Ascension, Year A

Reading I: Acts 1:1–11 (Jesus’ final instructions and ascension)
Reading II: Ephesians 1:17–23 (exaltation of Christ)
Gospel: Matthew 28:16–20 (I am with you always)

Key Passage: Acts 1:8 (power to proclaim the good news)

Adult: Jesus promises to be with us always. How do you experience his presence most?
Child: What good news about Jesus could you share with someone?
(from PastoralPlanning.com

Bread

During the Easter Season we have celebrated the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Can you remember back to when you received your 1st Communion? I have vague memories of that special day. I remember I was very excited and nervous. And I made my 1st Communion when Catholics were still fasting at least 3 hours prior to Mass, so that had me worried I would eat or drink something and then I wouldn’t be able to be part of the 1st Communion Mass. At least now an hour fast is not as worrisome. You did know we are supposed to fast for an hour before Mass right? I also remember wondering if the host would stick to roof of my mouth and then what would I do to get it off since to touch it would be a disaster. We have come a long way since then but the traditions are still with us even if the way things are done have change a bit.

To make bread we need to use yeast. Yeast is a fungus, and is a living thing. As the yeast slowly grows throughout the dough it gives off carbon dioxide which in turn expands the dough or makes it rise. A long time ago people kept a lump of yeast alive by feeding it. Yes, I said feeding it. They did that by adding flour and water. Whenever they wanted to make bread they would take a small lump from the yeast. Once in a while the yeast lump would become contaminated with other funguses and have to be thrown out. When that happened they would borrow some from a neighbor.

Every year at Passover the Hebrew people get rid of all things that contain yeast that they have in their homes. They do this as a sign of new beginnings. It is not exactly the same but this could be likened to how the New Year is celebrated in our culture. We try to throw out old habits by making resolutions.

The bread that becomes the Body of Christ at the Consecration is unleavened like the bread at Passover. Have you ever wondered why that is? It is a tradition we take from our Jewish ancestors for sure, but another reason may come from St. Paul who more or less said in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, that stinky contaminated yeast is like the rotten things we do or in other words sin. So we should toss out those things that are contaminated and start over fresh like unleavened bread.

Ascension

Did you know that during the 6th Week of Easter is when the solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated? This always falls on a Thursday and is when Jesus returns to His Father in Heaven. In many diocese the church continues the celebration of the Ascension during the following weekend.

A custom that has been around for a long time is to bless the first fruits of spring on Ascension Day. This is done to remember Jesus’ blessing of his apostles the first fruits of his mission here on earth.

If you have a garden there may be some first fruits you can harvest such as parsley, rhubarb even peas or flowers can be used. If not you could visit the produce section at the grocery store to get some produce or check out what the Farmer’s Market might have to offer. Once you have some fresh garden produce or flowers gather your family for a blessing before dinner using the following prayer from “Take Me Home” published by Liturgy Training Publications:
“Bless, O Lord, these fruits that you have brought to maturity by the dew of heaven by plentiful rains and by tranquil and favorable weather. You have given us this food for our use that we may receive it with thanks in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.”

Another way to celebrate Ascension Day is to have a picnic. You can be outside to do some cloud gazing and take in all of the wonderful springtime sites that abound throughout the Easter Season. If you can’t be outdoors for a picnic due to weather consider having an indoor picnic on your living room floor. The possibilities are endless on how to celebrate the Risen Lord’s Ascension into Heaven to be with his Father.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A

The strength of faith

Reading I: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 (Philip in Samaria)
Reading II: 1 Peter 3:15-18 (on Christian suffering)
Gospel: John 14:15-21 (promise of the Paraclete)

Key Passage: Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)

Adult: The Spirit gives us inner wisdom and strength. When have you experienced this?
Child: The Holy Spirit makes you strong inside. When do you need to be strong?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Easter Animal Legends

Did you realize there are other animal legends associated with the Easter Season besides the Easter Bunny? There are and it is amazing what stories come from these animals both real and imaginary. The most interesting of these Eastertime legends are about mythological animals that are symbols of our risen Lord.

The unicorn is one. Yes, you read that correctly the mythical one-horned animal that resembles a horse is also known for laying down its life for the innocent. Just as Jesus laid down his life for all of us. Another one is the hydra, which is a many headed serpent. It is claimed that the hydra was swallowed whole by a crocodile and it freed itself by munching away at the crocodile from the inside out. Just as Jesus fought his way through sin and death to rise again and bring salvation to all. Then the pelican that is said to feed its babies from its own blood. Sound familiar? We to eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus when we celebrate the Eucharist. The phoenix, which is the beautiful bird that dies in a fire of palm fronds, rises again from the ashes to become even more beautiful. Again, there is the rising from the dead.

In Revelation and in other books of the Bible dragons are mentioned as being fierce and even having many heads. Jesus is said to slay the dragon or in reality sin and death. St. George who is said to have battled with a dragon and won has his feast day on April 23rd. Is it any wonder that this slayer of the dragon is celebrated during the Easter Season? Jesus has won the victory over sin and death and we celebrate his resurrection with joy and anticipation of joining Him in heaven someday.
( resources from Our Easter Zoo ©1991, Liturgy Training Publications, Christine Kenny-Sheputis)

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A

Jesus, the Way

Reading I: Acts 6:1-7 (the need of assistants)
Reading II: 1 Peter 2:4-9 (living stones)
Gospel: John 14:1-12 (last discourse: the way, the truth, and the life)

Key Passage: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Adult: In a challenge you face right now, what will it mean to live the way of Jesus Christ?
Child: Name some ways you can be more like Jesus when you are playing with your friends or family.
(from PastoralPlanning.com

May Shrines

May always falls during the Easter Season. And in May we honor Mary so that means during the Easter Season we encounter Mary, the Mother of God. Remember Mary stood at the foot of the cross as her Son died. She was the very first of his disciples. And during the Easter Season we honor her as the Queen of Heaven.

If you have a prayer corner in your home during May you could do things to honor her by adding a vase of fresh flowers that you change out as needed. Maybe you have some prayer cards with prayers to Mary on them you could leave them on the table for anyone to use during May. And remember to have your bowl of Easter water to bless yourself with too. Do you have a stature or picture of Mary you could display? A rosary as well is a nice symbol to use.

However you choose to honor Mary during the Easter Season remember to offer you praise and devotion to her as the Mother of God.

Easter Mischief

We are still celebrating the Easter Season in the Catholic Church, so Happy Easter! Yes you read that correctly! Easter does not end when the Easter bunny heads back to his rabbit hutch to rest up until next year. We celebrate the Risen Lord from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, which falls on June 8 this year.

There are many different ways that various cultures celebrate this beautiful season of our Church year. One is to get some of the blessed water from the font in a small container or any fresh water will do and add some fragrant oil or an extract (vanilla, lemon, etc.) to it. Then sprinkle it or spray it on friends or family when they least expect it. Remember when you do this to say as the Hungarians do, “May you never wither!”

This is definitely part mischief but is part blessing as well. And for sure a tamer version of what happens in parts of Eastern Europe where whole buckets of water being dumped on people is popular. That means a whole town may end up wet at Eastertime! The custom dates back thousands of years to when people were first accepted into the faith. People were baptized by being dunked into rivers or ponds.1

Did you ever wonder why water pistols appear in stores at this time of the year? Well remember that ever since the Hebrews marched through the Red Sea water has been a symbol that deep down tells us to celebrate. Spring is the perfect time to do that the rain showers, cleans our landscapes and refreshes our rivers, lakes and yards. Water quenches are thirst. Rain can come in gentle showers or torrential downpours either way we need to remember the power water has not only to sustain life but to destroy as well.1

Maybe during the rest of the Easter Season you could get some of the blessed water from the font at church and have a small bowl setting in your home prayer space. Then each time you pass the space you and your family could make the sign of the cross just was you do when you enter and leave church.1

1-Copyright 1991, Liturgy Training Publications, written by Christine Kenney-Sheptus.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A

Called to be shepherds

Reading I: Acts 2:14, 36-41 (Peter’s discourse)
Reading II: 1 Peter 2:20-25 (for the slave)
Gospel: John 10:1-10 (the Good Shepherd)

Key Passage: [The shepherd] goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4)

Adult: How are you a shepherd to those in your care?
Child: What will you do this week to show you love those around you?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A

Recognizing the Lord

Reading I: Acts 2:14, 22-28 (Peter’s discourse)
Reading II: 1 Peter 1:17-21 (filial obedience)
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 (Emmaus)

Key Passage: When he was at the table with the disciples, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:30–31)

Adult: In what way have you come to know Jesus better through the breaking of the bread at Eucharist?
Child: When you join Jesus at the table of the Eucharist next Sunday, what would you like to thank him for?
(from: PastoralPlanning.com)