Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
Dei Verbum
The Word of God
How God speaks to us – a booklet for families
Introduction for Parents
This booklet is designed to be used by groups within the small, intimate setting of the
family. We have devised six sessions – each in the form of a short time of prayer –
which take some of the major themes from the document Dei Verbum and try to
unpack them for children. The structure of each session is only a guide and can be
adapted for your own personal circumstances. We have included background
material, based on each chapter of Dei Verbum, so that you can adapt the sessions to
the needs of your own children. There are suggestions for reflection, discussion and
activities.
Dei Verbum is the second of the Vatican II documents that we as a diocese are
studying to help us prepare to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the diocese in 2015.
The fundamental themes of Dei Verbum are Revelation, as demonstrated through
Scripture and Tradition, and the place of Scripture in the life of the Church.
We’ll be exploring and learning about:
• Why and how God reveals himself.
• Christ, the fullness of revelation.
• The role of the Holy Spirit.
• Revelation handed on in Tradition.
• God, the source of Scripture and Tradition.
• Scripture, God’s word in human language.
• Different styles of writing.
• The Old Testament.
• The Gospels and other New Testament writings.
• Scripture in the worship of the Church and in daily life.
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Introduction for Children
At different times the Church asks all of its bishops to come
together for a meeting. These meetings are called councils. At
these councils the bishops write documents on different
subjects to guide us in our faith.
The most recent council, the Second Vatican Council, discussed
how it is we know God, how God speaks to us and what he
wants to say. We call this “Revelation” and this booklet is going
to explore what that means to us today.
This year, people all around our diocese are going to be reading an important
document called Dei Verbum. That’s a Latin title and it means ‘The Word of God.’ It’s
about how God speaks to us because he loves us and wants to invite us to be friends
with him. This document was written about 40/50 years ago but it’s still very
important for us.
The Bible
The word ‘Bible’ means ‘book.’ In fact, the Bible is made
up of many books. You might like to look them up in the
contents page at the front. How many are there?
Do you recognise some of their names?
You probably know lots of stories from the Bible.
Maybe you’ve read some with your family. You hear
readings from the Bible when you go to church (perhaps in Children’s Liturgy), and
maybe in liturgies and times of prayer at school. Do you have any favourite stories?
The Bible is a special, holy book about God; more than that, it is the word of God. It is
the wonderful story of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, his Son. That story includes us
now. All through the Bible we hear that God showed his glory to his people
throughout history. He made himself visible and present to them in different ways.
God speaks to us through the stories and songs of the Bible. Sometimes, in our prayers
and at Mass, we use words from the Bible to speak to God. We receive God’s word
through hearing and reading.
You might like to use the following Scripture reading as an introduction to this period
of learning and reflection on the Word of God.
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Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
God said,
“When the rain and snow come down from heaven,
they water the earth so that things will grow
and people will have bread.
My word is like that.
When I speak, my word goes out from me,
and it does what I send it to do.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Response to the reading: based on Psalm 118
1. God, your Word is sent by you.
Open our hearts to listen to you.
2. God, your Word is always true.
Open our hearts to listen to you.
3. God, your Word will bring us joy.
Open our hearts to listen to you.
4. God, your Word shows us the way.
Open our hearts to listen to you.
(from “Sunday”)
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Prayer time – structure of the sessions
Preparation: Read the key themes and the background
information, including the Scripture extract which helps to
set the session in context.
Choose a comfortable moment of the day when everyone
is ready to spend some time in this activity, with God.
Find somewhere away from all distractions, a place that’s
family-friendly, cosy, somewhere you all enjoy. Maybe you already have a
special place for prayer.
Do you have a favourite Bible? During this time, put it somewhere that shows
it’s special because it contains the Word of God – on a stand or a cushion,
perhaps with a piece of beautiful material, some flowers or greenery. This is a
way of showing reverence and honour for the holy book.
Light a candle as a sign that Jesus, the light of the world is with you.
You may want to change your prayer focus a little to reflect the content of
each session.
You might like to start each session with the sign of the cross.
Choose a member of your family to read the reading.
Take some time to be still so that you can listen really well.
Are there any words or phrases that stand out or particularly strike you?
How does this Scripture passage speak to you today?
(You may want to listen to the reading again, perhaps ask a different family
member to read it.)
Each session contains an activity to do as a family and some suggestions for
family discussions, but feel free to be creative and add your own ideas!
Conclude each session with some specific prayer time, offering your intentions
in whatever way seems best. We’ve included some suggestions but please
make up your own prayers according to the needs of your family and the world
at this particular time.
You might like to end with a sign of peace or a blessing, for example making a
sign of the cross on each other’s foreheads.
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Session 1: Revelation – God chooses to show himself to
us and be our friend
Scripture text: based on Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before the world was made, God chose
us in Christ to be holy and to live through love in his presence as his children. He has
showered blessings on us and let us know his plan for us, the best of gifts. By giving
us Jesus he made us sons and daughters too, blessed and loved. All the wonder of
God’s life and love is ours through Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father.
Background information for parents
We know that God loves us and wants to have a relationship, a friendship with us. He
wants us to grow closer to him. As with all relationships this depends on
communication. God speaks to us so that we can get to know him and learn about his
love for us and respond to him. This is revelation, the fact that he chooses to open
himself and show himself to us and to speak to the world. The fullness of this
revelation can be found in his son, Jesus.
Set up your prayer space
This week has a focus on creation so you may choose to include
something that is a visual sign of God – pictures of nature, or
natural things you’ve collected on a walk or a holiday or from
your garden.
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Reading: Genesis 1:1-2, 9-10*
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
There was nothing on the earth and it had no shape.
And the Spirit of God was moving like a wind over the waters.
And God said,
“Let all the waters be gathered into one place,
with dry land around it.”
God called the dry land “earth” and the waters “seas.”
And God saw that it was good.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Response to the reading: Psalm 103
My God, how great, how great you are!
Verses:
1. You made the earth and set it in place.
2. You made the waters cover the earth.
3. You made the oceans, rivers and seas.
4. You made the rivers run from the hills.
5. Rain from the sky falls down on the earth.
6. All who are thirsty drink from your streams.
7. All of the earth is filled with your love.
(from “Sunday”)
*You can read the rest of the
Creation story in the
Book of Genesis in your Bible.
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Discussion and activity: Signs of God in the world around us
No-one has ever seen God, so how does God reveal himself?
Look outside, go out into your garden, or go for a walk as a family, perhaps through
woods or by a river or the sea. You might see mountains and hills. At night, look at
the moon and stars which God made. Notice the weather and the changing seasons.
Can you count the drops of rain or the grains of sand? God can. Isn’t that amazing?!
Look for plants and creatures, big and small – animals, birds, people.
What signs of God can you see in nature, God’s creation?
When you see them, think of God.
Thank God for each one – out loud or in your heart.
Look up the story of creation in your Bible. It’s at the very beginning
in the Book of Genesis (a word that means ‘beginning’).
“God made...” Can you say what God made? Remember to
include yourselves!
One book of the Bible is a collection of psalms, inspired prayer songs to God. Some of
the psalms celebrate God’s work in the world around us. Psalm 103 praises God for
the wonders of creation and the world which is full of his creatures.
Jesus would have prayed the psalms and you might like to as well. They help us to
remember that God always loves us and is always with us, sheltering us from harm.
You might like to write your own psalm.
God asked us to be stewards of the wonderful world he had made and to share it with
everyone. How can we take care of God’s world?
Say a prayer of praise and thanks to God for creation and all God’s gifts.
“Thank you, God, for…”
Loving, Creator God,
because you love us, you made the world and all that is in it.
We thank you for being so good to us.
Show us how to treat the plants and the animals,
the people and our planet as your special gift to us.
By following Jesus, may we never misuse them
but be happy that everything tells us something about you.
We pray to you through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
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Session 2: Handing on the Story of God
Scripture text: John 14:23-26
Jesus said to his disciples,
“If you love me, you will obey my words and do as I have said. For everything I have
said to you came from the Father who sent me to you.
I have told you this while I am here with you. But the Father is going to send the Holy
Spirit, who will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said.”
Background information for parents
Long before the Bible was written, the story of God’s love and goodness was told by
faithful men and women who believed in God – the deep mysteries of God entrusted
to people and handed on from generation to generation. People who had met Jesus
told their stories so that everyone might come to know him and learn about God’s
love for the whole world. Telling the story to each other helps us to remember. We
are part of the story, part of the tradition.
The Holy Spirit helps us to treasure these stories. Every day and everywhere, priests
and people use readings and psalms from the Bible to remember, celebrate, pray and
study, to stay close to God, to listen to what he has to say, and to respond to him.
We hand on the faith because Jesus commanded us to “Go and make disciples of all
nations” (Matthew 28:19) – to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. This is a task
for all of us, not just teachers, priests, missionaries. All who have been baptised are
responsible for helping people around us to learn about God and come to know him.
We are to be Christ for others.
Set up your prayer space
This week has a focus on sharing family stories so you may
choose to bring photos or items which remind you of people
and special times together.
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Reading: based on Matthew 1:1-17*
A genealogy (family tree) of Jesus Christ,
son of David, son of Abraham.
Jesus came from a long line of ancestors that we can trace
right back to Abraham.
From Abraham to King David the list includes:
Abraham, the father of Isaac,
Isaac, the father of Jacob,
Jacob, the father of Judah and his brothers.
Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,
Obed was the father of Jesse,
and Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon.
Finally we come to Matthan who was the father of Jacob
and Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,
the mother of Jesus who is called Christ.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
(from “God’s Story 3”)
* You can read the whole of this list in your
Bible. There are some wonderful names in
Jesus’ family tree!
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Discussion and activity: Sharing stories
When you get together with your family, particularly an extended group with
different generations together (children, parents, grandparents), what do you start to
talk about? Memories and funny stories, of course! Perhaps sad stories too. It’s
exciting to remember times in the past when you shared special moments together,
did certain things together, just because that is what your family always does; and it’s
important to remember special people.
It is always good and interesting to hear about ‘the olden days’ – things your relatives
did when they were younger. Your grandparents might tell you what mum and dad
did when they were little. It gives us a sense that we belong to an extended group,
one that stretches back through time and history. In your family you may have certain
traditions. Our family is precious to us and we can learn a lot from them. What do our
grandparents tell us about our faith? How have they lived their lives trying to follow
Jesus?
The family of Jesus was no different. At gatherings they would share news and
remember special people in their family. Jesus had grandparents too. We know
Mary’s parents were called St Joachim and St Anne. It is interesting to wonder what
they might have taught Jesus when he was a little boy. Perhaps they said prayers with
him, and they would probably have been there for his Bar Mitzvah – his special day
within the Jewish faith. Jesus would have heard about his ancestors from his family
and also in readings when he was at the synagogue.
Matthew begins his Gospel with Jesus’s family tree which establishes Jesus as part of
the tradition within the Jewish culture. Matthew wanted his Jewish listeners to know
that Jesus was descended from Abraham and from the great king David, which made
him Jewish and royal. You might like to compare it with the family tree in Luke’s
Gospel (Luke 3:23-38) which goes all the way back to Adam, the first man. Luke
wanted to show that Jesus is for the whole human family, not just for the Jews.
What do you know about your family tree? Perhaps you could draw one up together,
with names, and photos if you have them. Are there special people who had a big
impact on your family? What did they do? What are their stories?
You might like to make a Jesse Tree, with symbols of Jesus’s family story. Some people
like to do this during Advent. For information, have a look at:
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545
Say a prayer of praise and thanks to God for your family.
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Session 3: The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Sacred
Scripture and helps us to understand God’s Word
Scripture text: Acts 2:1-11
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were gathered together in
one room. Suddenly they heard a sound like a powerful wind that
seemed to fill the whole house. Then they saw what looked like
tongues of fire coming to rest on the head of each of them.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the
Spirit gave them the gift of speech. There were people in Jerusalem from every
country and they were amazed to hear the apostles speaking their languages. “Surely
all these men are Galileans”, they said. “How does it happen that each of us hears
them in our own language, preaching about the marvels of God?”
Background information for parents
The Bible is the story of God’s love throughout thousands of years of history, told by
the people of the Old and New Testaments. It tells how God’s people have responded
to that love. The Bible is God’s Word in human language.
The books of the Bible were written over hundreds of years and the story was told by
many different writers who each wrote in their own way but all wanted to tell the
same thing: the truth about God. Just as you will find different styles of writing in
books in a library, so you will in the Bible, which is like a library of books in itself –
stories, poetry, prayer, letters, biography, history, legends.
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit guided the writers and inspired (‘breathed into’)
them in their work. (The Holy Spirit breathed on the waters at Creation.) The reading
from Acts about Pentecost shows us how God’s Spirit, working through ordinary
people, guides us and helps us to hear the words of God and understand them in our
own language. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the words of the Bible are alive
and life-giving.
Set up your prayer space
This week’s session has a focus on the Last Supper, so you might
like to include symbols such as bread (Jesus would have used
something like pitta bread), wine, a bowl of water and a towel.
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Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
This is what the Lord taught me and I am now telling you.
At supper, on the night before he died,
Jesus took bread, thanked God for it,
broke it and said,
“This is my body,
which I am giving for you.
When you eat this bread, remember me.”
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup of wine and said,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Whenever you drink it,
do this as a memorial of me.”
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you are proclaiming the death of the Lord
until he comes again.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Discussion and activity: Different versions of stories
Think of an event when you were all present. It could be a special occasion such as
Christmas or a birthday party, or even something you did together last weekend.
Take it in turns to try to remember what happened and explain it to the rest of your
family.
Did you notice how each person recalled the event slightly differently?
What sorts of things did you remember? Were they happy ones or difficult ones?
Why do you think you each remembered different things?
In the passage we’ve just heard from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he tells the story
of the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist; but Paul wasn’t actually there
so where do you think he got the story from? He would probably have heard it from
the friends of Jesus who had been with him at the time of his Passion. Paul is handing
on what he had been told.
Scholars tell us that Paul wrote his letter before the evangelists wrote their Gospels,
so this is the oldest account of what happened at the Last Supper, the version closest
to the years of Jesus’ life.
Use these references to find the Gospel narratives of the Last Supper and read the
passages:
Matthew 26:20-29
Luke 22:7-38
Mark 14:12-25
John 13:1-38
They each contain slightly different details but they are all accurate
accounts of the events. (You can read about the writers on the next
page.) What differences do you notice?
One of them in particular tells of something remarkable which Jesus did immediately
after the Last Supper – a great act of service. Why do you think he did this?
How do you think the disciples felt? You could perhaps take it in turns to imagine you
are each one of the disciples and tell the story.
Almighty God,
we thank you for your Holy Spirit
who inspired the people who wrote the story of your love,
and who is with us today as our friend and guide,
inspiring us to speak about Jesus
and to live in the way of love, peace and reconciliation.
May we always be open to receiving this great gift.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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The Evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The writers of the Gospels were friends or followers of Jesus and they
remembered the times they spent with him (or heard about them from others)
and wrote about them. They were from different backgrounds, with different
things that interested them, and they were writing for different communities
and audiences, presenting Jesus in different ways.
Matthew was a tax collector, before Jesus called him to be one
of the twelve apostles, and his job required him to be
methodical and precise in his record keeping. His approach to
writing the gospels was similar in that he explained the events
of the life of Jesus in a very clear, logical way, taking us step by
step through the important moments. He was writing for
Jewish readers and his focus is on Jesus the Teacher.
Mark wasn’t one of Jesus’s disciples but he was friends with
Peter who worked hard to spread the message of the Gospel,
travelling and writing letters to communities he visited. Mark
included a lot of Peter’s preaching in his Gospel. His was the
earliest Gospel and was written in Rome. It was probably used
and added to by Matthew and Luke. Mark is very clear about
the events surrounding the life of Jesus. He focused on how Jesus came to
proclaim the kingdom of God and what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Luke was a doctor and spent much of his time with St Paul. He
wasn’t part of the close group of Jesus’s friends, yet what he
heard about Jesus persuaded him to convert and become a
Christian. His Gospel is full of interesting details that appeal to
us as human beings and help us to understand more about the
person of Christ. His focus is on God’s call and God’s plan and
he shows how Jesus begins his mission.
John was one of Jesus’s disciples. He wrote his Gospel at the end
of his life and it is a more beautiful, poetic piece of writing. It has
been thought that this is because John is looking back over his
life and reflecting on the things that happened that had such a
profound influence on him. He remembers them with
tenderness and affection and has a passion in passing on this
message for other people to have a similar joy to him. His focus is on Jesus, the
Word of God, who makes God known by everything he says and does.
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Session 4: God speaks to us in the Old Testament
Scripture text: Isaiah 55:10-11
For, as the rain and snow come down from the heavens and do not return without
watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower
and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to
me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.
Background information for parents
In the Old Testament, God reveals himself as the Creator of the world and as the
leader and teacher of humankind. The books of the Old Testament are God’s Word.
They tell the story of people who lived close to God before Jesus came, and of the
events which prepared for the coming of Jesus. They help us to understand Jesus’
story better. Without them, we cannot understand Jesus. In turn, Jesus’s story throws
light on what came before him. In the Old Testament a great history of learning the
faith begins, which takes a decisive turn in the New Testament. Revelation reaches its
fullness in Jesus. This history of learning, the journey of faith continues until the end
of the world and Christ’s second coming. The Old Testament is far more than just a
prelude to the New Testament.
Set up your prayer space
This week’s focus is on what makes our family different and
special – where our families come from, what our values are –
so you may choose to bring things that root you in the history
of your family, for example photos of your grandparents, books
that your mum and dad might have had at school, things that
indicate the routines and habits you have as a family.
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Reading: Exodus 19:20. 20:1-3. 7-8. 12-17
God came down on the top of Mount Sinai
and called Moses to the top of the mountain.
God said:
“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the
Land of Egypt and freed you from slavery.
“You shall not believe in any other gods but me.
“You shall not worship images of false gods
or anything that has been made.
“You shall not say the name of God in a way that is not holy.
“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
“Honour your father and mother.
“You shall not kill.
“You shall not be unfaithful to your wife or husband.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not lie about your neighbour.
“You shall not be jealous about anything that belongs
to your neighbour.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Discussion and activity: Our rules and values
The Books of the Bible we call the Old Testament include the Scriptures used by the
Jewish people. ‘Scriptures’ means ‘writings’.
When Jesus was a little boy he would have heard stories, and when he was old enough
he would have read them from the Torah in the synagogue. We know he was
interested in the Old Testament because when he was lost his parents found him
discussing things with the teachers in the temple.
The story where Moses receives the 10 commandments is an important one because
it tells us about God – through those commandments – guiding his people in the way
they should live. When Jesus came he knew the laws that people tried to live with but
he also knew that sometimes people lived by the rules without thinking about the
reasons for them and the meaning behind them.
Read the dramatic description of God’s presence on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19.
You can also read about the 10 commandments in the Book of Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
Use your Bible to look up these references: Matthew 5:1-10 (the Beatitudes – Jesus’s
Sermon on the Mount), Matthew 5:38-48 and Matthew 22:36-40.
What do you think Jesus is trying to teach the people?
In his gospel, Matthew was trying to show that Jesus was the ‘New Moses’.
In our own families we have certain habits, routines or traditions because that is the
way our family has always done things. We may say grace before meals, pray together
daily or celebrate birthdays in a certain way.
Some ways of behaviour are acceptable; others are frowned upon.
What other things do you think you do as a family, perhaps because your parents did
them as children? These traditions help to shape the sort of family we are.
Do our traditions really reflect our family as a faith-filled community?
What are the rules we live by? What rules do you have in your family?
Why do you have them? How are they good for your family?
Can you decide on a few developments that would help to keep Jesus and his message
to love one another at the centre of all we do as a family?
How do you make Sunday a special, holy day to give thanks to God for all his gifts?
You might also talk about things which help you to pray, both individually and
together as a family, for example prayer dice, blessings we say before meals or
prayers before going to bed.
We love you, God.
As members of your family,
we want to show you our love by living as Jesus did,
in your name forever and ever. Amen.
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Session 5: God speaks to us in the New Testament
Scripture text: 1 Peter 1:8-10
You did not see Jesus Christ, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you
believe in him and so are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be
described; and you are sure of the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your
souls.
Background information for parents
In the New Testament, God’s revelation is completed in Jesus. The four Gospels are
the centrepieces, the heart of Sacred Scripture. They are the most important books
of the New Testament because they are our source for the life and teaching of the
Incarnate Word, Jesus our Saviour, whose mission was to tell everyone the Good
News of God his Father. In his human life he reveals not only what God is like but how
we are to live as children of God.
The word ‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’. The Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John) are called evangelists, from a Greek word which means tellers of good news.
They wanted their readers to hear the good news and believe in Jesus. Remember
that the story of Jesus was told and spread by word of mouth before it was written
down.
The books of the New Testament tell of the birth, life,
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. They also tell
the story of Pentecost, the ‘birthday’ of the Church,
and of how the early Church grew and spread.
The other books of the New Testament chart the
spread of the message beyond the local areas. The
Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, tells the
experiences of the followers of Jesus. Other books share letters written by the
apostles to the communities they established.
Set up your prayer space
This week has a focus on sharing the good news of Jesus, so you
may choose to include a selection of different means of
communicating, for example phone, letter, birthday card.
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Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee
where Jesus told them to meet him.
When Jesus met them there, he said,
“God has given me all the power
and authority of heaven and earth.
Now I am sending you out.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything
that I have commanded you.
And remember that I am with you always,
to the end of time.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Response to the reading: Psalm 116
Go out to the whole world, proclaim the good news.
1. O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him, all you peoples!
2. Strong is his love;
he is faithful for ever.
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Discussion and activity: Communicating good news
If you wanted to pass on exciting news or information to someone, there are many
modern ways you could do so. How many can you think of? What would be your
preferred option and why?
Back in the time of Jesus there were no such
options; all you could do was travel to visit
people yourself or write to them.
In the Bible we have lots of examples of letters,
including those written by James, Peter and
Paul.
These apostles were so excited about the
message that Jesus had brought that they wanted to share it with everyone. They
went on many travels visiting new people and teaching them about the message Jesus
gave. When they moved on they wrote to spread the good news about Jesus and to
help to teach new Christians how they could follow the example Jesus had set us.
You can read about St Paul’s journeys and see maps here:
www.loyolapress.com/pauls-journeys.htm#sthash.1MZWmtEe.GW6PFtK2.dpbs
If you were going to write to someone about Jesus, what would be the exciting things
you would want to share? If someone hadn’t heard of him, what do you think would
be the most important thing for them to know? Who would you contact? What would
you say? You might like to write a letter.
The Bible is a little like a time capsule full of treasures. People have been opening it
for 2000 years and reading all about Jesus.
Can you create a time capsule for your family? Write down who Jesus is for each of
you, what he means to your family way of life and what you think is important about
his message. You might like to add some prayers and decorate it. It can then be a
marker on your journey of faith. Seal it all in an envelope or a special box and put it
somewhere safe to be opened at a time of your choosing. When you open it again
you can reflect on where you were at this point on your journey.
Lord Jesus,
you commissioned your friends
to go out to the whole world and tell people the good news.
Give us courage to act in your name
and to be your disciples.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
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Session 6: Scripture in the Life of the Church – Listening to
God’s Word and Living the Word of God
Scripture text: Romans 15:4-6
Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us
something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not
give up were helped by God. And may he who helps us when we refuse to give up,
help you all to be tolerant with each other, following the example of Christ Jesus, so
that united in mind and voice you may give gory to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Background information for parents
The Mass is made up of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the
Eucharist, both equally important and so closely interconnected that they form a
single act of worship. From the earliest days of the Church, the proclamation of the
Scriptures has been an integral part of the liturgy. Christ is really present both in the
Word which is proclaimed and in the sacrament of the Eucharist we share, and so the
Church reverently honours both. We receive and are nourished by the bread of life
from the table both of God’s Word and of Christ’s Body.
The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus shows Christ’s presence in the word,
when he explained everything the scriptures said about him, and in the sacrament,
when they recognised him in the breaking of the bread.
In the Liturgy of the Word we celebrate Christ’s
presence in the scriptures. When they are read
it is God who meets us and speaks to us with
great love. At Mass we receive the Gospel
standing because, in the human words we
hear, Christ himself speaks to us. God’s Word
feeds us and strengthens us to live Christian
lives. God speaks to us in the Word and we
respond by giving thanks in the Eucharist.
Jesus asked his friends to continue to do the things he had shown them. In Christ and
through baptism every human person is called to become ‘holy, priestly and
prophetic’ for the good of the whole world, to become a living word, proclaiming the
truth of God’s justice, love and peace, day by day in our homes, neighbourhoods, and
parishes. God’s story lives on in us.
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This session is longer than some of the others and it may be that you want to spread
the conversation over more than one week so that you have some discussion before
you next go to Mass and continue sometime in the days following. Perhaps focus on
the Liturgy of the Word one week and the Liturgy of the Eucharist another. You may
even choose to look at different aspects of the Liturgy of the Word over a number of
weeks. In a sense, this is an ongoing session which may continue over several weeks,
months, or maybe even years as you continue to reflect!
Set up your prayer space
This week has a focus on the Mass. You might like to include a
Missal or other Mass book alongside your Bible. Perhaps you’ve
got photos of a Mass in your church (or another church), or you
might like to draw some.
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Reading: Luke 24:13-35
On the road to Emmaus
On Easter Sunday evening, two disciples were on their way to Emmaus,
a village seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about
everything that had happened and did not recognise the stranger who
joined them as they walked along.
“What are you talking about so sadly?” he asked them.
They turned to him, their faces full of their sadness. The disciple named
Cleopas answered him. “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who
does not know all the things that have been going on these last few
days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“What happened to Jesus of Nazareth,” they said, “the great prophet
who showed by all he did and said that he was sent by God. Our chief
priests and leaders handed him over to the Romans and he was
crucified. We had hoped that he was the Promised One who would set
Israel free.
This morning, some women went to the tomb where he had been
buried and came back saying they had seen a vision of angels and that
Jesus was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found it
empty as the women had said, but they didn’t see anything of Jesus.”
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Jesus said to them, “How slow are you to believe! Don’t you remember
the promises of the prophets about the Christ who would suffer and
rise to new life?”
Then Jesus started with Moses and went through all the Scriptures
explaining the message about himself.
By now they were near to Emmaus, and they begged him to stay with
them. So he did and they sat down at table together. He took the
bread, blessed it and broke
it and gave it to them.
Suddenly, as if their eyes
had just opened, they
recognised him; but even as
they did, he vanished.
“How could we not have
known!” they exclaimed.
“Weren’t
our
hearts
burning as he talked to us
and
explained
the
Scriptures to us?”
At once they set out and returned to Jerusalem. When they arrived,
the Eleven and the other disciples said, “Yes, it’s true! He has appeared
to Simon!” and then they told their story and how they had recognised
him when he blessed and broke the bread.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
(From “God’s Story 3”)
Icon © St John Orthodox Church, Memphis TN
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Discussion and activity: Our encounter with Jesus
Read the story of the two disciples on the road to
Emmaus.
You might like to share the reading and take the
parts of the characters.*
Can you imagine the disciples walking along the
dusty road through the desert countryside?
How do you think they were feeling?
What do you think they might have been saying to
each other?
Why do you think they didn’t recognise Jesus at
first when he joined them?
(Other people didn’t recognise him after the
Resurrection either, perhaps because they weren’t
expecting to see him again.)
When did they recognise him, and what helped
them to do so?
What did they do next?
* For a dramatized version of this story, see:
www.wellsprings.org.uk/liturgies/emmaus.htm
And for another version:
www.allsaintsbrookline.org/asw_story/story080401.html
Now compare what happens in this story with what we do when we go to Mass.
What similarities can you think of?
(Think about the disciples sharing stories and then a meal with Jesus.)
When we go to Mass, we meet with Jesus, the Son of God, who comes to share with
us his love and his life. He comes to bring us to the Father, and to help us love in the
Spirit. Isn’t this amazing!: God who created heaven and earth (and everything that is
in it) loves us so much and comes to be with us so that we might be close to him in
friendship and live in his love.
Over the past few weeks we have heard how the people of God throughout history
have shared stories about God and Jesus. We continue to share those stories at Mass.
God’s Word is proclaimed when Christians gather for prayer or worship. We listen to
God’s Word, heard and experienced by God’s people of the Old and New Testaments.
In the homily the priest or deacon speaks about God’s Word for us today.
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People in churches all over the country and all around the
world are hearing the same story. Sometimes children have
their own Liturgy of the Word.
(People also read the Bible quietly on their own. Some
people like to look at the scriptures they will hear
proclaimed when they next go to Mass to help them prepare to listen even more
carefully to God speaking.)
Look out for the special books used in church – the Lectionary and
the Book of the Gospels. You may see them being carried in
procession.
Look out for the special lectern, called an ambo, the place from
which the Scriptures are proclaimed during the Liturgy of the
Word. It may be decorated in some way with material (in the colour
of the liturgical season) and perhaps flowers too.
© Catholic Church (England & Wales)
We respond to the first reading by praying one of the Psalms. Often the Psalm is sung.
We sing an acclamation before the Gospel. ‘Alleluia’ is a Hebrew word meaning ‘Praise
the Lord.’ (During Lent we don’t sing ‘Alleluia’ so we have other acclamations instead.)
Sometimes the Book of the Gospels is held up and carried in
procession to the ambo. You may see candles and incense –
signs of honour and reverence.
We stand up for the Gospel reading because it’s very special.
God is present and speaks to us in all the readings, but the
Gospels take pride of place in the Bible because they recount
what Jesus said and did; and it is Christ himself, present in his
own Word, who proclaims the Gospel.
That’s why we say something different at the end of this
reading: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Did you notice the priest or deacon kissing the Book of the Gospels after he
proclaimed the Gospel? This is another sign of honour and reverence for God’s holy
Word.
In the homily, the priest or deacon helps us to think about how we can live the
message of the Scriptures in our daily life.
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There are a lot of words when we go to Mass! We also try to have short periods of
silence between the readings and after the homily so that we can meditate on what
we’ve heard – what is God saying to me today? – and respond with our hearts.
This silence is another sign of reverence.
Before Mass you might like to spend a moment quietly praying to the Holy Spirit to
open your heart to receive and understand God’s message in the readings at Mass.
It’s good to prepare ourselves to listen carefully to receive God’s Word, just as we
prepare to receive him in Holy Communion.
During Mass we listen to God’s Word, and we celebrate and praise God, giving thanks
and sharing God’s love in the Eucharist. Just as with the disciples on the road to
Emmaus, Jesus is still present in the Scripture readings and the breaking of bread
(Communion) at Mass, and he walks with us in our daily journey of life.
At the end of Mass we are sent out into the world to spread the Good News and glorify
the Lord by our lives. We must become doers of the word, not just hearers, living the
word as a sort of “Gospel on legs”.
“The word of God is still at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
The Holy Spirit helps us to share God’s Word in our own language, our own ways, like
the first apostles. Our friendship with God leads us to become disciples too.
Christian living means that we recognise God in other people (another form of
revelation) and that we reach out and care for others.
Look out at church and in the newsletter. Can you see or think of ways in which we
minister to and care for members of our church community (e.g. being an altar server,
taking Communion to the sick, praying for particular people), the local community
(e.g. food banks) and in the wider world (e.g. through raising money for CAFOD – see
http://kidzzone.cafod.org.uk/ for children’s pages).
What could you do, by yourself and as a family?
Lord Jesus,
after your Resurrection, you revealed yourself to the disciples
when you explained the scriptures and broke the bread.
Even though we cannot see you,
help us to appreciate your presence in the Word and in the Eucharist.
Let us hear your voice as you speak to us in our hearts when we pray.
Let us feel you near us, especially when we gather together in the church.
Be with us as we try to live as your disciples.
We ask this in your name.
Amen.
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Further activities
You may already be familiar with The Wednesday Word through your parish or
school. If so, you know how good it is. If not, have a look to see what you’ve been
missing! http://www.wednesdayword.org/home/
It offers materials for families to spend a few minutes together each week.
A reflection is provided on the Sunday Gospel reading, with suggestions for discussion
and a short prayer. There are also word searches and other activities for children,
linked to the Gospel.
____________________________________________
Feedback
We would welcome feedback from you, to hear about your experiences of using this
booklet and to help us to plan future resources.
What did you find most helpful?
What could we improve next time?
What would you like to share about your family’s time together?
Any other comments or suggestions?
Please send these to: [email protected]
Please also get in touch with Katherine Bergin (Marriage and Family Life Adviser) if
you would like any other support or advice.
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Moses saw and showed God’s glory. (Exodus 24:17 and 34:29)
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Acknowledgements
Scripture texts from:
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday,
a division of Random House, Inc.
Reprinted by permission.
“Sunday”, published by Treehaus Communications, Inc.
P.O. Box 249, Loveland, Ohio 45140
Permission sought.
God’s Story © Department for Catholic Education and Formation,
Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Published by Rejoice Publications, an imprint of Matthew James Publishing Ltd.
Permission sought.
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The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton is a registered charity No. 252878
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