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This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. I remember reading a reflection that mentioned that most of us would like to know the best and fastest way to be happy and worry-free, to live in paradise. From where we stand, paradise often seems like an impossible dream. We carry heavy loads in our hearts, we hold tight to the mistakes we made years ago, and we tremble in fear when we think about the future.
In Sunday’s Gospel, we find out that for the criminal next to Jesus at the cross, getting to paradise did not take much. He just had to look at the innocent man sentenced to death hanging next to him. At Golgotha, Jesus certainly did not seem to be someone you wanted to follow anywhere. Yet, the “good thief” recognized Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life—the one and true King of the Universe. Jesus assured him that paradise would be within the criminal’s reach that very day.
Looking at a crucifix, it still seems unlikely that paradise could be near that much suffering. Jesus came to give us the possibility of eternal life with him through his Death and Resurrection. God’s kingdom is “at hand” today. We just must ask Jesus, who is standing next to us during our suffering, to help us follow his way.
O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before you and pray: May your Reign, your Kingdom, be recognized on earth. Amen.
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 Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Other Resources
• Jubilee 2025
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We follow Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, glue or tape, a stapler, a picture of Pope Leo, a coloring page for the story “Vanessa Becomes a Leader” (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. It is a very good idea to have one or two aides to assist the children with the cutting activity on pages 3–4. If you don’t find someone that is available to help, you might want to cut the crowns in advance for the children to write on and color. In any case, we recommend you have your own crown completed so the children can see the final product.
Note that Advent begins on 11/30. Order a new Church Year calendar now. Plan to bring an Advent wreath or gather materials to create one in class. Also remember to change the liturgical color in your prayer space from green to violet-purple.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus shows love by forgiving.
For this lesson, you will need to gather pencils, crayons, scissors, a single hole punch, glue sticks, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), a Church Year calendar, lengths of yarn (one per child), and colored-paper strips (optional). You may wish to arrange for an aide or aides to assist with the chain activity. We also suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
Note that Advent begins on 11/30. Order a new Church Year calendar now. Plan to bring an Advent wreath or gather materials to create one in class. Also remember to change the liturgical color in your prayer space from green to violet-purple.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• Teaching Your Children All About Forgiveness!
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus rules with love and forgiveness.
For this lesson, gather pencils and a Church Year calendar. Prepare copies of the Act of Contrition (one per child). You can find a common one on page 47 of the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbook. If your parish requires the children to memorize a different Act of Contrition for their First Reconciliation, you may wish to make copies of that prayer instead.
This lesson provides a great tie to preparation for First Reconciliation or for participating in an Advent Penance service.
Note that Advent begins on 11/30. Order a new Church Year calendar now. The Good News lesson cover for the First Sunday of Advent (11/30) is an Advent wreath to which you and the children will add a new candle each week of Advent. You may wish to use this page as your classroom Advent wreath or bring a separate one. Remember to change the liturgical color in your prayer space from green to violet-purple.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Teaching Your Children All About Forgiveness!
• How Do I Go to Confession?
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus rules with love and forgiveness.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils; scissors; tape, glue, or paste; and a Liturgical Year calendar.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn about the kind of king and leader Jesus is. You will invite the children to consider desirable (and undesirable) qualities in our leaders and friends.
This lesson provides a great review of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and preparation for participating in an Advent Penance service.
Note: Advent begins next Sunday. Bring an Advent wreath or gather materials to create one in class. Also remember to change the liturgical color in your prayer space from green to violet-purple.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• How Do I Go to Confession?
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus is a king who rules with love.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, tape, and coloring tools,
Challenge the young people to really think about Jesus as a crucified king. A king is powerful, but hanging on the Cross, Jesus appears powerless. However, even in this moment, he offers the gift of loving forgiveness.
Share with the young people that we are at the end of the Liturgical Year this week; this will help with confusion over the order of events in the Church—that is, how we can be starting Advent next week, but Jesus is being crucified in this Sunday’s Gospel.
Ask the young people if they have a peace pole at their school (or perhaps your parish has one). This is the idea behind the reconciliation project on pages 7–8.
Note: You will need to bring an Advent wreath next week or materials to create one in class (see page 8 in next week’s student lesson for materials and directions). Also remember to change the liturgical color in your prayer space from green to violet-purple.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• Prayer of St. Francis
Image credit: screen capture from USCCB.org
