Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Word With Children-2019/ Notre Dame Fire

On Palm Sunday I was a prayer leader for the Children's Liturgy in my parish. As we  processed around the church, with the pastor, altar servers, and lectors, holding palms, I was amazed at the simple ritual of processing and how it pleased everyone, because children were involved.
Afterwards, in the chapel, as I read the Passion gospel to the children and told them it was very serious so they would have to pay attention, as we were going to hear about Jesus' trial, they listened intently. It's such a violent story, but there is much they can learn from it.
Jesus was a victim of bullying and they could hear that and unfortunately some of them could relate to it. When I asked them if any of them had been innocent and been bullied by someone, they had examples. They shouldn't but they always do when I discuss that topic with them. One little girl said that her fish had died and when she discussed it at lunch, someone said to her, "I'm glad your fish died." Another boy shared that he had a rock collection and he was proud of it and another boy said to him, "Those rocks are useless." They had many examples, too many for young children.
But that's the way it is. Just as Jesus was lied about, mocked and treated harshly and was a victim of injustice, so too does it go on today, in different forms.
As we enter the sacred days and nights  of the Holy Triduum,  we have etched in our minds, the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral and the bizarre timing of that horrific event during Holy Week, From the ashes of Notre Dame will come rebuilding, renewal and hope and that is very good.  From the sacred days ahead will come the beauty, joy and hopefulness of Easter.
Blessings abound. Hope is essential to the life of a Christian. A fruitful Triduum and a Happy Easter.
NJA