Luke 12: 32-48 You too must stand ready.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock,
for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.
‘Sell your possessions and give alms.
Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you,
in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.
Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast,
ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.
Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.
I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron,
sit them down at table and wait on them.
It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third,
but happy those servants if he finds them ready.
You may be quite sure of this,
that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come,
he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house.
You too must stand ready,
because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’
The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough
for the master to place him over his household
to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?
Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment.
I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns.
But as for the servant who says to himself,
“My master is taking his time coming,”
and sets about beating the menservants and the maids,
and eating and drinking and getting drunk,
his master will come on a day he does not expect
and at an hour he does not know.
The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
The servant who knows what his master wants,
but has not even started to carry out those wishes,
will receive very many strokes of the lash.
The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done,
will receive fewer strokes.
When a man has had a great deal given him,
a great deal will be demanded of him;
when a man has had a great deal given him on trust,
even more will be expected of him.’
This is the gospel of the Lord
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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.
Prayers of Intercession
We pray for Pope Francis, that he will be blessed with joy and hope in the face of health problems and inspire all believers to put their faith in God who promises to be with us in all our trials.
We pray for all people of faith involved in health care policy, that the spirit of God will guide them in compassion and wisdom to bring dignity of life to all.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For Christians who suffer loss of home, job, personal safety and reputation because of their faith, that they would know God’s strength and tender love, as they bear the burden of persecution.
May the witness of prophets and saints who trusted in God’s love for them inspire and uphold them in their struggles. We remember in particular those in the Holy Land, Pakistan and Nigeria and those who suffer in silence.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of our nations and communities, that they be awake to the common good rather than personal attention and popularity, that they will have courage and wisdom to make a stand for policies that will bring dignity to all especially those who have no voice and those who have lost hope that their needs will be met.
We also ask that care for our common home the earth, will not be overlooked in this time of crisis in the rise of cost of living .
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith communities here in South East Edinburgh, that we will inspire and encourage each other to be ready to meet the Lord when he comes and that the joy, love and compassion we show for each other be a beacon of hope to our neighbours. May all see in God, there is hope for the future.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We bring before our heavenly father those in our parishes, families and communities who are bearing the burden of illness especially those mentioned by the Prayer Foundation. For family and friends who are supporting those with physical and mental health conditions, that they be given rest, strength and compassion as they care.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have passed away and those recently deceased
Alex Cameron, Marciana Sebastian, Sr. May Lewis, Inge Downie, Stephen Clarke … and those whose anniversaries occur at this time and for those who grieve their loss, that they receive the gift of God’s comfort, understanding and peace.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us all pray together our Cluster Missionary Prayer:
