2nd Sunday before Advent - (15-11-09)

Theme: Don't be frightened!

Preparation

Collect

• some toys of things that frighten people - eg a furry spider, a snake, a cat….
  
• some pictures of superheroes -eg Batman, Superman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  
• a picture of Jesus ( eg the laughing Christ from 'The Christ we share')
  
• a nativity picture
  
• a picture of the crucifixion
  
• a copy of the Taize chant 'Nada te turbe'

Prepare to be honest with the children about the things that frighten you. You don't need to give the entire list!

Introduction

Show the children the objects that frighten some people. Have something that frightens you. Explain that fear of certain things is very real, and often not at all rational. Some people try to overcome their fears. Tell the children anything that you have done to overcome your fear of something (eg when I was young, I was terrified of dogs. After reading a story about someone overcoming her fears, I decided I ought to try to do the same. So I started to take the neighbours' dog out for walks ( I don't think I ever told the neighbours about my fear!). At first I was absolutely terrified, and I probably traumatised poor Rover for ever. However, gradually it became easier, until I discovered that I was enjoying these walks).

Sometimes we are afraid of things that are much harder to overcome. Depending on the age of the children, talk about the fears of people after September 11th, or another tragedy or disaster ( there are many topical ones at the moment). Again, be honest about one thing that really frightens you. Show the pictures of the superheroes. Of course, if we were in a comic book or a film, we could have a superhero come and save us. But superheroes are simply the stuff of imagination. They don't really exist. So what do we do about those things that really frighten us?

The Message

Jesus was coming out of the temple with his disciples. The temple hadn't been built very long, and the people were very proud of it. It was built of the best materials, was solid and firm, and would stand in the centre of Jerusalem for ever. But Jesus looked at the great Temple and said to his friends that the Temple would be destroyed!

They couldn't believe it. But things got even worse. Jesus sat down with his friends and started to talk about all sorts of other things that would happen - things that were really frightening. He talked about wars and earthquakes and famines. Of course the disciples knew these things happened - but they didn't usually talk about them with Jesus. They could see the temple from where they were sitting. It looked so strong - yet Jesus was telling them that it wouldn't stand for ever.

They thought about all those other things that might happen. And they looked back at their friend. Suddenly, they were less afraid. Of course the temple wouldn't always be there. No building could be there for ever. Of course frightening things happen in the world, but since they couldn't know where or when an earthquake would come, they shouldn't worry about that.

When they looked at their friend Jesus, they knew that he would always be there for them, even though they didn't understand how. He talked about a God who loved them and was there for them always, until the end of time itself. As they looked into his face, this was the face of someone they could always trust.

We don't know what Jesus looked like, but we can be sure that he didn't look like the superheroes of our comic books and films. The two most famous ways of seeing Jesus are nothing like a superhero.

Show the nativity picture. We think of him as the baby born at Christmas. Babies are so weak and vulnerable, that they need to have everything done for them.

Show the picture of the crucifixion. And we remember how he died on the cross on Good Friday. Superheroes never die!

Show the picture of Jesus. The disciples saw in Jesus' face, and in all that he did and said, someone whom they could trust whatever happened. Here was someone who promised that he would always be with them. After Easter Day, when Jesus rose again, they knew that nothing would be able to frighten them again. Jesus will always be with them.

'Don't be frightened.' said Jesus. 'Trust in God and trust in me.'

Sometimes the world can be a very frightening place to live. We have to make sure that we are sensible and do all the right things to keep safe. But we shouldn't spend all our time being frightened. Jesus' promises are for us as well. He will always be with us.

Prayer

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting.
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.

(Nada te turbe, nada te espante.
Quien a Dios tiene nada le falta.
Nada te turbe, nade te espante.
Solo Dios basta.)
Words: St Teresa of Avila

Either use this as a prayer on its own, or have the Taié chant playing quietly in the background. You might like to use the same music as the children leave the room.