Lessons in English
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Objective:
Become aware of places in our lives where we have seen who Jesus really is.
Materials Needed:
- Blindfolds
- Candle
- Bible
- Paper
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils
Set up a table with a bible, candle, and whatever you will be using for blindfolds.
Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Music
Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.
Opening Activity:
Begin by blindfolding those in your family who are comfortable with it. Sit in silence for at least 30 seconds. If all want to be blindfolded, take turns, keeping the silence until everyone has had a chance. Then take some time to reflect on the questions below.
- What did it feel like to not be able to see?
- What did you notice?
- How did it feel when you could see again?
Tell the children that it may have seemed like an odd way to begin prayer, but we are going to hear the story today about a man who was born blind. We blindfolded ourselves to see what he may have felt like. We will hear how Jesus restored the man’s physical sight, but also helped him to see who Jesus really was.
Sunday Gospel: John 9:1-41
Together read the Sunday Gospel. There are two resources here for the readings. From the US bishops, the text we hear in church. From The Religion Teacher, an adaptation.
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/032220.cfm
The Religion Teacher – http://jareddees.com/manbornblind-biblestory/
Family Activity adapted from Loyola Press:
Invite each member of your family to draw a timeline of his or her life. Or if you have younger children, create a timeline of important family events together. On the timelines, ask family members to identify significant moments in their lives, especially their life of faith. Invite each person to reflect upon who Jesus was to him or her at each significant moment. How has each person’s relationship with Jesus changed or matured? When did he or she really see Jesus in his or her life? Be sure to share your answers as well.
Read John 9:1-41 again. Note how the relationship between Jesus and the man born blind changes and grows throughout the Gospel.
Apostles Creed:
Together pray:
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; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from thence he shall 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.
Music
Choose another song to sing together.
Universal Prayers
As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.
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.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross
Music
Choose another song to sing together.
Family Fun Suggestion:
Teach your children how to play Blind Man’s Bluff. Here is a link if you need a refresher or have never even heard of the game: https://www.considerable.com/entertainment/games/blind-mans-bluff/
Music Suggestions:
- Take Up Our Cross (Curtis Stephen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Z_ntZEQd4
- There is a Balm in Gilead (BALM IN GILEAD) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMs3M1jdIRM
- Behold the Lamb (Martin Willett) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4fHiL_j8Lg
- Lead Me, Lord (John Becker) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qm5JG8zVhk
Other Web Resources:
Loyola Press:
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
Catholic Mom:
http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/
USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops):
https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/lent-4.pdf