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In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to go beyond treating others as we would want to be treated. He asks us to care for each other as God does—to love other people without expecting love in return and to love even our enemies.
As we begin Lent this week, we are invited to consider how well we love others, to repent of the ways we have failed to love, and to resolve to use the days and weeks of Lent as a time to love as God loves us.
Friday of this week (2/24) marks the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. As Isaiah writes in Friday’s First Reading: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own”(58:6–7). May this anniversary remind all of us about Jesus’ command to love even our enemies and our call to solidarity with those oppressed and in need. How can your Lenten fast have meaning beyond yourself?
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday & Lent in 60 Seconds. With LEGO!
Lent: Catholic Central
Lent in 3 Minutes
Cardinal Timothy Dolan: What Is Lent?
What Is Lent?
Holy Heroes: Ash Wednesday
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Lent Episode (featuring John Burland)
Songs to Journey with Jesus During Lent, Featuring Miss Heidi and John Burland
The Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to love and forgive.
For this lesson, you will need a soda bottle, scissors, crayons, and a Church Year calendar. It is a good idea to have at least one aide for the cutting and folding activity. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from pages 3–4 and that you complete one copy of the “My Friends and I” booklet in advance.
Jesus talks about loving our enemies in this Sunday’s Gospel. This is one of Jesus’ toughest teachings to follow, even for adults. Children in Preschool are starting to comprehend how their behavior affects others, they are not ready yet to feel compassion for those who hurt them. Nevertheless, we are planting a seed in their heart that will eventually grow as they grow in age and maturity.
These are some additional scenarios for the “Gestures of Forgiveness” activity on page TG3-27:
- You wanted the cupcake with chocolate frosting, and your partner grabbed it. Start.
- You are in line to go to recess, and your partner lets kids in line ahead of you. Start.
- You are playing kickball, and your partner kicks it really hard right at you. Start.
- You are supposed to share a glue stick to finish your Seeds activity, but your partner hogs it. Start.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus said, “Love your enemies.”
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, envelopes, and a Church Year calendar. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Before sharing the Gospel, refer to your Teaching Guide for suggestions for using the rebus story “The Accident!” to help the children understand what is meant by the word enemies. The cover activity will help the children understand the Gospel message. You’ll refer again to the rebus story later in the lesson to help the children distinguish between an accident and a sin.
Note that Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. You may wish to take some time to discuss Lenten commitments. Encourage the children to consider positive actions in addition to Lenten sacrifices.
Find gestures for the Our Father to use in the Closing Prayer here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus’ law is love and forgiveness.
Gather pencils, a crucifix, a Church Year calendar, and Bibles (one per child) for this lesson. You may wish to mark the Book of Psalms in the children’s Bibles in advance to assist them in finding the psalm passage.
You may wish to pray an Act of Contrition as you complete the What the Church Believes and Teaches activities or as part of the Closing Prayer. Find an Act of Contrition on page 47 of the Catechism handbook.
Note that Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. You may wish to take some time to discuss Lenten commitments. Encourage the children to consider positive actions in addition to Lenten sacrifices.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to forgive.
Ask the children whether they know the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remind them that this teaching comes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12), which they will continue to study this week. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prods his listeners to go beyond this reciprocal relationship—in fact, he calls people to love without any expectation of receiving love in return and even to love one’s enemies.
The children will continue their study of the commandments. Last week, they studied the commandments that govern their relationship with God; this week, they move to the commandments that govern our relationships with one another.
Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday; make sure to reserve time to discuss Lenten commitments and to celebrate the prayer service on page 5. The weaving activity on pages 7–8 is a bit complex; prepare a sample in advance so that students may see the finished product.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to forgive.
Last week’s discussion of rules leads us into our preparation for Lent, which begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Following God’s laws brings us into a proper relationship with him and with one another. Make sure to reserve time to discuss Lenten commitments during class.
Ask the young people whether they know the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remind them that this teaching comes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12), which they will continue to study this week. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prods his listeners to go beyond this reciprocal relationship—in fact, he calls people to love without any expectation of receiving love in return and even to love one’s enemies. The young people will study the Golden Rule and other moral codes.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
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