Welcome to this week’s Living Word.
The Word of the Week this week is Follow.
Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life. When we follow Jesus, just as the first disciples did, we are making a powerful choice to live our lives according to his teachings. To follow Jesus is not easy, and it often requires great courage, strength and sacrifice.
Section 1: Digital Footsteps vs. Real Paths
We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.
Response: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
R./ Glory to you O Lord +
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R./ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
As it was our school patronal feast day over the weekend, this week I invite you to listen to the words of our parish priest Canon Geoffrey which he spoke in his homily.
Webcam – Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church – Click on the ‘Recordings’ tab and then click Saturday evening Mass of 27-06-26. Start the video from 19:20 and watch up until 21:52.
Think about your phone for a second. How many people do you “follow” on TikTok, Instagram or other social media platform? Why do we use that specific word: follower?
To follow someone online means giving them a small (or big!) bit of your time and attention. But in real life, following someone means letting their values affect how you act. When Jesus called his first disciples, he used our exact Word of the Week: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). They left their boat and their father, and they followed him. It required total trust in Jesus and this dramatically altered the course of their lives.
Jesus uses the word ‘follow’ in a really challenging way. He basically says, “If you want to follow me, I have to matter more to you than just fitting in or being comfortable.” He’s asking us to move from being passive scrollers to being active participants in how we treat people.
Discussion Questions:
Think about some of the most influential accounts that you might follow on social media.
- What kind of values do these accounts promote (e.g., wealth, humour, fitness, kindness)?
- Jesus asked Peter and the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” If people were to be influenced by your personality, what three values would you most want to be known and followed for? Who would they say you are?
Click below to “Add Comment” and capture some of what has been said in your form for others to see or add them to your form scrapbook if you have one!
God, our lives are so busy with many voices telling us who to be, what to wear, and how to act. Help us to filter out the noise. Give us the wisdom to follow things that are true, kind, and real, rather than just what is trending today. Amen.
Section 2: The ‘cross’ we carry
We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.
Response: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
R./ Glory to you O Lord +
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
The Gospel of the Lord
R./ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
In the scripture, Jesus said something which sounds quite intense: “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.“
When Jesus was alive, the cross was a symbol of public shame and suffering. When we talk about a carrying a cross today, it might mean carrying a burden or standing up for what is right, even when it’s deeply uncomfortable to do so. Even Saint Peter found this hard! Don’t forget, he denied knowing Jesus on the day of his trial and crucifixion, not once but three times! Later on though, he overcame his fear and found strength in his faith, so much so that he was the first person to recognise Jesus as “…the Christ, the Son of the living God” following his resurrection.
For teenagers today, your ‘cross’ might be the social cost of standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly or who might even be being bullied. It could be choosing not to join in on a rumour, or being honest when it would be easier to lie. Following a good path always costs us something and often pushes us out of our comfort zone.
It’s not always easy to follow Jesus’ way, but it is always worth it. You’ve just got to find the way which suits you best! Some of us choose to do it out loud in front of large audiences by spreading the good news. Some of us might do it more subtly through the words we choose to use and the actions we take towards others. Jesus doesn’t mind how you follow him, as long as you stay in the light of his love and share that message of love with others somehow.
Lord, it is incredibly hard to stand out when everyone else is blending in. When we face moments where doing the right thing means standing alone, give us more courage. Help us to carry our daily challenges with strength and humility. Amen.
Section 3: A welcome cup of cold water
We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.
Response: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
R./ Glory to you O Lord +
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
The Gospel of the Lord
R./ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes, following Jesus sounds like it requires being a superhero or a saint who does massive, historic things and never does anything wrong. But look at how Jesus finishes this speech which we heard in scripture today… he says that “whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water” will not lose their reward.
Following a purposeful life is built on tiny, daily interactions. It’s the notice we take of other people and the way we behave towards them.
In our school community, or out on the streets of Lincoln, a “cup of cold water” is a metaphor for noticing others and offering hospitality. It’s checking in on someone who looks lonely, thanking the school canteen or grounds staff, or simply holding a door open for someone whose hands are full. Big changes start with tiny acts of regular kindness of which we are all capable.
We are rapidly approaching the end of the term. The weather has been hot recently, and perhaps during those super hot days last week you would have been incredibly grateful for the offer of a “cup of cold water”.
On a Post-it note, write down one ideas about a “cup of cold water” action (an act of kindness) that you can (and will try to!) realistically perform before the end of the school term for someone else within our school community.
It must be specific, doable, and quiet (no need to show off – often the most meaningful acts of kindness are done quietly). Add your Post-it notes to your scrapbook to show the ways in which you are going to follow in Jesus’ footsteps this week.
Loving Father, remind us today that even smallest actions carry weight. We don’t have to change the whole world at once; we just need to be a source of refreshment and kindness to the people around us. Help us to see who needs a smiling look or kindly word today, and give us the generosity to offer it. Amen.
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