Print the following Scripture passages on 1.5 x 11 strips of paper (one passage per strip):
John 2:1-12
Matthew 15:32-39; 16:5-11
John 6:1-14
John 6:22-71
John 15:1-11
Give each students a Bible and a set of all five strips.
Tell them that in each passage, Jesus offers some explanation for the Eucharist, which he will reveal, finally at the Last Supper.
Ask the students to go to a place where they can be by themselves and reach each passage. On the back of each strip, have them write one sentence that expresses an insight they have about the Eucharist based on the particular passage.
Play some instrumental background music. Allow at least twenty minutes for the students to read, reflect, and write.
When the time is complete, gather the class together, preferably in a large circle. Go around and ask each student to share one or two insights on the Eucharist.
Conclude with a dramatic reading of the Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35) or the meal with fish (John 21:1-14).
In connection with Divine Mercy Sunday, use the opportunity to explain the meaning and effects of indulgences.
An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment still due to sin that has already been forgiven. Temporal punishment refers to punishment that takes places in time on earth or in Purgatory and that has an end when the soul is purified and permitted into heaven. Oppositely, eternal punishment is due to unrepentant mortal sin. If a person does not repent before death of the mortal sin he has cut himself off from God’s grace for eternity. The two types of punishment are not a kind of vengeance from God, but are related to the very nature of sin. A conversion is necessary to remove the punishments due to sin.
There are two types of indulgences. Plenary indulgences remove all punishment for sin. Partial indulgences remove some of the punishment. Indulgences can be applied to the living and the dead; for example, you can pray and do penance for souls in Purgatory to help to lessen their suffering.
Divine Mercy Sunday is an opportunity for plenary indulgence. The usual conditions are as follows:
sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within about 20 days before or after]
Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]
prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]
The specific conditions for this indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday are:
in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”)
Here is a video to share on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Share a lesson the Church’s teaching on Purgatory. The following information is from Jesus Christ: Source of Our Salvation (2nd Edition). A short lesson follows the background information.
Background Information
Purgatory is name the Church gives to the final purification of those who die in God’s grace and friendship, but who need purification or cleansing to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven. From her beginnings, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in solidarity with those who have died, especially during the celebration of the Eucharist. Other acts, such as helping the poor and works of penance, can be offered up for someone who is in Purgatory as well.
Catholic belief in the existence of Purgatory is based on biblical passages such as 2 Maccabees 12:39–46, which encourages those who are living to pray for the dead so that they may be released from their sins. In addition, Church Tradition has interpreted certain passages (see 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pt 1:7) as referring to a place of a “cleansing fire” after death.
The doctrine of Purgatory and the process of purification make sense. To embrace an all-loving God, you must be free of any imperfection in your own capacity to love. Only a person who, before death, has been cleansed of sin or any punishment due for sins is pure enough to embrace an all-loving God completely and is thus ready for heaven. Sometimes, this cleansing can only be completed after death. It is both a joyful and a painful process. Those in Purgatory are happy that heaven awaits them, but the process of purgation might entail burning with sorrow and shame over sin and of great difficulty in giving up selfish attachments. However, when their purgation is complete, their suffering will end as they enter the bliss of heaven.
Lesson
Provide some art material (paper and drawing supplies). Have the students draw an image from your description that follows:
Imagine a ship or boat sailing in choppy waters. Jesus is at the helm, setting its course. Above the boat, cloudlike figures representing the faithful who have died and are present with God in heaven fill the boat’s sails with zephyrs of their prayers. The deck of the boat is crowded with sturdy folk working the oars. These are the living members of the Church whose shared efforts and prayer power the craft. Below deck are sleeping figures, representing the souls of those who have died (and who are in Purgatory) and are being supported and transported by the efforts and prayers of those on deck and those above the clouds. This image reminds us that all of us in the Church—living and dead—are in the same boat.
Go on to emphasize that Purgatory is a transitional state of purification in which the imperfect person encounters the perfection of God. Emphasize that all people in Purgatory will eventually be in heaven. Invite the students to share in a class discussion some earthly experiences that might be considered purgatorial. Ask:
What are some experiences that, though painful, bring us closer to God or open our eyes to see God’s action in the world?
How might the popular slogan “No pain, no gain” be applied to Purgatory?
Suggest that the imperfect person would find a face-to-face encounter with the perfect God necessarily purging and therefore painful. In this purgatorial encounter, we quickly come to the realization that we have not chosen consistently for God and neighbor, a realization that is not only agonizing but purifying as well.
Here’s an activity for your students when they return to school after Easter. Make copies of the Scripture Spiral. You can also make copies of the questions below to give to each student or read the questions one at a time as the students work to fill in the answers around the spiral. The last letter of one answer is also the first letter of the next answer.
Questions
What did the women take to Jesus’ tomb? (Lk 24:1)
In Matthew’s Gospel, what was the angel doing on the stone? (Mt 28:3)
Who did Mary Magdalene think Jesus was? (Jn 20:15)
How did Peter get to the tomb? (Lk 24:12)
In Mark’s original ending, what did the women say to Peter and the disciples about the message given to them by the angel at the empty tomb? (Mt 28:16)
Where did the risen Jesus meet with his disciples? (Mt 28:16)
What natural disaster accompanied the angel’s descent? (Mt 28:2)
What was the village seven miles from Jerusalem where the two disciples were traveling when they met Jesus? (Lk 24:13)
What day of the week was the empty tomb discovered? (Mk 16:2)
How did Peter answer Jesus’ question “Do you love me?” (Jn 21:16)
Jesus breathed on his disciples and promised he would send the Holy ______. (Jn 20:22)
In Luke’s Gospel, who appeared to the women inside the empty tomb? (Lk 24:4)
What did the women’s story of the empty tomb seem like to the Apostles? (Lk 24:11)
What did the risen Jesus want to do when he met with his disciples in Jerusalem? (Lk 24:41)
What was the name of the sea where Jesus revealed himself to seven disciples? (Jn 21:1)
After the students have completed the Scripture Spiral tell them to use the circled letters on the spiral to answer the following question: What is the most important feast day in the Church Year?
Answers: 1) spices; 2) sitting; 3) gardener; 4) ran; 5) nothing; 6) Galilee; 7) earthquake; 8) Emmaus; 9) Sunday; 10; Yes; 11) Spirit; 12) two men; 13) nonsense; 14) eat; 15) Tiberias; Bonus) Easter.
The Jewish Pasch (Passover) is celebrated this year from April 22-30. You may wish to share this information on the Passover as it compares with the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. The material is taken from The Old Testament: Our Call to Faith and Justice (Ave Maria Press, 2013).
At the center of the Gospel is Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The word paschal is taken from the Jewish word for Passover, pasch. The Exodus, the occasion in which God spared the firstborn children of Israel and allowed Moses to lead his people from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land, is remembered at Passover. Jesus in the New Testament redefined this experience.
The Gospels suggest that Jesus was celebrating a Passover meal in the upper room with his disciples at the Last Supper (Mt 26:18, Mk 14:22–23, Lk 22:7–13, 1 Cor 11:24–25). At the time that Jesus celebrated this feast, the Passover meal probably included unleavened bread, wine, some herbs, and an unblemished lamb. Their ceremony would have consisted of a blessing (berakah) of both the cup and the bread. These elements are described in the New Testament. Yet, there is no sign of the lamb. In its place, Jesus is the Lamb of God, the unblemished paschal lamb (Ex 12:4–5) who is led to slaughter (Is 53:7). Jesus gave the Passover a new meaning. The Eucharist “fulfills the Jewish Passover” through the Paschal Mystery (CCC, 1340). Christ’s Suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension are a passing over from slavery to sin to ultimate freedom in the Resurrection of humanity.
Passover Meal
Eucharist
Bread and wine (Ex 12:15, Nm 9:11–12)
Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples (Mt Lk 22:19–20)
Unblemished Lamb (Ex 12:4–5)
Jesus is the Paschal Lamb, the Lamb of God (Jn 19:36, 1 Cor 5:7, 1 Pt 1:19)
None of the lamb’s bones should be broken (Nm 9:12)
The soldiers did not break Jesus’ bones on the Cross (Jn 19:33, 36)
Berekah (“blessing”)
Jesus took the bread and said a blessing (Mt 26:26, Mk 14:22, Lk 22:19–20)
Celebrates the Hebrews passing from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land (Ex 12)
Celebrates the passing from slavery to sin to freedom in the Resurrection, from death to new life (1 Cor 5:7–8)
Moses poured blood on the people at the establishment of the Covenant (Ex 24:8, Zec 9:11)
Jesus poured out his blood at the establishment of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31, Lk 22:20)
Guest Speaker
If possible, arrange for a Jewish person in your neighboring community to speak with the students about the traditions, practice, and meanings of Passover.
Resources
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 608, 1334, 1340, 1362–1367, 1382
God has created humans to constantly be the lookout for what is lasting and real. The search ultimately leads to God. Have your students read and study the following quotations. Then have them write brief and reflective responses to the questions that follow.
Quotations
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God?
Psalm 42:1–3
The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #27
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.
C. S. Lewis
For everything that is not God is unable to fulfill my desires. It is you alone I seek, that I may have you. O Lord, open my heart. Jesus Christ, my Savior, the express image and character of your essence is that image and likeness I desire.
Blaise Pascal
The simple desire for God is already the beginning of faith. All of us have doubts. They are nothing to worry about. Our deepest desire is to listen to Christ, who whispers in our hearts.
Brother Roger of Taizé
Questions
Do any of your desires (e.g., relationships, reputation, security, comfort, material things, other) compete with your desire for God? Which ones?
Have any of the desires you illustrated—or any others (e.g., sexual desire, selfishness, over-indulgence, status, money, etc.)—been overwhelming for you?
What are you afraid of? What, if anything, does your fear tell you about your relationship with God?
Right now—at this moment in your life—what is the state of your desire for God? Do you desire God? Do you desire to desire God?
The Resurrection is the central mystery of the Christian faith. As St. Paul wrote, if we do not believe in the Resurrection wholeheartedly, then “empty is our preaching; empty, too our faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Your students have heard the details of some of the key incidents that are included in the Easter Gospel stories. Have them work in small groups and try to recreate the details of the key incidents of these accounts.
Hand out a printed resource with the eight headings and Gospel references listed below. Have the students form groups of eight in order to tell the entire story in as much detail as possible. Each person should be responsible for one of the headings. He or she should tell begin telling the story (again, in as much detail as possible). The other students in the group can add details as necessary. Continue in the same format for the eight headings.
Allow about fifteen or twenty minutes of sharing for the eight headings. Then have the group choose two of the headings for further study. Have them look up and read the Gospel passage referenced for those stories. Have them note any of the details they missed in their own sharing.
Easter Headlines
An Amazing Discovery on Sunrise (Mark 16:1-14)
An Earthquake, An Angel, and a Guard’s Tale (Matthew 18:1-15)
Peter, John, and the Holy Shroud (John 20:1-10
The Mysterious Gardener (John 20:11-16)
The Third Traveler on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:113-35)
Can a Ghost Eat (Luke 24:36-49)
Thomas the Doubter (John 20:19-29)
Fish Fry on the Shore (John 21:1-14)
This activity is adapted from Time Out: Resources for Teen Retreats (Ave Maria Press, 1998) by Sr. Kieran Sawyer, SSND.
Seven Gospel passages of Jesus' words on the Cross are known as the "seven last words of Christ." You may wish to use these passages for prayer and reflection during Holy Week. Have the students write both the passage and a response to the question that follows in their journals.
1. "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34).
Who do I find it impossible to forgive? How can I overcome this feeling?
2. "In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43).
Who is someone who is lonely and hurting that I can comfort this week? How can I do it?
3. "Woman, this is your son.... This is your mother" (Jn 19:26-27).
What is something kind I can do for my mother this week? What are ways that I make my family members proud of me?
4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt 27:46)
What is the greatest obstacle to my faith? Write a prayer that asks God for help with this challenge.
5. "I am thirsty" (Jn 28).
What is something right that I thirst for? How can I avoid thirsting for what is wrong?
6. "It is fulfilled" (Jn 19:30).
What are major commitments I have made for my life? How can I better follow through on those commitments?
7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).
What is the hardest thing in my life to let go of? What are other things that keep me from following the Lord?
