Sacred Space Scavenger Hunt

Materials Needed:

• List of items or features commonly found in a church (e.g., altar, crucifix, baptismal font, statue of Mary, candle, hymnal, etc.)
• Paper and pens for each team
• Prizes for the winning team (optional)

Instructions:

1. Divide the youth into small teams, giving each team a list of items or features to find within the church or designated area. Ensure that the items on the list are easily accessible and do not disrupt any church activities.
2. Explain that the goal is to find and quietly reflect at each item on the list. At each location, they should spend a moment considering its significance in the context of the Mass and their personal faith.
3. Assign a specific reflection question for each item found. For example, at the altar, the question might be, “Why is the altar central to the Mass?” Teams write brief reflections or answers to these questions.
4. Set a time limit for the scavenger hunt, ensuring there’s enough time for reflection without rushing.
5. Gather everyone back together and have teams share one or two insights from their reflections. This encourages sharing and deepening their understanding of the church’s sacred space.
6. Conclude with a brief discussion on how recognizing the significance of these sacred items can enhance our participation in Mass.

Alright, everyone, let’s gather back together. I hope you enjoyed walking through the church and paying attention to some of the things we see all the time but might not stop to notice. Every item in this sacred space has meaning. The altar, the candles, the statues, even the hymnal books – each one is here to draw our hearts closer to God. When we understand what these things mean, we start to see Mass in a deeper way.

Now let’s think about this together. Our church is carefully designed to help us focus on God. Everything about it points us toward prayer, worship, and the presence of Jesus. But sometimes, distractions sneak in. Instead of thinking about what is happening right here, our minds drift to other places – our phones, our schedules, or maybe even what’s for lunch after Mass. When we do that, we miss the chance to encounter God fully in this holy space.

This is why today’s Gospel reading is so important. It shows us how Jesus reacted when the temple – God’s house – was filled with distractions and noise. He cleared it out because He knew its true purpose. As we read from John 2:13-25, I want you to pay close attention. Think about why Jesus cared so much about keeping the temple holy. Then think about how we can learn from Him and apply this to our own behavior when we are at Mass.

So here’s what I want you to reflect on as we hear the scripture. First, why do you think Jesus was so passionate about protecting the temple as a sacred space? Second, what does that mean for us today? How can we make sure our time in church is different from every other place we go? Let’s listen now to the reading and let Jesus teach us what it really means to honor God’s house.

Read John 2:13-25 – The Cleansing of the Temple (Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year B)

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there.

He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.

At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

Let’s imagine something together. You invite a friend over to your house. You clean up, set out some snacks, and pick a game or a movie you know you’ll both enjoy. You’re excited because you really want to spend time with this person. But when your friend finally shows up, they’re late. Then, instead of enjoying the time you prepared, they spend most of it staring at their phone. They don’t notice the snacks. They don’t laugh at the movie. They don’t even say much to you. And then, without warning, they get up, say, “I’m bored,” and leave.

How would that make you feel? Would you feel unappreciated? Maybe even hurt? You put effort into the time together, but your friend didn’t seem to care. Now think about this—if it happened again, would you want to invite that friend over next time? Probably not. That’s because when someone doesn’t give their attention, it affects the relationship.

In the Gospel we read today, Jesus is in a similar situation, but on a much bigger scale. He goes to the temple, which is supposed to be a house of prayer, a place for people to meet God. But instead of people praying and honoring God, he finds sellers, animals, and money changers. People are buying and selling. They are cheating each other. They are turning something holy into something noisy and ordinary. Jesus reacts strongly. He drives them out. He says, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

Why is Jesus so upset? Because the temple is meant to be different. It is meant to be set apart for God. It is meant to be a place where people can focus on prayer. When it is filled with distractions, it loses its true purpose.

Now let’s connect this to our own lives. The church where we celebrate Mass is also a holy place. It is not like any other building. It is not just a hall, a theater, or a classroom. At Mass, heaven and earth come together. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. We meet him in a way that is personal and real. But sometimes, we walk into church like the friend who shows up but doesn’t pay attention. We sit in the pew but let our minds wander. We check our phones. We think about what we’ll do afterward. We miss the chance to really be with God.

So how can we make our time at Mass different? The first step is simple. Turn off the phone. Don’t just put it on silent. Power it down or leave it in the car. Nothing is so important that it can’t wait one hour. By doing this, we make a clear choice to give God our attention.

Next, be present. When you’re at Mass, don’t think about what comes after. Don’t count down the minutes until it’s over. Instead, remind yourself: this is sacred time. God is here. If your mind drifts, gently bring it back to the moment.

Pay close attention to what is happening. Listen to the words of the readings. Sometimes you’ll hear something you’ve heard many times before, but this time it may strike you differently. Pay attention to the music. Even the silence has meaning. Ask yourself, “What is God saying to me through this part of the Mass?”

Of course, distractions will come. Maybe you’re worried about school or upset about a fight with a friend. You might feel restless. What do you do then? Instead of letting your thoughts run wild, turn them into prayer. Don’t just think, “I’m stressed about my test.” Say to Jesus, “Lord, help me prepare well and trust you.” If you’re upset with a friend, ask, “Jesus, what is the most loving thing I can do?”

And if you can’t let go of the distraction, offer it to God. Say, “Lord, I can’t stop thinking about this. Please take it. Use it for your glory.” By doing this, you’ve transformed your distraction into a prayer.

Think about this: Mass is the one time each week where we are invited to be with God in this special way. It is a gift. But we only experience the fullness of it if we show up with open hearts. So the next time you are at Mass, remember that you are entering a sacred place and a holy time. Bring yourself fully. Leave the noise of the world outside. And if you bring something with you, let it be something you want to place in God’s hands.

So here’s my challenge to you: what will you do differently this week at Mass? Will you turn off your phone? Will you listen more carefully to the words? Will you try to turn distractions into prayer? Think about one change you can make, and give it a try. Then notice what happens. You may find that when you give your attention to God, Mass will become more than a routine. It will become an encounter with Jesus, who is waiting for you.

When leading small group discussions, it is important to create a safe and welcoming space. Remind the youth that everyone’s thoughts and experiences are valuable. Encourage them to listen with respect and not interrupt. Let them know they do not have to share if they are uncomfortable, but invite them to participate as they feel ready. The goal is to grow together by reflecting honestly and learning from one another.

• Have you ever been distracted during Mass? What was on your mind, and how did it affect your experience?
• What does it mean to you when we say that the church is a sacred space?
• Can you think of a time when you felt really close to God at Mass? What made that moment special?
• Why do you think Jesus reacted so strongly when people misused the temple?
• What is one simple change you could make to stay more focused during Mass?
• How do you think your presence and attention at Mass affect the whole community?
• If you get distracted, how might turning that distraction into a prayer help you?
• What encouragement would you give to a friend who struggles to see the importance of Mass?
• How can we support each other as a group to participate more fully at Mass?
• What is one commitment you want to try this week to make Mass a more meaningful experience?

Here’s your challenge for the week. Before you go to Mass, make a plan to leave distractions behind. The first step is simple: turn off your phone or leave it at home or in the car. By doing this, you’re choosing to give God your full attention. Next, when you walk into church, pause for a moment and remind yourself, “This is God’s house. I am here to meet Him.” Taking even ten seconds to focus your heart can change how you experience the whole Mass.

During the week, practice paying attention in smaller ways. For example, when someone is talking to you, put your phone down and give them your full focus. Or when you pray before bed, try turning off the TV or music so you can be still with God. These little habits of being present will carry into Mass. The goal is not to be perfect but to take one step closer to really meeting Jesus in the Eucharist.

Let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves and place our hearts before God. Close your eyes if that helps you focus. Take a deep breath and remember that God is here with us now.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for bringing us together today. We thank You for the gift of the Mass, where we can meet You in a special way. Help us to see our church as a holy place and to treat it with love and respect.

Lord, we admit that sometimes we are distracted. We worry about things, we think about what comes next, or we let our phones get in the way. Please give us the strength to lay those distractions aside and turn our minds and hearts to You.

Jesus, guide us this week as we go to Mass. Help us to listen with open hearts, to pray with true attention, and to see Your presence in the Eucharist. May we leave each Mass ready to share Your love with others.

We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.

Themes

• Sacred Space Matters: The church is not like other buildings. It is a place set apart for God. Treating it with care shows respect for His presence.
• Full Participation in Mass: Mass is not something we watch. It is something we take part in with our hearts and voices. Each action is a chance to grow closer to God.
• Distractions and Focus: Everyday worries and phones can pull our minds away. God calls us to set those aside for a short time. This helps us give Him our full attention.
• Respect for the Eucharist: At Mass, we meet Jesus in the Eucharist. This is the center of our faith. Giving our focus here honors Him.
• Listening to God’s Word: The readings are God speaking to us. Paying attention can bring new insight each time. Even familiar words can touch our hearts in new ways.
• Turning Distractions to Prayer: Sometimes worries will not go away. We can turn them into a prayer instead of ignoring them. This allows God to enter those concerns.
• Following Jesus’ Example: Jesus cared about keeping the temple holy. He wants us to value sacred spaces too. His actions guide how we act in church.
• Building Faith Habits: Simple choices like leaving the phone behind can build good habits. These small steps make it easier to focus on God. Habits like these shape our spiritual life.
• Supporting Each Other: Faith grows stronger when we share it. Talking about struggles and successes helps us stay accountable. The church community gives strength for the journey.
• Seeing Mass as Gift: Mass is more than a rule. It is a time to meet God and receive His love. Seeing it as a gift changes how we approach it.
• Respect for God’s House: Just as we respect someone’s home, we show even greater respect in God’s house. This means being reverent and mindful. Our actions show what we believe.

Background Material

Participation in Mass is central to the life of every Catholic. The Mass is where we gather as God’s people to worship, to hear His Word, and to receive the Eucharist. It is not just an event we attend, but a holy encounter with Jesus Himself. When young people understand this, they can see that the Mass is the heart of their faith and a key part of their relationship with God.

The Bible shows us again and again the importance of giving our full attention to God in prayer and worship. In the Gospel of John, Jesus cleanses the temple because people have filled it with noise and business. He reminds us that God’s house is meant for prayer. This shows us that worship is sacred and should be free from distractions. The same truth applies to our churches today. The space where we celebrate the Eucharist is holy, and we are called to enter with respect and focus.

Saint Paul also teaches us about worship in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 11, he tells the community to approach the Lord’s Supper with reverence, recognizing the body of Christ. This means we must prepare our hearts and avoid treating the Eucharist like an ordinary meal. Participation is not about rushing through the motions. It is about honoring Christ’s presence in the bread and wine.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also explains the importance of active participation. “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life’” (CCC 1324). This means everything we do as Catholics begins and ends with the Mass. If we are distracted or careless during this time, we miss out on the most important gift God offers us. The Mass is where we meet Christ, and this meeting should shape how we live each day.

The Church teaches that we should take part with both body and soul. This includes standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, and speaking. But it also includes listening with our hearts and focusing our minds. Vatican II encouraged “full, conscious, and active participation” in the liturgy. This shows that worship is not something to watch but something to enter into fully.

Young people often live with many distractions. Phones, school, friendships, and worries can easily pull their attention away. Teaching them how to set those aside during Mass helps them open space in their lives for God. This is not always easy, but it is a skill they can practice. Turning distractions into prayer, listening more closely to readings, and focusing on the Eucharist are simple ways to grow in faith.

This lesson plan helps youth see Mass as a gift, not a burden. It shows them that their presence matters and that they are not passive spectators. They are participants in the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. When they learn to value this, they see the Mass as more than a weekly obligation. They discover it as the place where God’s love meets them in a real and personal way.

Music Suggestions

• Our God Is Here
• Here I Am
• Drawn to You
• Sanctuary
• In This Sacred Space and Time
• Here I Am to Worship