21st Sunday C

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

Luke 13: 22-30 Men from the east and west will come

to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching,

making his way to Jerusalem.

Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’

He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because,

I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door,

you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying,

“Lord, open to us” but he will answer,

“I do not know where you come from.”

Then you will find yourself saying,

“We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets”

but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from.

Away from me, all you wicked men!”

‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth,

when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob

and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,

and yourselves turned outside.

And men from east and west, from north and south,

will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first,

and those now first who will be last.’

This is the gospel of the Lord

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)

When we look at our materialist culture with its fixation on power, wealth and possessions,

Jesus' teaching on love of neighbour seems pure fantasy. But 'the last becoming the first' echoes perfectly Mary's Magnificat prayer of last week and should give us pause for how well our faith journey is going...

"The door is narrow." What obstacles are there on your journey
that prevent you from striving for inner transformation?
What daily choices are you making that will allow you to be recognized
at the doorway of the reign of God?

Prayers of Intercession

Today’s Gospel invites us to meditate on the theme of salvation, where Jesus himself is the door to communion with the Father where we will find love, understanding and protection.

May the Church throughout the world recognize that Christ is the door to the Father, and whilst it is a narrow door it is wide open to welcome everyone without distinction to share the banquet of His Kingdom.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For those in Government throughout the world, that they be true servants of their peoples, principled in their decisions and justly generous to those who are in most need and powerless in our society.

May they also recognize and accept the social and ecological responsibilities that comes with power and the consequences of their actions and inactions to the future of our planet and us as a species.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For ourselves, as missionary Disciples, help us to recognize Christ as the open door to God the Father, in one another, however stressed or tired we may be. May we model His teachings by ensuring our doors are wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For our young people as they receive exam results, and those returning to learning this week. May they be valued for who they are and encouraged to reach their unique potential, knowing they are loved and wanted by our Lord

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For all those in our communities who are in desperate need; for those filled with guilt; who are broken-hearted, confused and afraid, lonely and isolated in these uncertain economic times. May they gain strength from their faith in God, and receive loving support and meaningful practical help from us to protect their health and future lives.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For those in pain of any kind, who are sick at home or in hospital. May they be treated with love and compassion, dignity and respect in their illness. May they find healing and recovery and be given a sense of God’s presence by those who care for them. We remember in love all on the Prayer Foundation list.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For all who have died and those grieving a loss

We remember especially: Jim Healy, Jim O’Donnell, Michael Rodgers, Alex Cameron.

May they rest in the peace of the Lord.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We will now say our cluster prayer

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

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 - 22nd Sunday of the Year C

Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal

to the house of one of the leading Pharisees;

and they watched him closely.

He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed

how they picked the places of honour.

He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast,

do not take your seat in the place of honour.

A more distinguished person than you may have been invited,

and the person who invited you both may come and say,

“Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment,

you would have to go and take the lowest place.

No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there,

so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.”

In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Then he said to his host,

‘When you give a lunch or a dinner,

do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours,

for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return.

No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate,

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

A couple of quotes for today: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."

“O, wad some Power the giftie gie us. To see oursels as others see us!

It wad frae monie a blunder free us, An' foolish notion.”

Are you up for sharing a "foolish notion" from the past? It will do your self-worth a power of good!
Has the hunger for status and influence in the world around you endangered your life as a Christian?