Gratitude – The Living Word

Gratitude is being thankful for what we have. It is about being grateful for the good things in our lives. We have a lot to be grateful for and it is important to take time to appreciate the good things in our lives. Having gratitude helps us to be truly happy and to live a fulfilling life.
Make a special effort to say thank you this week to those people in your community who love and support you, especially at the end of this school year!

Day 1 – Start with scripture

We start with the Sign of the Cross.

Read this scripture passage. Think about what Jesus is trying to explain to His disciples…

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark
R. Glory to You O Lord

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

The Gospel of the Lord
R. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Mark 6:7-13

Spend some time in pairs or threes and talk about the questions below. When you’re finished share them with the whole form and see where the dialogue takes you.

Discussion Questions:

Imagine you were one of the disciples on this mission trip. How would you feel about Jesus’ instructions regarding what to bring (or not bring)?

How can practicing gratitude help us appreciate the things we already have, even when on a trip or facing challenges?

Click below to “Add Comment” and capture some of what has been said in your form for others to see.

Day 2 – Catholic Social Teaching

Stewardship

Our Word for the Week is Gratitude; this aligns with the CST of stewardship by recognizing the good things in our lives as gifts – gifts from God, from nature, and from others. By appreciating these gifts, we are more likely to use them wisely and protect them for future generations.

For the next week, keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down 3 things you’re grateful for, big or small. This could be anything from good health and loving relationships to a delicious meal or a beautiful sunset. See if this practice changes your perspective!

Take a moment to reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life as we pray together:

Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks for the many blessings in my life. Amen.

Day 3 -Hit the Headlines

Today we are going to create our own news headlines! Have you ever noticed how news can sometimes focus on the not-so-great stuff? Well, today’s all about the positive! We’re going to be celebrating gratitude, which is like a superpower for happiness. It’s all about recognizing the awesome things in our lives, big or small. Get ready to unleash your inner reporter and create some super cool headlines about what you’re most thankful for…

Let’s take a moment to call to mind the things we are most thankful for this week or past school year as we make the Sign of the Cross together…

Take some time now sharing with each other what your key moments of gratitude are from this week or this year. Please do share them in the comments box below!

We pray:

Dear Lord, I pause today with a grateful heart. Thank you for the many blessings in my life, from the big things to the simple joys. I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds me in nature, in friendships and love of family.

Help me to never take these gifts for granted. Open my eyes to see the good in every day, and grant me the wisdom to share my blessings with others.

Amen.

16 comments

Mrs Potter 2024-07-15 08:04

Things that we are grateful for:
– Football
– Summer holidays
– Family
– Friends
– Having food and water
– Education
– Rewards
– The end of term
– Shelter
– Theatre
– Lincoln

10MF 2024-07-15 08:05

The passage is teaching us to be grateful for the life we have and the friends around us.
Practicing gratitude can help us to appreciate the little things in life.

10-LF 2024-07-15 08:07

Jesus told them to bring a staff because they would be walking a lot. Even in challenging times, we are grateful for those around us, including our friends, family and teachers.

7JB 2024-07-16 08:03

We think showing gratitude is important because we have lots of things to be grateful for like a house and that all our basic human needs are met. To show people that we enjoy things, like a school trip for example. We should be grateful for everything we learn in school and for our teachers. Gratitude is being positive, and thinking about things in a positive way.

8ACA 2024-07-16 08:04

JESUS instructs his disciples to wear basic clothing, so that they do not show off infront of others and show gratitude. Its important to show gratitude so that we can appreciate everything given to us.

7JH 2024-07-16 08:05

Gratitude means you are thankful for the things you have. It shows how grateful you are as it shows that people don’t have what you have. You could potentially give what you have to others so that they feel better. If you have too much of something you could give some of it away. If you are on a trip you should be thankful that you are able to go on it as others may not have the opportunity to do so. Mr Horlington should be thankful that he can pay his bills and for his house. You should listen to Jesus’ words because if we do not listen to it we will not get anywhere. We don’t need bread because of our eternal nourishment from God.

12CMW 2024-07-16 09:01

12CMC
This week we are reflecting on the opportunities we have that help us grow and also enable us to support others. We are grateful for our tutor group, for recognition of our achievements, able to work with other students in enrichment.

8CG 2024-07-16 15:24

Imagine you were one of the disciples on this mission trip. How would you feel about Jesus’ instructions regarding what to bring (or not bring)?

We would feel confused but know it would be the right thing. Jesus knows what to bring. I would feel happy because God is instructing us. I would be grateful I can bring something.

How can practicing gratitude help us appreciate the things we already have, even when on a trip or facing challenges?

Gratitude helps us appreciate the things we already have. We’ll see if we are weaker without the stuff we already have. I would still feel thankful for having something small because it’s better than having nothing. We could thank our teachers. It can help us keep our stuff with more care. Challenges are part of our life. When we are facing it we are learning what to do when challenges come.

9NF 2024-07-17 07:58

We would be confused by Jesus’s instructions, especially by what not to bring. But would have faith in Him and what He said to do.
Practicing gratitude can help us as by being thankful what we do have we can appreciate what other do not have.

7ETo 2024-07-17 08:06

They don’t take anything because you don’t need a lot to be grateful. Life is short so you should cherish the small things. You should be grateful that Jesus has chosen you for the mission.

How can practicing gratitude help us appreciate the things we already have, even when on a trip or facing challenges? When you’re stressed the challenge can seem greater than it is; being positive and being productive and building relationships with other people can help us appreciate them and be grateful for what we have. You can show others that you don’t need materialistic need and it is about sharing a common thought between people and show we are grateful for each other. (Thank you Mr Chan, Michael and Isla).

9CA 2024-07-17 08:17

We would find it really hard to give up the stuff we loved and needed. Being grateful makes us appreciate the small things in life and realise what’s most important like family and friends

8NH 2024-07-17 12:16

We are grateful for food, our friends and family, our school and all the nice things we have.

10-LF 2024-07-18 08:05

Things we are thankful for:
– education
– friends
– healthcare
– family
– house
– pets
– life
– teachers
– food and water
– nature
– sun is shining
– teachers you can talk to
– blue sky

Form 9AP 2024-07-18 13:24

9AP
When considering the disciples, how they were sent out with nothing, we discussed that it could leave you feeling scared and confused possibly because you might be facing unknown dangers although it was also said that your belief would protect you.
When talking about gratitude, to be alive and for our many friends were some of the ideas mentioned.

8EOY 2024-09-05 08:30

I think God told them to help others by forgiving their sins and clean their spirits and its a choice he gives them so if they want to be forgiven they can

9NH 2024-09-18 08:11

stuff we are grateful for are :

creature comforts at home eg beds, toilets, washing machines

sports opportunities

parents that care

pets