Celebration of the Word

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England dedicated 2020 to ‘The Year of the Word’. During the special year, the Church encouraged schools to celebrate, live and share God’s Word. As a school we already do this in so many ways. Various prayers and activities will be taking place during this year to encourage our daily living out of the ‘Gospel’ which simply means ‘Good News’. Let us help one another to be ‘Good News’ to everyone we meet, both in word and deed.

Lectio Divina

(Latin for ‘Divine Reading’)

There are various approaches to Lectio Divina a simple approach is to see Lectio Divina as a way of encountering God through Scripture – normally, by taking a specific passage from the Bible as the basis for this prayer.

Four Steps of Lectio Divina by James Martin SJ.

• 1^st Reading (Lectio): What does the text say? First you read the text. Then you look at what is going on in this Bible passage?

• 2^nd Meditation: What is God saying to me in the text? At this point, you ask whether there is something that God might want to reveal to you through this passage. Often, it might connect with something in your life.

• 3ʳᵈ Prayer: What do I want to say to God about the text?

• 4^th Action: What do I want to do based on my prayer? Finally, you act. Prayer should move us to action, even if it simply makes us want to be more compassionate and faithful.

The story of the ‘The Good Samaritan’ is a good Gospel to use for Lectio Divina.

Luke 10: 25-37

Celebration of the Word

1) Gather:

• Prepare the prayer space (e.g., Prayer Table, Power Point, Focal point, music, Symbols being used)
• Have everyone quiet. Welcome everyone to this time of prayer as you gather as a faith community. Light the Candle. Have the scripture prepared and share your theme
• Make the sign of the Cross to begin this time of prayer

2) The Word:

• Read the Scripture and everyone listens
• Pray with the Scripture in your heart
• Listen to what the Lord is saying to you through the scripture passage

3) Response:

• A time of reflection and prayer on the Word
• Enable connection with the Scripture and our everyday lives
• How do you connect to this reading? This may be shown through a reflection, song, music, drama, tableaux, art, discussion

4) Mission:

• How will this Scripture passage change you?
• What is it calling you to do in your life
• How will you go and share this with others

Finish with a prayer, sign of the cross and turn off the candle

                               Gospel Reading for Sunday 11th January 2026                                 The Baptism of the Lord.

                   A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 3:13-17

At that time: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptised, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.