Unity in Diversity (C)

Diversity (no, not an old old wood ship) calls us to celebrate our differences and to respect the dignity and value of everyone. We are all made in the image and likeness of God and
we can recognise God in all people, however different they may seem. Diversity reminds us that we are all called to love one another and to create a world where everyone feels loved, accepted and included.

Day 1 – Start with scripture

We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.

Read this Gospel passage.

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

Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, (Jesus) asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.  They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 



The Gospel of the Lord
R. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Luke 5:3-8

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, after working all night, a stranger tells you to go back out. Would you?

Have you ever trust someone else’s judgement and great things have happened? Share your experience.

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

Almighty Father,

You know the best version of our lives. Please forgive us the times we choose our own path and go against your will. Thank you for your patience and forgiveness. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord.

Amen

St Peter and St Paul…

Pray for us.

Amen

Day 2 – Copy and paste?

We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.

When we celebrate diversity, we are giving glory and praise to God, for His wonderful creation. We are created in His image and recognising the ‘holy ground’ you stand on when you encounter another person is what we are all (humanity) called to. Here’s another perspective about expressing our individuality through faith.

You stand on Holy ground

Lord Jesus,

When you encountered Peter and the other fishermen you called them serve. Not as perfect replicas of each other, but beautifully unique children of God. In our diversity, help us to celebrate each other and make our world reflect your love and grace.

Amen.

St Peter and St Paul…

Pray for us.

Amen

Day 3 – Who do you think you are?

We invite you to start with the Sign of the Cross.

You are Diversity!

Around the room you have people from different families. Different countries! When you walk around the school you hear so many different voices. Have you ever stopped and just looked around and listened to the rhythm of the school? It’s heartbeat truly is diversity.

Take the post it or small piece of paper and turn to the person next to you. Ask them where they are from and write it down.(Town or street/country) Collect them in. How many different place are we from?

Our diversity makes us stronger. Better ideas, bigger plans, a brighter future. God be praised!

God of wonderous variety,

You made the world and the people in it to be one beautiful expression our your love. A world of billions of voice united in their diversity. Thank you for who I am. Thank you for who you are.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son. Amen.

St Peter and St Paul…

Pray for us.

Amen

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17 comments

comments user
10GHE

We would not go out again as it would seem pointless, why would we trust a stranger?

There have been times when we have trusted a friend’s or family’s recommendation and enjoyed a film, book, programme or event.
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comments user
11MF

We have nothing to say.
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10BCU

Mostly, we agree that we would not go back out to work on a stranger’s instruction, largely due to ‘stranger danger’! However, we might consider it if the stranger can explain why we need to do that and the situation doesn’t seem dangerous.
One of our form group was asked to go to a family birthday party, which he really didn’t want to go to. Eventually, he agreed to go and received financial rewards for his help from other family members, so it worked in his favour in the end.
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13LT

when you live a long life you have more opportunities to be helped be others judgement and advice.
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9NHA

We would not go back out, we would rather rest.

We don’t think that they perceived Jesus as a stranger as he had been on their boat with them and they had listened to him teach them.

We can’t think of any examples when we have trusted someone else’s judgement.
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8EOY

I would if it someone I really trust

I was really scared to go on the swings and then Dad encouraged me to go on it and I really enjoyed it
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10KG

We would find it very difficult to trust a stranger, especially when we were tired after a long night. Some of us would trust a stranger especially if something good might come of it.
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Mrs Potter

Last year during sport’s day, my name was put down for the 200m, I didn’t think I would win but no one else wanted to take part so I did it for the form, and I came first!

During SSPP’s got Talent, I got encouraged to participate and won!!
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10-LF

When teachers tell you to revise and you get good grades.
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7MFI

One person’s dad gave her a mystery car ride which lasted three hours. ended with surprize of puppy.

another, when started secondary school had no where to go so took a risk and did it by himself.
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12CLB

We think that religion does not define you but strengthen your own individuality. Stereotypes do not define who you are, your religion is unique and you must celebrate that.
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10OP Mr. Papaioannou

It would take too much effort to get up and out again so no.
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9ACA

We would not go back at because someone tells us to.
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7ETA

Would you go back?
– It is difficult to go back out if you are tired and have already done the work.
– If I wasn’t getting paid for it, I wouldn’t want to go. I would need to have great faith in order to go back.
– If I have worked all night I have used all my energy and strength. I would not go back.

Experiences?
– Winning the lottery.
– My football coach believed in me and got me to play in a game. I scored 2 goals in the first half.
– Encouraging me to not give up and try again with my art and it got better.
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Carol Gilbert

Some (very few) would say yes to going back out for a stranger because you never know what it might lead to.
Many others have said they wouldn’t unless the stranger is genuine with a good reason. The majority said they wouldn’t go back out at all since they would be too tired and “stranger danger!!”, and they wouldn’t judge anyone’s judgement other than their own.
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comments user
7MFI

Our form are making a map of where we are from. Email me if you’d like to see it.
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8JBa

If you’ve been working all day you would not want to do more work as you would be tired. You’d want to know the reason why you have to do more work. Sometimes our parents tell us things and if we trust them things work out well. Friends or family can recommend things that you might enjoy.
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