6^th Sunday of the Year, cycle C

15^th February 2004

Theme

Jesus will help us to follow him

Welcome

Good morning to you (song)

We welcome you in Jesus' name

Sign of the Cross

Prayer

Dear Jesus

You helped your disciples when they couldn’t do all the things as you wished,

Guide us so we can recognise when we are not doing what you wish

And help us so we know you’re always there.

Amen

Gospel Introduction

Imagine one day, you asked a friend to go on a trip, you really wanted them to come along, and they didn't have time to prepare, but they came anyway. It's a long trip, visiting lots of places, but you had to walk a lot, and there may not be enough food for the two of you. Sometimes, you see other people who seemed nice and happy, but they don't want to talk with you, or share with you. How does your friend feel about carrying on? What might your friend say? Still, you want them to continue. What would you say to your friend to help?

Now imagine the disciples. Jesus asked them to join him. They dropped everything and did so. Some of them left their family behind, some left their money and their riches. They left their fish by the sea. They followed him, walking through the country, hoping for food as they went, hoping people would give them shelter. Everyday it was like this. He's what Jesus said

Gospel acclamation

We sing today from God's holy book

We sing a song of his love

Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia

We sing a song of his love.

Gospel

Luke 6:17, 20-26

¹⁷ And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
²⁰ And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
²¹ "Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.
²² "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man!
²³ Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
²⁴ "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation.
²⁵ "Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. "Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
²⁶ "Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Gospel Reflection

Why did the disciples follow Jesus?

Is following Jesus easy?

Did Jesus help them to follow him?

Why do you follow Jesus?

Is following Jesus easy?

Will Jesus help you to follow him?

Activity

Write a story, or draw a picture, of a time when you’ve helped a friend, or a friend has helped you.

Final Prayer

Dear Jesus

You helped your disciples when they couldn’t do all the things as you wished,

Guide us so we can recognise when we are not doing what you wish

And help us so we know you’re always there.

Amen