Matthew 28: 16-20  Go and make disciples of all nations


The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’


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)

"Everyone moved by the Spirit is a Daughter/Son of God." (Second reading) What a gift!

How can we work with the Spirit to "move" people towards a love of God and so to eternal life with God?

The Trinity is relationships; love is relationships; missionary discipleship is relationships...

  1. Talking to friends at the weekend Mass is "maintenance"; talking to someone new is "missionary".
  2. What signs of God’s love have you witnessed in your life? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In today’s Gospel we hear how the disciples were told by Jesus to go make disciples of all nations. As disciples ourselves as we work to make our church a missionary church, we ask our Father who made us, his son who saved us and the Holy Spirit who rejuvenates us, to help us on our discipleship.


For our Church led by Pope Francis, as we seek to truly be a church for the poor utilising the gifts and fruits given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


For leaders of governments throughout the world that they make wise decisions for the people they lead and strive to bring about justice and peace among the nations.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


For the peace of the Holy Spirit to spread amongst war torn nations, particularly for the peoples of Ukraine and those in the Middle East.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


As the children in our cluster prepare for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that they have an understanding of the Holy Trinity – of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We pray also for those who prepare children for the Sacraments that they be blessed in their ministries.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


For the SPRED community especially, as they join us this weekend. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit be recognised in their friends and their Catechists as they celebrate their faith with us through symbolism and song.


Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


For those who are sick those mentioned on the prayer foundation list, and for those who care for them that they maybe filled with the Holy Spirit and given strength and courage bearing their illness and that they discover the kindness and compassion of Christ from those who tend their needs.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


We pray for all those who have died especially:

Arturo De Guzman, Callum Hart, Patricia Reilly and Marion Arnott.


That they may now enjoy the fullness of eternal life with our Father in heaven and for those who mourn loved ones that they be helped by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lord in your mercy ….. Hear our prayer.


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 the Body and Blood of Christ B

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 This is my Body. This is my blood.


On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to Jesus, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house which he enters, “The Master says: Where is my dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there.’ The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.


And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’

After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives.


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 must surely affirm the presence of Jesus among us as we gather as the People of God.

Not only did he promise to be among us, without his death and resurrection -

timelessly re-enacted at Mass - there can be no eternal life in the family of God.


  1. After you have received Holy Communion, what thoughts and feelings do you have? (Share if in a group)
  2. In what ways have you practised the words of Jesus and been bread for others? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center