The ancient church used the season of Lent as a time to prepare unchurched people for their new life in Christ. If you were writing the curriculum for the catechumen, what are some things you would include that you feel are essential to your life as a Christian?
Today's reflection is an incredible play with music - so, we are only including the collect at the end.
I believe the importance of following Jesus’ instructions needs to be addressed early on in the Catechumen classes. So here is a skit adapted from John 21:1-9, telling of the disciples’ miraculous catch of fish by following Jesus’ instruction. It is written in both English and Chinese for both groups of children to use.
I have in mind my 4-year-3-month Grandson Tristan, who lives with his parents in Taipei, surrounded by nonbeliever relatives and teaching staff at his nursery school.
As part of the Lunar New Year celebration program, Tristan’s class were asked to dress up as little princes and princesses of a folkloric god and to dance along music and lyrics depicting worship of the god to be blessed. Cute as they were, I did not want Tristan to think that is the faith he is to believe in. I need to think quickly to balance it off. So here is an offer of a skit.
Do What Jesus Says
Text adapted from John 21:1-9
New International Version
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Characters: Peter, Andrew, Thomas, Philip, Nathanael, James & John
Setting: Galilee sea of 2000 years ago
Time: night time
The group gathers on the beach of Galilee. Some look anxious, others appear distressed.
Peter: I’m going out to fish.
Others: We’ll go with you.
Sing together while getting on the boat.
(Sing Verse 1 with the refrain only）
White high waves I’m not afraid,
Paddle forward here we go,
Cast a net out I’m a pro,
Take home full loads hahaha.
(Refrain to the same melody)
Hi-Yo I-Yo I-Yo Hung Hi-Yo (4x)
Several hours pass
Nathanael: I’m so tired!
Thomas: So am I!
James: I’m so sleepy!
John: Me too!
Philip: I’m so hungry!
Andrew: I wish I could have some bread and fish!
John: I wish Jesus was here. Remember how He fed 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish! That was such a splendid miracle!
Peter: Yah! I missed Him so much! But we haven’t got any fish yet. Let’s just wait a bit more!
They continue to paddle tiredly and slowly, while singing to the tune. But rather than singing, they are more like wailing⋯, changing words too...
Ai-yo Ai-yo Ai-yo Ai Ai-yo (4 x）
Jesus: Friends, have you any fish?
Philip: Who is up so early and yelling so loud?
Nathaniel: I have no idea.
All yell back: Nada!
Jesus: Throw your net on the right side of your boat and you’ll find some.
Andrew: What did he say?
James: He said to throw the net on the right side of our boat and we’ll find some fish.
Thomas: It is only 7.5 feet apart from left to right. Didn’t we just fish on that side not too long ago? I don’t believe there’s fish on the right side!
John: Well, Thomas, we’re in a different area of the sea now. Let’s do as he said, maybe he knows something we don’t!
Peter: I think John makes a lot of sense here. Maybe that person on the shore sees something we don’t. We’ll do as he says. Come on! Someone give me a hand!
They pull in the net and cast it to the right side of the boat. Soon ....
All: Look! So many fish! They are flooding in!
Philip: Hurry! Pull in the net before it breaks!
They collect the net to the side of the boat and haul it along. Then they paddle toward the shore.
John: It is the Lord! Lord Jesus is on the shore!
Peter: My Lord! My Lord! Here I come! (jumping into the water!)
All others continue to paddle along and sing these words:
Verse 3
Jesus’ words cannot be wrong,
Even it feels contrary.
It’s good to do what He says
Cuz that’s where joy can be found.
Refrain:
Hi-Yo I-Yo I-Yo Hung Hi-Yo (4x)
Verse 4
What is missing from your net?
Speak it up unto the Lord.
Help is just a prayer away;
His love for me never fails.
Refrain
Hi-Yo I-Yo I-Yo Hung Hi-Yo (4x)
照耶穌的話做：短劇
改編自約翰福音21:1-9
約翰福音21: 1-9 （新譯本）
這些事以後，耶穌在提比里亞海邊再次向門徒顯現。他顯現的經過是這樣的： 當時西門．彼得、稱為「雙生子」的多馬、加利利的迦拿人拿但業、西庇太的兩個兒子，和另外兩個門徒都聚在一起。 西門．彼得對他們說：「我要打魚去。」他們說：「我們也跟你一起去。」於是他們出去，上了船，可是那一夜他們並沒有打到甚麼。清早的時候，耶穌站在岸邊；門徒卻不知道他就是耶穌。 耶穌對他們說：「孩子們，打到魚沒有？」他們回答：「沒有。」 耶穌說：「把網撒在船的右邊，就可以得著。」他們就把網撒下去，可是拉不上來，因為魚太多。 耶穌所愛的那門徒對彼得說：「是主！」西門．彼得一聽見是主，就立刻束上外衣（因為他當時赤著身子），縱身跳進海裡。 其他的門徒，因為離岸不遠（約有一百公尺），就坐在小船上，把那網魚拖過來。他們上了岸，就看見那裡有一堆炭火，上面有魚有餅。
人物：彼得，安德烈、多馬、菲力、拿但業、雅各、約翰
地點：2000年前加利利海邊
時間：夜晚
（這群人聚在加利利海邊。有些人看起來很焦慮，有些人似乎很頹喪。）
彼得：我要打魚去。
其他人：我們也跟你一起去。
（大家一邊唱著歌一邊上船各就各位準備出海。）
（只唱第一段詞和副歌。副歌與主歌同樣旋律，同樣詞反覆，共4次）
白浪滔滔我不怕， 掌穩舵兒往前划， 撒網下水老漁家， 滿載而歸笑哈哈。
嗨喲 一喲 一喲 哼 嗨喲，......
（幾個小時之後）
拿但業：我好累喔！
多馬：我也是！
雅各：我好睏喲！
約翰：我也是！
菲力：我好餓啊！
安德烈：好想吃餅配魚呀！
約翰：要是耶穌在就好了！記得祂怎樣用5餅2魚餵飽5000人嗎？那真是一個大奇蹟啊！
彼得：是啊！我好想祂啊！可是今天我們一條魚都沒抓到，再等等吧！
（大家繼續疲倦地、緩慢地划槳，有氣無力地、像哀叫似地唱著副歌，把詞都改了⋯）
唉唷 唉唷 唉唷 唉唉唷（4次）
（耶穌在岸邊）
耶穌：孩子們，打到魚沒有？
菲力：誰起得這麼早，在那邊叫那麼大聲？
拿但業：不知道耶！
全體大聲回答：沒有！
耶穌：把網撒在船的右邊，就可以得著。
安德烈：他說什麼？
雅各：他說把網撒在船的右邊就可以得到一些魚。
多馬：船的左邊到右邊也不過七尺半，剛剛我們也在右邊下過網,可是什麼也沒有啊！我不信那裡有魚！
約翰：多馬呀，我們已經到了不一樣的海域了。我們照他說的做，說不定他知道什麼我們不知道的事！
彼得：我認為約翰說得有道理，說不定岸上那人能看見什麼我們看不見的東西。我們照他說的話做吧！來，誰來幫我一把！
（他們把網拉上來，下到船的右邊。）很快地⋯
全體叫起來：看！好多魚！牠們衝進網裡！
菲力：快收網！不然網要被撐破了！
（他們把網口收了，讓船拖著走，向岸邊划去。）
約翰（驚喜）：那是主耶穌！
彼得（驚喜）：主耶穌！主耶穌！我來了！
（穿上衣服，跳下水，游向岸）
（其他人一面繼續划船，一面唱：
第三段
耶穌的話不會錯，
即使聽來很糊塗，
聽話照做好處多，
歡喜快樂無憂愁！
副歌
嗨喲 一喲 一喲 哼 嗨喲 （4x）
第四段
你的網裡缺什麼？
快快向主去訴說。
真誠禱告零距離，
祂的愛永不止息！
副歌
嗨喲 一喲 一喲 哼 嗨喲 （4x）
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Grant us, O Lord our Strength, to have a True Love of your Holy Name; so that, trusting in your grace, we may fear no earthly evil, nor fix our hearts on earthly goods, but may rejoice in your full salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.