Jesus and Ears

Last Sunday was my son’s very first preschool religious education class. When I talked to him about it, his face furrowed up with worry. “I want to stay with you and go to grownup church,” he said. I talked with him about how much fun he would have, and how he would get to color and learn about church.

He didn’t look convinced, but he gripped my hand as we walked toward the classroom. I was surprised to learn his teacher was a man, a cop actually. Personally, I think we need more male teachers, so this was great. Smart man that he was, he had spread out some puzzles and Legoes on the floor for the kids who arrived early. This was the kicker. My son adores puzzles. And these were new ones! Fabulous puzzles with pictures of ambulances and fire engines! :headspin: I could see the mental dilemma forming in his mind.
I don’t want Mommy to leave me here. But there are puzzles! She can’t leave me by myself. But I want to do these puzzles!

Ultimately, the puzzles won out. He looked a bit concerned, but he was far more interested in snapping together the pieces. After Mass, I picked him up and asked him what he learned about. “Did you learn about Jesus?” I asked. He bobbed his head. “What else did you learn about?”
“Ears!” he said gleefully.
At first, I thought he was imagining things or making up stories. Then he handed me a coloring sheet that had pictures of televisions, radios, telephones, and…yep, ears. The pieces connected and I realized the theme for the week was: God listens to us. Got it.

So last night as I was tucking him into bed, I reminded him that he would go to Sunday School again while we went to Mass. “You’ll get to learn about Jesus some more,” I said, kissing him goodnight.
“And ears,” he grinned.