30th 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 18:9-14 The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.

Jesus spoke the following parable to some people

who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else:

‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself,

“I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind,

and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.

I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.”

The tax collector stood some distance away,

not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said,

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

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)

If we are honest there's probably a bit of both characters in us at different times...

We can get frustrated with people who "don't practise" their faith any more

yet we know at the same time that we fall short of what God wants from us and rely on his mercy.

Describe an experience (maybe about belief) when you felt humble enough to see things differently.
When have you felt self-satisfied in observing the mistakes of others?
What should we remember at such times?

Prayers of Intercession

On this World Mission Sunday, we are called not to be silent about the wonders God has done.

It is our chance to be true missionary disciples by showing love, solidarity, care and compassion to our brothers and sisters here at home and overseas who share our faith.

Let us join in prayer, with missionaries everywhere, here and abroad, to support them in spreading the Good News and in bringing about the Kingdom.

Lord in your love. Hear our prayer.

For our Holy Father Pope Francis, first missionary of the Church and for the bishops and clergy of Scotland that they may lead us, ‘the People of God’ in holiness and in witness to Christ our Saviour.

Lord in your love, hear our prayer.

For those called to be leaders in our secular society. May they listen to those they serve and act with humility as our readings today show that God favours. May they demonstrate integrity, courage and strength, in seeking justice and inclusivity for all.

Lord in your love. Hear our prayer

For all those struggling here in our community to makes ends meet, due to the cost -of- living crisis in this looming threat of recession. May they find the support and help they need, and may those who can, seek and implement sustainable solutions to these challenges.

Lord in your love. Hear our prayer.

For those suffering because of the effects of recent natural disasters; floods, hurricanes, droughts, caused by climate changes, and conflicts caused by greed and indifference. May we here not forget them but join the global community in responding to the urgent needs with generosity and compassion.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For those who are unwell or in pain of any kind. May they feel a sense of God’s presence by those who care and pray for them. We remember in love all on our Prayer Foundation list.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For those who have died and those whose anniversaries fall at this time

We remember especially, Anne Doig, Mary Gilhooley, Christopher MacKinnon, Louis Alfonso Torres Llano, and Patrick Devine.

May they rest in the peace of the Lord.

Let's continue with 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 - 31st Sunday of the Year C

Luke 19:1-10 The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town

when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance:

he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man.

He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was,

but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree

to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way.

When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him:

‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’

And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully.

They all complained when they saw what was happening.

‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said.

But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord,

‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor,

and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’

And Jesus said to him,

‘Today salvation has come to this house,

because this man too is a son of Abraham;

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

"Zacchaeus!" - often used as a curse by many a Jericho Jew but now springing from the lips

of the friendly face of Jesus as he looks up at this little man perched in a tree.

If we looked with the eyes of Jesus, what a different world we would experience.

Talk about a time when you accepted someone - warts and all -
and thereby brought about a change. Or vice versa
During the next week, what could you do to welcome someone who usually feels excluded?