20th Sunday A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

• The gospel for the day
  
• Some optional questions for reflection
  
• Prayers of Intercession
  
• Cluster Prayer
• The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Matthew 15: 21-28
The Canaanite woman debates with Jesus and saves her daughter.

Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’

But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

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

Prayers of Intercession

We pray for Pope Francis and our youth, that his message of hope and solidarity with young people will inspire them to build a future of hope and that the different generations will recognise each other's gifts in bringing the gospel of life to the world.

Lord in your mercy    Hear our prayer.

We ask that all those in the Synodal process be attentive to the Spirit of God guiding them so they may bring life, hope and genuine unity into the life of the Church. We ask that all will seek to walk with Jesus and listen with love to their brothers and sisters and so bear fruit to enrich the Church and world.

Lord in your mercy  Hear our prayer.

May we all be inspired by the faith of the Canaanite woman and courageously go beyond our comfort zones and call out for God’s life and healing for those around us. May we remember in prayer and action those in warzones and places badly affected by climate change, especially those in Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Hawaii and Pakistan.

Lord in your mercy  Hear our prayer.

We pray for all pupils and teachers as they return for the new school year . We ask that teachers, pupils , parents and guardians will work together to create a learning environment where pupils can both reach their full potential and be compassionate to those who struggle to learn.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

For those who are unwell in mind, body or spirit, that they and those who care for them will know God’s healing and merciful presence. We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

We bring before our heavenly Father those who have died recently especially Mary Ferry, Gillian Wright, Mary Fairley (Sr Ninian’s sibling) and those whose anniversaries occur at this time, that they will rest in peace and those who mourn will be comforted in their loss.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

We will now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples