The “Baptism of Jesus” begins Jesus’ public ministry. “The Wedding in Cana” shows that Jesus had the power to impact the natural world such as changing water into wine. “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” John, Chapter 2:11
The art project for this reading is the simplest art project possible! I had a large rectangle of cardboard from packing material (31 inches long and 23 inches high) and I used pastel chalk for the drawing. That’s it!
Read this passage with your children either in a Catholic Bible or in a book of Catholic Bible stories for children. It is an important story in the chronology of Jesus’ life.
“The Wedding at Cana” My Photo from the Lower Chapel in Cana, Galilee, Israel
“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
‘They have no wine.’
And Jesus said to her,
‘Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.’
His mother said to the servers,
‘Do whatever he tells you.’
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
‘Fill the jars with water.’
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
‘Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.’
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
‘Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.’
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.”
Our Art Gallery
“The Ministry of Jesus Begins”
“I will make you fishers of men.”
Casting Out Demons—“Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him.’ The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.’” Mark 1:21-28 USCCB.org—This was done on watercolor paper with liquid watercolor paints. I wanted it to have some pazazz so I cut it up and pasted the cut-outs to a rectangular piece of cardboard-Sort of like paper dolls!
Healing the Sick—“On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.” Mark 1:29-39. USCCB.org—This was painted on a small square canvas panel. I used a pencil then went over the sketch with a fine point Sharpie. I used kids’ washable markers to fill in the drawing.
“The Cleansing of a Leper.” “A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I will do it. Be made clean.” Mark, 1:40-45, USCCB.org—I painted this on a small canvas panel, using a Magnum Sharpie for the thick line, and a fine tip Sharpie for the outlining. Then, I used children’s washable markers to fill it in with color.
“Theya came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus, because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’ Mark, Chapter 2:2-5, USCCB.org.—This painting was done on a brown paper bag, cut into a square. I used acrylic paints, a white ink pen, and black India ink and a fountain pen. This is a wonderful Bible story for kids to illustrate. Any art supplies you have at home will be fine.
The Healing of a Paralytic” Mark, Chapter 2:9-12 USCCB.org “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? “But that you may know that the son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth“—he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’—I re-purposed a brown paper bag for my painting. I used acrylic paints, then used a white ink pen and black India Ink with a fountain pen. Your children can do this at home with whatever art supplies you have in hand.
Our Art Project–Learning to Draw or Paint a Crucifix– For Older Children
How to make something you don’t like into something you like a lot!
First Edition-This is my first attempt to draw and paint a crucifix I had seen in Spain a number of years ago. I wasn’t happy with my painting! With a little watercolor paints, scissors and glue, the painting was revitalized.
A Crucifix–Watercolor Collage, Cut and Pasted onto Watercolor Paper
First Edition-Learning to Draw a Crucifix—I am working on developing my drawing skills. I found this crucifix on the internet at The Met Fifth Ave. Gallery 394. It is a French crucifix from the 1100s, with a wooden sculpture on the wood cross. I found “EasyDrawingGuides.com” which is a great help and simplifies drawing. I first drew the crucifix and figure of Jesus in pencil. Then, I traced over the pencil with watercolor pencils. Next, I filled in the outlines and used a slightly wet paint brush to liquify the colors. It went fast and I am excited to keep at it!
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Week Twenty-Two–Suggested Homework Activities
Encourage your child or children to illustrate one of the stories listed above. The “Wedding at Cana” has elements that can be drawn; or, it can be replicated as the one at the top of the post. Use whatever art supplies you have at home. Crayons and markers on sturdy paper, or cardboard, will do fine. I used watercolor crayon outlined in Sharpie. I moistened a small paint brush and went over the watercolor crayon to liquify it. Your child might enjoy painting this beautiful cross! It was made using colorful squares to form the cross.
Here are samples for children:
