Children's Liturgy Guide

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Shares His Special Meal

Reading: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

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 shared a very special meal with his friends. He took bread and wine and told them that this was his Body and Blood, a gift of himself that he wanted to share with them forever.

Key Points

  • Jesus carefully prepared a special Passover meal with his closest friends
  • At the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples
  • Jesus said the bread was his Body and the wine was his Blood
  • Jesus wanted to give himself to his friends in a way they could receive again and again
  • This meal is the same meal we celebrate at every Mass

Background

This Gospel presents the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Jesus transforms the Jewish Passover meal into something entirely new: a covenant sealed in his own Body and Blood. The phrase 'blood of the covenant' connects to the Exodus reading where Moses sprinkled blood to seal the covenant between God and Israel. Now Jesus himself becomes the new covenant, offering his very self. The theological depth here includes Real Presence, sacrifice, and the new covenant, but these are beyond a six-year-old's grasp in abstract terms. For children, emphasize the concrete actions Jesus did (took, blessed, broke, gave) and the amazing gift of Jesus wanting to be close to us through this special meal that we still share today. Set aside detailed covenant theology and transubstantiation explanations.

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 Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you gave us the gift of yourself. Help us to understand how special your meal is and how much you want to be close to us. 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 shared something really special with someone you love, like your favorite snack or a treat you made together?

Example: One time my grandma and I made cookies together and we shared them with my whole family and it made everyone so happy.

Bridge to the reading: Sharing something special with people we love makes that moment really important. In today's reading, we will hear about the most special meal ever shared, when Jesus gave his friends an incredible gift of himself.

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. What kind of meal were Jesus and his disciples getting ready to eat together?

    Example: They were getting ready to eat the Passover meal, which was a really special dinner for Jewish people.

  2. What did Jesus do with the bread at the meal?

    Example: Jesus took the bread in his hands, he said a blessing over it, then he broke it and gave pieces to his friends.

  3. What surprising thing did Jesus say about the bread and the wine?

    Example: Jesus said that the bread was his Body and the cup of wine was his Blood, which was really surprising to hear.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted to give himself to his friends in this way?

    Example: I think Jesus loved his friends so much that he wanted to always be close to them and stay with them forever.

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 does it feel when someone shares something very special and important with you?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and loved because I know they care about me and want me to have something good.

  2. At Mass, when the priest holds up the bread and says the same words Jesus said, what could you do to show Jesus you are paying attention?

    Example: I could fold my hands and look at the altar and think about Jesus giving us this special gift of himself.

  3. This week, how could you thank Jesus for wanting to be so close to you?

    Example: I could say a little prayer before bed and tell Jesus thank you for loving me and giving me this special gift.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus shared a very special meal with his friends. He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying it was his Body. He shared the cup and said it was his Blood. Jesus loves us so much that he gave us himself, and we receive this same gift at every Mass.

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 preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, that they may know how much Jesus loves them and wants to be close to them, 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.

The words Jesus speaks in today's reading, 'This is my Body' and 'This is my Blood,' are the exact words the priest says during the Consecration at every Mass. When children hear the priest say these words while holding up the bread and the chalice, they are hearing the same words Jesus said at the Last Supper.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of yourself in the Eucharist. Help us to remember your love every time we come to Mass. May we always be thankful for this special meal you share with 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.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Shares His Special Meal

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • bread
  • Body
  • Blood
  • blessed
  • broke
  • gave
  • disciples
  • meal
  • Passover
  • gift
  • cup

ChildrensLiturgy.org