The week beginning 16 th September I pray

The week beginning 16 th September “I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus. ”

God welcomes all of us to be a part of His family; to have a place at His table. He does not exclude anyone because of their ethnicity, religion, gender or social standing. We can all agree that everyone deserves to have equal rights and to be treated fairly. But not everyone has as open a heart as our Lord. This is not just a problem for governments or those in power, it starts with us and the way we treat each other on a daily basis. Lets us reflect honestly; Do I always treat the people around me with care and respect? Do I strive for equality in my community?

Let us ask God to help us to welcome all into our family as we 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 16 th September (Tuesday) “I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus. ”

Never judge a book by its cover! How often have we heard this phrase before? But actually how many times have we taken it to heart and acted upon it? We all want our lives to be simple and easy, but to go out of our way to find out more about someone and their story, leads us away from that. When you are walking around school or in our local community, how often do you make that snap judgment about someone because of the clothes they wear, the way they speak or even the way they talk? That first impression you have of someone is only one part of them, there is a whole life story behind it and quite often their story doesn’t match what you see. So lets change this cycle of judgement for the better. Next time you meet someone new, or someone you don’t really know that well, take that extra minute or two to find out more about them. You never know, you may find more in common than you think.

Let us pray; Let us pray for an end to the divisions and inequalities that scar God’s creation, particularly the barriers to freedom faced by God’s children throughout the world because of poverty; that all who have been formed in God’s image might have equality in pursuit of the blessings of creation. Amen

The week beginning 16 th September (Wednesday) “I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus. ”

Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces, collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the “tax farmers” got for themselves. Hence the latter, known as “publicans, ” were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. The Pharisees lumped them with ‘sinners’. So it was shocking to them to hear Jesus call such a man to be one of his intimate followers. Matthew got Jesus in further trouble by having a sort of 'goingaway party' at his house. The Gospel tells us that many tax collectors and those known as ‘sinners’ came to the dinner. The Pharisees were even more shocked. What business did this supposedly great teacher have associating with such immoral people? Jesus’ answer was, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. ’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners”. Jesus is not setting aside ritual and worship; he is saying that loving others is even more important. From such an unlikely situation, Jesus chose one of the foundations of the Church, a man whom others, judging him by his job, thought was not holy enough for the position. But Matthew was honest enough to admit that he was one of the sinners Jesus came to call. He was open enough to recognise truth when he saw him. “And he got up and followed him”.

Let us pray we can be welcoming to all through the intention of St Matthew, as we say; O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel you portray Jesus as the longed for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant. Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with him in heaven. Amen

The week beginning 16 th September (Thursday) “I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus. ”

Read and reflect on what this phrase means to you.

God of Love – Forgive! Teach us how to Truly Live, Ask us not our race or creed, Just take us in our hour of need, And let us know You love us, too, And that we are a part of You, And someday man realise Even though we are have That all the earth, differences we are all equal in the seas and skies, eyes of God, we are all His Belong to God who made us all, children and He loves each and The rich, the poor, everyone of us. the great, the small, Let us pray; And in the Father’s Holy Sight, No man is yellow, black, or white, And Peace on Earth cannot be found Until we Meet on Common Ground And every man becomes a Brother, Who worships God and Loves each other. Amen

The week beginning 16 th September (Friday) “I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus. ”

This week we have reflected about how we welcome everyone to the Lord’s table, to God’s family. But sometimes we ourselves don’t feel that we are worthy to be part of this. This quote sums up why that is not so; “The Church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners. ” God isn’t looking for perfection, but is looking for those who try to follow His path and His way. You may make mistakes or veer off the path He has planned for you, but He is still going to welcome you with open arms to His family because He loves you completely. So let us take a moment of personal prayer to thank God for inviting us to be apart of His family and His eternal love for us.

Let us pray as a community by saying: 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.