Fourth Sunday of the Year B

The following resources are in the form of a video presentation

  • The readings for the day
  • (a useful commentary on these readings here )
  • A Gospel Reflection by Fr Alex
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Closing reflective music

To use the subtitles option click on the "cc" button at the bottom.

If you can't see it, move your mouse over the bottom of the screen.

Having listened to the readings and the homily, you might want simply to reflect yourself on what you have heard 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)

"In the presence of Jesus unclean spirits come shrieking out. But those aren't the ones we need to fear. The scary spirits are the ones that don't speak their name or make their presence known. They hide behind polite masks. Greed pretends to be upward mobility. Envy calls itself a healthy sense of competition. We can be possessed of unclean spirits and not even know they have taken up residence. Sometimes the measures we take to bolster wounded self-esteem are the shadowy reflections of an egoist spirit howling and rattling inside."

(from "This Transforming Word Cycle B" by Alice Camille; Acta Publications)


  1. If you keep reading that quotation over and over, eventually you will become aware of some aspect of your life that needs to be unmasked and probed with the light of the gospel. Write down/record your thoughts in a safe place and return to it from time to time to deepen your understanding and self-awareness.
  2. When has someone's presence in your life brought about change? Was is positive or negative? (Share in your group if you are in one.)

Preparing for next week

For those who would like to start reflecting on next week's gospel,

the text can be found here.

Preparing for next week’s gospel:  Fifth Sunday of the Year B

Mark 1: 29-39  He cured many who suffered from diseases

of one kind or another.

(Some suggestions framed for a group discussion)

'Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can proclaim the message there too, because that is why I came.'

How are we meant to “proclaim the message” when we are not able to cast out demons or cure the sick? Perhaps our mission to evangelise comes in two parts:

  • Pray daily and pray often (today’s gospel shows Jesus doing just that)
  • Rather than talk, perhaps let our actions speak for us. We can’t cure the sick but we can care for them; we can’t cast out demons but we can listen to an anguished heart; we can’t raise the dead but we can comfort the dying.


  1. This week, find the time to put yourself in the presence of God for 10/15 minutes every day. Put the busyness of the day to one side and let God fill the gap.
  2. How do other people respond to Jesus’ call to be missionary disciples? (Ask in your group, but have something to say as well.)
End of Prayer resource