Day 1 – Head
We begin our prayer today with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, Amen.
During the month of November we think about remembrance and especially remembering those who have passed away.
We are going to hear a piece of scripture from John’s Gospel taken from Jesus’ conversation with Lazarus’ sister before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. These women were followers of Jesus and they spoke with Jesus about Lazarus when he was sick and dying to ask if He could do anything for him. When Jesus heard that Lazarus had died he wept for the loss and pain his dear friends were going through and that is when he went to the Tomb and resurrected Lazarus.
As you listen to this scripture think about what Jesus is saying. What is the message he is delivering to Mary and Martha? How would you feel if this was said to you whilst you were grieving?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
John 11:25-26
Jesus is saying to Mary and Martha that even though our physical bodies may die we will be granted eternal life in Heaven to live with Christ and be happy. Jesus teaches us that death isn’t the end but the beginning of our new life with Him.
Take a moment to think about those who have passed away, those in your life who are important to you and those who have lost people close to them recently.
As we think about those people we say together.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
We end our prayer with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Day 2 – Heart
We begin our prayer today with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, Amen.
Yesterday we looked at Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and his words of comfort to Mary and Martha that as long they believe in Christ they will have eternal life.
Quiz Question Time! How much can you remember from yesterday?
- What book in the Bible was our scripture from?
- Who was Lazarus’ sister?
- What did Jesus say he was?
- What did Jesus do when he heard Lazarus had died?
Answers are at the end of the day, let us know how many you got right!
Burying and praying for the dead is one of the corporal works of mercy which are rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The concept of the Corporal Works of Mercy can be traced back to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus says,
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
Corporal works of mercy are directed towards relieving bodily suffering, they include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, burying and praying for the dead, and giving alms to the poor.
These works are not only seen as ways to help those in need, but also as a way for individuals to grow in holiness and to share the love and compassion of Christ.
Let us all make the extra effort this week and in the month of remembrance to pray for the people and families who might be grieving or finding things difficult at the moment and we if we personally know people who are suffering, think about how you can offer them the work of mercy.
We pray…
Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the memories they have had and the kingdom of heaven where we too will unite with the Father. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord,
Amen
We end our prayer with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Answers: John’s Gospel, Mary and Martha, The resurrection and the life, he wept.
Day 3 – Hands
We begin our prayer today with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, Amen.
Take a moment to listen to the song below today. It is all about remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for us, in much the same way that many humans over the years have sacrificed themselves for others. Whilst you do, open to a page in your school planner on a random date in the future. On one of the days, write yourself a note, something that you are going to do to remember those who have suffered for others. It may be going to the Chapel to say a prayer, offering a Mass for someone or just simply taking a moment to hold and remember a specific person.
We remember all those who have affected our lives and pray for their love for us as we say together:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen
We end our prayer with the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
We will spend the month of November remembering those who have passed and wishing them peace as they start their new beginning with Jesus.
Jesus’ words could be taken in the wrong way here. People could interpret this as their souls will die if they haven’t lived a life full of God. However, others may see this as support from Jesus, knowing that they have others that they can turn to for love.
As a form we discussed that if someone told me that my loved one had died, I would be heartbroken and upset. It would affect my mental health badly and I believe turning to the scriptures would bring me comfort and peace.
4/4 on the quiz. Today we are praying for the 4 boys who lost their lives to the terrible accident in Wales
I like this one because it tells us that we need to strengthen our relationship with God.