Children's Liturgy Guide

2nd Sunday of Lent

Year B · Lent

Jesus Shines on the Mountain

Reading: Mark 9:2-10

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 of his friends up a high mountain. There, something amazing happened: Jesus began to shine with bright, dazzling white light, and God the Father spoke from a cloud saying, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.'

Key Points

  • Jesus showed his special glory to Peter, James, and John on the mountain
  • God the Father spoke from a cloud and called Jesus his beloved Son
  • God told the disciples to listen to Jesus
  • The disciples were amazed and a little scared by what they saw
  • This special moment helps us know that Jesus is truly God's Son

Background

The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' divine glory to three chosen apostles before his Passion. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, showing that Jesus fulfills all of salvation history. The voice from the cloud echoes Jesus' baptism, confirming his identity as the beloved Son. Peter's confused offer to build tents shows the disciples' struggle to understand this theophany. Jesus instructs them to keep silent until after his resurrection, linking this glory to the paschal mystery. For children, emphasize the simple, vivid image of Jesus shining bright like light, and God's voice telling us to listen to Jesus. Set aside the complex theology of Moses and Elijah's significance and the instruction about silence until the resurrection.

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 sending us your Son, Jesus. Help us to see how special Jesus is and to listen carefully to everything he teaches us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 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 and beautiful that it made you stop and stare, like the sun shining through clouds or Christmas lights at night?

Example: One time I saw the sun coming through the clouds and it made these big golden rays that went all the way down to the ground and it was so pretty.

Bridge to the reading: That bright, beautiful light made you stop and notice something special. In today's reading, the disciples saw Jesus change and become so bright and shining that his clothes were whiter than anything on earth, and they could not look away.

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 up the mountain, and their names were Peter and James and John.

  2. What happened to Jesus when they got to the top of the mountain?

    Example: Jesus changed and started shining really bright, and his clothes became super white and dazzling like light.

  3. What did the voice from the cloud say about Jesus?

    Example: The voice said that Jesus is my beloved Son, and it told everyone to listen to him.

  4. Why do you think the disciples were so amazed and scared by what they saw?

    Example: I think they were scared because they had never seen anything like that before, and it was so bright and powerful like something from heaven.

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 do you think Peter, James, and John felt when God said Jesus was his beloved Son?

    Example: I think they felt really surprised and maybe a little bit scared but also happy because they knew Jesus was extra special.

  2. God told the disciples to listen to Jesus. What is one way you can listen to Jesus at home or at school?

    Example: I can listen to Jesus by being kind to my little brother even when he bothers me and by sharing my toys.

  3. This week, when can you take a quiet moment to talk to Jesus and listen for what he wants you to do?

    Example: I could talk to Jesus before I go to bed and be really quiet and think about what he wants me to do tomorrow.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Jesus began to shine with bright, dazzling light, showing them he was very special. God the Father spoke from a cloud and said, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.' We are invited to listen to Jesus too, every day.

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 children who are learning to listen to Jesus, that they may hear his voice and follow his loving ways, 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.

When the priest elevates the host and chalice after the consecration, we gaze upon Jesus present before us, just as the disciples gazed at Jesus shining with glory on the mountain.

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 special Jesus is. Help us to listen to your Son each day and follow where he leads us. May we share his light with everyone we meet. 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

Mark 9:2-10

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.

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

Words to find

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

ChildrensLiturgy.org