Easter Sunday – Year B
April 16, 2006

Junior High Session

Acts 10:34, 37-43
John 20:1-9

Opening Prayer

Let us pray.
Risen Lord, we ask you to help us celebrate the joy of your resurrection this Easter.
Help us to be messengers of hope and life for others.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
The theme for today is Jesus’ Resurrection. Invite the youngsters to create Easter cards for friends or family members. Provide materials such as paper, markers, stickers and ribbons. Invite the youngsters to design an Easter card with a special message that represents the joy and new life of Easter. Discuss:

• What are some reasons to be joyful today?
• Why do we find hope in Jesus’ Resurrection?
• How can we spread joy and hope to others?

Allow time for discussion. On Easter Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection with great joy. Jesus passed over from death to new life, obtaining new life for all believers.

Listening to the Word of God
In the first reading, listen to Peter’s powerful testimony about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Read Acts 10:34, 37-43.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• What does Peter tell the people about Jesus?
• Who did Jesus appear to after he rose from the dead?
• What did Jesus command Peter and the disciples to do?

In the gospel today listen to the great news of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Read John 20:1-9.
Allow for silence.

• What happens when Mary Magdalene visits Jesus’ tomb?
• Who does Mary tell about the stone being removed from the tomb?
• What do Peter and the other disciple discover at the tomb?

Scripture Background

Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.

In the reading from Acts of the Apostles, Peter recounts the story of Jesus’ life, preaching, his passion, death and resurrection. Peter tells about the forgiveness of sins that results from these events. He points out that the forgiveness of sins is for Jew and Gentile alike. Peter speaks with great conviction, as one of the chosen witnesses who ate and drank with Jesus after his resurrection. Peter’s speech emphasizes the truth of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit comes upon those who hear Peter’s powerful testimony. This passage announces the message of the Good News of Jesus, centering on his resurrection.

Today’s gospel passage is an account of several lights dawning: daybreak itself with Mary Magdalene’s early morning visit to the tomb, the disciples’ discovery that the tomb is empty and their dawning awareness of what that fact meant, and finally, the beloved disciple’s coming to believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead. John’s account of the resurrection shows that the disciples did not expect the resurrection and found it hard to believe on the evidence of the empty tomb alone. The light fully dawns on the disciples when they later experience personal encounters with the Risen Christ.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• When has a story had a powerful effect on you?
• What meaning does Jesus’ Resurrection have for your life?
• What helps you to see the light and believe in Jesus?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starter
“On the third day he rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures…”
God’s unconditional love for us made visible in Jesus Christ does not disappear with the death of Jesus on the cross. The message of God’s great love for us is deepened through Jesus’ passing over from death into new life. God raised Jesus to new life. We rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus because out of Christ’s death came new life. And each of us shares in the new life of the resurrected Jesus. We believe that by his cross and resurrection, Jesus broke the chains of death and opened up for us a way to new life.

Jesus’ passover from death into life is an actual historical event. Those first disciples witnessed something totally unexpected and surprising. As they gradually came to understand the reality of the resurrection, the disciples had to go out and tell others. They were willing to be martyred for telling others the Good News of the resurrection.

• What do we celebrate on Easter?
• What do we believe about the resurrection?
• How is the resurrection a sign of God’s love for us?

Sacrament Connection
Through the sacrament of Baptism we are reborn as children of God. The believer is plunged into Christ’s death, and then rising from baptismal waters, the Spirit claims for us a share in the resurrection.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 27
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 12
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapters 10 and 11

Connecting to Faith First®
At Home Family Guide, theme 27
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, p. 337
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, p. 337

The Gospel in Life
How can your attitudes and actions this week reflect your belief in Jesus’ resurrection?