Junior High Session
Wisdom 18:6-9
Luke 12:32-48

Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
God of all hope,
fill our hearts with faith and our lives with love.
May we always hope in you’re promise to be with us forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
The theme for today is the virtue of hope. To begin invite the youngsters to reflect on what helps keep them going in times of difficulty. Have the young people brainstorm what gets them through hard times and write down their responses. Discuss:
• What do these written responses have to do with the virtue of hope?
• Why is it important to have hope?
• What does hope help us do?

Allow time for discussion. Hope is a virtue that helps us live more closely with God. The gift of hope helps us get through the most difficult times.

Listening to the Word of God
In the Old Testament reading listen to how the people hope in God’s promise.

Read Wisdom 18:6-9.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• What do the ancestors know and trust about God?
• How do the people find hope in God?
• What does God promise the righteous?

In the gospel reading Jesus tells his followers to be alert and ready. Listen to find out why.

Read Luke 12:32-48.
Allow for silence.

• Why does Jesus tell his followers not to be afraid?
• What does God promise?
• What is expected of those who follow Jesus?
• Why is it important to be alert and ready?
• What does Jesus want his followers to be ready for?

Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings.

The Old Testament reading today illustrates how the Israelites await the promise of salvation with watchful readiness. The author provides reassurance to the people that God is looking out for them. In today’s passage we are reminded that our ancestors put their trust in God. We too can hope in God’s promise.

Today’s gospel offers hope as we wait for the final coming of Jesus. We are reassured that God wants to give us the kingdom, we need only be ready. How can we be ready and live faithfully in this time between Jesus’ resurrection and his final coming? In today’s passage Jesus teaches his disciples how to be alert and ready. He tells them to let go of their material possessions and to give what they have to the poor.

The gospel today advises those who follow Jesus to be faithful. The faithful disciple looks forward with hope yet lives responsibly in the present by caring for the poor and keeping focused on God.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• How can you be alert and ready for Jesus?
• How attached are you to material things?
• How can you share your resources with the poor in your community?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Christian Hope
The Christian tradition understands faith, hope and love to be theological virtues. They are gifts given by God to help us live in union with the Holy Trinity.

Hope is a virtue that helps keep us focused on God. It is hope that enables us to trust in God and God’s promise of salvation. It is by hope that we desire heaven. In difficult and painful times, hope sustains us and keeps us from being discouraged.

Christian hope is centered in the person of Jesus. Through Jesus we have hope in life after death. The virtue of hope is nourished through prayer, especially the prayer that Jesus taught us wherein we express our longing for the coming kingdom, here yet not fully.

• How can the virtue of hope be developed in your life?
• How have you neglected the gift of hope?
• How does the virtue of hope help you to grow closer God?

The Gospel in Life
How can you practice the virtue of hope this week?

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 15
Junior High, Morality, chapter 7

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 15
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 16