12th Sunday A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

• The gospel for the day
• A useful commentary on the reading here
  
• Some optional questions for reflection
  
• Prayers of Intercession
  
• Cluster Prayer
• The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Matthew 10:26-33  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

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

Prayers of Intercession

Today’s Gospel tells us not to be afraid, as our God is with us always, and loves and cares for us all, even down to the smallest detail of creation. May the church throughout the world be a channel for God’s love and a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable.

Lord in your mercy……hear our prayer.

For leaders in the many countries facing turbulent times. May the Holy Spirit open eyes to injustice and guide them towards peaceful solutions and right action for a just future for all.

Lord in your mercy….hear our prayer.

For the millions of refugees and ecological migrants who are fleeing from occupation, war, starvation, injustice, and the effects of climate change; many putting their lives at risk, and being exploited because of their powerlessness.

May we be inspired with generosity and compassion and welcome the stranger to our shores.

Lord in your mercy…..hear our prayer.

For families facing rising costs, job insecurities and limited resources, as the long school holidays begin. May their needs be at the forefront of Government Policies, so that all our children will have the freedom to enjoy life and grow in safety.

Lord in your mercy…..hear our prayer.

For our parish community gathered today, that we will remain secure in God's unconditional love for us, as we are guided on our path of missionary discipleship ,and we discern what is ours to do.

Lord in your mercy……hear our prayer.

For all who are in pain, physically or emotionally, and all on the Prayer Foundation list. May they experience the presence of the Lord in the hands of those who care for them.

Lord in your mercy……hear our prayer.

For those who have died. We give thanks for the gift of their lives.

Especially we remember: George Pringle, Peter Mullen, Veronica Lothian, Carole Gilmour, Grace Kay.

Lord in your mercy……..hear our prayer.

We will now say the Missionary Prayer together.

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples