may 2020 teaching the liturgical year full lesson v.3€¦ · 04/05/2020 · liturgical year -----...

Teaching the Liturgical Year

L E S S O N S for M a y 2 0 20

1 © SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS


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Contents

Lessons for Middle and Upper Elementary

May 3, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter – page 3

May 10, 2020: Fifth Sunday of Easter – page 6

May 17, 2020: Sixth Sunday of Easter – page 10

May 24, 2020: The Ascension of the Lord – page 16

May 31, 2020: Pentecost Sunday – page 20

Lessons for Lower Elementary

May 3, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Easter – page 27

May 10, 2020: Fifth Sunday of Easter– page 32

May 17, 2020: Sixth Sunday of Easter – page 37

May 24, 2020: The Ascension of the Lord – page 42

May 31, 2020: Pentecost Sunday – page 47



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Lessons for Middle and Upper Elementary


TEACHING THE LITURGICAL YEAR

The Good Shepherd (Middle and Upper Elementary)

May 3, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Overview

This week’s Gospel passage focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who protects and guides His sheep to abundant life. In this lesson, students will reflect upon what the Gospel is teaching them using the ancient practice of Lectio Divina.

Directions

A. For this lesson, you may either use the instructions below to lead your students in prayer via video conference, or have parents guide their students in prayer at home. Give students an opportunity to quiet down and focus themselves. Have them close their eyes and remove distractions from their mind as best they can.

B. Say a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide this time of prayer and meditation. For example: Come Holy Spirit, open our minds and our hearts to what Our Lord wants to say to us today. Give us ears to listen and help us to be open to receiving whatever Christ has for us. Help us to remove any distractions and allow us to come to know our Lord more deeply during this time of prayer.

C. Prepare to read the Gospel passage aloud once slowly. Tell the students to simply listen to the words this first time through, and especially for any word or phrase that jumps out at them. Ask them to write down that word or phrase after you finish reading. Give them 2-3 minutes of silence after you have completed reading it.

D. Prepare to read the passage a second time. Before you begin reading ask the students to really imagine the scene as best they can. Tell them to engage all their senses. For example:

• What does it look like? • What colors do they see? • What are people wearing? • What does the ground look and feel like?


• What do they smell? • What sounds do they hear? • What do the people and crowds look like? • What does Jesus look like? How does His voice sound? • What is the weather like? Sunny? Cloudy? Rainy? and so forth.

When you are done reading, ask them to write down one sensory image that stood out to them. Give them 2-3 minutes of silence after you have completed reading it.

E. Prepare to read the passage a third and final time. Before you begin, ask the students to imagine themselves as a particular person in the passage.

• Are they a member of the crowd? • Are they one of the Apostles? • Are they a character in Jesus’ parable?

Ask them to listen for what Jesus is personally trying to tell them through this

passage and write that down once you are finished reading. Give them a more extended period of silence after this third reading, perhaps 5-10 minutes.

G. Have students make a resolution to put into practice what they received in prayer. For example, will they:

• go home that night and do something extra for their parents? • go to confession in the next week? • commit to spend extra time in prayer this week? • commit to doing some volunteer work? • perform a particular Work of Mercy? • pick a particular virtue to work on cultivating? • work on your relationship with a friend or family member?

Challenge them to pick something based on what they heard Christ say to them.

H. Close in a short prayer of thanksgiving.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of John 10:1-10: The Good Shepherd

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because

they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

My reflections:

1.______________________________________________________________________________________

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2.______________________________________________________________________________________

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3.______________________________________________________________________________________

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Last Supper Discourses (Middle and Upper Elementary)

May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Overview In this week’s Gospel, Jesus promises His disciples that He will prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He emphasizes that He and the Father are one. In this lesson, students will compare the comfort and safety of their own home to their eternal home—Heaven.

Directions

A. Have students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus questions. You may have students answer them on their own or you may discuss them together as a class.

B. Then, have your students complete the My Father’s House activity on their own.

C. When they have finished, call on a few students to share their answers. Answer Key

1. That He will… • Prepare a place for them • Will return to take them there • If you know Him, then you will know the Father • Whoever believes in Him will do the works that He does, and will do greater ones

than these 2. Accept reasoned answers 3. Thomas asks: "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the

way?" Jesus answers: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” 4. Accept reasoned answers 5. Philip says: "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus replies:

"Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”


6. Jesus is making clear one aspect of the Trinity. He and the Father are one. There is only one God. Three distinct Persons but only one God. Jesus is emphasizing what we believe about the Trinity. If we know Him then we know the Father and also the Holy Spirit.

7. Accept reasoned answers. 8. Accept reasoned answers.


Sunday Reading A Reading from the Gospel of John 14:1-12: Last Supper Discourses

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you know me, then you will also know

my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, because I am going to the Father.”

Discussion Questions

1. What promises does Jesus make to the disciples in this Gospel reading? 2. Which of these promises speaks the most to you? Why? 3. What question does Thomas ask and what reply does Jesus give him? 4. What does Jesus’ reply mean? 5. What request does Philip make of Jesus and what reply does Jesus give him? 6. How does Jesus’ reply to Philip make sense? 7. What questions would/do you have for Jesus and how do you think He would reply to

you? 8. Read the passage one more time. What is one line that jumps out to you and why?


My Father’s House

Directions: In this week’s Gospel, Jesus compares Heaven to a house with many rooms, and in this house, there is a room prepared for us. Take a moment to think about your own home and your own room. Then, answer the reflection questions:

1. How does your own home make you feel safe? How does it make you feel comfortable? ___________________________________________________________________________________

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2. What do you like best about your home? Why? ___________________________________________________________________________________

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3. Describe your own room. What do you like best about it? How do you feel when you are in your room? ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Jesus wants us to know that Heaven, His Father’s house, is our true home. Why do you think Jesus compares Heaven to a house, or our homes? How does it make you feel to know that Heaven is our true home? ___________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Describe what you think Heaven will be like. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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The Advocate (Middle and Upper Elementary)

May 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter Overview

In this week’s Gospel passage Jesus tells us that if we love Him then we will keep His commandments. Jesus will not leave us to live out the commandments on our own. He promises to send us an Advocate—the Holy Spirit—to give us the grace to live them out. In this lesson, students will evaluate their own progress living out the Ten Commandments in their own lives.

Directions

A. Have your students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus questions. You may have students answer them on their own or you may discuss them together as a class.

B. Lead your students in the following brief discussion: • What is Jesus saying is a key sign of our love for Him? Obeying His Commandments • What are His Commandments? Review the 10 Commandments briefly • Would you say these are easy to live? Some are some aren’t. We all struggle with

different ones. • What does Jesus promise us in order to help us live the Commandments? The Spirit

of Truth, which is the Holy Spirit. C. Create a prayerful atmosphere and have students work individually to prayerfully

complete the handout Obeying the Commandments and Loving Jesus.

Answer Key

1. Obeying His Commandments. 2. The Spirit of Truth, which is the Holy Spirit. 3. They will be loved by the Father and Jesus, and Jesus will reveal Himself to them.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of John 14:15-21: The Advocate

Jesus said to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world

will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever hears my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Focus Questions

1. What does Jesus say is a key sign of our love for Him? 2. What does Jesus promise us in order to help us live the Commandments? 3. What will happen to those who love Jesus?


Obey the Commandments and Love Jesus

Directions: Prayerfully read through each of the Ten Commandments. Then, on a scale of 1-10, rate yourself on how well you live out each Commandment in your life, with 1 representing that you really struggle following the Commandment and 10 representing that you have mastered following the Commandment. Next, take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen in you the virtues you need to live out each of the Commandments you struggle with most. Conclude by writing a short personal prayer to Jesus expressing your love to Him and asking Him and His Holy Spirit to grant you the grace to live the Commandments more perfectly as a sign of your love for Him.

The 10 Commandments Rate yourself 1 (really struggle) through 10 (mastered it) for each Commandment.

1. I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve. a. My rating:_________

b. Holy Spirit, come into my heart and help me grow in the virtue of

_____________________________________ so that I may live this Commandment more perfectly.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

a. My rating:_________


_____________________________________ so that I may live this Commandment more perfectly.


3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.



________________________________________ so that I may live this Commandment more

perfectly.

4. Honor your father and your mother.



_________________________________________ so that I may live this Commandment

more perfectly.

5. You shall not kill.




more perfectly.

6. You shall not commit adultery.




more perfectly.


7. You shall not steal.




more perfectly.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.




more perfectly.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.




more perfectly.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.




more perfectly.


My Personal Prayer Dear Jesus, _______________________________________________________________________________________

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The Ascension of the Lord (Middle and Upper Elementary)

May 24, 2020 – Ascension of the Lord Overview In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus gathers His disciples for His final command before ascending into Heaven – preach the Gospel to the world. This command becomes the mission of the Church. In this lesson, students will create their own personal witness of Jesus.

Directions


B. Review and discuss the correct answers when finished. C. Have your students read about what the Church teaches about evangelization from

The Mission of the Church: Our Mission. Then have students reflect on their own personal witness of Jesus using the My Personal Witness worksheet.

Answer Key

1. They worshipped but doubted. 2. He tells them that all power on Heaven and Earth had been given to Him. 3. He tells them to go and make disciples of all nations, to baptize them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all that He has commanded.

4. Accept reasoned answers. Jesus remains with us until the end of time, when He will come again in Judgment. He is with us in His Church, in the Sacraments, in the power of the Holy Spirit, etc.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20: The Ascension of the Lord

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore,

and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Focus Questions

1. What did the disciples do when they saw Jesus? 2. What does Jesus say He has received? 3. What is Jesus’ command to His disciples? 4. What do you think it means that Jesus is with us “until the end of the age?”


The Mission of the Church: Our Mission

Directions: Read what the Church teaches about evangelization. Then reflect on your own personal witness of Jesus.

Pope St. Paul VI wrote an encyclical, an official teaching letter to the faithful, called Evangelli Nuntiandi, or Evangelization in the Modern World. In it, he wrote the following:

Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection. (14)

…For the Church, the first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life, given over to God in a communion that nothing should destroy and at the same time given to one's neighbor with limitless zeal. As we said recently to a group of lay people, "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." (41)

The first of these very important quotes tells us that the Church exists to evangelize—that is, to share the Good News of the Gospel. The pope goes on to tell us ways that the Church does this. The next quote tells us of the first way of evangelizing, which is our own witness of life as Christians. In fact, the pope believes that in our modern world our witness is more important than anything we might say or preach.

Each one of us is a witness to Christ. Each one of us can share our example of life and joy with others and can tell others about our relationship with Jesus.

What is your story? How can you show and tell others about Jesus?


My Personal Witness

Directions: Using the questions below as a guide, tell the story of your personal witness of Jesus in a way that you could share with others.

1. What was your life like before you met Jesus? (What was the most important thing in

your life? What made you the happiest?) __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

2. How did you discover that this life would not make you as happy as you expected or

wanted?

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3. How did you meet Jesus? (Did you have a sudden conversion? Or was it over time?)

__________________________________________________________________________

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4. What was it like coming to know the truth of the Gospel?

__________________________________________________________________________

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5. How does Christ give you the happiness, security, and fulfillment that you searched for

before your conversion? Give a specific example.

__________________________________________________________________________

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Pentecost Sunday (Middle and Upper Elementary)

May 31, 2020 – Pentecost Sunday

Overview In the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday, Jesus promises His disciples that He will send them the Holy Spirit to teach them and to guide them. In this lesson, students will explore the various symbols of the Holy Spirit found in Scripture. Directions


B. Review and discuss the correct answers when finished. C. Have your students read the story of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-11, printed on the Symbols of

the Holy Spirit worksheet, and have them answer the reflection questions. Then, have students look up each of the given Scripture passages to determine which symbol of the Holy Spirit is revealed in those passages. Have them record their answer and why they think so, and then draw an artistic representation of that symbol.

Answer Key

1. “Peace be with you.” 2. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 3. He breathed on them. 4. The authority to forgive and retain sins.


Symbols of the Holy Spirit: Reflection Questions:

1. The reading from Acts fulfills the promise Jesus makes in the Gospel. Both readings provide us with an understanding of who the Holy Spirit is.

2. Because the Holy Spirit was necessary to strengthen and guide the Apostles in the establishing of the early Church and continues to be necessary until the Second Coming.

Graphic Organizer

1. A dove/The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus at His Baptism like a dove. 2. Tongues or flames of fire/God’s spirit often appears in fire, which is symbol of power and

might. 3. Wind/The Spirit filled the room with the sound of a rushing wind, and God’s Spirit

hovered over the waters of creation. 4. Water/Water is often connected with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Baptism. 5. A cloud/God led His people at various points in the Old Testament by appearing in a

cloud or a pillar of fire. 6. Anointing with oil/Anointing with oil represented being sealed with God’s Spirit.


Sunday Reading John 20:19-23: Appearance to the Disciples

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

Focus Questions

1. How does Jesus greet His Disciples? 2. After He shows the Disciples His hands and side, what does He say to them? 3. With what action did Jesus give the disciples the Holy Spirit? 4. What authority did Jesus give to the Disciples?


Symbols of the Holy Spirit Directions: Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season. For the past 50 days, we have celebrated Christ’s Resurrection from the dead and His glorious Ascension into Heaven. Now we celebrate the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send the Holy Spirit to lead His Church into a new age. Read the story of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-11 below and answer the reflection questions. Then, complete the symbols of the Holy Spirit activity.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” – Acts 2:1-11

Reflection Questions:

1. How are the Gospel readings for this Sunday and this reading from Acts of the

Apostles connected?

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2. Why do you think it was necessary for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit?

__________________________________________________________________________

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Symbols of the Holy Spirit:

1. Matthew 3:16

Symbol:

Why?

2. Acts 2:3 and Exodus 3:2

Symbol:

Why?

3. Acts 2:2 and Genesis 1:2

Symbol:

Why?


4. Matthew 3:11 and John 3:5

Symbol:

Why?

5. Exodus 16:10

Symbol:

Why?

6. Acts 10:38 and 1 John 2:20-27

Symbol:

Why?



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Lessons for Lower Elementary



The Good Shepherd (Lower Elementary)

May 3, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

Overview

This week’s Gospel passage focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd who protects and guides His sheep to abundant life. In this lesson, students will reflect upon what it means to live the abundant life Jesus offers to us.

Directions

A. Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then, discuss the focus and reflection questions with them.

B. Next, have students watch the following video of a shepherd calling his sheep found at SophiaOnline.Org/SheepCalling, and answer the reflection questions about the video.

C. Conclude by having students draw a picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Answer Key

1. A shepherd. 2. By name. 3. The gate for the sheep. 4. Steal, slaughter, and destroy. 5. Jesus came to give us “a lot of” life, or a full and joyful life, the best life. Accept other

reasoned answers.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of John 10:1-10: The Good Shepherd

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do

not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."


Focus Questions

1. Who enters through a gate?

2. How does Jesus say a shepherd calls his sheep?

3. What does Jesus call Himself in this Gospel?

4. What does a thief do?

5. Abundant means “a lot of”. What do you think Jesus means

when He said, “I came so that they might have life and have

it more abundantly”?


Directions: Answer the reflection questions.

1. What did the shepherd do in the video What happened

when he did it?

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2. How is this video like this week’s Gospel?

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3. What are two ways you have been listening to the voice of

Jesus in your life?

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Draw a picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd



Last Supper Discourses (Lower Elementary)

May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Overview

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus promises His disciples that He will prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He emphasizes that He and the Father are one. In this lesson, students will compare the comfort and safety of their own home to their eternal home—Heaven.

Directions

A. Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then discuss the focus and reflection questions with them.

B. Then, have your students complete the My Father’s House and My Home In Heaven activities.

Answer Key

1. To His Father’s House/to His Father. 2. He says "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 3. Jesus says to Thomas “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through me.” 4. Anyone who sees Jesus sees the God the Father, because they are one.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of John 14:1-12: Last Supper Discourses

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Do not let your hearts be

troubled. You have faith in

God; have faith also in me.

In my Father's house there

are many dwelling places.

If there were not, would I

have told you that I am

going to prepare a place

for you? And if I go and

prepare a place for you, I

will come back again and

take you to myself, so that

where I am you also may

be. Where I am going you

know the way." Thomas

said to him, "Master, we do

not know where you are

going; how can we know the

way?" Jesus said to him, I am

the way and the truth and

the life. No one comes to

the Father except through

me. If you know me, then

you will also know my

Father. From now on you do

know him and have seen

him."

Philip said to him, "Master,

show us the Father, and that

will be enough for us." Jesus

said to him, "Have I been

with you for so long a time

and you still do not know

me, Philip? Whoever has

seen me has seen the


Father. How can you say,

'Show us the Father'? Do

you not believe that I am in

the Father and the Father

is in me? The words that I

speak to you I do not speak

on my own. The Father

who dwells in me is doing

his works. Believe me that I

am in the Father and the

Father is in me, or else,

believe because of the works

themselves. Amen, amen, I

say to you, because I am

going to the Father.”

Focus Questions

1. Where does Jesus tell His disciples He is going?

2. What question does Thomas ask Jesus?

3. How does Jesus answer Thomas?

4. Who do we see when we see Jesus?


My Father’s House

Directions: In this week’s Gospel, Jesus says Heaven is like a house with many rooms. He says that there is a room for each of us in Heaven! Think about your own home and your own room. Then, answer the reflection questions:

1. How does your own home make you feel safe?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

2. What do you like best about your home? Why?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

3. Describe your own room. How do you feel when you are in

it?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

4. Why do you think Jesus says Heaven is like a house?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


My Home In Heaven

Directions: In the box below, draw a picture of Heaven as Jesus describes it in the Gospel reading.



The Advocate (Lower Elementary)

May 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter Overview

In this week’s Gospel passage Jesus tells us that if we love Him then we will keep His Commandments. Jesus will not leave us to live out the Commandments on our own. He promises to send us an Advocate—the Holy Spirit—to give us the grace to live them out. In this lesson, students will evaluate their own progress living out the Ten Commandments in their own lives.

Directions

A. Read the passage aloud to your students B. Lead your students in the following brief discussion:

• What is Jesus saying is a key sign of our love for Him? Obeying His Commandments • What are His Commandments? Review the 10 Commandments briefly • Would you say these are easy to live? Some are some aren’t. We all struggle with

different ones. • What does Jesus promise us in order to help us live the commandments? The Spirit

of Truth, which is the Holy Spirit C. Distribute the handout. D. Then, have students prayerfully complete the Obeying the Commandments and

Loving Jesus reflection.

Answer Key

1. Obeying His Commandments. 2. The Spirit of Truth, which is the Holy Spirit. 3. They will be loved by the Father and Jesus, and Jesus will reveal Himself to them.


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of John 14:15-21: The Advocate

Jesus said to his disciples:

"If you love me, you will

keep my commandments.

And I will ask the Father,

and he will give you another

Advocate to be with you

always, the Spirit of truth,

whom the world cannot

accept, because it neither

sees nor knows him. But

you know him, because he

remains with you, and will

be in you. I will not leave

you orphans; I will come to

you. In a little while the

world will no longer see me,

but you will see me, because

I live and you will live. On

that day you will realize that

I am in my Father and you

are in me and I in you.

Whoever hears my

commandments and

observes them is the one

who loves me. And whoever

loves me will be loved by my

Father, and I will love him

and reveal myself to him.”


Focus Questions

1. What does Jesus say is a key sign of our love for Him? 2. What does Jesus promise us in order to help us live

the Commandments? 3. What will happen to those who love Jesus?


Obeying the Commandments and Loving Jesus

Directions: Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments with two: “love the Lord ,your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Rate how well you have lived out these commandments. Then list three ways you have done so this week. Finally, write a short prayer to Jesus. Tell Him how much you love Him and ask Him and His Holy Spirit to help you live the Commandments more perfectly.

The Two Great Commandments Rate yourself 1 (really struggle) through 10 (mastered it) for each

commandment.

A. Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, and mind.

My rating:_________ Three ways I have loved God this week.

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________


B. Love your neighbor as yourself.

My rating:_________ Three ways I have loved my neighbor this week.

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________

My Personal Prayer Dear Jesus, ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________



The Ascension of the Lord (Lower Elementary)

May 24, 2020 – The Ascension of the Lord Overview

In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus gathers His disciples for His final command before ascending into Heaven – preach the Gospel to the world. This command becomes the mission of the Church. In this lesson, students contemplate Jesus’ command by reflecting on sacred art.

Directions


B. Read the directions from Go and Teach Hidden Letters to your students. Then have them find the hidden letters in the painting and write them on the lines. Last, help your students unscramble the letters to spell out Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.

C. Conclude the lesson by discussing the sacred art painting with your students, using the following questions: • What are some things that you see in this painting? Jesus, the disciples, angels,

rays of light, clouds, a building in the background, hills, trees, and so on. Accept other reasoned answers.

• If you could rewind this painting, what do you think happened immediately before this scene? Jesus gave His disciples the mission to proclaim the Gospel to the world.

• If you could fast forward this painting, what do you think would happen immediately after this scene? Perhaps the disciples prayed, or they went home amazed, or, like the Gospel says, they went out and told the world what they had witnessed. Accept other reasoned answers.

• Do you think the artist did a good job illustrating Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven? Why? Or why not?


Answer Key Focus Questions

1. They worshipped but doubted. 2. He tells them that all power on Heaven and Earth had been given to Him. 3. He tells them to go and make disciples of all nations, to baptize them in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all that He has commanded.

Go and Teach Hidden Letters Answer: Disciples


Sunday Reading

A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20: The Ascension of the Lord

The eleven disciples went to

Galilee, to the mountain to

which Jesus had ordered

them. When they saw him,

they worshiped, but they

doubted. Then Jesus

approached and said to them,

“All power in heaven and on

earth has been given to

me. Go, therefore, and make

disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son,

and of the holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all

that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you

always, until the end of the

age.”

Focus Questions

1. What did the Disciples do when they saw Jesus?

2. What does Jesus say He has received?

3. What is Jesus’ command to His disciples?


Go and Teach Hidden Letters

Directions: Before Jesus went up to Heaven, He gave His disciples a mission. Find the letters in the painting and write them on the lines. Then, unscramble the letters to spell out the mission Jesus gave to His Apostles. Finally, answer the question.

Jesus said “make _________________________________________ of

every nation.”

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

What are two ways that you can tell others about Jesus?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________



Appearance to the Disciples (Lower Elementary)

May 31, 2020 – Pentecost Sunday

Overview

In the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday, Jesus promises His disciples that He will send them the Holy Spirit to teach them and to guide them. In this lesson, students will explore the various symbols of the Holy Spirit found in Scripture.

Directions


B. Then, read aloud to your students the story of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-11. When you have finished reading, have students complete the Symbols of the Holy Spirit activity. When they have finished drawing their own symbol of the Holy Spirit, have them explain how their drawing represents the Holy Spirit.

Answer Key

1. “Peace be with you.” 2. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 3. He breathed on them. 4. The authority to forgive and retain sins.


Sunday Reading John 20:19-23: Appearance to the Disciples On the evening of that first

day of the week, when the

doors were locked, where

the disciples were, for fear

of the Jews, Jesus came and

stood in their midst

and said to them, "Peace be

with you."

When he had said this, he

showed them his hands and

his side. The disciples

rejoiced when they saw the

Lord. Jesus said to them

again, "Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me,

so I send you."

And when he had said this,

he breathed on them and

said to them, "Receive the

Holy Spirit. Whose sins you

forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain

are retained.

Focus Questions 1. How does Jesus greet His Disciples?

2. After He shows the Disciples His hands and side, what

does He say to them?

3. How does Jesus give the disciples the Holy Spirit?

4. What authority did Jesus give to the Disciples?


Symbols of the Holy Spirit Directions: Read about the Holy Spirit, then answer the reflection question and draw a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. He promised His

disciples that He would. When the Holy Spirit came, the disciples

went out and told everyone about Jesus. The Holy Spirit made

them strong so that they would not be afraid.

The Bible uses many symbols for the Holy Spirit:

• On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came as fire and wind

• When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came as a dove.

• The water we are baptized with is a symbol of the Holy

Spirit.

• In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit led God’s people in

a cloud.


Reflection Question: Why do you think Jesus gave the Holy

Spirit to His Disciples at Pentecost?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Now, draw your own symbol of the Holy Spirit!

My Symbol of the Holy Spirit

may 2020 teaching the liturgical year full lesson v.3€¦ · 04/05/2020 · liturgical year -----...

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