World Malaria Day serves to remind us of the threat malaria still causes and that there is still work to be done to combat this disease. We are reminded that we must work towards the common good and look beyond our own interests. Fighting to end malaria will benefit many people. The majority of these people do not have sufficient access to healthcare facilities. It is vital that we prioritise the most vulnerable in society. It is in these areas where we can fight against malaria in the most effective way.
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait for them.
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
– Luke 4:38-40
Saint Mark brought to us the Gospel of Mark. On this day of celebration, let us read this gospel in prayerful thought. Through reflection on the gospel we can relate our lives to the words of the Bible. The words of Mark were written hundreds of years ago but the spiritual meaning in them is something we can still feel to this day.
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” – Mark 1:1-3
Saint George relied on his faith in God to provide him with strength during his trials. When we put our faith in God he can provide us the strength to overcome our struggles as well as to help others through theirs. As protector of the persecuted, Saint George should inspire us to fight for those who need support. Actions and words to support the rights of all people help to make the world a more accepting and tolerant place. We can achieve this with the strength of God.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. – Isaiah 40:29
Today is the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a significant day for Muslims all around the world. We can take this day to learn about Islamic culture and beliefs, to be active in our understanding of others. Understanding others’ faith can strengthen our own. Love and respect for people allows us to love God deeper and be steadfast in our faith. This is a day of prayer and celebration, let us also spend this day in celebratory prayer together.
And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him – al-Talaaq 65:3
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. – John 10:28-30
As part of the Catholicity target undertaken by the Cover Team at St Edmund’s Catholic Academy, donations of Easter eggs and craft items we collected and delivered to the Children’s Ward at New Cross Hospital.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity expressed their thanks to staff and students for such a generous and kind donation which will be shared with patients in the Children’s Ward this Easter.
St Edmund’s feel’s blessed to be able to help in improving the experience of the patients of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Photo: Left – Marie Gallagher (Cover Team Member) and Linsdey Goodall (Community & Events Fundraising Officer)
So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
– John 11:3-7
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
– John 11:17
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to him, but Mary stayed home.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:20-27
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord.” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe , you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone, Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
– John 11:33-45
This lunar month marks the celebrations of Ramadan, a significant event within Islam. It is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
These themes mirror those of Lent, where we fast, reflect and pray to God. May the similarities between these events allow us to gain an understanding and respect for other beliefs. We can actively learn about other people’s culture and understanding of the world to bring ourselves closer to God.
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. – Ayah 183
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” – Matthew 4:1-4
While we in the UK have access to clean water and sanitation, many around the world do not. We must act to change this. As members of God’s world and family it is our duty to prioritise those who are most vulnerable to poverty and injustice.
We must go beyond looking at those in need and truly see their struggles. Only by doing this can we act to help them. If we use our talents to help others, whether that is through volunteering or small acts of kindness, we can improve the lives of others.
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them, will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. – John 4:14
