16th Sunday of the Year A
The following resources are in the form of a video presentation
- The readings for the day
(a useful commentary on these readings here) - A Gospel Reflection by Fr Alex and Fr Mike
- Prayers of Intercession
- Final Blessing
- Closing reflective music
After you have watched our Prayer Resources we would encourage you to sit and reflect quietly on what the Word of God is saying to you this weekend. The questions below are simply suggestions but if you find them helpful then use them.
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)
Despite the negatives of social distancing, there is one thing it has brought us – space: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
1. How well have we used that space in all its dimensions to focus on God’s will for us?
2. How well have we seen social distancing as an opportunity to be a “bridge of wellbeing” for connecting with others suffering from its negative effects?
1. How well have we used that space in all its dimensions to focus on God’s will for us?
2. How well have we seen social distancing as an opportunity to be a “bridge of wellbeing” for connecting with others suffering from its negative effects?
God lets the wheat and the weeds grow together, not just in the world, but in our hearts. Strengthening the roots of the wheat will weaken the effect of the weeds.
3. Take one of our “weeds” this week and spend time praying and planning how we can transform it into something good.
3. Take one of our “weeds” this week and spend time praying and planning how we can transform it into something good.
Preparing for next week
For those who would like to start reflecting on next week's gospel, the text can be found here.
Here are some suggested questions you may find helpful.
Write down ten(ish) people, places and situations which recall wonderfully pleasant memories from throughout your life. Look out old photos if it helps. These are your treasure/pearls hidden in your memory and the string running through them to make a necklace is God’s love.
1. Look carefully at your pearls of life and thank God for these freely offered gifts in spoken or written prayer
2. If you are in a connect group, share parts of your “necklace” with them or phone someone and recall a “pearl” with them.
" ...a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old."
1. Look carefully at your pearls of life and thank God for these freely offered gifts in spoken or written prayer
2. If you are in a connect group, share parts of your “necklace” with them or phone someone and recall a “pearl” with them.
" ...a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old."
3. Reflecting on the gospel now as an adult and looking back on your faith life, what are you afraid to let go of, or what are you afraid of that's new?
End of Prayer resource