Children's Liturgy Guide

2nd Sunday of Lent

Year A · Lent

Jesus Shines on the Mountain

Reading: Matthew 17:1-9

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus took three friends up a high mountain. There, something amazing happened: Jesus's face shone like the sun and his clothes became bright white like light. God the Father spoke from a cloud and said, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.'

Key Points

  • Jesus showed Peter, James, and John his special glory on the mountain
  • God the Father spoke from a cloud, calling Jesus his beloved Son
  • The disciples were amazed and a little scared by what they saw
  • God tells us to listen to Jesus

Background

The Transfiguration reveals Christ's divine glory to three chosen apostles, prefiguring his Resurrection and confirming his identity as the Son of God. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, showing that Jesus fulfills all of salvation history. The voice from the cloud echoes the baptism of Jesus but adds the command to 'listen to him,' emphasizing discipleship. For children, emphasize the concrete, visual wonder of Jesus shining bright like the sun and God's voice telling us to listen to Jesus. Set aside the complex symbolism of Moses, Elijah, and the theological connections to the Passion that follows.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for showing us how wonderful Jesus is. Help us to listen to your Son with open hearts and to follow him every day. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever seen something so bright that it made you say 'Wow!' like the sun or fireworks or a rainbow?

Example: One time I saw fireworks at night and they were so bright and colorful, and I kept saying wow over and over because they were so pretty and loud!

Bridge to the reading: You know how something really bright can make us stop and stare in amazement? In today's reading, Jesus's friends saw something even more amazing. They saw Jesus himself shining brighter than the sun!

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who did Jesus take with him up the mountain?

    Example: Jesus took three of his friends with him. Their names were Peter and James and John. They climbed up a high mountain together.

  2. What happened to Jesus on the mountain that was so amazing?

    Example: Jesus changed and his face started shining really bright like the sun, and his clothes turned super white like light, brighter than anything!

  3. What did the disciples hear coming from the cloud?

    Example: They heard God's voice coming from the cloud, and God said that Jesus is his Son that he loves and we should listen to him.

  4. Why do you think the disciples were scared when they saw and heard all of this?

    Example: I think they were scared because it was so amazing and different and they never saw anything like that before, and hearing God's voice would be really surprising!

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How would you feel if you saw Jesus shining bright like the sun?

    Example: I think I would feel really amazed and maybe a little bit scared too because it would be so different and so beautiful at the same time!

  2. God said we should listen to Jesus. What is one way you can listen to Jesus at home with your family?

    Example: I can listen to Jesus by being kind to my little brother even when I want to play by myself, because Jesus wants us to be nice.

  3. This week, when you say your prayers, how can you remember to listen to what Jesus wants to tell you?

    Example: I can be really quiet after I pray and close my eyes and think about Jesus, and maybe he will help me know what is good to do.

Recap

Today we heard about Jesus taking three friends up a high mountain. There, Jesus shone bright like the sun! God the Father spoke from a cloud and said Jesus is his beloved Son. God told the disciples, and he tells us too, to listen to Jesus.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the children in our parish, that they may hear God's voice and follow Jesus every day, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

At the end of Mass, the priest or deacon says 'Go forth' and we are sent out into the world. Just as the disciples came down from the mountain to share what they had seen, we leave Mass to share the good news of Jesus with others.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for showing us how wonderful your Son Jesus is. Help us to listen to him and follow him this week and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Shines on the Mountain

Matthew 17:1-9

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

C G L U F N R A O D U S L E H
S N I Q Y L H L M B T S T I Y
D F S K H V S O H Y Y H Z A N
P U T I C V L G J V G I N I Q
B G E P E T E R O M U N M F L
R W N B G E D X N B O I B R T
I P C M I U J P Q S V N G C D
G V Y H O C L S F L L G O E R
H P Q L W E Q S N H Q X V Y W
T D C T F F Z C E D U O J H L
T T Y R C O N H A M L J M A N
H S U S E J Y Z Y E A K F Y L
G W U J U Y K I B U Q J E F V
I V B N M O U N T A I N U R Y
L H Y H Z G H Y V Z T H V S K

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • mountain
  • shining
  • bright
  • cloud
  • listen
  • Peter
  • James
  • John
  • beloved
  • Son
  • light

ChildrensLiturgy.org