Second Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Last week in a little liturgy the activity involved writing "I do" to the questions asked in the baptismal rite. In our discussions at home, we felt that for some answers we considered putting "not so sure". Today we discover that Thomas also felt this way and that Christ was there to answer his doubts. This week, I have tried to explore how Christ is also there to answer our doubts.
Summary of Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Acts 4:32-35
Everyone in the group of believers was united, heart and soul. They shared everything they had so that no one went without.
Psalm 117
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Second Reading
1 John 5:1-6
If we love God and follow his commandments, we can overcome the world.
Gospel
John 20:19-31
The disciples were hiding from the Jews in a locked room when Jesus came and stood among them. He greeted them, saying, "Peace be with you". Next he said: "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you."
Thomas was not with the others when this happened and he did not believe that they had seen Jesus. Eight days later, Jesus returned and spoke especially to Thomas. He said that he could touch his wounds and then said "Doubt no longer but believe". Thomas answered "My Lord and my God." Then Jesus said "You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe."
Discussion
Thomas famously found it difficult to believe that Christ had risen so he earned the name "Doubting Thomas". Jesus sought him out and helped him to believe. We may think that it was easy for the disciples to believe because they "were there". However, they did not have the benefit of the New Testament collected as a book, they were scared and often persecuted and they did not always have the support of their friends and families. We can now look back over nearly 2,000 years of Christianity for inspiration and assistance. Like us, the disciples were often puzzled by what Jesus taught and found things difficult. Peter, himself, was often slow to understand things and indeed denied that he knew Jesus when he was scared. We should take courage from this.
Activity during Mass
Listening to the scriptures is a bit like being with the disciples when Jesus spoke to them. Today Jesus says:
"_ _ _ _ _ _ _ longer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ". After the Gospel, the priest gives a homily and then we say the Creed. The word "Creed" comes from the Latin word "credo" meaning "I believe".
In today's Gospel, we see that Thomas had a hard time believing that Jesus was not still dead. Look at some of our beliefs listed from the Creed below and underline the one that Thomas was finding difficult to believe:
I believe in one God
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ
I believe that Jesus came down from heaven
I believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary
I believe that Jesus suffered death and was buried
I believe that Jesus rose again on the third day
I believe that Jesus ascended into heaven
I believe that God's kingdom will have no end
I believe in the Holy Spirit
I believe in the life of the world to come
Now put a mark out of 10 by each statement. Put 10 if you find it easy to believe and 1 if you find it difficult to believe. Now add up to find your score out of 100.
Everybody finds believing difficult at times. That is why Jesus gave us the Church. The Church is a bit like a map to help us to follow Jesus. It attempts to explain things and gives us company, help and energy on the way. When Jesus says "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe", he is talking about us. He gave us the map so we can find him.
Other activities and resources
Look up some information about the early church and how they decided what to put in their creeds. The following link might be useful:
Information about Council of Nicaea
A famous painting may help you to explore today's Gospel:
Caravaggio's painting
I hope you have found something useful this week.
Maria
Easter Sunday (Years A,B and C)
a little liturgy for Easter Sunday departs from the usual format, since I'm sure that some of you will be going to the Vigil Mass and others the Mass during the day. So I have concentrated on moving from darkness into light and renewing baptismal promises. May I extend a warm welcome and many congratulations to those who will be baptised and received into the Church on Saturday evening.
The Easter Vigil service portrays dramatically the move from darkness into light and this is of course what Baptism is all about. On Easter night the Gloria is sung, bells are rung and candles are lit to divide the readings of the Old Testament from the New. At Mass during the day we light candles when we renew our baptismal promises.
Here is a drawing of the Pascal Candle. Add in the symbols for alpha and omega, the numerals for the current year and the five grains of incense.
When the priest does this at the Easter Vigil he says the following words:
"Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, all time belongs to him and all ages.
To him be glory and power through every age and forever. Amen
By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us."
After the Gospel and homily we usually say the Creed which is a statement of our beliefs. On Easter Day we go one step further and renew our baptismal promises by saying them out loud, just as we or our Godparents did at our baptism. Add in the words "I do" after every statement:
Do you renounce Satan?
And all his works?
And all his empty show?
Do you believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Put these phrases in your own words:
do you renounce
empty show
Below is a link to the stations of the cross at Lourdes. Obviously more appropriate for Good Friday than Easter Sunday. I include it because in Lourdes there are fifteen Stations of the Cross - the last represents the Resurrection. It is striking in its simplicity and yet rich in symbolism. I hope it provides some interesting discussion.
Stations of the Cross at Lourdes
I wish you every joy and blessing for the Easter season.
Maria
Good Friday (Year A,B and C)
Just a quick post from a little liturgy today to point you to:
https://thekidsbulletin.wordpress.com
There are some fantastic resources on this blog but the Stations of the Cross are exceptional. I hope you get as much from them as we do. Many thanks to "Sparky".
Maria
Maundy Thursday (Year A,B and C)
Welcome to a little liturgy for Maundy Thursday. Apologies for the brief disruption recently - a nasty virus got the better of me. I think my little boy found it refreshing to attend Mass without pen and paper for once! It made me realise that one can do too much... This week the liturgies speak for them selves so what follows is a light touch!
Summary of Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
God gives Moses and Aaron instructions for the passover meal. The Israelites must slaughter a perfect sheep or goat and roast it. They are to put the animal's blood on the doorposts of their houses and then eat the meal hastily. God will destroy the first-born of their enemies but save the Israelite children. They must remember this night for ever.
Psalm 115
The blessing cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.
Second Reading
Corinthians 11:23-26
St Paul tells us and the Corinthians about the Last Supper. He says "every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his (Jesus') death."
Gospel
John 13:1-15
John tells us how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. Peter was reluctant and tried to stop Jesus but he was told "If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me." He also says "I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you."
Discussion
The readings today reflect the history of the Eucharist and connect the actions of the Last Supper to the Jewish passover and the sacrifice of the cross. These events are at the heart of Christianity and remind us of links with the Jewish tradition. The disciples and Jesus were celebrating the passover at the meal we now know as the Last Supper. Jesus made a new covenant with his people by offering himself as a sacrifice to conquer death. When we celebrate the Eucharist we are celebrating this sacrifice and joining with it.
Activities during Mass
Look again at the First Reading and answer these questions:
Describe what the sheep or goat should be like:
a) b) c)
What should the meat be eaten with?
Draw a picture of someone eating the Passover meal and label the figure.
Below is a checklist for the order of today's liturgy.
1. (This morning or yesterday the holy oils were blessed at the Cathedral and all the priests renewed their dedication to Christ.)
2. We meet together to begin the Easter Triduum - the statues and pictures are covered and the tabernacle is open.
3. Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross
4. Penitential Rite (we ask for forgiveness for our sins)
5. The Gloria is sung and the bells rung
6. The Liturgy of the Word (Readings, Psalm, Gospel)
7. Homily
8. Washing of Feet (Mandatum - Maundy antiphon sung)
9. Liturgy of the Eucharist - Consecration
10. Communion Rite
11. The Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament - procession
12. Hymn "Pange Lingua" is sung
13. The altar is stripped
Other activities and resources
Find out about the famous painting of the Last Supper here:
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin translation of Jesus' words to the disciples:
"Mandatum novum do vobis, ut diligatis invicem, sicut dilexi vos, dicit Dominus."
in English:
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, says the Lord".
Try and work out what the following words mean:
Dominus
Mandatum
novum
diligatis / dilexi
Maria
4th Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Welcome to another little liturgy. Today there is a little relief from Lent as it is Laetare Sunday and also Mother's Day. I hope all the mothers out there have a peaceful day.
Summary of Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23
The priests and people of God did not listen to his word and laughed at his prophets. Their enemies destroyed the temple and took them in exile to Babylon. After many years, king Cyrus of Persia was encouraged by God to have the temple rebuilt.
Psalm 136
O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!
Second Reading
Ephesians 2:4-10
St Paul tells us that God loves us so much that, even though we are sinners, we are brought to life in Christ.
Gospel
John 3:14-21
Jesus says that God loved the world so much that he gave his only son to bring light into the world. When we do wrong we are still living in darkness but if we live by the truth we live in the light.
Activity during Mass
Today the Gospel talks about people who do evil things living in darkness and other people hating darkness and choosing to live in the light. Jesus came so that we could choose the light. Draw a cartoon of people in darkness meeting Jesus and then moving into the light. List down some of the things that you imagine people of light doing.
Today the priest's vestments are rose or pink. Normally in Lent they are violet or purple. At other times they can be white, green, gold or in some traditions even black. Draw out a vestment shape for each of these colours and colour it in. Write down when you think that colour is used and why.
Other activities and useful resources
You might want to research more about Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus mentioned in the Old Testament reading today.
Maria
Third Sunday of Lent (Year B)
Today we encounter the Ten Commandments and I have tried to explore the notion of conscience. A couple of phrases really stood out for me from today's Gospel: "He (Jesus) never needed evidence about any man; he could tell what a man had in him." I hope you find something interesting in this week's a little liturgy.
First Reading
Exodus 20:1-17
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments:
1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
4. Honour your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's goods.
Psalm
Ps 18
You, Lord, have the message of eternal life.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
St Paul says that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God. He tells us that "God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength."
Gospel
John 2:13-25
Before the Passover, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. There he found people who were selling things and trading. He made a whip and drove them out of the temple saying, "Take all this out of here and stop turning my father's house into a market."
He then said that if the sanctuary were destroyed he would raise it up again in three days. (The disciples understood that he was talking about himself after they witnessed the resurrection.)
Discussion
The Ten Commandments form the basis of all Christian morality. They can be divided into two sections: one concerning God and one concerning your neighbour. However, rules can only take us so fa, and sometimes we must consider other ways of helping us to live good lives, such as listening to the Gospels and praying. The Church teaches that we must also use our conscience to decide what is right and wrong. "Conscience" could be described as a mixture of feeling, knowledge and experience. We have a responsibility to think about what is right, not according to selfish desires but according to respect for God and our neighbour.
Today's Gospel reminds us that we should have respect for holy places and behave appropriately; it is not acceptable to make money out of religious things and places. Interestingly, this was one of the criticisms levelled at the Catholic Church during the Reformation; priests were selling indulgences and relics. This is not strictly against the commandments but is obviously not respecting God or your neighbour.
Activity at Mass
Imagine that you are shipwrecked on a desert island. You are part of a group of twenty people and you need to make up some rules to help you all get along together. List down five rules that you would choose:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In the psalm today the psalmist praises God and his rules. He uses five different words to refer to God's rules. They all appear in the phrase "the ................. of the Lord". List them here:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other activities and useful resources.
The Ten Commandments are written in the Old Testament. In the New Testament we hear a story about these rules. Jesus says: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.... You must love your neighbour as yourself." (Luke 10: 27-28)
Look up this reference and read the next section about how to look after your neighbour.
Have a good week!
Maria
Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)
This week a little liturgy follows the Mass prayers closely to cover the notion of sacrifice. It is a difficult topic even for adults! I have included a link to "One Bread One Body" to help us reflect on this.
Summary of Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18
God asks Abraham to kill his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Just as he takes the knife to do this, God stops him and says that he has proved his loyalty by agreeing to do it. Instead, Abraham finds a ram for the burnt offering. God is pleased and says "I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and grains of sand on the seashore".
Psalm 115
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living
Second Reading
Romans 8:31-34
St Paul asks: "With God on our side who can be against us?" He says that God gave us the amazing gift of his son, so he will not refuse anything he can give us. Jesus died and rose from the dead for us and stands at God's right hand.
Gospel
Mark 9:2-10
Jesus went up a high mountain with James and John. When they were there his clothes became a bright white and Elijah and Moses appeared next to him and spoke with him. The apostles were frightened. A voice from a cloud said "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." Then suddenly everything was back to normal. Jesus told them not to tell anyone about this until he had risen from the dead. They were not sure what "rising from the dead" could mean.
Discussion
As we move towards Easter, the readings concentrate increasingly on the Easter mysteries of sacrifice and resurrection. As is often the case, the Old Testament reading about Abraham and Isaac foreshadows the sacrifice made by Christ on the cross. Abraham demonstrates his devotion to God by being willing to give up his only son. We really feel for Abraham at this point and are relieved when God intervenes at the last moment. However, for Christ there is no reprieve, even though he express his humanity with the words, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless let your will be done, not mine." He is loyal and obedient as Abraham was but also fulfils the role destined for Isaac who was replaced by the ram. As St Paul remarks, if God will do this for us, who can be against us?
The Gospel shows a privileged insight into the world beyond our usual experience. This event is usually known as the "Transfiguration" and helps us, and the apostles, to place Jesus with the holy men revered in the Jewish tradition. It is also a moment in the Gospel where we witness God the Father and Son together. The apostles are puzzled at the thought of Jesus rising from the dead and confused by their strange experiences. Sometimes, as Christians, we too are puzzled and confused. We should note here that they "talk amongst themselves" to try to understand things.
Activity for Mass
Every week the priest says a a special prayer over the offerings. This week's prayer is below:
May this sacrifice, O Lord, we pray, cleanse us of our faults and sanctify your faithful in body and mind for the celebration of the pascal festivities. Through Christ our Lord.
Also, at the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priests says:
Pray, brethren that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
and we reply:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
After the consecration the priest says:
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
and we answer a resounding: Amen
sacrifice here refers to:
God giving his son to us
Christ giving himself to God
Christ giving himself to us
Us giving ourselves to God
The Mass is a memorial of the sacrifice on the cross and when we hear Mass we join with Christ in his sacrifice. So when we offer bread and wine it represents us offering ourselves to God in unity with Christ. These are all very difficult ideas to understand and no one, not even the Pope, could claim to understand completely! However, we should try to improve our understanding by experiencing the Mass and studying it.
Read all these prayers again carefully and listen out for them at Mass today. Draw some pictures or a diagram to represent these aspects of sacrifice.
Imagine what the Apostles were saying to each other when they were walking down the mountain after the Transfiguration. Write down a few of ideas or questions that you have:
Other activities and useful resources
Youtube clip - One Bread One Body
Teaching document form Bishops of England and Wales
Diocese of East Anglia page
I hope you have a good week!
Maria
