Fifth Sunday of Easter C
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
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions
Psalm 144 I will praise your name forever, my king and my God
R. I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in Love
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all Creation
R. I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.
Let all your works give thanks to you O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.
John 13:31-33,34-35 In the Son of Man, God has been glorified.
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
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)
Of all the world religions, Christianity is the one which explicitly uses the word "love" -
going so far as to record Jesus saying: "Love your enemies".
Only by continually immersing ourselves in relationship with Jesus will we learn what that love is.
- "Love is the other side of the coin of suffering." Reflect on/Share some aspect of that coin with your group.
- When have you seen the power of love overcome a bad situation?
Prayers of Intercession
For the church and all faith communities, that God’s presence will be revealed in the whole universe and in the smallest creatures. May the desire of everyone’s heart be to sow beauty, not pollution, to be filled with awe and contemplation and to recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
St John gives us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth. May our world leaders constantly work for that day, when all the people in every nation may enjoy security, peace and a decent standard of living.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For everyone who is suffering as a result of war, especially in Ukraine. We bring before God all who are now refugees. May they experience the power of God’s love and compassion through those working alongside them, bringing relief. May the Holy Spirit give them strength to endure and faith and trust in God who hears their cries.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For the churches in our community and especially for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as committee members meet this Sunday afternoon, to discuss the future of SEECAT.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For ourselves, that we will respond to Christ’s commandment to love one another as He loves us. May we come before God daily asking that all our resentments, pain, bitterness and need for revenge, are transformed through God’s love into compassion, mercy and forgiveness, in all our relationships.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For all who are sick, injured, in hospital or distressed in any way and those on the Prayer Foundation list. May they draw strength through the Holy Spirit and know that God is with them in all their troubles.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
For those who have died and all whose anniversaries occur at this time, especially
Pat Hogg,
Frank Smith,
John Norman,
Fiona Scott,
Eileen Donaldson,
Margaret Linforth.
May they be granted the fullness of life and joy with God, their Creator.
Lord in your mercy, hear our 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
