The week beginning 10 th July When we

The week beginning 10 th July “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. ” ― C. S. Lewis

The theme this week is all about blessings. We are constantly told about all the blessings we have in our lives. But do we really appreciate them? Do we always give praise to God for each one He gives us? This morning I want you take a couple of minutes to think about all the Blessings you have in your life. They could be people, places and situations. How many can you come up with? Let it be our mission this week to see every blessing that we been given and say a little prayer of thanks to God for them.

Let us Pray: Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The week beginning 10 th July (Tuesday) “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. ” ― C. S. Lewis

A Conversation with God Me: God, can I ask You a question? God: Sure. Me: Promise You won't get mad. God: I promise. Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today? God: What do you mean? Me: Well, I woke up late. God: Yes. Me: My bus took forever to come and diverted off its route so I almost missed my stop. God: Okay. Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait. God: Mhhmmmmm Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call. God: All right. Me: And on top of it all, when I got home, I just wanted to play on my Xbox and relax. But it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that? God: Let me see. You would have been too tired for your exam today so I let you sleep in a bit. I didn't let your bus arrive on time because if had, it was going to be stuck in traffic and you wouldn’t have been able to divert to a clearer route and get you to school on time. The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss school. Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered. Oh and that Xbox, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark. Me: I'm Sorry, God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust Me. . in all things, the good and the bad. Me: I will trust You. God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is always better than your plan. Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank You for everything today. God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after My children.

Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I humble myself before your Presence. What a joy it is to come to you. I thank you and I praise your infinite Majesty. Please forgive me of all my sins. Lord I come to you in my nothingness. I want to worship you and adore you, to love you with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul and with all my strength. I want to burn with desire for you like an angel. I need you my Lord, I am nothing without you. I ask you to raise me before your Glory. Shine your light upon me, allow me to walk with you and always do your Holy Will. Protect me and bless me O Merciful Lord. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, grant me peace, love and joy. Heal me, bless me and sanctify me O Lord; make me a blessing for all those around me. Amen

The week beginning 10 th July (Wednesday) “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. ” ― C. S. Lewis

St Bonaventure was born in Bagnoregio, a town in central Italy. As a boy he was cured of a serious illness through the prayers of Francis of Assisi. Later he studied the liberal arts in Paris. Inspired by Francis and the example of the friars, especially of his master in theology, Alexander of Hales, Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order, and became in turn a teacher of theology in the university. Chosen as minister general of the Order in 1257, he was God’s instrument in bringing it back to a deeper love of the way of Saint Francis, both through the life of Francis which he wrote at the request of the brothers, and through other works which defended the Order or explained its ideals and way of life. He died on July 15, 1274.

Let us use the inspiration of St Bonaventure in our prayers today as we say: Dear Lord, St. Bonaventure - Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation. Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself. You guided him to make his life a continuous prayer and meditation on the wounds of Christ. Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart. Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus’ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation. Amen

The week beginning 10 th July (Thursday) “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. ” ― C. S. Lewis

Read this piece of scripture and talk to the person next you about what this means to you

Let us always remember that everything we have is from God, all those incredible moments and amazing adventures are provided by His hands. Let us always praise Him for all have, as we pray; Dear Lord Jesus – every good and perfect gift is a blessing from You, and You have blessed me with so much and I ask that You would use me to be a blessing to others who are in need or facing difficulties. Make me a channel of Your blessing – a channel through whom You love and peace and joy and love flow out from You, through me, to others. May I be Your hands to bless others – may You guide my feet to places where I can go and be a blessing… May my speech be seasoned with salt so that I may speak words of comfort and encouragement – and speak the truth in love, and give me the grace to be available when others are in need. Lord, that You may increase in my life and I may decrease – so that the blessings that You pour through me to others may draw each one closer into the arms of the Lord Jesus, in Whose name I pray, Amen

The week beginning 10 th July (Friday) “When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. ” ― C. S. Lewis

I am blessed with mercy and grace, blessed to have the strength to keep in the faithful race. I am blessed with everything good and just, blessed to have a God in whom I can truly trust. I am blessed with a lively, eternal hope, blessed to have a Saviour to help me each day to cope. I am blessed, with every spiritual blessing, blessed to have the Holy Spirit urging me to keep on pressing. I am blessed with all I could ever need, blessed to have my Bible so my hunger it can feed! Everyone deserves to know that they are blessed in so many ways. As we start the last day of the week, let us take a moment to think: How can I spread this message to the people in my local community?

Let us bring together all our personal prayers as we pray for our community. Father, Pour out your Spirit Upon our community at Finchley Catholic High School, Grant us to work worthily in your sight As we build up our school within an atmosphere of honesty and trust, For your honour and glory. May we pray and work together, Consecrated in your service, So that you may bless our endeavour and aspirations and make our school a better place for all of us who teach, work and learn within. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, and in unity with the Holy Spirit, Who lives and reigns with you Forever and ever. Amen