The season after Epiphany has a unity and theme in the various "epiphanies" found in the gospels: the baptism of Jesus, the healing miracles, and ultimately in the transfiguration of Jesus on the final Sunday after Epiphany. The baptism (on the first Sunday of the season) and the transfiguration (on the last) form a sort of "frame" for our celebrations. Here are some of the "through-lines" that inform the season:
- the manifestation (revelation) of Christ to the whole world. When we see Christ, we are seeing God
- recognition Jesus as God by many people, among them the magi, John the Baptist, Jesus' disciples, and Christians in every age, including our own
- rededicating ourselves to our own ministries and our missionary task - to continue to spread the light of Christ in our world
- remembering that just as Jesus first disciples were called to follow him, we, too, have received a similar call, which we recognize in the sacrament of baptism
- remembering the many signs of Jesus that reveal his presence to people throughout the world as he tended to basic human needs.
Scroll down this page to the current Sunday
to find resources and suggestions for each week. Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.
to find resources and suggestions for each week. Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - February 7
Jesus often went out to a lonely or deserted place by himself to pray. It seems that he needed to “recharge” after a very busy and trying day full of healing and casting out demons. How often do we allow ourselves the grace to recharge? All of us engaged in the work we are called to do, get tired. If Jesus needs to recharge, shouldn’t we allow ourselves the same? We must learn to take time to worship in a context where we are not the leader. We need to take time to find a quiet place that is removed from the noise of our daily activities to meditate and to pray.
Readings for this SundayThe readings for The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany are:
(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.) |
Godly Play online!The Stories of Jesus
The latest in our Godly Play presentations of Jesus' parables: The Parable of the Good Samartian |
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Resource CornerWhen Jesus heals the mother of Peter’s wife as told in the Bible, we learn of a woman who shows her gratitude by serving the Lord. Here is a video presentation of the gospel lesson and a reflection on its meaning for us today.
A simple telling of the gospel lesson for today using still images.
Putting faith into practice
(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)
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Activities for Children Click on the file below to download "The Sunday Paper and "The Sunday Paper - Junior" for this week. 
Family Activity We know from last week’s Gospel that Jesus gathered and prayed with the community in the synagogue. Today we learn that Jesus also took the time to pray alone. Following the example of Jesus, we also pray together with our community, and we take the time to pray alone. Our children observe our prayer with others. We might want to take the opportunity to talk with them about our private prayer, however, so that through our example, they may learn to make private prayer an important part of their daily lives. Gather as a family and talk about the ways in which your family prays together (at Mass, grace before meals, bedtime prayers). Invite each member of the family to talk about his or her private prayer: When do you pray? Where do you pray? How do you pray? What do you pray for? Jesus modeled for us a life of prayer. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 1:29-39. Talk about this Gospel with your family. Ask questions such as the following: What do you think Jesus was praying about in today’s Gospel? What guidance have you received from God in prayer? Conclude by asking God to bless our times of prayer so that we can know and follow God’s ways. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer. Making Space for Prayer
As Jesus went to a lonely or deserted place to pray, we need to make "space" for our prayer time. This space must be in our hearts most of all. Because we are people of flesh and blood, making space in our physical world can help us. In "I Need Prayer Helps. Do You? – Making a Home Altar or Prayer Nook" Mother Mary Kisner describes how we can create a "quiet space" in our home. This may be ideal not only in response to the lessons this Sunday but also in preparing ourselves for the coming season of Lent.
Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org | ||||||
The Last sunday after Epiphany - February 14
The early disciples of Jesus use the story of the Transfiguration to connect their “Jesus movement” to both Adam (described in the Torah by Moses) and to Elijah. In doing so, they create a lovely image of our humanity and our tendencies to both shield ourselves from and to embrace, theophanies (appearances of God). At first it is too bright – we must shield our faces. And then the clouds come, and we can look, and it turns out to be exactly what we wanted but feared – God.
Readings for this SundayThe readings for The Last Sunday after Epiphany are:
(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)
Resource CornerOn the last Sunday after Epiphany, we tell the story of the Transfiguration - the final "epiphany" of Jesus before he goes to Jerusalem for the the events at the end of this life. This important event was witnessed by the apostles Peter, James and John. This video tells the story with LEGO!
A little different way to tell the story of the transfiguration from "Kids on the Move".
Family Activity
The Sundays after Epiphany are framed both by the Feast of Epiphany (with the star in the heavens) and Jesus' face shining like the sun at the Transfiguration. The light of God's revelation in Jesus becomes clearer as the disciples are called and the word proclaimed throughout Epiphany. Prominently display in a group all the candles you use throughout the year - birthday candles, advent wreath candles, decorative candles around the home. As you light them, recall how they are used and how their light means something special tot he folks who use them. In today's gospel lesson, we are told that Jesus shines brighter than any of them or all of them together. It's almost as if these candles point to something greater than they (like John the Baptist proclaims) and we hear a voice saying, "This is my Son, listen to what he has to day." Jesus calls us to carry on his mission (like Elisha carried on the mission of the prophet Elijah (first lesson) - soooo . . . we must let our light shine in the world. Watch the video below and sing along! |
Godly Play Online!Another parable
This week's Godly Play lesson centers on answering the question: what is the kingdom of heaven like? It's like a mustard seed - surprising things happen in the kingdom of God. Putting faith into practice
(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)
Activities for Children
Click on the file below to download The "Sunday Paper" for this week.
Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org | ||||