Celebration of 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.

• 1^st Reading (Lectio): What does the text say? First you read the text. Then you look at what is going on in this Bible passage?

• 2^nd 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?

• 4^th 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

Celebration of the Word

1) Gather:

• Prepare the prayer space (e.g., Prayer Table, Power Point, Focal point, music, Symbols being used)
• Have everyone quiet. Welcome everyone to this time of prayer as you gather as a faith community. Light the Candle. Have the scripture prepared and share your theme
• Make the sign of the Cross to begin this time of prayer

2) The Word:

• Read the Scripture and everyone listens
• Pray with the Scripture in your heart
• Listen to what the Lord is saying to you through the scripture passage

3) Response:

• A time of reflection and prayer on the Word
• Enable connection with the Scripture and our everyday lives
• How do you connect to this reading? This may be shown through a reflection, song, music, drama, tableaux, art, discussion

4) Mission:

• How will this Scripture passage change you?
• What is it calling you to do in your life
• How will you go and share this with others

Finish with a prayer, sign of the cross and turn off the candle

Gospel reading for Sunday 19th April 2026, 3rd Sunday of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’ And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

    So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going further, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.