Frighteningly Beautiful

On Saturday during our Celebration of the Liturgy of the Light, we read the gospel story of the Women at the Tomb. I asked the children how the women had reacted (afraid but also full of joy) and asked them if this reminded them of other stories from the Bible. Niamh, in second grade, suggested the Parable of the Pearl, because the merchant felt happy about finding the pearl, but perhaps was frightened by how beautiful and precious it was.

Jayna, age 4, and Talia, age 3, were working with the Women at the Tomb. They were in animated conversation. I overheard Jayna ask, “Where is the king?” while moving a figure to look into the tomb. Talia responded, “I saw baby Jesus in the manager.” While others were singing “Mary had a Baby,” they raised up the figures of the women called Mary. Jayna then asked to sing, “Angel came to Mary” and raised up the figure of the angel.

I'm not afraid

Edward, age 4 has leukemia.
At the beginning of the Women at the Tomb presentation he said, "I'm dying."
Later while working a catechist said that the women were afraid. He leaned over and said, "I'm not afraid."