Mark 6:7-13  'He began to send them out'.


Jesus called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over the evil spirits and ordered them, "Don't take anything with you on your journey except a stick— no bread, no beggar's bag, no money in your pockets. Wear sandals, but don't carry an extra shirt." He also said, “Wherever you are welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that place. If you come to a town where people do not welcome you or will not listen to you, leave it and shake the dust off your feet. That will be a warning to them!”
So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins. They drove out many demons, and rubbed olive-oil on many sick people and healed them..

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary of 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)

“Take nothing with you” – a staff, sandals, ok – but the clear message is that you don’t actually need anything except... the power of any words spoken in Jesus' name. Imagine their terror when they set out knowing virtually nothing, yet their joyous news on their return. Food for thought on our journey...


  1. Share a time when you were able to let go of the disappointment of your failures and get on with your life.
  2. What good news of Jesus can you share with others this week? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

In today’s Gospel Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs to spread his message of love, repentance and forgiveness. We pray that we may be courageous Missionary Disciples and be true witnesses of the goodness and generosity of God, by the way we live our lives, reaching out to those in need and building a community of faith, hope, and love.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For Pope Francis, that he will be blessed with the health and energy to continue his mission of reform and renewal in the Church.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For world leaders that they will be free from selfish ambition and govern with wisdom and justice, promoting peace and the common good for all, especially the poor and vulnerable. We pray that our world will one day be free from conflict, and hatred turned to love.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For those whose lives are dedicated to feeding the hungry and providing shelter and care for the homeless and those on the margins of society. May they be strengthened and blessed in their work and not lose heart.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


We pray for the sick, in hospital or at home and particularly for those suffering serious illness that will be comforted by our prayers and by the love and support of those who care for them

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For all who have died recently and for those who mourn their loss.

We remember especially Mark McHugh Pratt, Helen Barratt, and Anne Grieve. May they rest in peace.

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 -  16th Sunday B

Mark 6:30-34   'They were like sheep without a shepherd'.


The apostles returned and met with Jesus, and told him all they had done and taught. There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn't even have time to eat. So he said to them, "Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest for a while". So they started out in a boat by themselves for a lonely place.

Many people, however, saw them leave and knew at once who they were; so they went from all the towns and ran ahead by land and arrived at the place ahead of Jesus and his disciples. When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw this large crowd, and his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things.


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary of 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)

As his boat nears the shore Jesus looks out on a crowd of people who are without a shepherd (pastor-less) and looking for spiritual nourishment (pasture-less). In our own faith journey there are probably times when we seem lost in some ways and look around for something or someone to guide us.

  1. Have you ever felt “pastorless” or “pastureless”? Where or from whom did you seek support?
  2. What do you do to rest so that you can return to work refreshed? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center