Monday nd 22 June Feast of Ss John

Monday nd 22 June Feast of Ss John Fisher & Thomas More This week’s theme is: Gift of Life We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the letter the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ” Mt 16: 25

Reflection & Discussion St John Fisher and St Thomas More were two very powerful men in England during the reign of Henry VIII. St John Fisher was a bishop and St Thomas More the Chancellor (equivalent to Prime Minister now), they were both good friends with the King. When Henry wanted to create a new Church and split from the Catholic Church, these two were the most senior people to tell him he was wrong. Henry tried to bribe them with more money and power, it didn’t work. He then put them in prison to scare them, they still disagreed with him. Finally he had them both executed, they never backed down from their belief as they knew that by giving up their earthly life they were holding on to their heavenly life. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • How would you feel if one of your friends turned on you? • What makes it hard to stand up to your friends?

Today is the Feast Day for St John Fisher’s Primary in Derby and St Thomas More Secondary in Buxton. We pray that these two communities are filled with the same courage and love as these saints. St Thomas More, Buxton are doing a live broadcast at 1: 30 pm to celebrate their feast day. You can join them here: https: //youtu. be/ubma. Bsmmo. AE

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Lord Jesus, We thank you for the courage of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More. We ask you to help us to be like them by speaking out against things that are wrong and by staying loyal to you. Amen.

Tuesday rd 23 June This week’s theme is: Gift of Life We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. ” Jer 1: 5

Reflection & Discussion Each and every one of us is known and loved by God from the very beginning of our life in the womb. Every human life is equal and important to God, we should never treat anyone badly just because they are different to us. There are people in the world who don’t think like this, they judge a persons worth by the colour of their skin, their gender, their age, their size or their ability. This is opposite to how Jesus wants us to live. Each of us have the mission to protect human life and to fight discrimination. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • Why do you think people treat others like this? • What can we do to protect life? • How would you feel if you we faced discrimination like this?

From before we are born we are known & loved by God

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Holy Trinity, You love every person equally and individually, Protect all people from any harm, hatred or hurt that they face, And transform our hearts so that we will love one another and see every human life as sacred and special as you do. Amen

Wednesday th 24 June The Nativity of St John the Baptist This week’s theme is: Gift of Life We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Holy Gospel according to St Luke: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. ” Lk 1: 76

Reflection & Discussion Today we celebrate the birth of St John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and the last prophet to appear before Jesus. St John was chosen from before he was born to prepare people for Jesus coming. God knew he would be the right person to do this work. St John’s parents longed for a child for many years and thought they would never be parents. St John’s life wasn’t just a gift to his parents but to so many people who he helped come to know Jesus through his calling. God knows what he is calling you to in life, something you will be amazing at and you will enjoy, if we ask him he will help us know what it is. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • How could you be like St John and help others come to know Jesus? • Who are you most grateful for being alive?

St John transformed so many people’s lives by following God’s call. What impact will you have on the world?

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Lord God, You knew before St John was born how he could change the world and help people meet Jesus. Help me to understand what you are calling me to do, and then give me the courage to do it. Amen

Thursday th 25 June This week’s theme is: Gift of Life We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Holy Gospel according to St John: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ” Jn 10: 10

Reflection & Discussion We often focus on how great life in heaven will be that we forget that Jesus wants us to live a full and happy life here on earth too. We have opportunities in life and we have the choice if we take them or not. Some people have more opportunities than others but that doesn’t mean we should just give up; as people are better off than us. In the same way that many people have less opportunities than we do. We live life to the full when it is not just us who succeed but when we help others reach their potential too. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • What would you like to change in your life? • How can we help those who have less opportunities to succeed than us? • Why do you think Jesus cares about us reaching our potential on earth?

What opportunitie s will you be offered today? What opportunitie s can you offer others?

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Creator God, You are the source of all life, we thank you for the opportunities that are offered to us each day, give us the wisdom to make use of them and the courage to help others succeed too. Amen

Friday th 26 June This week’s theme is: Gift of Life We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From St Paul’s letter to the Galatians: ‘It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ’ Gal 2: : 20

Reflection & Discussion In this term Bishop Patrick is asking us to think about how we can be missionary disciples. St Paul searched all his life to do what God wanted in the world. For awhile he thought that was harassing Christians. Jesus showed him that what God wanted him to do was spread the good news by living in communities and teaching others about God’s love by what he said and how he lived. To respond to Bishop Patrick’s challenge can seem hard but it is simple: each day try to live and act as Jesus would. When we make our lives like Jesus’, we will be amazed at how happy that makes us and others. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • When has someone treated you in a way Jesus would? • What makes it hard to live like Jesus? • How can you be more like Jesus?

Today think:

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Jesus, You saw the little things that needed be done, Help me to notice how I can make a difference, Let me know your love and strength so that I can do this joyfully. Amen