First Sunday of Lent 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 4: 1-11   The temptation in the wilderness


Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry,

and the tempter came and said to him,

‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’

But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

The devil then took him to the holy city

and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple.

‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Next, taking him to a very high mountain,

the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.

‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’

Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.

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)

Some believe that Jesus had to come because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve - God's Plan B...

Yet it's possible to see Jesus as part of God's self-revelation which began with the creation of the universe.

The essence of God is relationship between persons - and God says "Come join us in eternal love."

Like Adam and Eve we are tempted and we fall short, but all is not lost. Jesus is the proof of that.

  1. Recall an experience when you had to trust someone without any assurance. (Share in your group)
  2. What helpful advice could you offer someone faced with a temptation?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

As we begin our Lenten journey we turn in prayer to God our Father asking for his help as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection at Easter.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for Pope Francis, the Church, and Fr Alex and all religious that through this period of Lent we are drawn ever closer to Christ and let our faith show in all we do and say.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

For all who are preparing to be baptised this Easter and all who will be received into full communion with the Church; that they will always recognize the presence of Christ in their lives.

 

Lord in your Mercy. Hear Our prayer.

 

For all those in Turkey and Syria working tirelessly to bring relief and comfort to those suffering from the devastating effects of the earthquakes and for the people of Ukraine and Russia as the violence continues we hold in our hearts those involved in trying to bring peace, keeping them all in our prayers.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

For us all as we prepare for Lent that, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Lent may be an opportunity to remember those less fortunate than ourselves.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

 

For the needy and hungry of the world and for the development of the relief work of Sciaf we are reminded of the call to live more simply and put our faith into action.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

We remember in love those who have asked for our prayers on the prayer foundation list.

For those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We give thanks for the gift of their lives.

We Remember especially…. Betty Dickinson, Clare Whitehead, Frances Brown, Evelyn Jamieson, Tom O’Neill, Bridie Short, Violet Glancy & Rebecca.

 

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

We will now say the Missionary Prayer together.

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 -  Second Sunday of Lent A

Matthew 17: 1-9    His face shone like the sun


Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John

and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.

There in their presence he was transfigured:

his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him.

Then Peter spoke to Jesus.

‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here;

if you wish, I will make three tents here,

one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’


He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow,

and from the cloud there came a voice which said,

‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’

When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear.

But Jesus came up and touched them.

‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’

And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order,

‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.


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)

Peter, James and John: privileged to see the divinity shining out of Jesus;

and to witness a man sweating blood with the thought of what lay ahead of him.

We experience a little of that "faith in/fear of" in our personal lives too.

  1. Recall a time when you experienced a change in your faith - or your fear -
    in relation to your beliefs and values.
  2. What difference does your faith in Jesus Christ make in your life?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center