The Pharisee & The Tax Collector

In level II (ages 6-9) we have spent the week discussing the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. A child brings her painting of parable to the drying table. When asked why she chose to include a rainbow in her picture she responded adamantly:

I put the rainbow over both the Pharisee and Tax Collector - even though the Pharisee has a bragging heart he is still one of the Good Shepherd's sheep.

...and the sea was no more...

Tonight during atrium, level 3 (ages 9-12), some questions about Parousia came up. So, as our closing reflection we read Revelation 21: 1-5. We read through it and each child shared what word or phrase touched them.

One child's response: and the sea was no more.

This started a lively conversation. When Jesus returns, and God is all in all, why will it matter that there is no sea? 

Sharks are in the sea. They are bad. You can drown in the sea. But what about Baptism? Water is good.

Then one child spoke up: If God is going to walk with humanity, there will be no seas because the seas cause distance between lands and people. 

Then another person chimed in:  the land will be such that everything and everyone is close together since God will be with everyone.


Parousia - that time when Jesus returns and God will be all in all - and the sea will be no more - so as to ensure no division and no unreachable distances.