The RE department of the Diocese of Motherwell have produced an online Children’s Liturgy for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2020
The Kids Bulletin: – 7th Sunday of Easter – Jesus prays to the Father for us all
Before Jesus left his friends and returned to his father in heaven, he prayed that God would stay close to them and watch over them always. In their prayers, they woul keep in touch with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Children do you know anyone who personally knows a famous person, such as a celebrity, star athlete, politician, actor, singer, etc. Have you ever called on this connection to meet this famous person, to get an autograph, to get tickets to an event, or some other form of contact. We often rely on other people to be our connection to something or someone that otherwise might be out of our reach. Children do you know that in our prayers, we can rely on “connections” as well—people who can help us when we feel like our prayers are falling short. We call this intercession.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prays a prayer of intercession on our behalf. What two things did Jesus pray for in this Gospel? (Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify him as Jesus had glorified the Father by the work he did on earth. Jesus prayed for his disciples.) What do you think Jesus wanted the Father to do for his disciples?
After this reading, Jesus’ prayer continues to the end of the chapter. Jesus prays for the protection of his disciples, and he prays for all those who would come to believe in him because of the disciples’ teaching. This means that Jesus prayed for us as well. Our faith teaches us that Jesus continues to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. What do you think are some things that Jesus wants for us? (Accept all reasonable answers.) How does it feel to know that Jesus prays for us and did so even before he died? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Conclude in prayer together, inviting all of you to offer prayers of intercession for others.
Closing prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the blessings and struggles today held. I praise you for this day and trust that it was part of your perfect plan for me. I’m sorry for all the things I did poorly today – help me to do better tomorrow. Please bless my family and friends and keep us safe. Amen.
Andrew Olive, Headteacher
Gospel: John 17:1-11 Father, it is time for you to glorify me
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world was. I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you; for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me. I pray for them; I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified. I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.’
Sr. Brenda brings the children’s liturgy into the home, sharing some thoughts on this weekends Gospel (Luke 17:1-11)
Family Connection
In today’s Gospel we glimpse Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. If we read further in John’s Gospel, we find that Jesus prayed for his disciples’ protection from the evil one. Jesus also prayed for all those who would have faith in him because of the disciples’ teaching. That means that Jesus prayed for us as well, even before his death on the cross. Our faith tells us that Jesus continues to intercede for us at the Father’s right hand.
Gather together as a family and think about the tradition of praying for other people. Who do you pray for? What do you ask for in your prayers? In today’s Gospel we find an example of Jesus’ prayer to the Father. Read together today’s Gospel, John 17:1-11a. Think about Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. We know that Jesus continues to intercede for us at the Father’s right hand. What might Jesus’ prayer be for you and your family? Conclude by praying together in thanks for the great love that Jesus shows you. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.
