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4th Sunday of Lent – Year A (2023)

Filed Under: Feasts Holy Days and Seasons

Sunday, March 19, 2023

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent are about sight and blindness. The first reading (1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A) is the story of the choosing of David as God’s anointed one. Samuel advised ” Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” The psalm (Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 69) is ” The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. “, which reminds us again of the first reading. The second reading (Ephesians 5:8-14) is a reminder that we must live in the light, not it darkness. And in the gospel (John 9:1-41) is the story of the man born blind, whom Jesus cured.

Some possible themes for this weekend are light and darkness, or how we see ourselves, others, and God. Here are some ideas:

Prayer to Be My True Self
This is a prayer inspired by Psalm 139.  Use it for your youth ministry meeting or youth group activity focused on authenticity and being your true self. This is a good lesson for teens who are feeling overwhelmed by the need to be popular.
Fake You Out: A Lesson Plan on Popularity and Authenticity
This simple lesson plan is for a youth ministry meeting focused on the problem of hiding yourself to seek popularity. Letting our true selves shine will allow us to be the people God created us to be and will lead us to true joy in Christ.
Glow in the Dark Sidewalk Chalk
Glow in the dark sidewalk chalk is a fun addition to an nighttime activity. You can use it to welcome youth to the event, write inspirational messages, or let your participants have a creative outlet.
All Together Now: A Lesson Plan on Racism
Racism can be a difficult topic to discuss with teens. It is popular to think that we are "color blind". But the fact is that the playing field is not level and that minorities do not have the same advantages as the majority.  This lesson plan introduces the topic of institutional racism.
Video Clips and Music about Authenticity and Being Yourself
This is a small collection of video clips and music about authenticity and being your true self. Use these with your youth ministry or youth group meeting. #authenticity #BeYourself #YouthMinistry #YouthGroup
Glow in the Dark Ring Toss (For youth group or VBS)
This is a fun easy game for any "light" themed youth ministry meeting or Vacation Bible School. It only requires a few materials - glow sticks and water bottles.
Lenten Activities: Read a Story from the Gospels
Get together with your family to read a gospel story this Lent. This is also a great activity for Sunday school or youth ministry. You can select one from the daily mass readings. But sometimes the daily gospel can be difficult to understand, especially for younger children. Here are some other suggestions.
Lenten Activities: Give Up Video Games for a Weekend
For many of us, video games have become a way to escape reality and blow off some steam. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, there is a tendency in our culture to spend a lot of time gaming.
Prayer for Our Holy Father
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One person who often requests our prayers is our Holy Father, Pope Francis.  In fact, his very first Instagram post was simply captioned "Pray for me". 
Do Yardwork for the Elderly in Your Neighborhood
Service projects are a type of almsgiving during Lent. One popular project with teens and younger children is yardwork for the elderly. There might be some leaves left from the fall. Or fallen branches from winter storms. Or just some spring cleanup needed. An elderly neighbor will appreciate any help you can give.
Lenten Activities: Go for a Quiet Walk
Consider going on a 30 minute walk as a Lenten activity. Turn off the music and walk in silence.  This is an especially powerful experience for teenagers, who have a lot of noise and distraction in their lives.  #Lent #GoForAWalk, #Silence
What Is My Worth?
How is my worth related to my social connections? Should I count my current possessions in my worth? Does my earnings potential play a part in the calculation? If these are the sort of questions you are asking, you are completely heading in the wrong direction.
Prayer of St. Francis
The Prayer of St. Francis is a beautiful prayer of peace and abandonment of our own purpose to God's will. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
GLOW Dodgeball Game (for Youth Ministry or Youth Group)
GLOW dodge ball puts a fun twist on your traditional dodge ball game. It is a glow in the dark version of traditional dodgeball. Play it at night or if you can darken your gym you can play in any time. This is a great game for an open gym night with your teens.
Affirmation Bracelet (Friendship Bracelet)
An affirmation bracelet is both a craft and an activity. The bracelets are made by sharing a bead with a friend and saying what unique quality you like about that person.
Look Into My Heart
But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”
Make Votive Candle Holders
For today's advent activity, make some votive candle holders. These votive candle holders are easy enough to make that all of the members of your family can help, no matter what their age.

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Second Sunday of Lent – Year B (2021)
Sunday, February 28
The readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent make us think of God's revelation of himself to us and how we recognize him. Some possible themes for this weekend are prayer, listening to Jesus, and taking time away to encounter Jesus
3rd Sunday of Lent – Year B (2021)
Sunday, March 7
The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent for Year B help us understand that we must follow God's commandments and truly live them in our hearts to find life. Some possible themes for this weekend are the Ten Commandments, morality, and Church authority.
4th Sunday of Lent – Year B (2021)
Sunday, March 14
The readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent for Year B focus on God's faithfulness in drawing us closer to him. Discussions for these readings could include topics such as God's love for us, light and darkness, and our longing for God. Here are some ideas.
St. Patrick
Wednesday, March 17
March 17 is the Feast of St. Patrick.  St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, engineers, and paralegals.
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
Friday, March 19
March 19 is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph was a just and holy man, chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, carpenters, immigrants, happy death, the Catholic Church, and more.
Anyone who turns away from the Cross, turns away from the Resurrection. - Pope Francis
Anyone who turns away from the Cross, turns away from the Resurrection.
"Anyone who turns away from the Cross, turns away from the Resurrection." – Pope Francis
Listen to Him
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

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