John 6:24-35  'He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.'


When the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they got into those boats and went to Capernaum, looking for him.
When the people found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they said to him, "Teacher, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered, "I am telling you the truth: you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all you wanted, not because you understood my miracles.
Do not work for food that goes bad; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him.”

So they asked him, "What can we do in order to do what God wants us to do?"

Jesus answered, "What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent."

They replied, "What miracle will you perform so that we may see it and believe you? What will you do

Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, just as the scripture says, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

"I am telling you the truth," Jesus said. "What Moses gave you was not the bread from heaven; it is my

Father who gives you the real bread from heaven.

For the bread that God gives is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

“Sir,” they asked him, “give us this bread always.”

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”


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


Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: seewww.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)

If we miss just one meal, we soon notice we’re hungry. What’s not so obvious is that without a daily awareness of God in our spiritual lives we’ll become disorientated – our faith journey will start to meander.


  1. Has weekly Mass/Communion misled us into thinking that daily prayer/contemplation/communion with God is not that important? Share your strategies about this.
  2. When has the bread of life given you the strength you needed to face a difficult situation in your life? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

For the Pope, bishops and others gathering for the Synod next month.

Let us pray for what one of the organisers called – “a strong desire for a Church based on relationships rather than bureaucracy or structures.”

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


We know people living in extreme poverty around the world are worst hit by the climate crisis but have done the least to contribute to it.

We pray for world leaders and those in positions of global influence in relation to climate change; may they make courageous decisions to reduce environmental pollution and prevent the destruction of our common home

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer


For people everywhere where there is conflict, division and war both in distant countries and in our streets.

May all come to realise how deep is God’s desire for them to live as daughters and sons of the one great human family.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer


For our cluster communities as they give consideration to candidates for membership of the Cluster Pastoral Council.

Let us pray for guidance as we put forward names but most of all, let each of us take responsibility for becoming more active members of our communities, using our talents for the service of all.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer


For all pupils, students and staff returning to school after the holidays.

We pray that schools will be a place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued: a place where they love to learn and where they learn to love.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer


For those who are laid low by suffering and those who are experiencing pain and distress at this time.

Comfort them with your presence and give them courage and hope.

We remember of those on the Prayer Foundation list and give thanks for those who pray for them.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer


We remember those who have died and those whose anniversaries fall at this time, in particular… Aneta Macaulay, Charlie Burns, Richard Ross, Jeanette Mulgrew and Ethan Hunter.

Give strength to those who are left to grieve and help us to share in each other's sorrow.

We give thanks for our cluster bereavement group who give such loving support to those left behind.

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 -  20th Sunday B

John 6:51-58   'My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.'


I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live for ever. The bread that I will give him is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live."

This started an angry argument among them. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.

Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him to life on the last day. For my flesh is the real food; my blood is the real drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him. The living Father sent me, and because of him I live also. In the same way whoever eats me will live because of me. This, then, is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread that your ancestors ate, but then later died. The one who eats this bread will live for ever."


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)

Perhaps we should stop trying to “understand” this mystery. Often Jesus did not seek people’s understanding – he wanted their faith in him. Like the man with the boy who was possessed we should say, 'I have faith. Help my lack of faith!'

  1. Pray daily the Our Father with these words: “Give us this day our daily bread, our daily bread of life…
    Share your thoughts about this.
  2. How does Jesus’ promise of eternal life affect the way you live today?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center