Religious Education
Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door I will come in.
Rev 3:20
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This week we take the time to reflect on NAIDOC Week. The First Testament Scripture from Isaiah calls us to be people of justice and reminds us to care for the common good of all and respect the dignity of everyone.
Isaiah 58:6 -12
This is the sort of fast that pleases me;
Remove the chains of injustice!
Undo the ropes of the yoke!
Let those who are oppressed go free, and break every yoke you encounter!
Share your bread with those who are hungry, and shelter homeless poor people!
Clothe those who are naked, and don’t hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood!
Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn – and your healing will break forth like lightning!
Your integrity will go before you, and the glory of the Living God will be your rearguard.
Cry, and the Living God will answer;
call, and God will say, ‘I am here’-
provided you remove from your midst all oppression, finger pointing, and malicious talk!
If you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows will become like noon.
The Living God will always guide you, giving relief in desert places. God will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never run dry.
You will rebuild the ancient ruins, and build upon age-old foundations. You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, and Restorer of Ruined Neighbourhoods.
The Inclusive Bible. Used with permission.
Reflecting on the reading
God, you love the poor,
and bring freedom and hope
to the suffering and dispossessed.
Walk with us as we continue in humility
our journey of healing of our relationships
with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
We ask this in the name of Christ, the Healer,
and the Spirit, the Reconciler.
Amen.
Blessing
May the Ancient Dreaming inform and inspire us.
May the resilience and generosity of the First Peoples encourage us.
May the clarity and respect of the Prophets motivate us.
May the endurance and colour of the land sustain us.
May the yearning of all peoples for unity reconcile us.
Amen
Take Care
Bernadette Reed
(Religious Education Leader)