Theme Discussion
In the Bible passage we are reading in church today (Luke 6: 17-26), Jesus is telling the people gathered around him, “Blessed and happy are the poor; Blessed and happy are the hungry”. Seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? It must be hard to feel blessed and happy when you are poor and hungry. I think, perhaps, he is giving hope to people who are going through a lot of hardship. He is telling them that God loves them and things will get better.
Jesus goes on to say “Woe or sadness to those who have everything”. This is a strange message too! It sounds at first like Jesus is saying that it’s bad to be successful or to have an easy life – but that doesn’t make sense! The Bible tells us that God loves us and wants us to be healthy and happy. I think that, perhaps, this isn’t a criticism but a challenge to them to share their blessings.
The story of Rainbow Fish written by Marcus Pfister is a good one to show that having lots of possessions is nice but they won’t necessarily make you happy. You can see this story in the video below:
How did the Rainbow Fish feel at the beginning of the story when he had all his beautiful shiny scales? Did he have many friends?
What do you think the others thought of him?
When he gave away his pretty scales, how did things change for the Rainbow Fish?
Sometimes it’s really hard to share the things we have - especially when they are things that no one else has and that we love. In the end we need to decide if it’s better to have lots of things or happy friends to share them with.
Think about what Jesus was telling the people in our Bible reading today. He wasn’t telling the rich to give shiny things to the poor, he was asking them to share their blessings with others. Jesus knows that, just like Rainbow Fish was able to create a happy community by sharing his treasures, sharing our blessings helps to create a better community too.
One of the big lessons that Rainbow Fish learned was that when he shared with others, he felt happier too. Have you had that experience?
Sharing our blessings with others is a way to show God’s love. What do you think Jesus would like you to share with others?
Response Activity Ideas
Rainbow Fish Craft
Materials: tissue paper or construction paper squares in various colours, tin foil, fish template
Print out the fish template. Glue on the various coloured paper squares as scales for your fish. Include some shiny tinfoil scales, too. As you add those special ones in, think of them as representing a blessing you have that could be shared with others. To whom (how, when) will you ‘give those scales away’?
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Actively Giving Love this Valentine’s Day
Make a set of coupons or card inserts to not only wish someone a Happy Valentines Day, but also to offer an actual gift of your time, skills, and blessings! Maybe you can offer to read someone a book, or baking a treat, or shovel the driveway… Maybe you could sharpen pencils for the class, or give your sibling an afternoon where they get to choose all the games/activities you do together, or free babysitting… It could even be as simple as a free hug!
Print out the heart-shape templates, or make your own design. On each write down a service you could do for another person or a blessing you could share, then cut them out. Decorate if you wish! You could attach the hearts together as a coupon book for your parents or teacher, or give them out individually to siblings, neighbours, grandparents, etc.
Celebrate ‘Have a Heart Day’!
Some of your blessings are the opportunity for adequate education and access to healthcare. This is isn’t so for everyone in the world or even in Canada. Learn more about the Have a Heart Day, celebrated on February 14, which draws attention to the inadequate resources available to many Indigenous children in Canada. Visit https://fncaringsociety.com/have-a-heart to see what you can do!
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