Religious Education 

Lent

Today is the first day of Lent. It is a religious observance in Christianity, lasting about 40 days, during which believers prepare for Easter through fasting, prayer, and reflection. It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. It is a solemn period leading up to the joy of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Mrs Viney and I took all 16 of our student leaders to a Parish Mass this morning where we celebrated with the parishioners. We also brought the Ashes back to the school for each classroom. They were distributed during their level liturgies.

Lent In A Bag

Each students should have received a ‘Lent in a Bag’ when leaving school today. This consists of 7 suggested activities, a candle, wooden cross, small pebble (please be conscious that this is a choking hazard) and two cut outs. This is an invitational activity for you and your family to learn more about, and discover the work, of Lent in schools. As I created each bag, if you are missing an item please let your classroom teacher know and I will give them the missing item.

Caritas / Project Compassion

You may hear these words come home this Lenten season. Caritas is Australia’s largest annual fundraising campaign, Project Compassion mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. Part of Lent is Almsgiving, which is a practice of giving to those who are less fortunate. We encourage students to think of ways they can give alms, whether through dontations to Project Compassion, or through giving time to help others.

Sunday Scripture Spotlight

This Sunday’s scripture is from . Below is the translation from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, as found on Bible Gateway.

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

5 Then the devil[a] led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil[b] said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

    and serve only him.’”

9 Then the devil[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,

    to protect you,’

11 and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Student Gospel Reflection

Today's Gospel tells the story of Jesus being tempted three times by the devil. Make sure the children understand that it is not wrong to be tempted, it is only wrong if we readily give in to the temptation. After all, even Jesus had temptations!

The beginning of Lent is a perfect time to take stock of our own particular temptations and, with God's help, make a renewed effort to resist those temptations. Perhaps you can share with the children an experience you had in overcoming a temptation when you were their age.

In this parable, Jesus touches on one of the most common of human failings – that of seeing the failings of others while ignoring our own. In your preparation this week, try to be aware of occasions when you find yourself falling into this trap.