R.E. News
As we explore stories in the Bible, we have been focusing on the Exodus story in the Old Testament and the Parables told by Jesus in the New Testament.
The story of Exodus
Exodus is all about God making Israel his own. God rescues the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from slavery in Egypt. God appears to Moses as a burning bush and sends him to deliver Israel from the hand of Pharaoh. The Israelites celebrate the first-ever Passover, and then set out into the wilderness. Pharaoh changes his mind and sends his army to recapture them. God saves Israel miraculously by parting the Red Sea and allowing Israel to escape their would-be captors. The Israelites leave Egypt and make their way to Mount Sinai, where God gives His laws to Moses - The Ten Commandments. Finally, God sets up camp in the midst of the new nation: they are his people, and he is their God.
The Last Supper
(Mark 14: 12–16, 22–25)
Last Sunday, the 6th June, the Church recognised the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Again, the celebration of the Passover is mentioned in the reading from Mark’s Gospel.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, … Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and get the Passover meal ready for you?” Then Jesus sent two of them with these instructions: “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters and say to the owner of the house: ‘The Teacher says, where is the room, where my disciples and I will eat the Passover meal?’… The disciples left, went to the city, and found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal … While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take it,” he said, “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and handed it to them; and they all drank from it. Jesus said, “this is my blood which is poured out for many, my blood which seals God’s covenant.” (The Catholic Children’s Bible pg. 1559-1560)
The Last Supper is a late 15th-century mural painting by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci housed by the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.
Prayer and Christian Meditation
In our Year 5 and Year 6 classes, we have been engaging in Prayer and Christian Meditation, by praying with images, following the “Visio Divina” method. Visio Divina, or “sacred seeing,” is another prayer practice that has been around for centuries. It involves allowing our hearts, minds, and imaginations to prayerfully enter into an image to see what God may stir or wish to say to us. We select our images for prayer from a variety of sources, including: religious painting, stained glass window, icon, contemporary images, religious images from other cultures, walk outside and use an image from nature. Our meditation is based on a Scripture passage, and our selected image relates to the text. The method involves these steps: prepare your heart for prayer, listen to the scripture passage; gaze upon the image; reflect on the image; respond to the image; rest with God; and finishes with a closing prayer. This week we will be focusing on the scripture from the Gospel of Mark and the painting of the Last Supper.
Prayer When in Isolation
As we have again, spent time leaning at home, and staying at home, we might want to reflect on the prayer that was composed last year (during a previous lock down), reminding us that God is always with us even when we are in isolation.
Loving God,
Being alone is hard. We were created for community, not confinement.
But we’re grateful that no matter how alone we may feel, you are always with us.
And, we’re grateful for technology that helps us stay in touch with each other.
We remind ourselves that this time of social distancing and isolation will not last forever.
Give us the strength to endure this difficult time, and deepen our connection with You and with one another.
Empower us with love, peace, hope and joy.
Amen.
Beanie Day for Vinnies’
Winter Appeal
On Thursday 24th June, our Social Justice Student Leaders have proposed a fundraiser called "Crazy Beanie Day". Students are invited to wear a beanie (with their school or sports’ uniform) and bring a gold coin to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal – donate a beanie / soup van project / blankets for the homeless. We are looking forward to seeing some "crazy" and cosy beanies on Thursday 24th – be creative in the beanie you wear and how you wear it!
Margaret Cronin
Religious Education Leader