26th 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 21: 28-32 Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.


Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said.

Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in 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)

Being missionary disciples isn't easy. Sometimes we duck out - the consequences seem too dire; sometimes we fudge it; sometimes we follow through and do the right thing - praise God!

That narrow road involves 2 steps forward and 1 back - but we're going in the right direction...

  1. Describe an event or encounter that made you change your behaviour or attitude about your faith.
  2. When have your actions not measured up to your promises? What was the outcome?  *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In the Gospel today, the work in the vineyard may be compared to the urgent work of caring for our sacred planet and all of its forms which live in delicate ecosystems, where everything is connected.

 

Let us pray:-

For Pope Francis, that his prophetic call for climate justice will touch more and more hearts everywhere. May everyone come to realise that it is the poor and vulnerable who suffer most as a result of greed and indifference.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For the church, on the eve of a new phase in the synodal journey, that the presence of the Gospel alive and at work in her may make her, like the vineyard in the parable, a breath of hope in our chaotic world.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For world leaders as they meet in the coming months to make crucial decisions for our common home. May they honour UN agreements to reduce global warming and to eliminate poverty.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For young people, that they may be inspired by the example of Saint Francis to make mature lifestyle choices that are sustainable, promote the safeguarding of ecosystems, and encourage practices that respect the fundamental rights of everyone.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For ourselves that, like the first son in today’s parable, we will change our minds, turn around and live simply, so that others can simply live, and help to bring in the reign of God.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For those who are sick, housebound or in hospital and all on the Prayer Foundation List. May they experience God’s unconditional love through those who care for them.

Creator of all, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all who have died and those whose anniversaries occur at this time and in particular.........

May Christ welcome them into His Kingdom, where suffering is no more and grace is brought to perfection.

Creator of all, 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 -  27th Sunday  A

      Matthew 21: 33-43
This is the landlord's heir: come, let us kill him.


Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

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)

Jesus is at his withering best but it only hurts because he is facing them with the truth.

His compassion wears thin with those who are self-righteous and think themselves morally superior.

Those who KNOW they are sinners find in Jesus a loving haven - and their true home.

  1. Recall a time when you "took the moral high ground" in judging someone, only to find you were wrong about them after all. (Share)
  2. How have you used your talents and abilities well for the Reign of God? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center