Recollection Module for Grade V
“Advent: A Time of Giving Giving and Forgiving
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Introduction
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the estern tradition! "t begins on the fourth #unda$ before Christmas %a$& 'hich is the #unda$ nearest (ovember )*& and ends on Christmas +ve ,%ec -./! The 'ord Advent means 0coming0 or 0arrival!0 "t is celebrating a truth about God& the revelation of God in Christ 'hereb$ all of creation might be reconciled to God! That is a rocess in 'hich 'e no' articiate& and the consummation of 'hich 'e anticiate! "n this double focus on ast and future& Advent also s$mboli2es the siritual 3ourne$ of individuals and a congregation& as the$ affirm that Christ has come& that 4e is resent in the 'orld toda$& and that 4e 'ill come again in o'er! That ac5no'ledgment rovides a basis for 6ingdom ethics& for hol$ living arising from a rofound sense that 'e live 0bet'een the times0 and are called to be faithful ste'ards of 'hat is entrusted to us as God7s eole! #o& as the church celebrates God7s in brea5ing into histor$ in the "ncarnation& and anticiates a future consummation to that histor$ for 'hich 0all creation is groaning a'aiting its redemtion&0 it also confesses its o'n resonsibilit$ as a eole commissioned to 0love the 8ord $our God 'ith all $our heart0 and to 0love $our neighbor as $ourself!0 The out'ard actions of these resonsibilities can be racticall$ e9ressed eseciall$ during the season of advent as a rearation for Christmas! Teaching 5ids the value of giving to and heling others is imortant& eseciall$ during Christmas! "t sho's them ho' to care about others and that this secial holida$ is about more than 3ust receiving! At the same time& this season teaches us Gods lead as the erson 'ho e9tends forgiveness ,and forgetfulness/ to others for their offending actions! 4ave $ou ever noticed that right in the middle of the 'ord forgiveness is the 'ord G"V+; 8u5e <:)= sa$s that 'hatever 'e give 'ill be given bac5 to us! >aul said in Galatians <:? that 'hatever 'e so'ed& 'hich is also a form of giving 'ould be 'hat 'e harvested! @esus said that unless 'e forgive others& God 'ouldnt forgive us ,Matthe' <:1/! Thus& 'e can use our time 'isel$ 'hile 'aiting for someone! I. NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF GRADE V STUDENTS a! Generosit$ b! Forgiveness c! Bnderstanding the Advent #eason d! Areciating God7s Gifts e! 4uman Freedom II. Theme: “Advent: A Time of Giving and Forgiving III.O!"ECTIVES: At the end of the recollection& the articiants 'ill be able to: 1! recogni2e that 'e are called to reare the 'a$ of the coming of the 8ord -! internali2e the 'isdom behind giving and forgiving as God7s instrument of love )! areciate the value of giving and forgiving .! resond diligentl$ to God7s call to live out 4is love and solidarit$ in this season of Adven
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IV: SC#EDU$E
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#ettling %o'n ening >ra$er rientation and +9ectation Chec5 +nergi2er #ession ": Activit$E%iscussion rea5 +nergi2er "nutEChristian Message and further %iscussion 8unch rea5 +nergi2er #ession "": Activit$E%iscussion "nutEChristian Message and Further %iscussion rea5 #$nthesis Closing Activit$ 4ome #'eet 4ome
SESSION I: “Gifts and GiftGivingH A. A%tivit& ' Di(%)((ion
Allo' the students to listen to the music Panalangin Sa Pagiging Bukas-Palad, Music by: @andi Arboleda and Manoling Francisco& #@& Lyrics by: Tim frasio& #@& Arrangement: Re$nard Romen & >aulo 6 Tirol! >anginoon& turuan Mo a5ong maging bu5asalad Turuan Mo a5ong magling5od sa "$o (a magbiga$ nang a$on sa nararaat (a 'alang hinihinta$ mula sa Yo (a ma5iba5ang di inaalintana mga hira na dinaranas #a tu'ina$ magsumi5a na hindi humahana ng 5aalit na 5aginha'aan (a di naghihinta$ 5undi ang a5ing mabatid (a ang loob Mo$ si$ang sinusundan >anginoon& turuan Mo a5ong maging bu5asalad Turuan Mo a5ong magling5od sa "$o (a magbiga$ nang a$on sa nararaat (a 'alang hinihinta$ mulsa sa Yo
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After the activit$& as5 the follo'ing Iuestions: 1! hat 'ords or line of 'ords that struc5 $ou; -! hat do $ou thin5 is the message of the song;
!. In*)t+F)rther Di(%)((ion Do you remember your parents telling you never to be selfish? I think this is a fairly common thread among most everyone. Most parents drill into a child to always share, to always do a favor for another person and to put others before yourself. According to Mitch Album, “The 'a$ $ou get meaning into
$our life is to devote $ourself to loving others& devote $ourself to $our communit$ around $ou& and devote $ourself to creating something that gives $ou urose and meaning!H As Christians& model our life to @esus 'ho teaches us the value of generosit$! $ the grace of God& 4e softens our heart to have the sincerit$ of e9tending our arms eseciall$ to those 'ho are in need! @esus himself is the greatest model of generosit$ 'hen he offered 4is life for the salvation of the humanit$! Thus& 'e are invited too& to do all the good 'e can& b$ all the means 'e can& in all the 'a$s 'e can& in all the laces 'e can& at all the times 'e can& to all the eole 'e can& as long as ever 'e can!
8et us reflect on the follo'ing reading: Christian Message: Genesis .:1? Adam and eve had t,o (on(. The& ,ere Cain and A-e. Cain -e%ame a framer ,hie A-e -e%ame a (he*herd. One da& Cain and A-e made offering( to the $ord a( a (a%rifi%e. Cain -ro)ght %ro*( from hi( farm. #e *)t them on the atar and eft at on%e. A-e -ro)ght the -e(t am- he had. #e *a%ed the amon the atar and *ra&ed over it. “$ord/ he (aid/ “I gad& offer to 0o) the -e(t of ,hat I have.1 God 2ne, that A-e1( offering ,a( (in%ere and given in a good (*irit. So he a%%e*ted it. God ,a( *ea(ed ,ith A-e1( gift -e%a)(e #e (a, that A-e1( heart ,a( f) of goodne((. God a(o 2ne, that Cain1( offering ,a( not (in%ere. #e 2ne, that Cain did not rea& ,ant to offer #im a gift. So he did not a%%e*t Cain1( offering. Cain ,a( angr&. God (aid to Cain/ “3h& are &o) angr&4 If &o) do ,e and give gad&/ &o)r offering ,i -e a%%e*ted. !)t if &o)r tho)ght( are f) of evi/ then evi ,i r)e &o).
ur gifts are more leasing to our heavenl$ Father 'hen the$ are reared 'ell and given sincerel$& no matter ho' small the$ ma$ be! At 4ol$& as during the Offertory& 'e bring gifts of bread and 'ine to the altar! The bread and 'in e are signs of the goodness of Creation! Thus& 'hen 'e offer bread and 'ine at the Offertory of the Mass& 'e are giving than5s to the Creator
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for 4is gifts! At the Offertory& 'e also bring other gifts! These other gifts s$mboli2e our 'illingness to share 'ith those in need! The gifts 'e offer sho' that 'e love and trust God! This seasons of advent and Christmas& are also the seasons of giving! Christmas is& obviousl$& a common time for thin5ing about others and acting a little bit more charitabl$ than usual! hen $ou give selflessl$ to hel eole 'ho are in need& it is $our generosit$ that creates the miracle of ChristmasJ The gifts offered b$ the Magi 'ere gifts given to 6ings during that time! The Magi offered these gifts as a sign that the$ loved @esus and acceted 4im as their 6ing! @esus& 4imself& is a gift to us! 4e is God7s greatest gift to us! God gave 4im to us as a sign of 4is great love for us! @esus K God7s gift to us is a reminder that giving love is the real meaning of Christmas! e remember that 'e are celebrating the birthda$ of @esus! #o& 'e also give @esus a gift! e give our love to @esus! e do this b$ loving& caring and forgiving! The stor$& The Offerings of ain and Abel, reminds us that to be leasing to God& our gift must be given sincerel$! A gift is given sincerel$ 'hen: 1! !t is the best that "e ha#e 8ong ago& farmers brought their best farm roducts as an offering to God! The$ brought their fattest calves and lambs and their best harvest because the$ believe that God deserves the best! After all& all good things and blessings come from 4im! The offering 'as their 'a$ of sa$ing “Than5 $ouH to God! At 4ol$ Mass& do 'e also offer the best flo'ers and fruit that 'e can find; %o 'e bring to 4ol$ Mass our best selves; hen 'e give to someone& do 'e choose something 'hich 'e 5no' 'ill lease him or her; -! $e a#oid sho"ing off% #ome eole give gifts because the$ 'ant to be raised! hen 'e give a large gift of mone$& do 'e 'ant other eole to see and 5no' ho' much 'e have given to the charitable institutions or to the Church; hen 'e give an e9ensive gift to someone& do 'e tell others about it to imress them; )! $e do not e&'ect anything in return% e give gift to ma5e the receiver of the gift ha$! ur gifts should not be a means to get something valuable in return! .! !t is gi#en heartily and gladly% hen 'e give a gift& is it because 'e feel forced to do so; %o 'e grumble and comlain about having to give a gift; "f our ans'er to these Iuestions is yes& 'e are not giving our gifts sincerel$! "ndeed& 'e can sho' our love through gifts! 8i5e @esus& 'e must not as5 'hat race or creed someone belongs! @esus does not as5 'hether 'e are rich or oor! The sic5& the sad and the lonel$& the abandoned and the suffering K all are given comfort& hoe& and strength b$ the resence of @esus& for @esus is the source of life and 3o$! 8et us also bear in mind that it is not necessar$ that our gifts must be in form of a material form! Giving our time for them can also be a form of a gift to them! hen 'e give our time& 'e give our love! And the best gift 'e could give is love! Thus& caring about others is a 'a$ of recogni2ing that the$& too& are loved b$ God!
@esus teaches us that our neighbour is an$one 'ho needs our hel! 4e teaches us to thin5& not onl$ of ourselves but also of others K including those 'ho are not good to us! 4e as5s us to remember that ,1/ ever$ erson is created in God7s image& ,-/ ever$ erson is a child of God ,)/ ever$ erson is our brother or sister! #o ever$ erson deserves all the hel that 'e can give! @esus as5s us to give secial attention to the oor& the need$& and the suffering so that the$ can live 'ith dignit$!
G)ide 5)e(tion( for refe%tion: 1! To 'hom do $ou give $our gift; -! hat gift 'ould $ou give to K someone 'ho is sic5& an elderl$ erson& a ne'born bab$& someone $our age& $our arents; )! h$ do $ou give gift; .! hat do $ou feel after giving someone a gift sincerel$; ! @esus loves the oor and the suffering! At Christmas& do 'e remember to give gifts to the oor and the sufferingE
SESSION II: “Follo'ing the Forgiving 4eart of @esusH A. A%tivit& K looer Game %irection: 1! %ivide the articiants b$ grous! -! 8et them choose a reresentative that 'ill dra' their ans'ers on the board! )! The rest of the members 'ill turn their bac5 from the board so as not to see the corresonding ans'ers! .! The facilitator 'ould as5 the grou “4o' man$ of this do $ou have;H indicating different arts of the bod$! The reresentative on the board 'ould dra'& deending on the grou7s ans'er& the looer face of the grou! ! After comleting the face& the grou 'ould then loo5 at it and 'ill be as5ed the follo'ing Iuestions:
4o' did $ou feel about $our looer Face; h$ do $ou thin5 this is called a blooer game; "t is funn$ to see ho' the reresentatives 5ees ma5ing blunders because the$ are not a'are& the$ cannot see and the$ do not 5no' 'hat 'e are tal5ing about& 'hat bod$ art is being ointed out! This ma5es their ans'ers funn$! Mean'hile& it is a source of an9iet$ because 'e are conscious of the big ossibilit$ of ma5ing mista5es $et seemingl$ our a'areness of realit$ is ver$ limited! "t also ma5es one ashamed because sEhe seems to be a laughingstoc5! Finall$& the dra'ings are reall$ a blooerL something to laugh about but one can also ta5e it seriousl$ and be considerate about the situation!
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After the a%tivit&/ a(2 the foo,ing 5)e(tion(: 1! hat “blooersH have $ou encountered in $our life b$ 'hich $ou feel searated from others; From God; hat are the “blooersH in our societ$; -! 4o' does this feeling of alienation affect $ou; )! 4o' do $ou come to terms 'ith the feeling& the e9eriences of alienation and reali2ation; .! 4o' do $ou sho' reentance or reconciliation after $ou reali2e $our mista5es in order to restore the intimac$ of the relationshi that $ou have 'ith others and 'ith God;
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$et )( refe%t on thi( (tor&:
Christian Message: 8u5e ?:)<*
On%e there ,a( a ,oman ,hom man& did not i2e -e%a)(e (he ,a( (inf). !)t in her heart/ thi( ,oman ,a( ver& (orr& that (he had grievo)(& (inned. She earned a-o)t "e()( and 2ne, that it ,a( on& "e()( ,ho %o)d give her *ea%e of mind. One da&/ (he heard that "e()( ,a( invited for dinner -& Simon/ a ver& ri%h and im*ortant man in to,n. She de%ided to go to Simon1( *a%e to (ee "e()(. Going in/ (he 2net -efore #im at #i( feet. A( (he ,e*t/ her tear( fe )*on #i( feet. She ,i*ed them off ,ith her hair and 2i((ed #i( feet and *o)red *erf)me on them. She ,a( tr)& (orr& a-o)t a the ,rong (he had done in her ife. 3hen Simon (a, ,hat ,a( ha**ening/ he (aid to him(ef/ “Thi( *rove( that "e()( i( no *ro*het/ for if God had rea& (ent #im/ #e ,o)d 2no, ,hat a (inf) ,oman (he i(. "e()( (aid to Simon/ “I te &o)/ Simon/ thi( ,oman1( (in( are forgiven -e%a)(e (he ove( and tr)(t( 6e. Then/ #e t)rned to the ,oman and (aid to her/ “0o)r (in( are forgiven. 0o)r faith ha( (aved &o). Go in *ea%e.
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In*)t+F)rther Di(%)((ion
God aid a ver$ dear cost for us to receive the Gift of eternal life through @esus! 4e gave 4is one and onl$ #on so that 'e could have life! Most of us understand eternal life as being something that 'e 'ill receive after 'e die! ut that isnt the full meaning! You see +T+R(A8 means endless& neverending& everlasting& and timeless! The moment 'e accet the offer of @esus sacrifice of 8"F+& 'e begin our eternal& never ending 'al5 'ith God! hat that means is that Gods life& 4is love& 4is eace& 4is 3o$& 4is comassion& is ( art of 'ho 'e are and as 'e submit ourselves to 4im& the 4ol$ #irit emo'ers us to b e more and more li5e @esus! ne of the things that the 4ol$ #irit emo'ers us to do is FRG"V+! To some that sounds li5e an imossible tas5 that even God 'ould not as5 us to do! After all& some of the eole 'e dont 'ant to forgive reall$ did hurt us! ut forgiveness is the MA"( thing that @esus
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'as born to give to us! e are all sinners 'ho fall short of Gods glor$ and 'ithout the shed blood of @esus& 'e are doomed not 3ust to hell& but to live a life of miser$& because searated from God our lives are hoeless! ut @esus offers us forgiveness of sins and reconciliation 'ith God! (o' that is 8"F+ +T+R(A8J @esus is al'a$s read$ to forgive us no matter 'hat 'e have done! All 'e need to do is humbl$ ac5no'ledge our mista5e and as5 for 4is forgiveness! @esus also hels us to forgive others in the same 'a$ 4e forgives us! 4o' can 'e than5 God for 4is loving merc$; 4ere are some 'a$s: (% Ask forgi#eness from those "e ha#e hurt% e hurt others 'hen 'e are selfish and thin5 onl$ of ourselves! After our selfish act 'e ma$ feel uneas$ and restless! ften& 'e reali2e that 'e ac5no'ledge our fault and sa$ "7m sorr$ to the one 'e have hurt! At the same time& 'e also sa$ "7m sorr$ to God! )% *o 'enance for the "rong thing "e ha#e done% hen 'e do enance& 'e sho' that 'e are sorr$ for our sin and 'e 'ant to do better! >enance hels us to ma5e u for our sin! +% orgi#e those "ho ha#e hurt us% God forgives us our sins no matter ho' great the$ ma$ be! e& too& should forgive others! 8et us remember that Iuarrels and misunderstandings lead to hurt feelings! ut 'e must remember& too& that eole do not mean to hurt those the$ love! #o& 'hen someone e9resses sorro' and reentance for a 'rong done to us& 'e must accet the aolog$& forgive& then forget! 8ove gro's in this 5ind of relationshi 'here on e is forgiving and the other is forgiven! .! >ra$ for those 'ho hurt us and those 'e have hurt! e ra$ that the$ ma$ have more atience 'ith us! e also ra$ that 'e ma$ have the grace to be more atient and understanding! % elebrate the Sacrament of .econciliation% efore @esus ascended to heaven& 4+ gave us a secial gift! 4e told 4is Aostles& “hose sins $ou forgive& the$ are forgiven!H The gift @esus gave is the #acrament of Reconciliation!
"f 'e cultivate the habit of forgiving and as5ing forgiveness& 'e become closer to our brothers and sisters in God7s famil$! e also become closer to God! Thus& as5ing and giving forgiveness is a ste to'ards eace! >eole can be dra'n together if the$ resect one another! The$ can be slit aart if the$ do not resect one another! As 'e come to the end of the $ear& so often 'e loo5 bac5 'ith regret on things 'e did not accomlish& or resolutions long forgotten! ut sin is one thing 'e should never need to loo5
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bac5 on 'ith feelings of failure! "f 'e have confessed our sins and as5ed Gods forgiveness 'e siml$ need to 5ee a for'ard focus to'ard the goal of leasing Christ! Your gift of forgiveness 'ill go a long 'a$ for God to 'or5 in their hearts& and in $ours! As5 the 4ol$ #irit to stir u a heart of comassion in $ou and release 8V+& @Y& and >+AC+ in $our heart! e obedient to the still small voice of God and forgive those 'ho have hurt and disaointed $ou in the ast! Your Christmas 'ill be brighter and their life 'ill be better for it too! G)ide 7)e(tion( for Refe%tion:
1! @esus is forgiving! At Christmas& do 'e remember to forgive eole 'ho hurt us; %o 'e remember to as5 forgiveness from eole 'e have hurt; -! "s it eas$ to as5 forgiveness; )! "s it eas$ to give forgiveness; .! 4o' do 'e feel after $ou have as5ed forgiveness from someone $ou have hurt;!!! after $ou have forgiven someone 'ho has hurt $ou; V. S0NT#ESIS+EVA$UATION 1! hat art of the recollection 'as most helful to $ou; 8east helful; -! hat can $ou sa$ about the venue& time allotment and facilitation; )! Comments and suggestions!
V. C$OSING ACTIVIT0
Closing >ra$er Call to silence K using an$ local sound ma5er Recitation of >salm 1 ,to be recited alternatel$/ 8et us ra$ together& one 'ith #t! Augustine: “" have gone astra$& And " have remembered You! " heard $our voice behind me Calling me to return! And no' " return 'ith +9citement and desire to Your fountain! Allo' m$ heart to gro'& $ being generous and helful to others "n Your (ame! Amen! Confessions: 1-& 1* (o' that 'e have been forgiven& let us offer each other our forgiveness& and sho' our loving heart of giving b$ resenting one candle of gratitudeEreentanceEreconciliation to each other!
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Closing #ong: hristmas in Our /eart & b$ @ose Marie Chan
henever " see girls and bo$s #elling lanterns in the streets " remember the Child "n the manger as 4e slees henever there are eole Giving gifts e9changing cards " believe that Christmas "s trul$ in their hearts 8ets light our christmas trees For a bright tomorro' here nations are at eace And all are one in God! C4RB#: 8ets sing Merr$ Christmas And a ha$ holida$ This season& ma$ 'e never forget The love 'e have for @esus 8et 4im be the ne to guide us As another ne' $ear stars And ma$ the sirit of christmas e al'a$s in our hearts "n ever$ ra$er and ever$ song The communit$ unites Celebrating the birth f our #aviour @esus Christ 8et love& li5e that starlight n that first Christmas morn 8ead us bac5 to the manger here Christ the Child 'as born #o come let us re3oice Come and sing the Christmas carol ith one big 3o$ful voice >roclaim the name of the 8ord!
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