Religious Education

WEEKEND GOSPEL

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

He cured many who suffered from diseases of one kind or another.

On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.

In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.

A beginning point for discussion of this week's Gospel with children:

Who has a friend who was once sick?
How did your friend get better?
What could you do when someone you know is sick?
In today’s gospel what did Jesus do when sick people were brought to him?
Jesus showed compassion to those who were in need. What does ‘compassion’ mean?
Who should we show compassion to?

We pray that we will think of others before ourselves this week and show compassion to others.