21st 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 16:13-20
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’

Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

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

In today’s Gospel Jesus asks the Apostles “Who do you say I am?”

We pray for the wisdom and grace from the Holy Spirit to share the faith of Peter, in recognising Jesus as the Christ and demonstrating that belief by the way we live our lives, pursuing justice and peace for all Creation.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

As we approach the season of Creation, September 1st to October 4th, when the Christian family unites globally in Prayer and Action, we ask for a deeper appreciation of the beauty and diversity of all Creation. This year’s theme is “Let Justice and Peace flow”. May we follow Pope Francis’ message, that, “as followers of Christ, on our shared synodal journey, we live, work, and pray that our common home teams with life once more, as the Holy Spirit hovers over the waters, and guides our efforts to renew the face of the earth.”

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For world leaders, that they recognise the social and ecological injustices in our societies and act decisively for meaningful change. May their successes be measured by how they care for those in greatest need.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For everyone locally, nationally and globally who use their efforts to care for all God’s creation…those who use their creative energy to work for solutions, those who raise their voices to call for justice and for the people who make small changes everyday to tread more lightly on the earth.

May we all live simply so others can simply live.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For those around the world living with uncertainty and fear as they suffer the ongoing effects of climate disruption. When all seems lost, may they find strength for the road ahead and may the hearts of their brothers and sisters worldwide be touched to help rebuild and restore our world.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For all who are unwell or anxious and those who are concerned for a loved one.

May they experience God’s healing presence in their pain.

We remember those on the Prayer Foundation list.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For everyone in our community who has died and all who are bereaved, especially… Una Laing, Ann Murphy, Mary Ferry, Gillian Wright, Mary Fairley (Sr Ninian’s sibling). May they rest in the deep peace of the Lord.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

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

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples