6th Sunday in Lent

Year B:  April 1 2012

The 6th Sunday in Lent offers a plethora of scripture choices, for additional ideas, check out the Lectionary Links from last year’s post.

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

A Voice from the Wilderness: The Story of Anna Howard Shaw by Don Brown

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “Through the servant, God evokes a different kind of power: the power to teach, the power to sustain the weary, the power to listen, the power to endure.” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 2,  p 162) In his commentary, Richard Floyd goes on to describe servants who have sought to live by this power evoked by God. In A Voice from the Wilderness, we see how Anna Howard Shaw was a woman who lived by such power. “By most measures, [her] life had been filled with struggle. But Anna had used her own scale and had kept her own measurements, and that made all the difference–to her and to us.”

Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Praise for the Singing: Songs for Children by Madelaine Gill

(Written for all ages)

Comment: In this text, Paul is using a hymn to speak to the Philippians. When discussing this text with children, you have an opportunity to discuss the purpose of songs in scripture, worship, and life together. Music plays an important role in our praise of God and the sharing of our theology. Often, music helps us to grow and learn. Praise for the Singing is an illustrated book of hymns that include music which tells the stories of our faith as well as songs of worship and praise.

Gospel Reading for the Liturgy of the Passion: Mark 14:1-15:47

The Life of Jesus by Sally Grindley

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: As we begin Holy Week, it seems most appropriate to focus on the Biblical story of the Passion Narrative. Children enjoy hearing stories again and again. Important stories of our faith, such Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection can never be shared too many times. Choose a storybook Bible or children’s book, such as The Life of Jesus, to share with children on this day and throughout the coming week.

Gospel Reading for the Liturgy of the Palms: Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

Pippa at the Parade by Kara Roosa

(Written for ages 3-6)

Comment: For young children, I find it helpful to explore the feelings that might have been felt by people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem. Discussing the experience of watching or participating in a parade will help children to identify with those shouting “Hosanna!” Pippa experiences the sights, sounds, excitement, and even exhaustion that come with celebrating in a parade. When reading Pippa’s story alongside the text of the Palms, take time to wonder together. How is Pippa’s experience like those of the people waving branches? How is it different?

This Lectionary Links post was written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, April 1, 2012 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.