15th 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 10:25-37 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

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)

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?

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

Prayers of Intercession

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbours as ourselves so we offer these prayers for our neighbours and ourselves to our Father in heaven.

For all those in our church who risk their comfort or their safety in order to reach out and help others.