Intermediate Session
Acts 10:34, 37-43
John 20:1-9
Opening Prayer
God of Life, thank you for the gift of new life that we celebrate on Easter.
Help us to share the joy of Jesus’ resurrection with others.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The theme for this Easter Sunday is Jesus’ Resurrection. For today’s session provide hard boiled eggs and a coloring kit for the children, or draw the outline of an egg on a sheet of light colored paper and provide crayons or markers for each child. To begin, invite the children to color their egg with designs that symbolize the joy and new life of Easter. Discuss:
• What do we celebrate on Easter?
• What are some reasons to be joyful today?
• How does an egg symbolize the gift of new life?
Allow time for discussion. On Easter Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection with great joy. God raised Jesus to new life, and each of us shares in the new life of the resurrected Jesus.
Listening to the Word of God
In the reading from Acts of the Apostles, listen to Peter tell about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Read Acts 10:34, 37-43.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• What does Peter tell the people about Jesus?
• Who did Jesus appear to after he rose from the dead?
• What did Jesus tell Peter and the disciples when he visited them?
In the gospel today listen to the great news of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Read John 20:1-9.
Allow for silence.
• What does Mary Magdalene find when she comes to Jesus’ tomb?
• To whom does Mary go to tell her news?
• What happens when Peter and the other disciple arrive at the tomb?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.
In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, Peter recounts the story of Jesus’ life, preaching, his passion, death, and resurrection. Peter tells about the forgiveness of sins that results from these events. He points out that the forgiveness of sins is for Jew and Gentile alike. Peter speaks with great conviction, as one of the chosen witnesses who ate and drank with Jesus after his resurrection. Peter’s speech emphasizes the truth of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit comes upon those who hear Peter’s powerful testimony. Today’s passage announces the message of the Good News of Jesus, centering on his resurrection.
Today’s gospel passage is an account of several lights dawning: daybreak itself with Mary Magdalene’s early morning visit to the tomb, the disciples’ discovery that the tomb is empty and their dawning awareness of what that fact meant, and finally, the beloved disciple’s coming to believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead. John’s account of the resurrection shows that the disciples did not expect the resurrection and found it hard to believe on the evidence of the empty tomb alone. The light fully dawns on the disciples when they later experience personal encounters with the Risen Christ.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Where do you hear the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?
• Why is it important to share the good news about Jesus with others?
• How can the signs of spring help us to better understand Jesus’ resurrection to new life?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
“On the third day he rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures…”
God’s unconditional love for us made visible in Jesus Christ does not disappear with the death of Jesus on the cross. The message of God’s great love for us is deepened through Jesus’ passing over from death into new life. God raised Jesus to new life. We rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus because out of Christ’s death came new life. And each of us shares in the new life of the resurrected Jesus. We believe that by his cross and resurrection, Jesus broke the chains of death and opened up for us a way to new life.
Jesus’ passover from death into life is an actual historical event. Those first disciples witnessed something totally unexpected and surprising. As they gradually came to understand the reality of the resurrection, the disciples had to go out and tell others. They were willing to be martyred for telling others the Good News of the resurrection.
• What do we believe about the resurrection?
• What does Jesus’ resurrection show about God’s love for us?
• What helps you celebrate the joy of Easter?
Sacrament Connection
Through the sacrament of Baptism we are reborn as children of God. The believer is plunged into Christ’s death, and then rising from baptismal waters, the Spirit claims for us a share in the resurrection.
The Gospel in Life
How can you show that you believe in the resurrection of Jesus this week?