32nd 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 20: 27-38 He is God, not of the dead, but of the living.

Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection –

approached Jesus and they put this question to him,

‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless,

the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother.

Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless.

The second and then the third married the widow.

And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children.

Finally the woman herself died.

Now, at the resurrection,

to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’

Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands,

but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world

and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die,

for they are the same as the angels,

and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God.

And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush

where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.

Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’

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)

"The resurrection is not just about life after death but life before death too: full, abundant life.

Can we move from being "children of the world" to "children of the resurrection" in the here and now?"

Delve Deeper by Triona Docherty & Jane Mellett 23rd Publications

What image does this conjure up for you?
How does your belief in the resurrection of the dead affect the way you live?

Prayers of Intercession

We pray for Pope Francis, all bishops and priests of our Church who proclaim the Gospel of life.

May their positive affirmation of the dignity of each person give us confidence that we are all welcome in God’s house.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray in support of all people who are undergoing persecution or rejection because of their faith.

May they be strengthened in their resolve to stand firm in their beliefs, comforted by the words given to them by Jesus.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We remember the women and men who have given their lives for our freedom.

We pray for members of our armed forces that their efforts at this time will contribute to world peace.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for our faith communities. Especially our Sister parish of St John Vianney as they discern the way forward as a Faith community, that they may be open to the Spirit’s guidance and the support of the cluster parishes.

Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.

We pray for the sick of our cluster and for all who have asked for our prayers through the prayer foundation.

Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.

During the month of November when we traditionally pray for the loss of our loved ones, we pray especially for those who mourn them.

We pray especially for those who have died recently Anne Doig, Mary Gilhooley, Patrick Devine and Lucas Mackenzie, and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they be held in God’s loving care.

Lord, Hear us, Lord graciously hear us.

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 - 33rd Sunday of the Year C

Luke 21: 5-19

When some were talking about the Temple,

remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings,

Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now –

the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another:

everything will be destroyed.’

And they put to him this question:

‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then,

and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said

‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and,

“The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them.

And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened,

for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’

Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there;

there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you;

they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment,

and bring you before kings and governors because of my name –

and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence,

because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom

that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends;

and some of you will be put to death.

You will be hated by all men on account of my name,

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

After the destruction of the temple in 70 AD the Romans literally carried away its stones to build other cities. Only the "Wailing Wall" with its massive stones were left. The Temple has gone - probably for ever.

We marvel at the beauty of our planet but it too is threatened with utter destruction.

This is God's creation which is under threat - and the threat is real.

Even with a European war, shortages of all kinds and environmental "end times", there are always those who bring light and hope because they ultimately trust the Creator. When have you experienced this?
How does your belief in the resurrection of the dead affect the way you live?