, how about you and your dad coming or a bike ride with us? ‘Sam turned to pick up his bike. 

No Way! Shouted Patrick. I am not going on a bike ride with him! Patrick’s father frowned at his son. 

Let’s think …

How do you think Sam would have felt when Patrick said he would not go on a bike ride with him?

How do you think Patrick would have felt when his Father frowned at him for saying what he did?

How do you think Patrick would have felt when he realised he had hurt Sam?

Pretend you are either Sam or Patrick and write an ending to this story.

We can choose to make a difference and be peace-makers. Even though our friendship with others can sometimes be broken, we can choose to try and become friends again. 

The new school

Chi and sad. This was her first day at a new school and she didn’t quite know what to expect. She walked through the gates into the schoolyard.

Draw what you think might happen next.

Let’s think

Think of a time when you knew someone had been hurt by a friend.

What did you do to help this person?

How do you think you helped to make a difference?

We choose our friends because there is something we like about them.

Let’s think

List the qualities you like about your friends.

At Confirmation we will be strengthened and encouraged by the family of the Church to be a healing person and make a difference. For Christians, this is part of our ongoing mission: to be like Jesus, bringing peace and making a difference to others. 

These gifts of being a peace-maker and making a difference will be strengthened in us when we are confirmed.