Week Twenty-Four–Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest.”

We Process In

Children remain standing for this reading.

The Reading for Today from the USCCB.Org

Excerpt: “At the Procession of the Palms–Gospel MT 21:1-11

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately you will find an ass tethered,
and a colt with her.
Untie them and bring them here to me.
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,
‘The master has need of them.’
Then he will send them at once.”
This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Say to daughter Zion,
“Behold, your king comes to you,
meek and riding on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,
and he sat upon them.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees
and strewed them on the road.
The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest.”
And when he entered Jerusalem
the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”
And the crowds replied,
“This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Text for Today–Faith First, Chapter 16 “The Last Supper”

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The children are asked to sit down.

Our Topics for Today

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“Jesus Celebrates Passover”

“The Last Supper A Scripture Story” Faith First, page 137.

Jesus was Jewish. Passover celebrates the freeing of the Hebrews, also called the Israelites or Jewish people, from slavery in Egypt. From our readings, we know Jesus came into Jerusalem at this most important time. He celebrated the Passover with his friends, his disciples, on the night before he died. We call this meal, “The Last Supper.”

Here are some things the Jewish people do, say, read, and eat, for “Passover.” In Hebrew “Passover” is called “Pesach.”

The Passover Story From Chabad.Org

1. They read the story about the Ten Plagues in Egypt.

“THE TEN PLAGUES
Moses and his brother Aaron came before Pharaoh. “Let my people go!” they declared. But Pharaoh just laughed. They threatened Pharaoh with 10 terrible plagues if he did not listen to G‑d, but he did not believe them.
Plague after plague soon struck the Egyptians, each one more shocking than the next. Blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, sick animals, boils, hail, locusts, darkness – and the worst plague of all – death of the firstborn.
Finally, Pharaoh had enough. He ran frantically through the streets of Egypt searching for Moses. “Go!” He yelled, “And take all the Jews with you!”
Moses sent word to all the Jews. “The time has come” he told them, “grab your bags and get ready to leave at once. Don’t wait for your bread to rise, just go!”
The Jews left Egypt with sacks on their backs, and faith in their hearts.” Source: Chabad.Org

2. They listen to the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt.
3. They eat unleavened bread, call matzo. Anything with yeast is cleared from the home.
4. They wash their hands before eating,
5. They drink wine from a Kaddish Cup.
6. They remember the suffering of the Hebrew people before they had freedom.

Jewish Articles for Celebrating Passover

Passover Vocabulary

Pesach The Hebrew Word for Passover
Seder The Passover Meal
Kippah Jewish Head Covering for Men
Kiddush Cup A Cup used for the Blessing, or “Kiddush”

We Sing

Go Down Moses

“1 When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
Let my people go,
oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
tell old Pharaoh: Let my people go.” Source: Hymnary.com

“The Last Supper” from Faith First 2, Page 139

At the Last Supper, Jesus taught his disciples:

“During the last meal Jesus took bread into his hands and said a blessing prayer. He broke it into pieces. Giving the bread to his disciples, Jesus said, “Take this. It is my body. Do this in memory of me.”

Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. Giving the cup of wine to his disciples, he said, “Drink it.” They all drank from the cup. Jesus said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many.

“At the Eucharist the Church does what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The priest takes bread and wine. Through the words of the priest and the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.” From Faith First 2, Page 140

From Luke 2:17-20 from USCCB.Org

“The Last Supper”
14
When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles.
15
He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer,
16
for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”i
17
Then he took a cup,* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;
18
for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19
* j Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
20
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.k

We Sing

“Take and Eat–Communion Song”

Take and eat, Take and eat.
This is my body given up for you.
Take and drink, Take and drink.
This is my blood given up for you.”

Palm Sunday Art Project

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