Seventh 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 17: 1 -11  Father, glorify your Son.


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do.
Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world was. I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you;
for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me.
I pray for them; I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified.
I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.’

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)

Jesus prays for his disciples because he is going and they are facing a hostile world.

There is that "between time" when Jesus has left the world and the Spirit is yet to descend.

In our "between time" let's pray as we seek the way forward on our Synodal journey.

  1. Recall a time when you felt you had to stand up and be counted. What happened? (Share)
  2. Who needs you to pray for them this week, as Jesus prayed for his disciples?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession


The Easter season is drawing to its conclusion. We have spent these weeks trying to grasp the meaning of Christ’s resurrection and our own Baptism. Let us pray that we will be strengthened to bear fruit for the reign of God in the world.

We pray for Pope Francis and all our clergy that they continue to lead us all, by their example, in living out the Gospel.

Lord in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.


That all Christians glorify God’s name as we strive to live out our Gospel mission, even in the face of opposition and persecution.

Lord in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.


That all nations share Earth’s life-giving natural resources generously with those who need them the most.

Lord in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.


For all those who have received the Sacraments of initiation this Easter season, as they deepen their commitment to the Christian way of life through prayer and action.

Lord in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.

 

For all those who are sick in mind, body or soul and all those facing terminal illnesses that God gives them the strength and courage to bear their suffering. We especially remember all those on the prayer foundation list.

Lord in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.


We pray for all those who have died recently Audrey Brown ,Liam O’Malley, Mary Boyle, Margaret Livingston, Christine Morrison and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We pray also for those who mourn loved ones.

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 -  Feast of Pentecost A

      John 20:19-23
As the Father sent me, so am I sending you: receive the Holy Spirit.


In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’

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)

Jesus breathing on his disciples reminds us of the Creator breathing life into Adam and Eve.

Pentecost is the Holy Spirit giving birth to the Church community - being born again.

The Holy Spirit transforms the lives of those who accept/use her gifts.

  1. How has being in a Connect Group empowered you in the Spirit? (You can join one here.)
  2. What important work does Jesus ask of you at this time in your life?*

*All second questions © The Pastoral Center