Family Activity

The Stone Receptacle

The story of Jesus and the condemned woman conveys a message of compassion in an atmosphere of severe criticism. It's easy to identify ourselves with the woman. It's more difficult to identify with the people in the crowd. Or, is it?

Criticism is a habit that is easy to fall into, but hard to eliminate. To this end, decorate a coffee can or shoe box as the "Stone Receptacle." Gather pebbles together and hand several to each family member. Invite each member to think about times he or she put others down, judged others, or hurt others with words. Each time he or she can think of a person, have your family member can place a pebble in the receptacle. When your family is done placing all their pebbles in the can, join together in prayer. Forgive each other with a sign of peace.