Beautiful Attitudes
The last month in the church year provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on the year that has been and how we have grown spiritually.
The Gospel from Sunday 1st November, the Beatitudes, present ‘beautiful attitudes’ with which God wants us all to live, even in the face of difficulty. In today’s assembly, children heard the story of St Martin de Porres who lived over 400 years ago and who, by putting others first, exemplified the Beatitude “Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Click here to play the film ‘Beautiful Attitudes’, and then why not discuss it with your child?
Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
St Martin de Porres
Even though Martin didn’t have very much as a child, he was always generous and wanted to share what he had.
Even though it was unfair that Martin wasn’t allowed to join the religious order just because of the colour of his skin – which must have made him very upset – he humbly asked to serve in the ways he was allowed to.
Even though he was sometimes teased and called names, Martin did whatever work he was asked to do without grumbling, and he ended up doing amazing things for God!
Even though we, like Martin, might find it very difficult at times, with God’s help, we can live with beautiful attitudes.
Why not take a moment to discuss with your child:
· Any times they or you have chosen to do good even though it felt difficult.
· Why it is always wrong to treat someone differently because of the colour of their skin.
· The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5: 1 – 12.
· How they can celebrate St Martin’s feast day tomorrow (November 3rd) by going out of their way to put others first.
A Prayer:
Jesus, you call us to put others first in our lives.
To put our family first.
To put our friends first.
To put our school community first.
To put those who are left out and lonely first.
To put the poor first.
Show us how to be generous in our words and actions to those we meet, and to our brothers and sisters around the world that need our help.
Amen.