Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

The gospel for the day
Commentary on the readings
Some optional questions for reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Cluster Prayer
The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Matthew 25: 31 - 46 I was naked and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.”

Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”
‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.” 'And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

This is the gospel of the Lord.

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)

At the Final Judgement will we see a video summary of our lives based on our response to the poor, the homeless, the stranger and those imprisoned by addictions of various kinds?

We'll realise that we have already passed judgement on ourselves: eternal life with or without God.

Two stars and a wish... Write down two things where you respond to "the least of the brethren".
Where else could you respond - and who could ask for help to get started?
In what ways is Jesus the ruler of your life? *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

At Mass today we hear about Christ at the end times.

We should not be fearful about what is to come, but to support one another by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and caring for the ill ,encouraged by our good and faithful shepherd .In by doing so, when judgement time comes we can be ready and rejoice over the good deeds that have built up God’s Kingdom.

For the whole church, Shepherded by Pope Francis and all the bishops and clergy in the name of the Good Shepherd.

Lord in your mercy..

For earthly kings and queens and all in authority that they will guide the people they lead into the ways of lasting peace.

Lord in you mercy..

For those who are hungry and thirsty that they receive the kindness and generosity of those who are more fortunate.

Lord in your mercy..

For those who are ill and have no-one to care for them, for those in prison who have no-one to visit them that they will be comforted by those who are willing and able to carry out these ministries.
Lord in your mercy..

For the young people in our community that they will grow in faith and in the desire to serve their brothers and sisters.
Lord in your mercy..

That this advent season will find us prepared to discover the Lord in the most unexpected places.

Lord in your mercy..

We pray for all those on the prayer foundation list, for all those who are suffering in mind, body or soul, for all those who have died recently.

Lord in your mercy..

And for all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Lord in your mercy..

We will now say our Missionary prayer together.

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 - First Sunday of Advent B

Mark 13: 33-37 Stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

This is the gospel of the Lord.

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Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Being a missionary disciple is something we do NOW as we go about our daily business.

We are not waiting for the Master as such.

In this way we are always ready for his coming - morning, noon or night.

At the end of each day it's good to reflect on our attempts to be Christian witnesses.
Share something you've discovered with your connect group or a confidant.
How do you know when you’re following Christ and living his teachings faithfully? *