Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Palm Sunday is the only occasion during the Liturgical Year, besides Good Friday, on which we listen to the Gospel of the Passion of Christ. We recall Jesus’ grief and anguish while he was at the Garden. He who commanded the storm and the wind and who told others not to be afraid is now gripped by sadness. The sin of the world weighs upon his heart as a heavy rock.
We follow Jesus to Calvary, where he cried with a loud voice, saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” His suffering was beyond the scourging marks on his back and the wounds on his head, hands, and feet. While he was at the Cross, his very heart was distressed and in pain.
Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap. and Preacher to the Papal Household explains that Jesus is still on the Cross in all the innocents that suffer, in the poor and vulnerable. Jesus is nailed to the Cross in all the refugees and the victims of war. Father Cantalamessa suggests that we become like Joseph of Arimathea (who went to Pilate and asked for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the Cross) and defy public opinion to reach out to the marginalized, the suffering and the poor. “For some of these ‘crucified’ of today, the awaited ‘Joseph of Arimathea’ could be me or could be you.”
Lord Jesus, grant us the courage to reach out to those who are suffering, so we can be an instrument of your love in their lives. By your grace, may we bring to them a glimpse of the promised joy of your Resurrection. Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to many online resources.
Videos of the Sunday Gospel (Luke 19:28–40; Luke 22:14—23:56)
Use these videos as you discuss the Sunday Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes – Palm Sunday
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Bishop Barron on Palm Sunday
Dominick the Donkey – Palm Sunday
Lego Palm Sunday Movie
More Videos for Lent
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Lent Episode (featuring John Burland)
Songs to Journey with Jesus During Lent, Featuring Miss Heidi and John Burland
Special Holy Week Videos
Holy Week in Three Minutes
Holy Week in Two Minutes
Holy Week (Seeds, Promise, Good News)
Holy Week Explained (Venture, Visions)
Holy Heroes – Holy Thursday
Holy Heroes – Good Friday
Seeds
Lesson Theme:We welcome Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, tape, craft sticks (four per child), a palm branch, a Church Year calendar, and a story coloring page for “Welcome Gabby and Abby” (one per child).
For the doctrine section of the lesson, it might be a good idea to have a picture of Pope Francis and your pastor, so children may become familiar with them.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Video and Saint of the Week
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Holy Week
Promise
Lesson Theme: We remember Holy Week.
For this lesson, gather crayons, drawing paper, a palm branch, a Church Year calendar, and a story coloring page for “The New Student” (one per child). Please disregard the note in the Materials list on page TG4-20 in the Teaching Guide indicating you’ll need marching band music. This is an error.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Video and Saint of the Week
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Holy Week
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus died to save us.
For this lesson, gather scissors, pencils, and a Church Year calendar. Prepare seven sheets of drawing paper with one of the letters of the word WELCOME written large on each one. These will be used in the Words of Welcome activity.
For the Stations of the Cross activity, you may wish to take the children to the church to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross. If you are unable to make a church visit, you may wish to share the YouTube video “Children’s Stations of the Cross” (10 minutes), “Lego The Stations of the Cross” (3 minutes), or “Pray the Stations of the Cross: A Short Way of the Cross” (8 minutes). As with all videos, we suggest that you preview them in advance of sharing them with the children.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Holy Week
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus accepts death for our sakes.
The children will walk in the steps of Jesus in this Holy Week lesson. Make sure to discuss the emotions of this week—from the jubilation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to betrayal, fear, and sadness. This is not a story meant for just 2,000 years ago; it is our story, the story of our salvation. Give the children the opportunity to act out the scenes of Jesus’ Passion and Death; learning with all of their senses will help them remember the story and make it their own. You will need a parish bulletin for the times of the Holy Week liturgies or reference the parish website. (If you are teaching in a school setting, you may wish to assign this task as homework.)
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Holy Week Explained
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus’ Passion and Death
The young people will walk in the steps of Jesus in this Holy Week lesson. Make sure to discuss the emotions of this week—from the jubilation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to betrayal, fear, and sadness. This is not a story meant for just 2,000 years ago; it is our story, the story of our salvation. Give the young people the opportunity to act out the scenes of Jesus’ Passion and Death; learning with more of their senses will help them remember the story and make it their own. Consult parish bulletin for the times of the Holy Week liturgies or reference the parish website. Share the times with the young people and their families; encourage them to meet you for one or more of these liturgies. Have palms available for the page 8 activities; send them home with the young people if time does not permit working on the projects during class.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Holy Week Explained
Image credit: Photobank.kiev.ua/Shutterstock.com
