FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C. Notes for Leaders

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1 CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C Notes for Leaders A serving time John 13:31, Alleluia he is risen! Let us rejoice and be glad! So much can be said in these few words: This is my command, love one another as I have loved you. Simple words with a powerful punch! Easy to say but what does it mean to love and to love like Jesus loved? Chapter 13 of John s gospel is rich in imagery and symbolism. Recall that John s gospel commences with In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God. The Word (Jesus) has shown us how to love it s called washing feet. John 13:1-20 is about service and about washing feet. This is discipleship! This is eucharist! This is loving one another! Jesus gives the disciples a blueprint, a plan for action. If you want to be a follower of mine you must wash feet! If you want to love as I have loved, there s no other option! It s not about power and glory. It s not about the first in the kingdom. It s not about easy street! It s about compassion. It s about justice. It s about reaching out to those the health system has by-passed. It s about listening to those the education system has down-graded. It s about being with those who are victims of crime, of terror, of mental illness, of domestic violence. It s about getting your hands dirty. But not all the disciples were prepared for such servile discipleship. Judas believed that Jesus had got it all wrong and had let them down badly. He wanted out! The reading from the Lectionary for Masses with Children begins After Judas had gone, Jesus said: My children, I will be with you for a little

2 while longer. Then you will look for me but you won t find me. Judas has disappeared into the dark night to betray the one he had previously loved and followed! It seems Judas could not hack it! He was not prepared to love like Jesus loved. He wasn t even prepared to align himself with the Jesus movement any longer. I am giving you a new command. You must love each other just as I have loved you. Some farewell speech! Jesus had spent his whole life loving others, the last three years in a public and promotional way. But he just can t leave without one last reminder. This, it seems, sums it all up. Do this and live! In Luke 10:28 a lawyer asked Jesus What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus asked him what the Law said. The lawyer replied Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind. And love your neighbour as yourself! In answer to And who is my neighbour? Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. It s about reaching out to those the health system has by-passed. It s about listening to those the education system has down-graded. It s about being with those who are victims of crime, of terror, of mental illness, of domestic violence. Do this and you shall live, Jesus promises. The demand and command to love are the same love one another as I have loved you. This is the mark of discipleship: If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. In this Easter season of hope and harmony what will you do? INTRODUCTORY RITES OF MASS Dismissal and Procession from the Church I invite the children, please, to stand. My dear children, you will go now to hear God's word, to praise God in song and to reflect on the wonderful things God has done for us. We will await your return so that together we may celebrate the Eucharist. A cross bearer leads the way out. CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD Introduction Create a simple prayer focus using the following: Lectionary for Masses with Children, yellow or gold material, yellow or white candle, cut-out of a heart. The Children s Lectionary is enthroned in a place of honour with the candle. Today is the fifth Sunday in the Easter season. Today s story tells us that if we want to be disciples of Jesus, we must love one another just as Jesus loves us. A moment of silence follows.

3 [First Reading]: Acts 14:21-27 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas preached the good news in Derbe and won some people to the Lord. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia. They encouraged the followers and begged them to remain faithful. They told them, We have to suffer a lot before we can get into God s kingdom. Paul and Barnabas chose some of those who had faith in the Lord to be leaders for each of the churches. Then they went without eating and prayed that the Lord would take good care of these leaders. Paul and Barnabas went on through Pisidia to Pamphylia, where they preached in the town of Perga. Then they went down to Attalia and sailed to Antioch in Syria. It was there that they had been placed in God s care for the work they had now completed. After arriving in Antioch, they called the church together. They told the people what God had helped them do and how he had made it possible for the Gentiles to believe. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. [Responsorial Psalm]: Ps 145:8-10, 12 R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

4 You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation. R. All creation will thank you, and your loyal people will praise you. Then everyone will know about the mighty things you do and your glorious kingdom. R. [Second Reading]: Revelation 21:1-4 A reading from the book of Revelation I John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

5 [Gospel Acclamation]: John 13:34 Alleluia, alleluia. I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia. Gospel: John 13:31, A reading from the holy gospel according to John After Judas had gone, Jesus said: My children, I will be with you for a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won t find me. I tell you just as I told the people, You cannot go where I am going. But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Receiving the Word Chorus Play for Younger Children This requires adults or older children to be the readers whilst the whole group of children is the 'chorus'. The responses for the chorus group can be written on large sheets of paper or an overhead transparency or presented as part of a PowerPoint presentation. Alternatively, one child could be assigned the task of 'chorus leader' and provided with a copy of the story. This child says the 'chorus' part which the rest of the group repeats. Leader: It was festival time! All: Hurray! Leader: Jesus called together his friends for a special meal. All: Yeah! Leader: During the meal Jesus washed the feet of each disciple.

6 All: Wow! Leader: He did this because he loved them. All: Terrific! Leader: He did this because he wanted to teach them something. All: Ah! Leader: Jesus told them they must look after each other. All: Okay! Leader: Jesus told them they must look after all people. All: Wow! Leader: Jesus told them to love one another just as he loved them. All: Ah! Leader: Let us be friends with one another. All: Okay! Profession of Faith I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I 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. Amen. General Intercessions Leader: Let us pray. Reader: For leaders who lead with

7 compassion. Lord hear us. Reader: For all parents and carers and all who love. Lord hear us. Reader: For people who make a difference. Lord hear us. Reader: For courage to love like Jesus loved. Lord hear us. Leader: Loving God, listen to the prayers we make in the name of Jesus. All: Amen. DISMISSAL Dismissal and Procession to the Church. As we go to celebrate the Lord s Supper, we carry God s word in our hearts. May God s Holy Spirit help us to put it into practice. A cross bearer leads the way out.