Spirituality to me is a journey towards finding yourself. The journey will make me realise who I am, my ambitions and dreams, why I are here and finding happiness. To help me start my journey, I may meditate, do yoga, exercise or do sport to help yourself. 

I have chosen the song “Lanterns” by Birds of Tokyo. This song is about being strong and creating your own journey to your own path. I believe this song links to my definition because they are both about doing your own journey. This is a slow peaceful song that shows a link to my definition of spirituality. This song brings back the memory of my year 7 graduation. It brings back the sad memories of leaving my friends from primary school and the excitement of moving to high school. Today, the song connects with me because whenever I listen to the song it makes me peaceful and I like and believe in the message of the song. 

“The weight of being so much more

We will find ourselves on the road”

This quote from the song is about the journey which links back to my definition. 

I like this passage because if you have trust in God, he will help you in your journey. God provides help and guidance when asked and needed.

These two passages are all about incorporating God into your journey. Turning to God when times are tough and when guidance is needed could be vital to your spirituality. 

Meditation and yoga are very helpful to calming your mind. It helps you think, breathe and to be calm. I believe more people should meditate and do yoga to help them de-stress and be one with themselves. These two activities can help you to be spiritual. When I did these two activities, it helped me ease my mind and relax my body.   

Lord make me an instrument of your race,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury; pardon;

Where there is doubt; faith

Where there is despair; hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To beloved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

The introductory rites is at the start of the liturgy and it is designed for people to settle into prayer. Upon when we enter the liturgy, we have to dip our fingers into a bowl containing holy water making the sign of the cross on our foreheads. I appreciate this because it is a reminder of our beliefs and baptism. Then an opening song starts and the priest appears at the alter. This is a very calming feeling and a sense of belongingness arrises. The priest then leads the people in the sign of the cross then a hymn is said and then the opening prayer concludes the introductory rites. The introductory rites are a good introduction to the liturgy because it relaxes and calms the people while praising God. 

The Liturgy of the Word 

This section of the liturgy is when we come together to thank God. The first thing that happens in this section is the first reading which is mostly chosen from the Old Testament, after that the responsorial psalm, which reflects themes in the readings, then the second reading. I appreciate all these readings from the bible because we can listen and learn to new reading from the bible. Then the gospel is brought to the alter which is brought by volunteers with candles. A reading from the gospel is then read out then the people have to sign their foreheads, lips and heart with the sign of the cross. The homily is read, the profession of faith which is an deeper understanding and meaning to Jesus, and the prayers of the faithful takes place which concludes the liturgy of the word. 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist 

This section prepares and gathers the people to do the eucharist. Volunteers are chosen to bring the bread and wine to the alter. The priest blesses the soon to be consumed bread and wine then the eucharistic prayer is said. When receiving communion, your hands must be crossed over each other creating a bowl like shape with your hands if you’ve had your communion. But if you haven't had your communion you can either stay in your seat or follow in the line and get a blessing from the priest. The people return to their seats and sit down quietly patiently waiting for the other people to return to their seats. 

Dismissal Prayer, Final Blessing, Closing Song

This is the last section of the liturgy. It includes the dismissal prayer, final blessing and closing song. The communal rites are said which are the rites for the community. The priest will then give the final blessing and the sign of the cross. The priest will say “go in peace,” the priest will then leave the church with the alter boys and girls. Then the rest of the people can go.