Junior High Session
2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13
Luke 7:36-8:3

Opening Prayer
Let us Pray.
Lord of Peace,
Whenever we come to you and ask for forgiveness, you are always there to love us. Help us show your love to others, and if we hurt them in some way, let us be quick to go to them offering your peace. Give us the courage to say that we are wrong. We ask for the strength to change so that we do not repeat our sins. As in all things, we ask this through the name of Jesus, your son, Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
Using newspapers, clip words or phrases that represent things that separate people from God. Create a collage of these words. When the collage is finished, encourage participants to see where they have done similar things wrong. Share ideas about the following?

• What might some of the circumstances be that cause people (or us) to do some of things named in our collage?
• How might we go about asking for forgiveness for these sins?
• What kind of changes do we need to make in our lives to avoid repeating these sins?

Listening to the Word of God
Even though David was King and was used to doing whatever he wanted, he listened to the prophet Nathan’s words. David admitted that he had sinned against God. He was sorry and that made it possible for David to be open to God’s forgiveness.

Read 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters:
• Why was God so disappointed in David? What all had God done for him?
• What were David’s sins that made is seem he was so ungrateful for all God had given him?
• Did David react to Nathan in the way a proud king might? Why do you think there’s hope for David?

David knew that he had sinned and God forgave him. In Mark’s gospel, we see how Jesus helps us understand that God also forgives us when we are sorry.

Read Luke 7:36-8:3
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• How did the Pharisee feel about having the sinful woman in his house?
• What kind of a host was the Pharisee to his guest, Jesus?
• What point was Jesus trying to make in the parable he told about the two people whose debts were forgiven?

Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background on the readings using the Catechist Background section.

In the second book of Samuel, we learn that David has used his power to get what he wanted. He loved a woman who was already married to another man. In order to make it possible for her to be his wife, he sent the husband, one of David’s soldiers, to the front lines of battle. The husband was killed so David was then free to marry the widow. The prophet, Nathan, knew what happened and by telling David a parallel story, gets David to admit he had been wrong. Nathan pointed out that David used his power, something he had only because of what God had given him, to get what he wanted. David didn’t argue with Nathan. He knew he was wrong and admitted that to Nathan. Nathan responded by telling David that God would forgive him.

Simon was a rich Pharisee who prided himself in following all the laws of the Jewish religion. He thought himself to be a good and pious man. Simon invited Jesus to dinner but did not go out of his way to be a good host. While they were eating, a woman who had committed many sins came into Simon’s house to find Jesus. This annoyed Simon because the woman’s sinfulness was known around the town and was embarrassed to have her in his house. The woman cried and as her tears fell on Jesus’ she dried them with her hair. After drying her tears, she anointed Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfumed oil. The Pharisee complained about such a costly waste.

Jesus told a parable about how two people felt when their debts were forgiven. One person owed a large sum, but the second person owed an even greater amount. Both people were happy to have the debt cleared, but the one who owed the most would surely have been happiest. Jesus said that the person who has the most sin would also be the happiest to have God forgive her sins.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Do you know people like Simon who think they are better than others? Have you ever acted like that yourself?
• Why do you think Jesus let the woman wash his feet and put oil on them?
• Have you ever been relieved that someone forgave you when you hurt them? How did you feel?

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

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Our Church helps us think about the things we have done wrong. As Catholics we have ways to confess our sins and try to live better lives. Even if our sins do not seriously threaten our relationship with God, we can still go before God to say we are sorry. At mass there is “penitential rite” when we can tell God that we are sorry for our actions that keep us apart from God. God hears our sorrow and forgives us. Another way we find God’s forgiveness is in the sacrament of reconciliation. Through Christ, bishops and priests forgive our sins when we confess them. It is not only important to be sorry for what we have done, but we must also be willing to change so that we do not commit that sin again.

• What should we do to begin the process of forgiveness when we have done something wrong?
• Why is it helpful to confess our sins to a priest?
• What can we do to help other people in our parish community experience the joy of forgiveness?

Sacrament Connection
The sacrament of reconciliation provides a way for us to tell God that we are sorry for doing something that separates us from God. When we go before a priest to receive the sacrament the priest acts in the place of Jesus. He hears our sins and through Christ, he can forgive us. Usually the priest will suggest some ideas of ways we can show that we are sorry for what we did wrong. In our hearts and future actions, we know that to be truly sorry we need to try very hard not to commit the sin again.

The Gospel in Life
Is there someone you need to go to this week and say you are sorry? Or is there someone who needs your forgiveness?

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 9
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 11

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 9
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 8