Discussion Questions for the Sunday Readings (readings can be found here)
For Children:
Ask the children if they can imagine what the disciples on the road to Emmaus must have felt like? Abandoned? Lost? Confused?
Discuss how Jesus did not want to leave His disciples abandoned. So He established the way He could remain with them He gave them the Eucharist so He could be with them always. As them to think about Mass and how Mass is similar to this story of the Road to Emmaus, the readings pointing to Jesus and the breaking of the bread.
Ask the children to talk about how Jesus is still with them. What does it mean for Jesus to rise from the dead? Go for a walk and have them tell you what they know about Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, there are times we feel lost, abandoned, we don’t know why something has happened. Help us to understand that you are present in our midst even in these times. Help us to know you and see you in our family, and friends, and most especially in the breaking of the bread.:
Our Father…
And let us ask Mary to protect us:
Hail Mary…
BELOW ARE THE LINKS TO THE REFLECTIONS FOR THE TRIDUUM. PLEASE CLICK ON ONE TO OPEN.
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Discussion Questions for the Sunday Readings (readings can be found at www.usccb.org/readings)
For Children:
Ask the children if they have ever felt like they have been alone or scared that no one was going to help them?
Discuss how Jesus even felt alone at times, how He had strength to acknowledge that He felt that way, but that he also had the faith that the Father was with Him. Ask them in what way they suffer and hurt sometimes. Ask if they can see some similarities with what Jesus did on the cross. Discuss with them that Jesus was on the Cross to help us always with our suffering. Take a cross or crucifix down and ask them to point out where Jesus was hurt. Have them give Jesus kisses where he is hurting. Tell them to remember to place their hurt onto Jesus’s hurting whenever they feel like they are hurting too much, and Jesus will kiss their hurt.
Take a paper towel (or a cloth that can be ripped) and place it between the children and the cross. Discuss how there used to be something that kept us from going directly to God. God did not want this though, so He made a way to get rid of this blockade. Let them know the towel is like the blockade that prevents us from loving God directly. But when Jesus died that was torn in two (rip the towel). Now we can go to God because of Jesus who died on the Cross. Ask them to tell Jesus what they want God to know.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, we desire to be in relationship with you. We want to be obedient to you, and follow all your ways. Help us when we struggle and are in pain, take our pain upon your cross with you and bear it with us. Take all of our needs as we pray in the words you have given us.:
Our Father…
And let us ask Mary to protect us:
Hail Mary…
All content original to the Diocese of Kalamazoo
Discussion Questions for the Sunday Readings (readings can be found at www.usccb.org/readings)
For Children:
Ask the children what it has been like to be “stuck at home” for this time. Has it been easy? Has it been hard?
Discuss with them people they know who are suffering or hurting, maybe even themselves. Ask how can we help them? What are the ways we need to ask Jesus to help them?
Talk about how Jesus wept for Lazarus, ask if they think He ever weeps for them. Ask them to think of a time they had a difficult time and how Jesus might have been there for them.
Finally, discuss how Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. How Jesus wants to be with us and help us. Ask them how can we let Jesus know what we need? In what ways can we be like Jesus to those around us? How can we be close to Jesus like Lazarus was? What must we be like today so we can spend forever with Jesus?
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, we want your healing touch upon our lives. Weep with us now as weep for ourselves and those who are sick and dying. Roll back the stones that prevent us from seeing you and being with you. Help us to turn to you in friendship with all that we need. Let us pray in the words Jesus has given us:
Our Father…
And let us ask Mary to protect us:
Hail Mary…
All content original to the Diocese of Kalamazoo
Discussion Questions for the Sunday Readings (readings can be found at www.usccb.org/readings)
For Children:
Turn off the lights of the room and allow it to be dark for a couple minutes. Slowly light a couple candles and let the children see the room light up. Finally turn on the lights. Discuss with them what it was like to be in the dark. Ask questions like: How hard was it to see? Would you walk around?
Think about what it was like with a few candles lit. What was different? Would you walk around with just a little light? Could you see everything?
Talk about all the lights being on. Ask what it was like then? How was it different then when just the candles were lit?
Finally, discuss how Jesus is our light; compare the man born blind. For his life it was like the lights were off. When we only had the candles burning maybe it was like when the clay was on his eyes and he was being cured, and finally he could see fully just like when the lights were on. We can see but do we see the spiritual things fully? Can we ask Jesus to see everything better? In what ways do we need Jesus? Do you want to have Jesus as your Lord like the blind man did? Will you worship Jesus?
In this time where we can’t go to Mass it is almost like being in the dark. Can we ask Jesus to help us someday soon to be with Him at Mass?
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, we want you to be our light. Take us out of darkness and guide us in the way of life. Help us to see the path that you have for us, and how we can best follow you. Please help all the victims of the coronavirus. Give us the strength to continue on in this time of trial. Hasten our return to Mass. Let us pray in the words Jesus has given us:
Our Father…
And let us ask Mary to protect us:
Hail Mary…
All content original to the Diocese of Kalamazoo