Sunday School Updates–Week 36–2024-2025–“The Transfiguration of Jesus”
“And his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”
Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 17:1-8
“’This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’”
Source: USCCB.org Mathew, chapter 17:5
For Parents To Teach To Their Children
Our Art Gallery
“The Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor”
Moses, Elijah, Peter, John and James, with Jesus
Jesus with Elijah and Moses at the Transfiguration
Our Reading
Source: USCCB.org.
“Mark, Chapter 9:2-8”
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.’
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.”
Children’s Reading
For Children Under Ages 4-7
“The Transfiguration”
Source: The Catholic Bible for Children, Page 129
“Later, on a mountaintop, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus become dazzlingly radiant with the light of God.”
The Children’s Illustrated Bible is one of my favorite sources for information about the life and times of the people in the Bible.
“The Transfiguration” Pages 234-235
“When Jesus was transfigured, the glory of God shone through him and he was revealed as the son of God. Beside him were Moses, representing Jewish law, and Elijah, representing the prophets. This was to show that Jesus fulfilled the words of the law and the prophets.”
“Jesus’ appearance changes and Moses and Elijah appear next to him.”
“Peter, James, and John hide their faces in fear.”
Praying the Rosary
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides the following format for reciting the Scripture about “The Fourth Luminous Mystery” of the Rosary. Praying the Rosary with your children is an important and illustrative way to teach the life of Christ:
“The Fourth Luminous Mystery: THE TRANSFIGURATION”
Source: USCCB.Org
“Jesus is seen with Moses and Elijah, confirming that his suffering will end in glory.”
Our Father . . .
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” Mt 17:1-2
Hail Mary . . .
“Two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” Lk 9:30-31
Hail Mary . . .
“Peter and his companions . . . saw his glory and the two men standing with him.” Lk 9:32
Hail Mary . . .
“Peter said . . . ‘Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents. . . .’ But he did not know what he was saying.” Lk 9:33
Hail Mary . . .
“A voice [said], ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'” Mt 17:5
Hail Mary . . .
“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.” Mt 17:7-8
Hail Mary . . .
“Through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jn 1:4-5
Hail Mary . . .
“No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.” Jn 1:18
Hail Mary . . .
“All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor 3:18
Hail Mary . . .
“You are the light of the world . . . your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Mt 5:14, 16
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .
“LORD JESUS, GRANT US THE COURAGE TO
SHINE YOUR LIGHT IN OUR LIVES.”
Our Song for This Week
“Christ Be Our Light”
Our Writing Project
There are new vocabulary words in the reading for this week. Discuss the meanings of the words with your children. Choose among the words for the simplest, for the younger children, and have children ages 7 and older write down the words in order to remember them. Writing down new information is a key ingredient in learning and remembering something new forever!
Words to Learn
transfigure, transfiguration, appearance, glory, shone, Jewish, Jewish law, revealed, fulfilled, prophet(s)
Our Art Project
The Transfiguration provides an opportunity to visually describe the way Christ appeared to His three disciples–Peter, James and John– atop the high mountain. I made this print/collage to depict the face of Christ “shining like the sun” and his clothes becoming “all white.” It can be made with crayons, paint, or markers.
Use a pencil on white watercolor paper to outline or trace a simple drawing of Christ. Cut out the drawing. Paint another piece of the same size watercolor paper and let dry. Then paint the cut out drawing of Jesus in white, or leave as it. Let dry. I added gold metallic children’s tempera to make the face shine.
When both pieces are dry, use children’s liquid glue to attach to the painted sheet of paper. Put something non-stick on top. I use a plastic cutting board that works well. Weight down with books on top of the cutting board. Let dry for several minutes. Carefully lift off the cutting board and gently loosen any part that has stuck.
I painted over a piece of fabric screening to get the wavy effect. Tule is another, easier to find, option.
Methods and Materials
Suggested Family Activities
Read the “Luminous Mysteries” from the Rosary.”
The Mysteries of Light
- The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son. - The Wedding Feast at Cana
At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle. - The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom. - The Transfiguration of Jesus
Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John. - The Institution of the Eucharist
Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.
Source: LoyolaPress.com
“We are all children of God.”
BLESSED FIRST RECONCILIATION
PAGE 10
DYNAMIC CATHOLIC
God watched
over me before
I knew him and
before I learned
or sensed or even
distinguished
between good
and evil.
St. Patrick
