'I can do all things with the help of God who strengthens me.' Philippians (4:13)

The Word

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England dedicated 2020 to ‘The Year of the Word’. During the special year, the Church encouraged schools to celebrate, live and share God’s Word. As a school we already do this in so many ways. Various prayers and activities will be taking place during this year to encourage our daily living out of the ‘Gospel’ which simply means ‘Good News’. Let us help one another to be ‘Good News’ to everyone we meet, both in word and deed.

Lectio Divina

(Latin for ‘Divine Reading’)

 

There are various approaches to Lectio Divina a simple approach is to see Lectio Divina as a way of encountering God through Scripture – normally, by taking a specific passage from the Bible as the basis for this prayer.

 

Four Steps of Lectio Divina by James Martin SJ.

 

  • 1st Reading (Lectio): What does the text say? First you read the text. Then you look at what is going on in this Bible passage?
  • 2nd Meditation: What is God saying to me in the text? At this point, you ask whether there is something that God might want to reveal to you through this passage. Often, it might connect with something in your life.

  • 3ʳᵈ Prayer: What do I want to say to God about the text?

  • 4th Action: What do I want to do based on my prayer? Finally, you act. Prayer should move us to action, even if it simply makes us want to be more compassionate and faithful.

 

The story of the ‘The Good Samaritan’ is a good Gospel to use for Lectio Divina.

Luke 10: 25-37

 

First Sunday of Advent YEAR B

Sunday 3rd December 2023

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. 

Diocesan Year of the Holy Spirit

New Academic Year 2023