WC 01/09 WELCOME

We take this theme from the Gospel reading of the

22nd SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

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Inside Out - Riley's first day at school (Disney Pixar)

GATHER

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How were you feeling about returning to school?

Can you remember what it felt like to start a new school?

Did you feel under pressure to make yourself seem more important?

WORD

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Glory to you O Lord.

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honour, saying to them, ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honour, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, “Give your place to this person”, and then you, with shame, will take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher.”

Then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’

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

RESPONSE

In this Gospel Jesus warns us about putting others down in order to make ourselves feel important.

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled,

and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

(Luke 14:11)

In places like schools we can sometimes feel that we need to promote ourselves by putting others down. This can happen face-to-face, through gossip, or even just in our own thoughts. Putting others down will never truly make us more important or happier. There will always be someone we see as better, funnier or fitter than us.

Through this Gospel, Jesus reminds us that honour doesn’t come from getting the best seat at the party, wearing the best clothes, or having the most followers. Jesus reminds us of our worth and value without all the stuff that we think makes us important or special.

How does Jesus’ message challenge or comfort you?

MISSION

Approach this new school year humbly. Instead of trying to make yourself feel more important than others, look for ways to welcome others.

Being humble also means recognising that you need help and support too. To be humble is to show gratitude to those who are trying to help you.

How else can you show humility and welcome in your attitude toward school at the start of this new year?

Practise humility by letting someone else go first, or going without something so someone else can have it.

Extend a warm welcome to new pupils and staff.

Ask God to help you be a person of welcome and humility…

COLLECT

Let us pray…

God of might, giver of every good gift,

put into our hearts the love of your name,

so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,

you may nurture in us what is good

and, by your watchful care,

keep safe what you have nurtured.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.