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2007 Lent/ Easter
The Sign of the Cross
In the years since the Second Vatican Council
Leading Children to the Sundays of Lent, Easter and Pentecost
“Filling in the Blanks:” Liturgy, Story and Catechesis

Patricia M. McCormack

Many folks recognize that the acronym WWJD represents the question, “What would Jesus do?”. It is a wonderful question especially during times of discernment. It cuts straight to the heart of any matter. The Easter cycle of the liturgical calendar offers a unique time to extend or apply the question: “What would Jesus want me to do?”
The Easter cycle of ten weeks (February 25 to May 27, 2007) includes Lent, the Paschal Triduum, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost.

Ash Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday provide a preface for Lent. The readings call us to prayer, fasting and works of charity. They challenge us to choose life (life-giving behaviors) and, therefore, avoid life-blocking behaviors. They speak of true fasting: breaking chains of injustice and relieving burdens, setting free the oppressed, sharing food with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked.

WWJWMTD? Jesus challenges me to be creative in interpreting “poor, hungry, oppressed, homeless, and naked.” After all, one person can have a financially sound bank account but be starving for understanding, acceptance or forgiveness. Another can dress in the latest fashion but feel emotionally exposed because of gossip or a criminal record.

The six Sundays of Lent 2007 (Year C) focus on the temptations and priorities of Jesus, the source of his identity and his challenge to repent and produce good fruits in our lives. Jesus will tell us of the lost sheep and about the father of the Prodigal Son to illustrate the extravagant love that the Father has for each of us. He will teach us that his mission extends human dignity, love and conversion, not condemnation.

WWJWMTD? Jesus calls me to rely on God, to put first things first and let the rest fall where it may; to remember who I am and whose I am and to listen to that voice; to recognize that God’s love for me is personal, not merely communal or general; to know that God’s love is merciful and unconditional; to celebrate that God’s love for me does not depend on my love for God; and to avoid judging others.

The Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) suggests to me lessons of servanthood, being and receiving Eucharist, experiencing betrayal without bitterness, meaningful silence, integrity, forgiveness and unconditional love despite the cost.

Seven weeks of Easter teach us that LOVE will have the last word! Forgiveness is offered, doubts are human and Jesus initiates reconciliation. If we are disciples we hear his voice, we imitate his behaviors and we wait for the promised Holy Spirit.

Year C proclaims Luke’s account of the Ascension (Luke 24:46–53). Jesus referred to the Scripture, recapped his role as Messiah, challenged the apostles to be witnesses, charged them to wait for the Holy Spirit to visit, blessed them and then returned to his Father.

WWJWMTD? Jesus calls me to ponder the Scriptures, to accept him as Savior, to be a faithful witness, to let my life reflect my experience of him, to desire and seek the help of the Holy Spirit, and to remember that he will be with me at all times.

Pentecost puts confusion into perspective, fills in the gaps, and replaces fear with faith. The Spirit empowers us to live the Easter Cycle every day of the year: (1) to repent of whatever frustrates the will of God in our lives; (2) to reform by choosing whatever facilitates God’s will; (3) to renew, through prayer, our relationship with God; and (4) to remodel by shifting our priorities to imitate those of Jesus.

WWJWMTD?
I have shared my “first thought responses” to each of the Gospels of Easter Year C. Additional thoughts might emerge given time and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The same is true of the students we teach. One Gospel story can evoke as many applications as there are students and any one student may “hear” several messages for a single event, person or story. Note that I have limited my remarks to the Gospel readings for the ten weeks in the cycle. Consider asking the question WWJWMTD of all of the readings of the day, including the responsorial Psalm.

If your students are ready for independent group work break the class into teams. Give one Gospel to each team. Hold the group responsible to provide an illustration of the Gospel, perhaps student-drawn. Label it with responses to the question WWJWMTD? Use the content for intercessory prayer or examination of conscience at the end of each class period.

Like Stations of the Cross, create a “station” for each Sunday of the liturgical season. Mount a diamond-shaped square on a larger square of a different color that is positioned in the “usual” view. Within the diamond label prominently the name of the Sunday, i.e., First Sunday of Lent. Use each of the four triangle sections to list character traits or life messages from each of the three readings and the responsorial Psalm. Synthesize the finished product into a prayer paragraph. This activity is appropriate for total class input or small group work.

Patricia M. McCormack, Ed.D., is an associate of the Center for Catholic Education at Catholic University, Washington, DC. She taught in elementary and secondary schools, served as elementary school principal and directed teacher education at the collegiate level. She speaks and writes frequently on topics of formation education.