‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)
Being despondent and disillusioned are very real feelings as the experience of the corona virus sweeps through our world. Yet in the midst of the death, loss, bereavement and grief, there are such great stories of hope. We continually hear and see the wonderful service and self-sacrifice offered by people who are working on the front line. We also see people reaching out to those who are hungry and those who lack life’s basic necessities. The element of surprise is felt with every new idea that is proposed and implemented to try to combat the pandemic. It is continually said, ‘I never thought “such and such” could be done in this new way. Every cloud has a silver lining.
This is exactly the pattern that today’s Gospel shows. The Scripture is ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ (Luke 24:13-35). The disciples were despondent and disillusioned because their friend Jesus was crucified. In the height of their pain and loss, Jesus walked with them on the way. They didn’t recognise him initially. Then the disciples began to lift their hearts as Jesus spoke to them. They asked him to stay with them. Jesus shared a meal with them and they recognised the Risen Jesus in the breaking of the bread. What a hope this story offers at this time to those who follow Jesus!
This Gospel story is very significant as a celebration of the Risen Lord in the Eucharist.
The priest reads this Gospel (Luke 24:13-35) today at Mass. It is possible to tune in to the webcam in the parish or to watch a televised Mass or to read this story in the New Testament.
The story is introduced in the Grow in Love 7, Fifth Class/P7 programme therefore, ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ can be read from the Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé, Fifth Class/P7, Children’s Book or e-book. The e-book can be accessed on the VERITAS website:
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
There are many interactive resources accessible for different class levels related to this Gospel story on the website. Journal activities, exercises and also colouring sheets are available.
Exploring ‘On The Road To Emmaus’ in the Grow in Love, prompts children to reflect on special meals they share. Then they reflect on occasions Jesus shared meals with friends including the Last Supper. They are taught that the Risen Jesus is present at Mass. The key words introduced are ‘Eucharist’, which means thanksgiving and it is also another word for the Mass; ‘Consecration’ – that part of the Mass where the bread and wine are transformed (transubstantiation) into the Body and Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. They are also taught that Christ is truly present and continues to be present in the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. It is hoped that the children will grow in awareness of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and that the Eucharist will nourish them in their life as disciples.
Today’s disciples are assured of Jesus walking with them on their path. Sometimes they may not recognise his presence but all Jesus asks is, that one is opened to awakening. We pray to the Holy Spirit for that awakening: ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Mt 22:37).
PRAY with Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen
An Phaidir
Ár nAthair ata ar neamh,
go naofar d-ainm,
go dtaga do ríocht, go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh
mar a dhéantar ar neamh.
Ár naran laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,
agus maith dúinn ár bhfaicha,
mar a mhaithimindne dár bhféachúna
féin,
is ná lig sinn i gcathú,
ach saor sinn ó olc. Áiméan.
Prayer before Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, come to me.
Lord Jesus, give me your love.
Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.
Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.
Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Paidir roimh Chomaoineach
A Thiarna Íosa, tar chugam.
A Thiarna Íosa, tabhair dom do ghrá.
A thiarna Íosa, tar chugam agus
Tabhair tú féin dom.
A Thiarna Íosa, a chara na bpáistí, tar
chugam.
A Thiarna Íosa, is tú mo Thiarna agus mo Dhia.
Moladh leat, a Thiarna Íosa Críost
Prayer after Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, I love and adore you.
You’re a special friend to me.
Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome,
Thank you for coming to me.
Thank you, Lord Jesus O thank you
for giving yourself to me.
Make me strong to show your love
wherever I may be.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care
and bring us to heaven to live with you there.
Paidir taréis Comaoineach
A Thiarna Íosa, gráim agus adhraim thú.
Is tú mo chara dílis.
Fáilte romhat, a Thiarna Íosa.
Go raibh maith agat as teacht chugam.
Go raibh maith agat, a Thiarna Íosa,
as ucht tú fein a thabhairt dom.
Cabhraigh liom do ghrá a léiriú
cibé áit a mbím.
Bí taobh liom, a Thiarna Íosa,
fan in aice liom go deo.
Beannaigh sinn, na páistí atá faoi do chúram
agus tabhair ar neamh sinn chun cónaithe leat féin.
Táim reidh anois, a Thiarna Íosa,
tá grá agam go leor.
Taim reidh anois le do ghrá a thabhairt
sa bhaile is don saol mór. Áiméan.
SONGS might include, ‘Quiet and Still’, ‘Jesus loves Children’, ‘The Welcome Table’. ‘The Lord, He is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)’, ‘Sing Praise (Psalm 148)’, ‘Miracle Song- The Loaves and the Fish’ ‘Go Tell Everyone’, ‘The Beatitudes’ ‘Where your Treasure Is’, Mass Setting (Bernard Sexton), ‘Without Seeing You’, ‘We Come to You Lord Jesus’, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’ – All on VERITAS website as lyrics or video lyrics.
‘It was necessary that Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon)
‘You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful’ (Psalm 15:11).
Sr Anne Neylon