14th Sunday C

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

Luke 10: 1-12; 17-20 Your peace will rest on that person


The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him,

in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit.

He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few,

so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

Start off now, but remember,

I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.


‘Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!”

And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him;

if not, it will come back to you.

Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer,

for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.


‘Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome,

eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say,

“The kingdom of God is very near to you.”

But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome,

go out into its streets and say,

“We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet,

and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.”

I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’


The seventy-two came back rejoicing.

‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’

He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions

and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you.

Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you;

rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’

 
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 doesn't sugar-coat his message in order to gain more disciples. Rather he makes it plain that they are "lambs among wolves": the more they show love; the more will they face challenge...

The "pastures" may have changed, but, thankfully, we are guided by the very same Shepherd.

  1.  Who/what are the "wolves" in your life? How do you/could you be the face of Jesus for them?
  2. Where do you see the message of Christian faith being rejected in the world today?
    What is your response to that?

Prayers of Intercession


0n this the 14th Sunday of Ordinary time we pray.

Lord God, Assist Pope Francis in his constant effort to enlighten and strengthen your church and its people. Open the eyes of the non-believers so that together peace and harmony will prevail throughout the world

Lord Hear us.   Lord graciously hear us.

 

We pray for those who are entrusted with preaching and teaching Christ's Word that they may understand his message and speak compellingly as he did.

Lord Hear us.  Lord graciously hear us.

 

We pray for our community, for a deepening sense of discipleship, as we draw closer to the Lord may others experience God’s care through us.

Lord Hear us.  Lord graciously hear us.

 

We pray for all those caught up in conflict and in fear of war especially in the Ukraine, and through natural disasters occurring in Afghanistan; may the leaders be open to the suffering of their people.

Lord Hear us.  Lord graciously hear us.

 

We pray for all who are in hospital and nursing homes and especially those who care for them. We remember all those who have asked for our prayers.

Lord Hear us.  Lord graciously hear us.

 

We pray for all who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again, that they may come into the light of God’s presence.

We remember especially……Pat Mulvenna, Ronnie Carruthers, Jean Lowe and Elaine Hepburn.


Lord Hear us.  Lord graciously hear us.

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

Picture of Jesus at door

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 -  15th Sunday of the Year C

Luke 10:25-37     Who is my neighbour?


There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him,

‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him,

‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’

He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,

and your neighbour as yourself.’

‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’


But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus,

‘And who is my neighbour?’

Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho

and fell into the hands of brigands;

they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead.

Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road,

but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him,

and passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him

was moved with compassion when he saw him.

He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them.

He then lifted him on to his own mount,

carried him to the inn and looked after him.

Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper.

“Look after him,” he said “and on my way back

I will make good any extra expense you have.”

Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour

to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’

‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied.

Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

The priest and the Levite did not break any laws in passing by.

They simply lacked what the good Samaritan had - compassion.

Jesus too could be accused of letting "his heart rule his head" when he cured on the Sabbath

and let the woman wash his feet etc.

This was the mercy of God in action - where would WE be without it?

  1. Recall an experience of compassion: given or received. (Share)
  2. When have you gone out of your way to help a stranger in need?