Fourth Sunday of Easter A

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

John 10:1-10   I am the gate of the sheepfold.


Jesus said:
‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them. So Jesus spoke to them again:
‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come
are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them.
I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’


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)

Often, the sheepfold had no gate - the shepherd was the gate, sleeping in the entrance and guarding the sheep.

If we have children we can see ourselves as "gates" for their protection until they grow up.

As Christians (not just our priests), have we ever thought of ourselves as shepherds as well as sheep?

  1. What experience(s) have caused you to act as a protector to another in some way? What happened?
  2. How are you a shepherd to those in your care?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

Fourth Sunday of Easter

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus the Good Shepherd say “I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full”. May we find fullness of life by seeking God’s will in all we say and do and by our conversations and actions, building bridges of love and healing wherever there is division and hurt.


Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For Pope Francis, our Good Shepherd on earth. May he continue to lead us and guide us by his call for climate justice, as he keeps the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor at the forefront of his ministry. 

  

Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For leaders of governments and all who hold the power for change. May they be full of integrity, wise in their decision making, and put the interests of those they serve before themselves making the poor and vulnerable a priority.

 

Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For ourselves and for our beautiful, suffering world. May we care for it as the Good Shepherd tended his flock as we look at how our life choices impact both on creation and those in greatest need. May we be granted the grace to accept the challenges that lie ahead of us.


Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For our suffering brothers and sisters in Sudan and all countries ravaged by war and civil unrest. In their suffering they may find strength and courage in the knowledge that our loving God, the Good Shepherd, walks alongside them and stands with them in their distress.

We ask for peace, justice and healing in our war torn and divided world.


Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For those who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, at home or in hospital. May they be comforted  in the knowledge that many are praying for them. We remember especially Cath (Mary Thomson’s sister) all those named on the Prayer Foundation list.


Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer


For those who have died and for those who ache with sorrow in their loss of a loved one. Grant them peace. We remember especially Margaret Livingston, Darcio Fernandes and Alan Carnahan.


Lord in your mercy Hear Our Prayer

 

We will now say the Missionary Prayer together.

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 -  Fifth Sunday of Easter A

      John 14:1-12       I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.


Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’

‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father, so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason. I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father.’

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)

God/Jesus wants a relationship with us, not our assent to lots of beliefs.

Let our reading of the scriptures lead us both to prayer (a loving relationship with God)

and to care (a loving relationship with others).

  1. A missionary church is invitational. Let's invite someone "new" this week to coffee/our home/an event.
  2. In a challenge you face right now, what will it mean to live the way of Jesus Christ?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center