Seventh 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 97 The Lord is King

John 17: 20-26  Father, may they be completely one.


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’


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)

In today's church there are deep divisions of which Pope Francis is keenly aware.

His synodal approach wants us to listen to the one Spirit speaking through each of us.

A diamond shines brightest when the light strikes its many faces at the same time.

The oneness of God in us and with us - that brings us to our destined home.

  1. Catch yourself in a conversation this week where you are not listening to the person but wanting to tell them what you think. Stop yourself - begin to listen intently to the person behind the words.
  2.  What difference has it made in your life when you made a decision in accord with Jesus' teachings?

Prayers of Intercession


For the church, as we read in this week's gospel that Jesus prays we will be one as he and the Father are one. May faith leaders and those who profess to follow Jesus, engage with the differences among us ,and listen with love to those with whom they disagree.

Together may we be the Easter people, and celebrate the whole earth as the body of Christ.

 

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer

 

Today is the final day of the 7th Laudato Si week ,focussing on listening and walking together. May the message of Pope Francis to hear the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor, remain at the forefront of the church’s outreach as it strives to become an agent of change, to help the healing of our broken universe.

 

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer

 

For all who continue to be affected by war and violence around the world and governments' responses to this. May all our securities come not from weapons, but respect. May our strength come not from violence, but from love. May the peace of the Lord be ours to share with all humanity.

 

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer

 

For ourselves that we may be empowered to recognise the social and ecological injustices in our community and strive to become good stewards of our common home, and ambassadors for those who are struggling with rising prices and debt. May we be granted the grace to expand our imagination beyond what we currently believe is possible, to create a future where all life can flourish.

 

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer

 

For all who are struggling with health or emotional problems. When all seems lost may they experience the Lord's peace and find strength for the road ahead.

We remember all on the Prayer Foundation list and those placed on our hearts.

 

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer


For all who have died and those left grieving a loss

We remember: Pat Hogg, Frank Smith and John Norman.

May they rest in the peace of the Lord.

 

Lord in your mercy      Hear our prayer

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 - Pentecost Sunday C

John 14:15-16,23-26  As the Father sent me, so am I sending you:

receive the Holy Spirit.


Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you for ever.
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said 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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

We are promised "another" advocate, the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the first advocate whose entire life was a Word explaining who God is and what is God's will for us. The second advocate will help us discern what that Word means for us as we travel together on our faith journey.

  1. Pray for guidance to discern your gifts and the gifts of those in your community.
    If you are in a group, tell each other what gifts you see in them and reflect on what they tell you.
  2. What are some of the most important things to ask of God?