Collective Worship Fresh Beginnings

Today’s Gospel reading…. Luke 21:29-33 Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’

What does the Gospel mean for us today? Jesus talks about the leaves appearing and disappearing on a fig tree. Even though the leaves are temporary, like everything on Earth, God’s love and heaven are eternal. We can also see the symbolism of fresh starts and new beginnings with each new season.

The year of mercy comes to an end. Over the past year, as a Catholic community, we have been celebrating the year of mercy. This was a time that we focused on helping others and living out our Catholic faith in a practical way.

The door has closed but our mercy lives on…. Here at school we will be focusing on how we can continue to be merciful to others. This can be done in many ways. One simple way is to get involved in all of the charity projects which will be launched over the next few weeks. At the end of last year you were asked to perform a ‘random act of kindness’ over the summer holidays. What was your act of kindness? Year 7’s can you think of something that you will do for someone else.

Task You will be given a green leaf. On your leaf you must write your random act of kindness. If you haven’t completed one yet, write down something that you will do for someone on the build up to Christmas. Hand your leaf back to your form tutor who will pass it onto Vicki. All of your leaves will be displayed in the chapel.

This is what the tree will look like in the chapel but with 900 leaves  All Saints’ random act of kindness tree. The door has closed but out mercy lives on. "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Prayer for mercy.. Father, we live in a world where there are so many hurting people that at times it can become overwhelming and we find ourselves stepping back, and almost hoping that the problem will go away. And yet Jesus demonstrated a life that overflowed with deep-compassion and tender-mercy towards all those that were wounded and abused, troubled or hurt. Help us to stretch out a willing arm of comfort, when we see other people hurting or in pain, and may we extend a godly mercy that only comes from You. Amen