Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday of Easter

Year C · Easter

Love One Another

Reading: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

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

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his friends a special new rule: love one another the way Jesus loves them. Jesus said that when people see how his friends love each other, everyone will know they belong to Jesus.

Key Points

  • Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment to love one another
  • Jesus wants us to love others the same way he loves us
  • When we love like Jesus, people can see we are his followers
  • This happened at the Last Supper, right before Jesus died and rose again

Background

This passage occurs during the Last Supper, immediately after Judas departs to betray Jesus. The phrase 'the Son of Man has been glorified' anticipates the Paschal Mystery, where Christ's glory is revealed paradoxically through his Passion, death, and resurrection. The 'new commandment' is new not because loving others was unknown in the Old Testament, but because the standard is now Christ's own self-giving love, which will be fully manifested on the cross. For children, emphasize the concrete, visible aspect of loving one another so that others recognize Jesus's followers. Set aside the complex theological layers of glorification and the Son of Man title. Focus on how Jesus asks us to show love in ways people can actually see, like being kind, sharing, and helping.

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 and for teaching us how to love each other. Help us to show your love to everyone we meet today. 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.

Has anyone ever known you belonged to a certain group just by looking at you, like seeing your sports uniform or your school shirt?

Example: Yes, when I wear my soccer jersey to the store, people know I am on the Tigers team because they can see the orange shirt with the tiger on it.

Bridge to the reading: You know how people can tell what team you are on by your uniform? In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his friends that people will know they belong to him, not by a special shirt, but by the way they love each other.

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 was Jesus talking to in today's reading?

    Example: Jesus was talking to his friends, the disciples, the people who followed him and learned from him at the Last Supper.

  2. What new rule did Jesus give his friends?

    Example: Jesus told them to love one another, and he said this was a new commandment he was giving them.

  3. How did Jesus say we should love each other?

    Example: Jesus said we should love each other the same way that he loves us, which is a really big love.

  4. Why did Jesus say this kind of love is important?

    Example: Jesus said when we love each other like he loves us, everyone will know that we are his friends and followers.

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 shows you love, like when a friend shares with you or helps you?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy inside and warm, like someone cares about me and I am not alone.

  2. What is one way you could love someone at school the way Jesus loves you?

    Example: I could sit with someone at lunch who does not have anyone to sit with and be their friend.

  3. This week at home, who is one person you could show extra love to, and how?

    Example: I could show love to my little brother by playing the game he wants to play even if I want something else.

Recap

Today we heard that Jesus gave his friends a very special new rule at the Last Supper. He told them to love one another just like he loves them. When we show love to others, people can see that we belong 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 children who feel left out or lonely at school, that they may feel the love of Jesus through kind friends, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Jesus, thank you for teaching us to love one another. Help us this week to show your love to our family, our friends, and 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

Love One Another

John 13:31-33a, 34-35

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.

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

Words to find

  • love
  • Jesus
  • friends
  • commandment
  • disciples
  • heart
  • kindness
  • supper
  • follow
  • share
  • caring

ChildrensLiturgy.org