July 5, 2026
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Matthew 11:25–30
A Heavy Backpack
Good morning, boys and girls.
Has anyone ever picked up a backpack that was really heavy?
Maybe it was full of schoolbooks. Maybe you were helping a brother or sister carry theirs. Sometimes a backpack can feel so heavy that you have to lean forward just to carry it.
Now let me ask you another question.
Have you ever carried something that wasn’t in a backpack?
Maybe you were worried about a test. Maybe you had an argument with a friend. Maybe someone in your family was sick. Those things can make our hearts feel heavy, even though no one else can see what we’re carrying.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says something wonderful:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus knew that people carry heavy things inside. They worry. They become afraid. They feel lonely or sad.
And Jesus doesn’t say, “Carry it by yourself.”
He says, “Come to me.”
That doesn’t mean every problem disappears right away. It means we never have to carry those heavy feelings alone. We can talk to Jesus in prayer. We can ask Him for strength. We can remember that He is always with us, even on difficult days.
The next time you put on your backpack, let it remind you of something.
If it feels heavy, remember that Jesus wants to help carry the things that make your heart feel heavy, too.
Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us and caring about everything we carry. Help us remember that whenever we feel worried, afraid, or sad, we can always come to You. Amen.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
July 12, 2026
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Matthew 13:1–23
A Packet of Seeds
Good morning, boys and girls.
Have any of you ever planted a seed?
It might have been a flower, a bean plant, or maybe a tomato seed in a garden. When you first look at a seed, it doesn’t seem very exciting. It’s small and dry, and it doesn’t look alive at all.
But if you plant it in good soil, give it water, and let the sunshine help it grow, something amazing happens. Little by little, a plant begins to grow.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a farmer planting seeds. Some of the seeds fell on hard ground. Some landed among rocks. Some were crowded by weeds. But other seeds fell into rich soil and grew into healthy plants.
Then Jesus explained that the seed is like God’s Word.
Every time we hear a Bible story, every time we pray, every time we come to church, God is planting good seeds in our hearts.
The question isn’t whether God is planting the seed. He always does.
The question is what kind of place our hearts will be.
Will we listen carefully?
Will we remember what we hear?
Will we try to live the way Jesus teaches us?
When we do, those tiny seeds begin to grow into kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and love.
No one becomes a wonderful Christian overnight, just as no seed becomes a tall plant in one day. Growth takes time.
But every day, God is helping us grow.
Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, thank You for planting Your love in our hearts. Help us listen to Your words, care for the good seeds You give us, and grow into people who show Your love to others. Amen.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
July 19, 2026
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
The Garden
Good morning, boys and girls.
Has anyone here ever helped pull weeds out of a garden?
At first, weeds and flowers can look almost the same. They’re both green, and they’re growing in the same place.
If someone pulls too quickly, they might accidentally pull out a flower instead of a weed.
That’s one reason gardeners are careful. They wait until they can clearly tell the difference.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a farmer whose field had both good plants and weeds growing together. The workers wanted to pull out the weeds right away.
But the farmer said, “Wait.”
He didn’t want the good plants to be harmed.
Jesus was teaching us something important.
Sometimes we are quick to decide that someone is “good” or “bad.” Maybe someone says something unkind. Maybe someone makes a mistake. Maybe they have a bad day.
But Jesus teaches us to be patient.
People can change.
Someone who makes a poor choice today may make a better one tomorrow.
And all of us need God’s patience because none of us is perfect.
Instead of spending our time pointing out other people’s mistakes, Jesus asks us to keep growing into the people God created us to be.
When we fill our hearts with kindness, forgiveness, and love, we become more like the beautiful plants in God’s garden.
Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, thank You for being patient with us. Help us to grow in kindness and love, and teach us to be patient with others as You are patient with us. Amen.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
July 26, 2026
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Matthew 13:44–52
The Treasure Chest
Good morning, boys and girls.
Have you ever had a special box where you kept your favorite things?
Maybe it held seashells from the beach, baseball cards, friendship bracelets, special rocks, or little treasures you’ve collected over the years.
If someone asked to trade your treasure box for something ordinary, you probably wouldn’t do it. Why?
Because what is inside is valuable to you.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a man who discovers a hidden treasure. He is so excited that he gladly gives up everything else so he can have that treasure.
Then Jesus says that God’s Kingdom is like that treasure.
What does that mean?
It means that knowing God, loving God, and following Jesus are worth more than anything else we could ever own.
Toys eventually wear out.
Clothes become too small.
Even the newest gadgets don’t stay new forever.
But God’s love stays with us every day of our lives.
That is a treasure no one can take away.
Every time we choose kindness instead of anger…
Every time we forgive…
Every time we help someone who needs us…
We discover a little more of that treasure Jesus was talking about.
And the wonderful thing is this:
The more we share God’s love, the richer we become.
Let’s pray.
Dear Jesus, thank You for showing us the greatest treasure of all—Your love. Help us to choose You each day and to share that treasure with everyone we meet. Amen.
