32nd Sunday B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy

  • The gospel for the day
  • Responsorial Psalm
    (a useful commentary on the reading         here)
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Our Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead

Psalm 145  My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

 

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

 

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

 

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down.

It is the Lord who loves the just,

the Lord, who protects the stranger.

 

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

 

He upholds the widow and orphan

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for every,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

 

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

My soul give praise, praise to the Lord

Mark 12:38-44   This poor widow has put in more than all
In his teaching Jesus said,

‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes,

to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares,

to take the front seats in the synagogues

and the places of honour at banquets;

these are the men who swallow the property of widows,

while making a show of lengthy prayers.

The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’
He sat down opposite the treasury

and watched the people putting money into the treasury,

and many of the rich put in a great deal.

A poor widow came and put in two small coins,

the equivalent of a penny.

Then he called his disciples and said to them,

‘I tell you solemnly,

this poor widow has put more in

than all who have contributed to the treasury;

for they have all put in money they had over,

but she, from the little she had,

has put in everything she possessed,

all she had to live on.’
This is is the gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.

Having read the gospel, you might want simply to reflect yourself on what you have read 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)

People whose faith is strong are fearless in the face of authority of any kind.

Last week, Jesus praised the scribe who placed love above religious practices; this week he praises the widow who contributed virtually nothing to the temple treasury and everything in her heart to God.


  1. How are you, personally, trying to live the gospel message of love in spite of the material world's hostility/indifference to it? (Share)
  2. What are you willing to give out of love for God that would be a hardship for you?

Prayers of Intercession

We join with Pope Francis in his Radio 4 “Thought for the day” message in praying that:

“each of us - whoever and wherever we may be –

can play our own part in changing our collective response

to the unprecedented threat of climate change and the degradation of our common home."

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

That world leaders gathered in Glasgow, and others who did not attend,

will see the futile nature of seeking to gain the whole world, but losing our earthly  planet.

Living together in cooperation and sharing the resources which God has provided

is our only salvation.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For those struggling either mentally or physically because of the restrictions and bereavements

brought about by the pandemic.

May they be given hope and comfort by a loving God and a caring neighbour.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all those in our communities who are sick, bed-bound or isolated.

We thank God for the many parishioners who are keeping in touch with them

and providing the loving presence of Jesus through their visits and phone calls.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For those who have died recently

and for all those whom we call to mind especially in this month of November –

both family, friends and all those lost in wars of different kinds.

We remember especially:

John McIntosh, John Allan, Kathleen Clark, Bridget Coyle, Danny Coyle and Mary McConville.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prayer for the COP26 Conference

Loving Creator,

at this moment in earth’s history

when humanity must take account of earth’s destiny,

give to those leaders who gather in Glasgow

a sense of urgency, a perception of necessity

and the wisdom and will

to secure the health and well-being of the world

at whatever the cost to wealth,

political advantage or prestige.

 

ALL:

And give to us all a vision

of a world restored to full health

that is worthy of all those yet to be born

and worth all the work, sacrifice and

commitment which is ours to offer.

Amen.

Preparing for next week

Mark 13:24-32     He will gather his chosen from the four winds.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘In those days, after the time of distress,

the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness,

the stars will come falling from heaven

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds

with great power and glory;

then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.
‘Take the fig tree as a parable:

as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out,

you know that summer is near.

So with you when you see these things happening:

know that he is near, at the very gates.

I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away

all these things will have taken place.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it,

neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’

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, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.

This gospel has an eerie relevance as the world's powers and scientists gather in Glasgow to discuss how to avoid the "end times". Whilst mostly young people are protesting about the threat to our future, how serious are we about taking practical steps that will not rob them of theirs?

  1.  What will you "do without" or "do differently" this week to make a start on lightening your carbon footprint?
  2. What would you be doing differently in your life if you truly believed you would meet Jesus soon?