Gathering Point Two

Let us begin our time of prayer and reflection together In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. CARITAS PRAYER:   Loving Father, almighty God, You so loved the world that you sent your son Jesus so that we might live through him. Help us to respond to your love. Grant us understanding of the loving ways of Jesus. Teach us to see others with his eyes and, through your Holy Spirit, guide us in our efforts to show love in our daily actions. Living Lord, you are love. Help us, whom you made in your image, to practise love in loving communion with others. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

In our first ‘Gathering point’ we thought about what LOVE means and we started to think about the question “who is my brother?”. We know that when we love our brother we are also loving God . We will continue by reflecting upon more of the Pope’s teaching about Caritas and consider the ways in which we can respond to God’s love in our lives. Today we will return to the theme of “who is my brother / neighbour?” and deepen our understanding of our responsibility to love everyone.

In our second Gathering Point we will think about how our understanding of Caritas – Love - has developed through our learning, witness and reflection. 4

Deus Caritas Est God Is Love Let’s look at some more of Pope Benedict’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est God Is Love 5

Anyone who needs me, and whom I can help , is my neighbour. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est 6

Love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God Love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God... ...closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est 7

In God , and with God, I love the person whom I do not like or even know. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est 8

Love grows through love. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est 9

Love is “divine” because it comes from God and unites us to God. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est 10

“Anyone who needs me, and whom I can help , is my neighbour.” “Love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God... ...closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God. “ “In God , and with God, I love the person whom I do not like or even know.” Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est. Starter Questions... Think about the following questions and note down some answers: What do the 3 quotes above mean for you? Why does the Pope mean by saying that closing our eyes to our neighbour blinds us to God? How can/ do you love people you do not know? Having read and reflected upon the Pope’s teaching– explain who is your neighbour? 11

Love grows through love. Love is “divine” because it comes from God and unites us to God. Pope Benedict XVI Deus Caritas Est Questions continued Give examples of how “love grows through love”? Think back to gathering point 1. Explain in what way love is “divine”? In what ways will your learning change your actions? You are about to hear the parable of the Good Samaritan: Who is in need of a Good Samaritan in your community? 12

Let us listen to the words of scripture. A reading from the Gospel of Luke 10: 25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”     “What is written in the Law?” he replied.  

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.”    

“Do this and you will live.”      “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’    

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

We will now have a time of prayer and reflection as we think about and respond to the Scripture passages we have just heard.

how to walk beside you faithfully Teach me your way Psalm 86:11 how to walk beside you faithfully

Know that I am with you always Matthew 28:20 23

“Show us the way we are to go and what we must do.” Jeremiah 42:3

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because the Father is with me And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me John 16:32 26

These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit. 1 Cor 2:10

And a voice spoke from heaven. Matthew 3:17

“They will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 29

Sorrow overtakes me, my heart fails me. Jeremiah 8:18

“The Lord carried you, as a man carries his child, all along the road you travelled.” Deut 1:31

A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. YOU ARE MY FRIENDS. John 15:13

“Is not the Lord your God with you “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side?” 1 Chronicles 22:18

God, create in me a pure heart. Psalms 51: 10

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 41: 10

“That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, and now I have found you.” Proverbs 7:15

“I can do everything with the help of the One who gives me strength.” Phillippians 4:13

God reveals wonders and does great deeds that we cannot understand.

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Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Matthew 28:20

My soul is sorrowful, even to the point of death. Matthew 26:38 My soul is sorrowful, even to the point of death.

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you. Colossians 3:12

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire. Isaiah 40: 30-31 46

“I will be with you” Isaiah 43:2 47

Then a voice came to him, which said “What are you doing here?” 1 Kings 19:14 48

For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them. Matthew 18:20

Where the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

I have carried you since the time you were born. Isaiah 46: 3

A friend is a friend at all times. Proverbs 17:17

In what way does this song describe God’s love for us? I’ll carry you... …When you need a friend I am always there...

What does it tell us about our relationship with God? You walked with me… You gave me strength to carry on... ... When your heart is filled with sorrow & despair What does it tell us about our relationship with God?

Anyone who needs me, and whom I can help, is my neighbour. How does the parable of the good Samaritan help us to understand the Pope’s words? Love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God... ...closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” How do the Pope’s words help us to understand the parable of the Good Samaritan?

How can you show love for the person you do not like or know? In God , and with God, I love the person whom I do not like or even know. How can you show love for the person you do not like or know? 58

What does this mean for you? Love grows through love.. What does this mean for you? 59