In today's Gospel we learn about how Jesus appeared to the apostles after his Resurrection and breathed onto them the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the power to forgive sins in others.
Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. We thank you for bringing us together for this children's liturgy lesson. Thank you for sending us the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Help us to say yes to Jesus and use these gifts to bring words and signs of peace to other members of our friends and family. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midstand said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Source: Catholic Kids Media. (2021, MAY). What is Pentecost? [VIDEO]. Catholic Kids Media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO6Xm9-FC0Q
Give half a heart to each child. Have children walk around to find the child who has the other half. Help children tape the halves together.
Say: As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. We can be peacemakers by taking care of relationships, just as we took care of the hearts by putting them back together.
Say: On each heart is written a way we can be peacemakers with our friends and family. Take turns telling us what your heart says. (Help younger children as needed.) Discuss how each action helps make a relationship more peaceful.
Say: The risen Jesus greeted his disciples with words of peace. What words of peace did Jesus use to greet the disciples? (“Peace be with you.”)
Say: Jesus gave the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them spread his message of peace and forgiveness. We can pray to the Holy Spirit to help and guide us. Let’s do that now.
Pray to the Holy Spirit that we will be peacemakers in all our relationships.
Father in Heaven, thank you for teaching us about the Holy Spirit. Please bless us and ignite the Holy Spirt in our hearts so we can have the right words and actions to bring to our family and friends in times of need. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
