Mark 4:26-34  It is the smallest of seeds; yet it grows into the biggest shrub of them all.


Jesus went on to say, "The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field. He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens. The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the ear, and finally the ear full of corn. When the corn is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come."


"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "What parable shall we use to explain it? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade."


Jesus preached his message to the people, using many other parables like these; he told them as much as they could understand. He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         
cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

God comes into the world - of humble birth, of humble parents; God chooses simple, straight-forward men and women as friends and dies a criminal death. God does things differently from this world – to the greatest of effects. So God plants mustard seeds in our hearts...

  1. Find some time this week to reflect on our difficulty in 'letting go' control of our faith lives.
    How often do we fail to trust that the seed God has planted will grow?
  2. What is the “good soil” that has allowed your faith to grow like the mustard seed and provide shelter for others? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In today’s Gospel we see that faith even as small as a mustard seed can grow and flourish. We can feel at times that our own faith is not enough. Jesus tells us that the Lord is working in and through such faith, and that the tiniest seed of faith is capable flourishing and transforming our world. May we scatter seeds that grow into what God intends, something wonderful and transformative.


For Pope Francis and all church leaders, that they may be a sign of Gods light and goodness and a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


For world leaders to have the strength and courage to speak the truth and find ways to bring healing and justice so that all may flourish.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


For peace in our world, that all people may live free from violence, in safety and security, and with hope for the future.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


On this Father’s Day, bless all fathers as they care for their families, give them strength, wisdom and patience to guide their children.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


For all those receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion may they  grow in the friendship and love of Jesus.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


For all who are sick or suffering in any way and those who care for them,and everyone on the prayer foundation list, that God's healing love may strengthen and comfort them.

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


For all who have died especially Marion Arnott, Patricia Reilly and Callum Hart.

May they rest in God's loving mercy and that those who mourn them find comfort in God's unconditional love. 

Lord in your mercy - Hear our prayer


Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.

Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN

Preparing for next week -  12th Sunday Year B

Mark 4:35-41   'Even the wind and the sea obey him'


With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

With seasoned fishermen on board, they still think they will perish.

Jesus sleeps - not even the wildest storm can trouble his faith that God will look after him.

Jesus sleeps child-like: snug in the loving protection of a parent-Father.

  1. As you fall asleep this week, put aside your worries and nestle into the arms of your God.
  2. When has the Lord calmed the stormy seas of your life?*

 * All secolnd questions © The Pastoral Center