Education in Faith

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them.

In this week’s gospel, Matthew continues the Sermon on the Mount with a three part instruction by Jesus on the Way of Life in the kingdom of heaven. The reading’s have three parts. Part one and deals with the Law. Part two deals with worship and religious practice and contains the Lord’s Prayer. Part three deals with trusting God and deeds of loving service to our neighbour.

When Matthew speaks of “the Law and the prophets” he means the whole Scripture. When the Messiah brings the fullness of the kingdom none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be fulfilled. Matthew’s Jesus does not overturn the Law of Moses, nor does he set his followers free from the Law. He requires his followers to go beyond the Law by doing more than the Law requires.

The Law condemned killing. Jesus condemns anger. 

The first reading and gospel are both about our relationship with God and the right choices we need to make. The gospel also tells us that we should take care with our relationships with other people so that we can be in right relationship with God. The concepts of making right choices and being in right relationship with God and with other people come through in the readings. This week, take some time to reflect on how these concepts thread their way through our lives. Sometimes we make wrong choices, but if we learn from that and it can help us grow in wisdom. 

In the gospel passage, Jesus tells the disciples (and us) to make peace with anyone who is angry with us. 

We can also talk about making right choices and how that can result in being in right relationship with both God and other people. Making good choices sometimes requires a lot of wisdom, which come with experience, so don't be too hard on yourself or on our child/children if you get it wrong from time to time!

Discussion Starters

Have you ever felt angry with someone?

Is it easy to make peace after you have had an argument or a fight?

Do you feel happy or sad after an argument? Do you feel better after you make peace?

Jesus tells us to make peace with other people before we offer gifts to God.

This can be difficult but God will help us.

Praying for someone who has hurt us is a good step to take in making peace with them.

Sacramental News and Dates

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacramental Levy to cover the cost for:

•  a guest speaker to conduct a Parent and Child Workshop for each Sacrament.
• professionally made stoles. 
• a candle for children receiving reconciliation.
• children receiving First Eucharist and Confirmation to travel to St. Kevin’s Church for Reconciliation, Eucharist practice, and reflection day by bus.

This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received at the start of the year, before or on the day of your Family Workshop Session.

God Bless

Rozeta Ambrose

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au 

GRADE 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

Grade 5/6 students have offered to give up some of their time on Wednesdays second lunch to be part of Mini Vinnies. This year we have 51 students! A very impressive effort!  I would like to congratulate these students for their commitment to help others less fortunate. 

This week we spoke a bit about the larger group Mini Vinnies belongs to, St Vincent De Paul Society. The students learnt that they can be part of this society no matter their age. We begin with primary school students becoming part of Mini Vinnies, secondary school students part of the St Vincent de Paul School Conference then Youth Vinnies, local conferences such as our Hampton Park Conference, Soup Vans and also our Vinnies Op Shops. There are also various tutoring programs run by the society. It was great for the students to see they are part of something so much bigger than just Mini Vinnies.

We also spoke about the meaning of the St Vincent de Paul logo. The St Vincent de Paul Society logo is used in many countries and is recognised everywhere as a symbol of hope and goodwill. The logo has three components: the hands symbol, the text and the slogan.

The text and slogan:

Once again, I would like to thank all the students who are volunteering their time.  I am so impressed with their commitment and eagerness.

Giuliana