Children's Liturgy Guide

2nd Sunday of Lent

Year C · Lent

Jesus Shines on the Mountain

Reading: Luke 9:28b-36

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 mountain to pray. While they were there, something amazing happened: Jesus's face and clothes became shining bright like light! God the Father spoke from a cloud and told everyone to listen to Jesus.

Key Points

  • Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray with him
  • Jesus was transfigured, his face and clothes became dazzling white
  • Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus
  • God the Father spoke from the cloud saying 'This is my chosen Son; listen to him'
  • The disciples were afraid but Jesus was with them

Background

The Transfiguration reveals Jesus's divine glory to three chosen disciples before his passion. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, showing Jesus as their fulfillment. Peter's offer to build three tents reflects a desire to remain in this glorious moment, not yet understanding that Jesus must continue toward Jerusalem and the cross. The voice from the cloud echoes the baptism theophany but adds the command to 'listen to him,' emphasizing obedience to Christ. For children, emphasize that God showed the disciples how special Jesus is and that God wants us to listen to Jesus. Set aside the theological complexity of the Law and Prophets and the foreshadowing of the Passion.

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 wonderful Jesus is and to listen 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 coming through clouds or lights on a Christmas tree?

Example: One time I saw the sun come out after it was raining and it was so bright and sparkly on the wet grass that I just stopped and watched it for a really long time.

Bridge to the reading: Something bright and beautiful can make us stop and pay attention. In today's reading, the friends of Jesus saw something so bright and amazing that they could hardly believe their eyes, and then they heard God's voice telling them something very important.

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. Their names were Peter, James, and John, and they went together to pray.

  2. What happened to Jesus while he was praying on the mountain?

    Example: Jesus started to look different while he was praying. His face changed and his clothes became super bright and white, like they were shining with light.

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

    Example: The voice from the cloud said that Jesus is God's chosen Son. The voice also told everyone that they should listen to Jesus and what he says.

  4. Why do you think God wanted the disciples to know that Jesus is his Son?

    Example: I think God wanted them to know how special Jesus is. Maybe God wanted them to trust Jesus and follow him even when things got hard later on.

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 they saw Jesus shining so brightly?

    Example: I think they felt really surprised and maybe a little bit scared because they never saw anything like that before. But also happy because Jesus was so beautiful.

  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 sister even when she bothers me, because Jesus tells us to love each other and be nice.

  3. This week at Mass, how can you show that you are really listening to Jesus?

    Example: I can try to sit still and pay attention when the priest is talking about Jesus. I can think about the words and try to remember them.

Recap

Today we heard about the time Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain. While Jesus prayed, he became bright and shining like light. God the Father spoke from a cloud and said that Jesus is his Son, and we should listen to him. This Lent, we can remember to listen to Jesus 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 in their hearts, that God will help them hear his voice, 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 holds up the host at the elevation and we see Jesus present in the Eucharist, it is like the disciples seeing Jesus's glory on the mountain. Both moments reveal who Jesus truly is.

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 every day this week. May we follow him with all our hearts. 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

Luke 9:28b-36

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.

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

Words to find

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

ChildrensLiturgy.org