Begin with a few moments of quiet.

Invite all present to sit comfortably.
When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.
Now return to breathing normally.

Use some of this quietening music to help come into a space of prayer

Opening ourselves to the Presence of God in our lives

Have a conversation, allowing each person present a few moments to think about and to reply to the following.
Thinking back over the week, let us share with one another
What is it that I want to say thank you for?
What is it that want to say I am sorry for?

Now begin with the following prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus
Thank you for all He did for us
And all that He continues to do
Help us to trust in you
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening
We know you work things for good
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Introduce the Gospel

Today is the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

You might remember last week’s Gospel, how Jesus fed over 5,000 of his followers with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. Today’s Gospel is what happened immediately after the feeding of the 5,000.  We hear how Jesus did something very special and how he reached out to Peter to help him when he was afraid…. 

Read the Gospel Matthew 14:22-33

Then Jesus made his followers get into the boat. He told them to go ahead of him to the other side of the lake. Jesus stayed there to tell the people they could go home. After he said good-bye to them, he went alone up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. By this time, the boat was already far away on the lake. The boat was having trouble because of the waves, and the wind was blowing against it.

Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus’ followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. When the followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them. He said, “Have courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”Peter said, “Lord, if that is really you, then tell me to come to you on the water.”Jesus said, “Come.”And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”

Then Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. Jesus said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”

After Peter and Jesus were in the boat, the wind became calm. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

Have a Conversation about the Gospel

The writer of this Gospel is called Matthew. He was one of the twelve apostles who helped Jesus to tell everyone the Good News. He was a tax collector before he started to help Jesus.

What do you remember from today’s reading?

What did Jesus get the disciples to do?
Get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while He went to pray

How did the disciples feel when they saw Jesus? Did they know it was Him?
They were terrified and thought it was a ghost but Jesus told them it was Him and to have courage

What did Peter do? 
He got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus.

What happened next?
Peter got scared and started to sink, he asked Jesus to save him and Jesus held out his hand and saved him.

Can you remember what Jesus said to Peter? What do you think that could mean?
Jesus said “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” –  God is there for us, always has been, always will be, in good times and bad times, have faith in Him. Believing and trusting in God helps us to get through the hard times.

What did the disciples learn about Jesus in this story?
They learned that Jesus is the Son of God

What is going on in your life right now that you need to trust Jesus about?

How can you show your faith in God this week?
Jesus asks us to care for one another. We can hold out our hands to help each other. To help those who are poor, who are sick, who are lonely, who are frightened. Anyone who is finding things hard, no matter who they are or where they come from. 

End with a prayer

Dear Jesus, I know You are always there when I need You. Help me to always trust You. Amen

A short Video

Some Activities

Here are some activities you might like to complete during the coming week as a reminder of this Gospel today.