7th Sunday of Easter Year B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day with commentary
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead

John 17:11-19  Father, keep those you have given me true to your name


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one.

They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.'

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings


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)

For John, “the world” is the created order of things gone wrong through the influence of evil.

Order can be restored only by the extraordinary love shown by God in Jesus on the cross.

Love melts divisions; banishes evil; unites all in all.

  1. Often evil has a way of twisting the truth. How has evil manifested itself in your life and how have you coped with it?
  2. What are some of the most important things to ask of God? *


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

The response: He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


In today’s Gospel, Jesus earnestly prays for his disciples and friends that they will remain in him as he is in the Father. Let us ask that the Father keeps all of us faithful to his name and that he will hear and support us as we pray:


For Pope Francis, Bishops, Priest, and Religious – all in leadership roles in our Church that they will listen to and be guided by the Holy Spirit. We pray that none will be lost but that all will remain one in the Father, seeking to do His will and being a light for all in the darkness of our world.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


We pray for our world leaders, governments, politicians and all those called to serve in society. Let us envision a world where they seek to work for all, especially for the poor and marginalised. We pray that they strive to act justly and show kindness and understanding, remembering that they are called to serve those they represent. May our collective prayers ignite a spark of positive change in their hearts and actions.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


Jesus breathed his peace upon his disciples. May his breath of peace extend far and wide over our troubled world. May it fill those working tirelessly for peace, especially in the land where Jesus walked, with strength and courage to continue despite the many obstacles and challenges that they face.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


We pray, especially at this time, for our young people in schools and colleges, those facing exams and those preparing to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion, that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit during this time of preparation.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


As we wait with hope for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, let us give thanks for the Easter journey we have made together in our cluster community. We give thanks for the riches we have received, and the many blessings God has bestowed on us.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


We remember all those struggling in mind, body or spirit that through our prayer, support, and care, they will be comforted and experience the healing peace of Christ.
He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


For all our brothers and sisters who have gone before us to their heavenly home, may they rest in the peace and love of God. We remember those who mourn their loss and ask that they feel the comfort and love of their friends and faith community at this difficult time. Patrick Phelan, Maria Lucaci (Fr Eugen’s mother), Arturo De Guzman and all those whose anniversaries fall at this time. We give thanks for the gift of their lives. May they rest in peace and live in Christ.

He is Risen Alleluia Alleluia


Let us now say together our 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

Preparing for next week -  Feast of Pentecost B

John 15:26-27,16:12-15    The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth


Jesus said to his disciples:

‘When the Advocate comes,whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset.

‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings


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)

Today the church, the community of believers, is born.

Schooled by Jesus and now forged in the fire of the Holy Spirit, we too are led by the Spirit of truth.

This is the communal task of discernment and is the responsibility of all believers.

  1. Have you ever followed the voice of conscience rather than the official teaching of the Church?
    What effect did it have?
  2. When have you felt filled with the Spirit and emboldened to act with courage? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center