Fourth Sunday B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day
  • Commentary on the readings
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Mark 1:21-28  He taught them with authority.

After Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.


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)

The gospel speaks to every age and generation but the message has to come through the culture and language of that audience. The people heard something "new" - yet Jesus was explaining their own scriptures - but speaking with authority.

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

  1. Who are the authentic Christian teachers of your generation and what have you learned from them? (Share)
  2. What can you tell others about Jesus with the most assurance? *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession


In today’s Gospel we are reminded, that the only authority Jesus had was His supreme confidence that what He did and said was God’s will and truth. He used His authority, not to obtain power for Himself, but to serve humanity.

 

Let us pray on this Racial Justice Sunday for Pope Francis and all prophets who bring challenges to humanity. May they be given the courage they need, especially when faced with opposition, to spread God’s message of justice and peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For the world’s leaders and diplomats, that they will see and understand that all nations belong to a common home. May they, in their hearts, recognise the dignity and worth of every human being and be willing to enter into negotiations to bring an end to all wars.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all those possessed by addictions, destructive spirits and despair. May they find in Jesus, healing through the dedication and compassion of everyone who supports them in their need.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For our local churches at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, that we will recognise all that we hold in common as members of the Body of Christ and that the Holy Spirit will help us to co-operate in confronting together issues of poverty, violence and neglect that exist locally.

Lord in you mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For ourselves, that we will respond to the authority of Jesus in accepting His invitation to live as people of the Kingdom of God.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For all in our community who are sick in body, mind or spirit, and everyone on the Prayer Foundation List. May they be comforted in their suffering and may those who care for them receive the strength and patience they need.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

For everyone in our cluster parishes who has died and in particular Frances Friel, Lorraine Sherlock (Sr Jeannette’s sister), Annie Ogden, Stevie Donald, Gillian Elizabeth Hawkins, Helen McKay Thompson.

May Christ welcome them into the fullness of life and joy and may those who mourn them find comfort in God’s unconditional love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.


Let us now say together our 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 -  Fifth Sunday B

      Mark 1:29-39  He cast out devils and cured many who were suffering from disease.


On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straight away. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.

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)

Notice Jesus' emphasis on moving around and going to as many villages as he could. This is the mark of the missionary - to meet new people, new situations, new challenges.

Staying in one's comfort zone is the devil's waiting room - get out of there...

  1. Who/what are your main challenges in seeking to be a missionary disciple?
  2. When have you felt the sadness of Job?
    When have you felt the joy of those who witnessed the healing works of Jesus?         *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center