Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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

Matthew 5: 17-37  You have learnt how it was said to your ancestors;

but I say this to you.


Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.

I have come not to abolish but to complete them.

I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear,

not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law

until its purpose is achieved.

Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments

and teaches others to do the same

will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven;

but the man who keeps them and teaches them

will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.


‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:

You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court.

But I say this to you:

anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court;

if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin;

and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire.

So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar

and there remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first,

and then come back and present your offering.

Come to terms with your opponent in good time

while you are still on the way to the court with him,

or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer,

and you will be thrown into prison.

I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.


‘You have learnt how it was said:

You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you:

if a man looks at a woman lustfully,

he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away;

for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you

than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away;

for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you

than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said:

Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal.

But I say this to you:

everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication,

makes her an adulteress;

and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.


‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors:

You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord.

But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne;

or by the earth, since that is his footstool;

or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king.

Do not swear by your own head either,

since you cannot turn a single hair white or black.

All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no;

anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

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 Law of Moses consisted mainly of restrictions - what not to do - and it acted as the "entrance threshold" to enter into kinship with God. Jesus' "commandment of love" expects more than the minimum.

Kinship with God is not about obligation but about love - freely accepted from God and freely given to others.

  1. Recall an experience when simply "keeping the letter of the law" did not seem enough.
  2. How do you reconcile with those who have offended or hurt you?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

We bring before our heavenly Father, Pope Francis and give thanks for his visit to South Sudan and Congo. May the message of the Gospel of peace, reconciliation  and dignity of all find a home in everyone’s heart both here and in Africa.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

 

We ask that our Lord speak into the hearts of our leaders that they will seek God’s life giving wisdom in making decisions about the economy, health care and justice. We pray that the voices of those most vulnerable will be heard and decisions made that will give hope and dignity to all.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer. 

 

For the people suffering the effects of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria that the international community will be generous in giving practical help and also assist with the long term healing of these communities after such loss of life, homes and livelihoods. We give thanks for those who have responded quickly and generously to the needs of their brothers and sisters.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for our faith communities in south east Edinburgh, that in this season of Lent we will encourage each other to seek the Lord and turn to him more deeply in our hearts, sharing with each other our own unique God-given gifts for the building up on the body of Christ. We pray our efforts will bear fruit so that we will be salt and light to the communities in which we live and work.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer. 

 

We bring before our Lord and our Lady those who are unwell in mind, body or spirit , that they and those who care for them will know God’s peace and strength especially as they await surgery or test results . We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer.

 

For those in our parishes, communities and families, who have passed away recently and those whose anniversaries are at this time , that they will rest in peace in the love of God.  We ask that their loved ones be comforted by God’s Holy Spirit. We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation: Betty Dickinson, Pauline Howie, Bridie Short, Violet Glancy.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer. 

 

We will now say our prayer to be Missionary Disciples.

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 -  Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time A

Matthew 5: 38-48    Love your enemies


Jesus said to his disciples:

‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance.

On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well;

if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him.

Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.


‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy.

But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;

in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven,

for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good,

and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike.

For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit?

Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not?

And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional?

Even the pagans do as much, do they not?

You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

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)

All laws are based on the need for justice but Jesus wants more than justice.

 To be in Kinship with God is to live with love, compassion and forgiveness.

Impossible for us to achieve? Yes (by ourselves) and No (by God's power)

  1. When did you have (or not have) the courage to go the extra mile? What did you learn from this?
  2. What is the point of “turning the other cheek” in an argument, and why is it so hard to do?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center