28th 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 22: 1 - 14  Invite everyone you can to the wedding.


Jesus began to speak to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them.

The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
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)

God does not exclude anyone from the banquet; it is people themselves who make excuses or are not properly prepared for it. In God's eyes everyone is unworthy - yet everyone is welcome.

There is a message here for all of us who make judgements about who is "worthy" or "unworthy".

  1.  How do we reach out to those who feel excluded or unwanted at our Eucharist?
    Have you tried?
  2. How do you translate your faith into the work of the Reign of God?  *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In the first reading we hear of a “banquet of rich food” and in the gospel a “wedding feast” which our loving God has prepared for his people. We give thanks for all the gifts bestowed on us and ask for the grace to use them wisely and for the benefit of all.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.

 

For Pope Francis and all the Synodal participants gathered in Rome; May our international needs for reform and integrity be made known to every leader. May the Holy Spirit break through any resistance as they listen and reflect upon the needs of our Church.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.

 

We look with sorrow at the violence in the Holy Land and pray that the peace, love and tolerance preached by Jesus on this very ground be restored to those who now and for many years have suffered the loss of home, land and even life itself.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.

 

For a new awareness of integrity for all political leaders. May every nation attend to the needs of people struggling in poverty and hunger. May we all be given opportunities to live in peace.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.


For justice in the food industry, for all workers exposed to toxic chemicals and pesticides and for those not paid a living wage in the world’s greed for excessive consumption and corporate profit.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.

 

For all who are unwell in mind, body or spirit. May we reach out to those who most need us when their health fails.

Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer.

 

For all who have died recently and those who mourn their loss

We remember especially Tony Cuthill, Jennifer McGeever, Mary Deane, Eileen Floyd and Kathy Duffy.

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 -  29th Sunday  A

      Matthew 22:15-21   Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.

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)

When Jesus asks about the coin: "Who's name is it?" it is because the inscription was probably translated as "Tiberius, son of the divine Caesar Augustus."

So give Tiberius his coinage claim to be a son of God but remember who truly is the Son of God.

  1. Describe an experience of being caught in a no-win situation with family, at work or in society.
  2. How much responsibility do you feel the government should take for meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our society?
    How willing are you to contribute?     *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center