Around the School in RE at Trinity – K/1 Prayer Books

I had the pleasure in visiting K/1 yesterday and they were very excited to share their very special Prayer books with me. This term K/1 have been learning about all different types of prayers. This week they were finishing off last minute touches before their Prayer Books will be bound for publication. I felt the presence of MJR in the K/1 classroom as they happily shared their masterpieces with me. Thank you Miss O’Brien and K/1.

Readings this Weekend – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A

GOSPEL:  Matthew 11:25-30
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:25-30&version=NIV

Jesus said: ‘Come to me. All you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

Gospel Focus: In this Gospel, Jesus says ‘Shoulder my yoke and learn from me…..my yoke is easy.’ The yoke of Jesus was easy: Love God and love your neighbour.

Historical Context: Education in Galilee at the time of Jesus was highly valued. From the age of five, all boys and girls studied to memorise in totality the five books of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible.) In the Jewish tradition, the yoke of the Rabbi was his particular interpretation of Torah (the Law). The yoke of any Rabbi was best identified by asking him, ‘Which is the greatest commandment?’ When Jesus is asked that question, he answers, ‘Love God and love your neighbour,’ He goes on to say that all of the rest of the Law and the prophets flows on from these two commandments.

Living the Gospel: Jesus invites us to shoulder his yoke and learn from him for he is gentle and humble in heart. The yoke he invites us to shoulder is the simple teaching: Love God and love your neighbour. To love God is to consciously make a place in our lives for God. The busy spin that tends to be characteristic of so many people’s lives today does not allow room for God; does not allow room for prayer and quiet; does not allow room for compassionate response to others. To love God and love our neighbour we must first make room for them.

As we head into the school holidays, may we make room for prayer and renewal and be conscious to ‘Love God and love our neighbour.’

Thank you

I would like to say thank you to all parents, carers, grandparents and community members for the wonderful support offered to our Trinity school community over the term. We have had a term of many challenges and have faced each challenge in a positive manner to achieve the best outcomes for our children with the least disruption. Online learning would not have been possible without the help from each family. We are very grateful to each of you for working with us and ensuring the quality education continues at Trinity, to benefit each child. Thank you also for your patience in participating in the online masses offered throughout this period. I hope you have a wonderful break and I look forward to working with you all again in Term 3. Stay safe!

Thought of the Week

Wishing everybody a wonderful holiday break.

God bless,

Donna Wade