Term 2 Week 21 |
24 - 30 JUNE
ORDINARY TIME |
Sunday
|
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
The feast of the birth of John the Baptist was first observed in the fourth century. It celebrates the holy birth of "the greatest of all the prophets" the one who leapt for joy in his mother's womb, who prepared the way for Christ, announced his presence and baptised him in the Jordan River.
|
Monday
|
Take the beam out of your own eye first.
Matthew 7:1-5 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are the judgements that you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given. Why do you observe the splinter in your bother's eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, "Let me take the splinter out of your eye", when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.' The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray. Loving God, Give me the strength to not judge others. Help me to focus on what I can do to become a better person. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. |
Tuesday
|
Blessings
There are many ways to pray a blessing, including having all those doing the blessing raise their hand over the person or group to be blessed. A blessing might also involve placing a hand on the person’s shoulder or head. How to write a blessing: Using the You Who Do Through structure YOU- begin by addressing God or naming God. e.g. God of new beginnings . WHO- name ‘WHO’ God is for us, e.g. You are our strength and hope DO- we ask God to bless, to ‘DO’ something e.g. Be with us as we journey together this year. THROUGH - We pray to God in and THROUGH Christ, so our prayer concludes with a simple Through Christ our Lord Amen See KWeb Prayer Resources for further information. |
Wednesday
|
Matthew 7:15-20 A Tree and Its Fruit
Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you. You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that produces bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds. The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Reflection- The Lord calls us to bear fruit in our lives. This fruit is the good that our lives bring forth in thought, word and deed. This fruitfulness of good in our life is the most important feature of who we are as human beings. What can we do to ensure that we produce good fruit? Who can we call upon to who can help us produce good fruit? |
Thursday
|
An End of Term Reflection
"Praying in Colour" is prayerful doodling. See here for some examples. 1) Write something that you are thankful for this term. Draw a shape around it or just start to doodle. The drawing becomes a prayer space, a small prayer closet. 2) Add marks and shapes. Focus on what you are thankful for. Ask God to be part of your prayer time with or without words. If words come, pray them; if not, enjoy the silence. |
Friday
|
Saints Peter and Paul
On June 29 the Church celebrates the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. As early as the year 258, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on the same day. Together, the two saints are the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom there. Find out more about why Saints Peter and Paul are referred to as 'Pillars of the Christian Church' here. |
Saturday
|
A Holiday Prayer
Let us pray. Gracious God, in your great love you shower us with many great gifts. As we finish this school term, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for all the remarkable moments we have experienced. May we be enriched and inspired by them. We ask you to be with us during this holiday period and keep us safe and happy. We ask this in Jesus’ name. All: Amen |