Religious Education
Important Feast Days
Friday 20th September: Sts Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sang & companions
Saturday 21st September: St Matthew
Monday 23rd September: St Padre Pio
Thursday 26th September Sts Cosmas and Damian
Gospel
Jesus teaches his disciples that the greatest are those who serve all.
Unpacking the Scriptures
In this Sunday's Gospel of Mark, Jesus predicts his passion, death and resurrection again to his disciples. They are preparing to travel through Galilee, a Jewish territory where Jesus has encountered many problems with the Pharisees (religious leaders). This is why Jesus was trying to journey in secret. His time had not come yet. In predicting his passion, he prepares his disciples for what is to come, however Mark tells us that the disciples didn't know what he was saying and were afraid to ask what he meant.
Having reached Capernaum in Galilee, Jesus takes his disciples into a house, a private place to speak about what they were arguing about on their journey (who will be first in the kingdom of heaven). The disciples were uncharacteristically silent and afraid to answer - they had been found out. He summons the twelve and teaches them that those who would be first in God’s kingdom must be servants of all.
Jesus then calls forward a child to teach them that to receive a child in Jesus’ name is to receive both Jesus and the One who sent him (God). In first century Palestine, children were without status or power, possessing no legal rights. The action again teaches the disciples (and us) that when we serve the least ones among us, we serve Jesus himself. Who are the people without power or status around us that Jesus is calling us to serve? Do we do so willingly motivated by love?
Family Connection
The conversation Jesus had with his disciples are common in family life - "I should get the first piece of cake because I'm the youngest", "I did the dishes yesterday so it's someone else's turn today". How might we respond if Jesus was standing there asking us about our family arguments? What would he say to us in reply? Remember that God is with us always. This week let us reflect on his important message; to be great in the Kingdom of Godis to be the servant of all.
Pray
Gather together, light a candle and acknowledge that you are in the presence of God in a moment of silence. Read the Gospel Mark 9:30-37. Discuss a recent family argument about chores or a moment of bickering. Recall what was the issue in the argument and imagine that Jesus entered the room just as it ended. What would you tell Jesus your argument was about? What might he say in reply? What might your family do to remember that those who are great in God’s kingdom are those who willingly serve others? Pray together that your family life will reflect your commitment to serve one another with love and say St Ignatius' Prayer for Generosity:
Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,
Teach me true generosity.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve.
To give without counting the cost,
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest,
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward,
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.
Amen.
Have a wonderful spring holiday break!
God bless,
India Mitchell-Fletcher
Religious Education Leader