11th Sunday A
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions
Matthew 9: 36 - 10: 8 He summoned his twelve disciples, and sent them out.
When Jesus saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows:
‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’
This is the gospel of the Lord.
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)
Jesus' commission to his disciples seems very narrow and exclusive - healing and only to the Jews.
After the Resurrection it has spread to "make disciples of all nations".
Being a missionary disciple is 24/7 because every moment we are or we are not - the face of Jesus to people.
- When have you met the face of Jesus in two quite different people in your life? Share.
- What responsibility do you have to the less fortunate, and how actively are you meeting it?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
We ask that the Lord give health and strength to our Holy father Pope Francis to enable him to live out his calling to bring our Church closer to Christ and that all believers will recognise the face of Christ in those who are poor in mind, body and spirit.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
For the leaders of our country, that they will seek wisdom and trust that comes from God and recognise the need to heal the divisions in our society and promote the dignity of all peoples. We pray that their consciences be formed so they turn away from divisive messages that poison our communities and harm the most vulnerable.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Daily we hear news of wars and disasters, and many are discouraged and losing hope, so we ask that the Lord pour his love, peace, trust and charity into our hearts so that we will be the face and hands of Christ in transforming the places where we live and the wider world. We particularly remember the people of Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and the Holy Land whose lives are scarred by war and climate change.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
In this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, may all of us be blessed with opportunities to be still and contemplate the incredible generosity of God’s love for us, humanity and our home, the earth. We ask that in experiencing God’s boundless love for us, we will be beacons of light and hope to those around us.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
For those who are burdened with poor health in mind, body or spirit that the Lord would be close to them and help them to be at peace and inspire others to be present to them in their suffering. We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We bring before our heavenly Father our loved ones who have passed way recently especially and those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year. We remember particularly those named by the Prayer Foundation and ask that the Lord and Our Lady comfort the bereaved in their loss
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We will now say the Missionary Prayer together.
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
