- "Maybe the Oyster being opened is the death of Jesus and the Pearl is the forgiveness of sins."
- "Maybe the Oyster is like the gates being opened and Heaven is the Pearl."
- "I think that the bit of sand is our sin and the layers over it making the Pearl more valuable is each celebration of Confession."
The Precious Pearl is not only a Scripture for the L1 child but is presented again in L2 and in L3. Last year when pondering this parable with a group of 4th - 6th graders the following thoughts were shared by the children:
Comments from Level 1 children after working with the material for the Parable of the Precious Pearl:
A catechist presented the Mustard Seed to a 4yo child who was in his second year in the Atrium. When asked about what Jesus was saying he replied, "The seed is like purple and the bush is white." In the Atrium, we speak about purple as being for "preparation" and white for "celebration." What do you hear in this little theologian's thoughts?
Beginning at the age of three we offer to the children in the Atrium the opportunity to ponder the mystery of the Kingdom of God. There are five Kingdom Parables which are enjoyed most by the 3-6 year old child in Level 1. The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) tends to be the fourth parable pondered and often by this point the children are in their third year in the Atrium and are beginning to abstract and synthesize the Scriptures they have heard and the truths that they know. After this presentation, often given in small groups of two or three children, it is common that drawing the Kingdom of God is of interest. This year several children spent time drawing this parable as an image of how they picture the Kingdom. The first few pictures below were done on both sides of the paper, thus they are composed of two images each.
The following illustrations were each drawn as a single image. Having pondered a number of parables about the Kingdom of God over the years, several kindergarten children responded to an invitation to draw what they picture when they think about the Kingdom.
The mystery of the Kingdom of God is one of the greatest mysteries of our faith. It was such an important part of what Jesus wanted to communicate during His time on earth that there are over forty parables about the Kingdom in the Gospels. When St. Pope John Paul II gave the Church the Luminous Mysteries he summed up the majority of Jesus' ministry in "The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God."
From the first year in the Atrium the children are offered materials which help them to ponder this greatest of mysteries. Their ease in "hearing through" the parables is often surprising. The Precious Pearl: - "The pearl had Jesus inside it! He jumped for joy!" (4 year old) - "He closed the door so nobody could see. It was the specialest pearl he ever found." (4 year old) The Hidden Treasure: - "The treasure is the cross because it's from Jesus and God." (5 year old) - "The Kingdom is hearts of holiness that Jesus takes and shares with others so others can have holiness." (5 year old) - "The treasure was the sheep. The Good Shepherd found them and they were his treasure." (4 year old) The Yeast: - "There's so many of us and the flour is lots of flour but there's one little scoop of yeast and it's Jesus. Well, Jesus is so big so then maybe we could be the yeast." (5 year old) - "In heaven we will be mixed up with Jesus. That's already true because His light is in us!" (5 year old) This past school year has been one of many gifts and many challenges. As we approach the summer with the knowledge that we have hired a new Head of School and as we look forward to introducing her to our school and parent communities, it seems like the perfect moment to look back at this past year. In the Level I (3-6 year old) Atrium we speak often about the many gifts that God has given to us. We "open and enjoy" them, lifting them up and marveling at God's goodness. His plan for fullness of life was foretold by the prophets, witnessed to by angels and shepherds, Jews and Gentiles, learned men and even an unborn baby. As Jesus grew, He spoke about the Kingdom of God, revealing that it is like a Mustard Seed, a Precious Pearl, a Hidden Treasure and Leaven. He knows us by name and lays down His life only to take it up again and share with each of us a life stronger than death, a light stronger than darkness. What great love! The Level II (6-9 year old) children, while still encountering and recognizing His many gifts, also begin to ask how they might respond to the one who has filled the earth so that it resembles a banquet table lavishly heaped with all that we need. His great love demands a response in kind! As we ponder the Parable of the True Vine we realize that we don't want to just bear fruit; we want to bear the most beautiful fruit that will bring the greatest glory to God! The Level III (9-12 year old) children were recently pondering the four Cardinal Virtues of Justice, Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance. In our conversation on Fortitude they began speaking about the many saints who had been martyred for their faith: Blessed Miguel Pro, St. Joan of Arc, St. Sebastian, St. Lawrence, and others. One child said that St. Mother Teresa had also lived with fortitude because she was willing to die when she worked with those who had sicknesses that could kill her. This led to a dialogue about living with fortitude and, eventually, to a discussion about white martyrdom or pouring oneself out in the way one lives daily life. What other option is there? How else can we live if we follow the one who has given all for us in laying down His life for His sheep? During every Mass we remember and experience again this essential interaction between God and man of gift and response. God gives all to us through sending the Holy Spirit in the Epiclesis who transforms our gifts of bread and wine (representative of the little work we do in elevating His gifts of wheat and grapes) into the very Body and Blood of Jesus. Having received such an incomprehensible gift, how can we respond? The only "gift" we can give in response is the gift we have just received...Jesus, Himself. When the priest lifts up Jesus and offers Him back to God in the Doxology we, too, offer our thoughts, words, and actions, all of the ways we have imitated the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, pouring ourselves out for the one who has given all for us.
This year I have witnessed on a regular basis several individuals pouring themselves out for the children, families, and staff of our school. Thank you to those who have truly given all that they have. Your gift of self is seen and it is so appreciated. The beautiful, amazing fruit on your branch of the True Vine is bringing great, great glory to Our Heavenly Father, the Vinegrower. Thank you for opening and enjoying His gifts and for your whole-hearted "yes," like Mary, in response. May God reward you as only He can! Matthew 13:45-46:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." Seeing a 5-year-old returning the "Pearl of Great Price" material to the shelf, the catechist commented, "I wonder why Jesus told us that parable about His Kingdom. Who is the merchant? What is the pearl?" The child walked away silently. As the Atrium session continued, however, she returned multiple times to the catechist to share her thoughts... - "The merchant is Jesus and the pearl is Jesus as a baby." - "Actually, the merchant is us and the pearl is God." - "The pearl is the Light." - "The pearl is Jesus." - "The pearl is joy." - "The pearl is peace." - "The pearl is hope." - "The pearl is the lamb." - "The pearl is the three gifts from the magi." - "The pearl is the cross." - "The pearl is everything God made." The 2018 Liturgical Year has come to an end and the new year has begun with the season of Advent. This past week in the Atrium we pondered Jesus the King. How Dr. Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti must be enjoying this "cosmic" feast!
Level I: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" 4-year-old: "It's a little like church." Catechist: "Why?" 4-year-old: "Because church is a little like heaven." Catechist: "Tell me more." 4-year-old: "Heaven is the Kingdom and at church we get a little of heaven." Level II: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" 2nd Grader: "It's us." Catechist: "Tell me more." 2nd Grader: "Well, on Sunday I heard that Jesus told Pontus Pilate that his kingdom wasn't of this world." Catechist: "So, aren't we of this world?" 2nd Grader: "But our souls aren't." Level II: Catechist: "What is the Kingdom?" - "Parousia." - "Heaven." - "Church, because Jesus lives there." - "Our hearts, because Jesus lives there!" - "The stars and the planets and everything He made!" - "It's like a Mustard Seed, a treasure buried in a field, a pearl." Level III: "What is Jesus the king of? Well...the universe. But we are talking about God's kingdom - Heaven. He is also the king of the world. He created it. He is the Good Shepherd. To earn a title like that, you would have to be the king, well, of the world. Our Lord, the King of the World, YHWH." "Jesus is King of all things. He is the one true God. His kingdom is perfect. It shall have no end. In his kingdom, there is no crying, sadness, bullying, fighting, or dying. Jesus Christ, creator of heaven and earth, come be with us!" "Jesus is the king of heaven. He came down to earth to save us so we can go to heaven. In heaven, there are no tears. There is no fighting and no unhappiness, just like Jesus as a child. "God is King of Heaven and his kingdom is in Parousia. He loves everyone. I love him." The creativity of the children in their follow-up work is a beautiful gift to witness and experience. Enjoy the following "gifts" they have shared this year! The Shepherd (A song recently composed by a 5th year) God I know you're with me every day, But sometimes from your flock I stray, And lock myself away from your grace and mercy. But every hour of the day, I know that help is on the way 'Cause your life down you laid for me. You won't abandon your sheep, Lord. You will not sleep until they are safe, Lord. You protect us with your life 'cause you are our Shepherd, Lord. Your Body and Blood to us you gave, Then you amazed us by rising from the grave. Oh, you truly are the Good Shepherd! The Parables are a very popular work in the Atrium, both with the Children's House / Level I child and with the Elementary child. As the children enter Level II and III they continue pondering Parables about the Kingdom of God but also move into a meditation on the Moral Parables as is fitting to their new developmental stage. In the following series you see one child's work choice: a booklet of parable Scriptures complete with illustrations. Another aid to the moral development of the children in the Atrium is the introduction of "Maxims" to the Elementary children. These Scriptures are often first copied and recited in conversations and at the prayer table. A full list of the Maxims used in the Atrium may be found here. The following is a recap of the 4th-6th graders' explanation of what Maxims are...
- "Maxims aren't rules but they are something you can grow in." - "They are like a quote from God." - "Maxims are something God instructs you to do. They are not rules but more like priorities." - "They are things that can make your life easier and are advice to help you get to heaven." - "A maxim is like the word 'maximum' which means 'the most' because they help you to be the best you can be." The following is a work choice made by a 3rd grader. He read and pondered several Parables, using the materials to aid his meditation. Then he made a list of all of the Maxims being lived in that parable. |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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