22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B (2021)

The readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year B tell us to be wary of those things which lead us to sin and remind us that we must really follow Jesus in our hearts. In the first reading (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8) Moses tells the Israelites that they must obey the commands of God. The psalm (Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21) sings “The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” In the second reading (James 1:17-18, 21B-22, 27) we hear that we should humbly receive the word of God and act upon it. And in the gospel (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus warns us against following commandments literally but not receiving them into our hearts.

Are we truly following Jesus or just “going through the motions”? Here are some ideas:

Bail the Ship (VBS or Youth Group Game)

Bail the Ship is a fun large group game. It pits two groups against each other and burns off a lot of energy. I have seen it played at Vacation Bible School and at camp. It's always a lot of fun!

Pictionary (Youth Ministry Game)

Pictionary is warm up game to play with your youth group. You can use words with are related to the theme of the meeting. Teens love this game!

You Disregard God’s Commandment but Cling to Human Tradition

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition.