“Following and accompanying Christ, staying with him, demands ‘coming out of ourselves,’ …out of a dreary way of living faith that has become a habit, out of the temptation to withdraw into our own plans which end by shutting out God’s creative action.”
Pope Francis, General Audience 27 March 2013
E Hehu Karaiti,
Christ Jesus,
you came to draw all people to yourself.
You knew that there would be suffering on your journey,
but you trusted in God’s plan,
even to the point of death.
May we come to share your faith
as we follow you throughout our lives.
Āmene.
Response:
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.
Response:
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.
Response:
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!
Response:
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
What are some of the things in your life that you are grateful for and why?
A Reading from the holy Gospel according to John 12: 24-25, 32-33
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 12: 24-25, 32-33
Jesus said to Philip and Andrew,
“You know that if you do not bury
a grain of wheat,
it stays just as a grain of wheat.
But if you bury it in the ground,
it grows and becomes many grains.
“In the same way,
People try to hold onto their lives
will lose them.
But those who are willing
to give up their lives
will live forever.
And when I am lifted up,
I will bring all people to me.”
When he said this,
Jesus was telling them
how he was going to die.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 12: 20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
How do we serve and follow Jesus in our daily lives?
Why is taking time to reflect important? How does this link to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
As we move forward as part of this better life that Jesus has created for us, how do we hear God’s voice today guiding us?
Answer all the questions below on your weekly Gospel Reflection Notebook
Week 8 Activity: Looking Back to Move Forward
Creating a Collaborative Colour Poster.
This week you can work with 1 other person (you may do this independently if you really wish).
Choose a colour each of you will use to show which thinking is yours (look up some complementary colours)
Follow the steps below, then upload your work to Google Classroom.
Example of what it could look like!
Step 1
Find an image, draw your own or create a collage of images that represent the main idea.
Step 2
Each select a quote that is critical to the main understanding.
Step 3
Agree on a phrase that highlights the main idea - this must be an original phrase.
Step 4
Add in your own thoughts and reflections - in an image or with key words that relate to the main ideas
E te Atua o te rāngimarie,
God of peace,
as we pause to reflect on our own hopes
on our journey of faith,
we pray that you will deepen our understanding
and love for the millions of people worldwide
who are still in search of a safe place to live.
We pray that love, hope and peace
will overcome despair and discomfort.
May your will be done on earth.
Āmene.