Good Friday

Lessons in English

April 8, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Jesus gave up his life for us.

Materials Needed:

Candle
Bible
Cross or crucifix

Opening Activity:

Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home celebration. Place your Bible and cross or crucifix on the table. Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Today we will begin in silence, recognizing that this is the day Jesus will give up his life for us. Take a few moments for silence.

Scripture:

Together read the Passion according to John.

Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.

USCCB – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041020.cfm

Give Us This Day, Liturgical Press – https://giveusthisday.org/Digital

This resource has the Passion in parts, as well as the Solemn Intercessions we pray on Good Friday. Choose “Friday, April 10” and “Liturgy of the Word” in the dropdown menus.

After reading the Passion, talk about how it makes you feel that Jesus dies today. Talk about the different people in the story: Peter, John, Mary. What do you think they were feeling today?

Solemn Intercessions:

See the link above for the Solemn Intercessions.

Adoration of the Cross:

Part of the liturgy for Good Friday is Adoration of the Cross. The cross is a very important symbol for Christians because it was the instrument of Christ’s death. Spend some time together in silent prayer reflecting on the cross or crucifix in your sacred space. Then pray together the Litany of the Sacred Passion found at: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/litanies/litany-of-the-sacred-passion

The Lord’s Prayer

Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

We will conclude our prayer again in silence.