23rd Sunday A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

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

Matthew 18: 15-20  If your brother listens to you, you have won back your brother.


Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’
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)

When our point of view on faith and morals is challenged we rarely think this is a good thing.

It threatens our conceit of always being "right" and suggests possibilities other than our own.

By staying closed to alternatives, our synodal journey (upcoming in Rome) will come to a dead end.

  1. Recall an experience where a religious sermon/discussion profoundly changed your point of view.
  2. How have you been able to follow Christ more closely because others patiently loved you?  *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In today’s gospel, we hear Jesus tell his disciples, ‘If two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted by my Father in heaven’. With confidence in Jesus’ word, we bring our prayers before our Father.

 

As Pope Francis continues to shepherd the flock of Christ, may he be given the strength and wisdom to persevere in these challenging times, inspiring young and old alike. May we listen to his guidance and be witnesses to Christ wherever we are.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For our world where so many are struggling because of war, famine, oppression, the effects of climate change, and indifference to their plight. May we pray earnestly for peace and changes in the hearts of world leaders so that all may live in peace and harmony, sharing the fruits of our earth equally amongst all.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

In this season of creation we give thanks for the beautiful world we live in. We ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with gratitude and joy and inspire us to do all we can, no matter how small, to safeguard creation so that all who live on this planet may share its resources, treading lightly in love and care.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For our nation, where there seems to be so much discord and strife – that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the minds of our politicians to see that working together for the good of all the four nations is the way forward for lasting harmony, stability, and peace at home and in the world.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For our cluster parishes that the Holy Spirit will fall afresh on us, guiding us and helping us to be true missionary disciples ready to share our gifts and talents with each other and with all whom we encounter; that the gentle call of the Spirit will be heard by many to follow the Alpha Course and the invitation to deepen faith and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For our young people in schools, colleges and universities that the Holy Spirit will guide them in their studies, in their relationships and in the choices they make in their lives; that we will support them and continue to pray for them as they face the many challenges of our ever-changing world.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For our sick parishioners, friends, and family and all those on the prayer foundation list – that the Lord will lay his healing hand on them, bringing them comfort and peace – and strength and compassion to those who care for them at home, in hospital, nursing homes or hospices.

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.

 

For all those who have died – may they now be at peace in their eternal home with the Father, and may those who mourn their loss be blessed and comforted.

We remember especially, Una Laing, Ann Murphy, Gillian Wright, Mary Fairley (Sr Ninian's sibling).

Lord, in your mercy,              Hear our prayer.


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

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 -  24th Sunday  A

      Matthew18: 21-35  I do not tell you to forgive seven times, but seventy-seven times. 


Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.

Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.

His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’

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)


That God has already forgiven both the sins we've committed and those in the future...

...is difficult to get our heads around. And when we do, it's even more difficult to hold back the tears.

The gospel today is not the whole story: God is not the one who punishes  - we do that to ourselves.

  1. Write down 3 names of people/events/situations for which you struggle to offer forgiveness.
    In God's presence, read them aloud several times and ask for God's help.
    Now destroy the list in whatever way you want but imagining that God is doing the same to your sins.
    (Share one of them in your group if you feel able).
  2. When someone hurts you, how do you forgive them? *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center