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’)
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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?
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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.
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3ʳᵈ Prayer: What do I want to say to God about the text?
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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
Celebration of the Word
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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
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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
The Word
Gospel Reading for Sunday 22th February 2026
1st Sunday of Lent (A)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 4:1-11
At that time: Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the Temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” ’ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
