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| Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly |
This week a little liturgy looks again at belief and our relationship with God. This week's photo shows one of the more famous Irish high crosses which were often used to illustrate the Bible and as a teaching aid to help understanding of the scriptures; I guess we have the internet today!
Summary of the Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Joshua 24:1-2,15-17,18
Joshua tells the people that they must serve the Lord or go and find another God. They state their allegiance to the God who brought them out of slavery, saying "We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God".
Psalm33
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Second Reading
Ephesians 5:21-32
St Paul tells us that the Church is Christ's body and "we are its living parts". Christ loved the Church like a husband loves his wife and we must become one with him.
Gospel
John 6:60-69
Christ asks the twelve if they will stay with him. They reply "Lord, who shall we go to?" However, some others found his teachings too difficult and left.
Discussion
All of these readings explore the relationship between God and humankind. It is not always an easy one. The Israelites complained just as the disciples complained. In the Gospel some followers say "This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?
This question is an important one for us because some of the things we believe are very difficult to accept. Jesus says that no one can come to believe in him "unless the Father allows him." This is what we mean when we say that someone has faith; they are led to Jesus through the Father.
Activities
A) Consider the first section of the Creed. Fill in the gaps below:
I believe in --- --- , the Father --------, maker of ------ and ----- , of all things -------
and ---------.
I believe in one ---- ----- ------, the ---- -------- Son of God,
born of the Father before --- ---- ,
God from God, ----- from -----, true --- from ---- God,
begotten, not ---- , -------------- with the Father;
through him all things were made.
B) Now think carefully about what you are saying here. Write out the passage in your own words. Imagine that you have to explain this to someone who is not Christian. How would you help them understand what you believe?
C) Draw out the story of the Gospel today. Use speech bubbles to show what the believers and the non-believers say and what Jesus said to them.
D) We did not read the previous section from the Gospel of John last week as it was the Feast of the Assumption. Look back in your missal or Bible and find out what it was that made Jesus's followers so upset.
E) Make a list of some things that you find difficult to believe. Ask someone about them and try to do some research about why we believe these things.
I hope you all have a good week!
Maria
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