Lectionary Resources
YOUR CATECHETICAL LIBRARY FOR THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Primary Session
John 8:1-11
Let us pray.
Forgiving God,
thank you for the gift of your forgiveness and love.
Help us to make good and loving choices.
In the name of your son, Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
On this Fifth Sunday of Lent we celebrate God’s gift of forgiveness and new life. Butterflies are a symbol of new life. They begin as caterpillars. Then they wrap themselves up in a cocoon and emerge as beautiful butterflies. Begin today’s session with a butterfly making activity. Provide each child with an outline of a butterfly on a sheet of paper, a pair of scissors and crayons. Allow time for the children to color and cut out their butterfly. Discuss:
Allow time for discussion. The season of Lent is like a cocoon because it helps us to prepare for new life at Easter.
In the Gospel reading today listen to how Jesus gives a woman the gift of new life.
Read John 8:1-11.
Allow for silence.
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings.
In today’s Gospel reading we hear about a woman who is brought before Jesus because she has sinned. According to the Law of Moses the woman should be stoned. But Jesus has a better idea. He helps the people see that the woman is not the only sinner in the crowd. This causes everyone to leave.
Jesus is left standing alone with the woman. Jesus gives the woman the gift of a new start. After her experience with Jesus she is reconciled to God, to her community and to herself.
The story in the Gospel today shows us that God forgives our sins and loves us unconditionally. When we make a wrong choice, we too are given a new start.
If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.
God forgives our sins and loves us unconditionally. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus show us God’s love. Jesus ate with sinners, and offered them healing and a new start.
For those who have sinned after Baptism, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation offers forgiveness and a new start. The healing brought about by the sacrament helps a person to change. Catholics celebrate repentance and conversion in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
Think about the choices that you make this week. Thank God for helping you make good choices.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 9
Kindergarten, page 165 and chapter 21
Grade 1, page 259 parish and page 367 school, and chapter 11
Grade 2, page 259 parish and page 367 school, and chapter 14
Grade 3, page 259 parish and page 367 school, and chapter 15
Blest Are We
Kindergarten, chapter 6
Grade 1, chapter 11
Grade 2, chapter 6
Grade 3, chapters 6, 14