Primary Session
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you, Jesus, for sharing your Body and Blood with us.
Help us to remember your great love for us.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The main topic for today is the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. To begin provide each child with an outline of a chalice cut out of white paper. Invite the children to draw pictures within the chalice of good food and drinks that help them to grow. Discuss:
• How do good meals help us to grow?
• What important meals do you share at home?
• What meal do we share when we come together for Mass?
Allow time for discussion. On today's feast of the Body and Blood of Christ we remember an important meal that Jesus shared with his friends. At the Passover meal Jesus gave his followers his Body and Blood.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today listen to how the disciples get ready to share a special meal with Jesus.
Read Mark 14:12-16, 22-26.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Where does Jesus send the disciples?
• What do they find in the city?
• What special meal do the disciples get ready to share with Jesus?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In today's gospel, Jesus helps his disciples prepare to celebrate a special meal. Jesus sends his friends off to set up for the Passover meal. Jesus understands that he does not have much time to spend with his disciples. Because of his divinity, Jesus knows that he must suffer and give his life in order to save the world.
The special Passover meal that Jesus shares with his disciples takes on new meaning when Jesus gives his followers his Body and Blood. Jesus offers his blood as a sign of God's saving love.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• What does Jesus do at the Passover meal?
• Why did Jesus offer his Body and Blood for us?
• How can we show our thanks to Jesus?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
On today's feast of the Body and Blood of Christ we remember that Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his friends. We recall the Eucharistic meal and we remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
At Mass we do what Jesus did at the Passover meal. When we gather for Mass the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Every time we take part in the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus is present. In the Eucharist, Christ is really and truly made present. The Eucharistic celebration is a memorial of Jesus' death and resurrection. It is a sacrament of love. The Eucharist is the center of our Christian faith and life.
• What do we remember on today's feast of the Body and Blood of Christ?
• What happens to the bread and wine when we gather for Mass?
• Why is the Eucharist a sacrament of love?
Sacrament Connection
The Sacrament of Eucharist completes our initiation into the Body of Christ, the Church.
The Gospel in Life
When you are at Mass this week, remember specially the meal Jesus shared with his disciples.
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