Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1—15:47 (shorter form: Mark 15:1-39)
Jesus is sentenced to death and crucified. The centurion who witnessed his death declared, “This man was the Son of God.”

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

Teach younger children that as Christians, we recognize that Jesus is the Son of God. Holy Week is a time for remembering Jesus’ sacrifice to save us from our sins and give us hope of eternal life in heaven with the Father.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: Today is Palm Sunday. It’s the first day of Holy Week, an important time for remembering. We remember that Jesus gave his life for us to save us from our sins. Because this is such an important week, we’re going to hear two different Gospel stories today. First, we’ll hear how Jesus was greeted as he rode into Jerusalem.
2. Read aloud Mark 11:1–10.
3. Ask: Were the people happy or sad to see Jesus? (They were happy.) Say: The people blessed God and said, “Hosanna!”
4. Say: The second Gospel reading tells us about the events that led to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. We learn how Jesus gave himself to us in the Eucharist at the Last Supper. We learn that he was betrayed by Judas and arrested. Listen carefully while I read you a portion of this Gospel. Remember that before, as he rode into Jerusalem, the crowds were happy to see Jesus. They treated him like a king. Now Jesus has been arrested. Listen to how the crowds treat Jesus when Pontius Pilate asks them if they want him to release Jesus.
5. Read aloud Mark 15:6–15.
6. Say: Jesus could have been released. When Pilate asks the crowd, “Do you want me to release Jesus?” the crowds shout something very different than they shouted before. Ask: What did the crowd shout? (“Crucify him.”)
7. Say: The crowds turned against Jesus. They did not recognize who Jesus is. When Jesus died, a soldier recognized him. He said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” We know that Jesus is God’s beloved only Son and that he died to save us from our sins. Through his sacrifice, we all have the promise of life forever in heaven with God.
8. Invite children to close their eyes and take a moment to think about how much Jesus loves them. Then close by praying: Jesus, you are our Lord and Savior, and we are your faithful disciples. Help us remember your sacrifice for us. Amen.

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1—15:47 (shorter form: Mark 15:1-39)
Jesus is sentenced to death and crucified. The centurion who witnessed his death declared, “This man was the Son of God.”

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

When Jesus died on the cross, he felt abandoned and alone, and he cried out to God. In his death, Jesus identified with all those who feel alone and abandoned in our world. As a Church and as individual Christians, we look for ways to reach out to all those who feel alone, to share with them God’s love and care.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: This week we celebrate Holy Week, which is the most important week in the Church year because it is when we remember Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation. On Palm Sunday, we hear two Gospel readings. The first Gospel tells us how Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeted by the crowds. The crowds shouted praises to God because they thought Jesus was coming to save them.

2. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud this Gospel, Mark 11:1-10

3. Say: In the second Gospel reading for this Sunday, which is also called Passion Sunday, we hear the details about several events: Jesus’ Last Supper, his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas’s betrayal, the arrest of Jesus, Peter’s denial of Jesus, and how Jesus was accused and sentenced to death. This year we read the passion from Mark’s Gospel. Let’s prayerfully listen to a portion of this Gospel.

4. Invite a volunteer to read aloud Mark 15:33-41.

5. Say: When we hear this Gospel, we discover that Jesus was alone when he died on the cross. Before he died, Jesus cried out to God, asking why God had abandoned him. Jesus felt completely abandoned and alone as he died on the cross. But the Gospel also tells us that some were looking on from the distance—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, Salome, and many other women.

6. Say: In dying alone on the cross, Jesus identifies himself with all those who are forgotten and alone in our world. Jesus wants us to bring his good news to those who feel alone. The women who looked on from a distance had ministered to Jesus as he traveled throughout Galilee. They felt helpless in the face of Jesus’ Crucifixion, but they were there.

7. Say: God appeared to be absent when Jesus died on the cross, but we know that he wasn’t. By raising Jesus from the dead, God was saying to all of those who are forgotten and alone in the world that he cares for them.

8. Conclude by praying for those who feel alone and abandoned. Ask God to help our Church to reach out to all people, comforting them with the assurance of his care and love. Pray together the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis or sing the hymn “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1—15:47 (shorter form: Mark 15:1-39)
Jesus is sentenced to death and crucified. The centurion who witnessed his death declared, “This man was the Son of God.”

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

After witnessing Jesus’ death on the cross, the Roman centurion recognizes Jesus as the Son of God. We strive to be people of faith who can recognize Jesus, the Son of God, who loves us and is with us always.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Challenge the group to see how quickly they can identify the person in the room whom you will describe. Then, beginning with general characteristics and progressively becoming more specific, offer descriptive clues, one at a time, until the group recognizes the person you are describing. Count how many clues were needed and talk about how each one led the group to recognize the person. Congratulate the group on their success.

2. Say: There are two Gospel readings on this Sunday, which is called Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. The contrasting scenes described in these two Gospels help us to recognize who Jesus is and his great love for us. The first Gospel reading describes how the crowds welcomed Jesus as he entered Jerusalem, honoring him as they would a king. The second Gospel reading is the Passion from Mark’s Gospel, which describes the events that led to Jesus’ death on the cross. As we prayerfully listen to the shorter form of this Gospel reading, ask God to help you understand what these events reveal to us about Jesus.

3. Prayerfully read aloud the Passion of Jesus as recorded in Mark’s Gospel, pausing after each passage as indicated to allow the group time to reflect silently. Playing quiet, instrumental music might help to set this apart as a time for quiet prayer. Read Mark 15:1–5 (pause); 6–15 (pause); 16–21 (pause); 22–32 (pause); and 33–39 (pause).

4. Continue this prayerful time as you say: When Jesus died on the cross, a sign was placed above him that said, “King of the Jews.” Most of the people misunderstood who Jesus was, but the centurion who watched him die said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” In his death on the cross, Jesus’ true identity was revealed. As Christians, we pray that we will be able to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and remain mindful that he loves us and is with us always.

5. Conclude this time of prayer by praying together the Lord’s Prayer or singing an appropriate hymn, such as “What Wondrous Love Is This” or “Were You There?”

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:1—15:47 (shorter form: Mark 15:1-39)
Jesus is sentenced to death and crucified. The centurion who witnessed his death declared, “This man was the Son of God.”

Family Connection

Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. During this week, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerfully reflecting on the events of Jesus’ passion and death. During this week, your family might display a crucifix in a prominent place as reminder of the salvation that Christ won for us. This can also serve as the focal point for family prayer during Holy Week.

Because of the length and complexity of the passion narrative, it is difficult for children to remain attentive when it is proclaimed in its entirety. Families can make it a tradition to read a portion of this Sunday’s Gospel each day of Holy Week, providing ample opportunity for children to ask questions and respond to the events described there. In this way, the entire week can become a “way of the cross.”

Each day during Holy Week, the family can gather in a prayerful space with a crucifix as its focal point. The passion as found in Mark’s Gospel might be read as follows throughout the week:

After reading from the Gospel each night, the family might reflect on the reading together. Conclude your prayer time together by praying the Lord’s Prayer or by singing an appropriate hymn such as “Jesus, Jesus,” “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” or “What Wondrous Love is This.”