For Parents To Teach To Their Children
This week we are learning about five key events in Jesus’ life: Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. I am going to introduce these events through art. The children are familiar with the “Baptism of Jesus” and have heard the story several times. We are going to talk about the “Transfiguration of Jesus” and why it is as important as the other four events. The Transfiguration is described this way:
“The Transfiguration”
“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.”
The Children’s Illustrated Bible
Pages 234-235
(One of my favorite sources for information about the life and times of the people in the Bible)
“Jesus’ appearance changes and Moses and Elijah appear next to him.”
“Peter, James, and John hide their faces in fear.”
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.”
Our Art Gallery
Key Events In The Life of Jesus
Key Events in the Life and Death of Jesus
Our Readings
Source: USCCB Luke, Chapter 15:1-3, 11-32
“The Parable of the Lost Son”
“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
‘A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord– March 25, 2022
“Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.”
Source: USCCB. Luke, Chapter 1-26
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.’
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
‘Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.’
But Mary said to the angel,
‘How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?’
And the angel said to her in reply,
‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.’
Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.’
Then the angel departed from her.”
Learning the Mass
Children, and their families, preparing for First Holy Communion need to have a children’s Missal to understand the Order of the Mass and the substance of it. I found an inexpensive Missal for children on Amazon.com for $1.99, titled My Picture Missal. I bought 16 of them for the children in my class. When I received my order, I was delighted to find this gem of a book that walks the reader through the entire Mass and gives children, “An Easy Way of Participating at Mass for Boys and Girls” published by St. Joseph Kids Books. Check Amazon.com to find a good price for this little paper booklet. As of now, it has popped back to $6.00. I must have changed the market with my purchase, so check other sites. It is an old-fashioned classic!
Another excellent choice for buying a child’s Missal is A Missal For Children. It is a beautiful book that is a great gift for First Holy Communion. It contains all of the prayers and is a guide through the Mass. It is available on amazon.com for about $12.00 to $15.00. There are new or used books, paperback or hardcover, available.
Please note that I don’t receive any money or benefits from suggesting these, or any books or materials, on these books.
Our Art Project–Choose one of the key events in Jesus’ life to illustrate.
Invite your child or children to draw or paint one of the important events in any way they choose. Here is a simple sample that shows it is easy and fun for kids to make their own art project. Here are three examples of “Ascension Art.”
Week Thirty-One–Suggested Homework 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.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies. - The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is lashed with whips. - The Crowning With Thorns
Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns. - The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him. - The Crucifixion
Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.
Source: LoyolaPress.com