33rd Sunday B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy

  • Responsorial Psalm
  • The gospel for the day
    (a useful commentary on the reading         here)
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • COP26 Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead

Psalm 15 (16)

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

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.’

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)

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?

Prayers of Intercession

Sunday 14th November is the fifth World Day of Prayer for the Poor, instigated by Pope Francis in 2017. Let us pray

 

For all who are starved of hope, especially the world’s poor, that their sufferings may be recognised and that the church will be a voice for those lacking the basic necessities of life, will tirelessly serve them, and will courageously call for change, by challenging the systemic causes of poverty.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all the political leaders and delegates who leave the COP26 Conference this weekend. May the Holy Spirit instill in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the poorest and most vulnerable and commit their nations to the care of our common home.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all pregnant women who are anxious about having the resources to support themselves and their babies. May we as a society seek to provide a better system of care and aid for all mothers/parents who are struggling to raise their families.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For our parish community, that we may bring Christ’s healing love to all those in material, emotional or spiritual poverty. May God bless the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and may this service find new life in our Archdiocese.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For ourselves, that we will know in our hearts that Christ is the fulfillment of God’s love and His word will always be with us. May we have the grace to be drawn deeper into the wonder of that love, so that our lives can be a message of hope in our times.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For the sick, suffering and housebound, that they may know the healing touch of God in their lives. In particular we remember all those named in the Prayer Foundation.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all who have died and those who are bereaved.

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

May they now rest in God’s unconditional love.

 

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

John 18:33-37    Yes, I am a king

‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked.

Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord,

or have others spoken to you about me?’

Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’

Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world;

if my kingdom were of this world,

my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’

‘So you are a king then?’ said Pilate.

‘It is you who say it’ answered Jesus. ‘Yes, I am a king.

I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’

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, 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.

 We are at the end of another liturgical year. This will be one to remember for many reasons. Think back over your faith journey in the past year and try to remember any significant moments.

  1. Was there something or someone this year who made you see something about your faith in a more helpful light? (Share with your group)
  2. What would you be doing differently in your life if you truly believed you would meet Christ soon?