20th Sunday 2024 - Year B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

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.

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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)

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!'

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.
How does Jesus’ promise of eternal life affect the way you live today?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

Today’s Gospel brings us a challenge to accept and always have within us the true presence of Christ.

We know this presence through the Eucharist.

Jesus is offering himself as food, that will bring us eternal life.

He comes to us in the Eucharist, to make himself present

with us, and in us, and to offer us everlasting life with him.

May the lord transform by the power of his Sacrament all those who receive it.

Lord in your Mercy, Hear our prayer

For Pope Francis, that he will be blessed with the courage to lead the faithful with wisdom, integrity and compassion and that the holy spirit may continue to guide and strengthen him.

Lord in your Mercy, Hear our prayer

For leaders in every part of the World. May they strive to facilitate reconciliation and peace and find ways to end injustice, prejudice and suffering.

Lord in your Mercy, Hear our prayer

For our Cluster Parishes, that we will work together, sharing our gifts and talents to realise our Vision for our Cluster community.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

For all children as they begin another school year. That they discover their true gifts and may their talents be nourished and supported by their teachers and family members

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

For all who are sick and those who care for them, and everyone on the prayer foundation list. That Gods healing love may strengthen and comfort them.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

For all those who have died recently especially: Aneta Macaulay, Oscar (aged 8), Charlie Burns, Richard Ross, Jeanette Mulgrew, Ethan Hunter. and for all whose anniversaries fall at this time.

May they be blessed in the sight of God taking their place in

the sanctuary of Heaven.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

We will 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 - 21st Sunday B

John 6:60-69 'Whom shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.'

Many of his followers heard this and said, "This teaching is too hard. Who can listen to it?"

Without being told, Jesus knew that they were grumbling about this, so he said to them, "Does this make you want to give up? Suppose, then, that you should see the Son of Man go back up to the place where he was before? What gives life is God's Spirit; man's power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit. Yet some of you do not believe." (Jesus knew from the very beginning who were the ones that would not believe and which one would betray him.) And he added, "This is the very reason I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father makes it possible for him to do so."

Because of this, many of Jesus' followers turned back and would not go with him any more. So he asked the twelve disciples, "And you-would you also like to leave?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. And now we believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God."

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Many stopped following Jesus after his challenging words of last week (“My flesh is real food” etc). When Jesus asks his apostles if they too will leave, it is Peter once again who speaks for the group as well as for us today: “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.”

Before your group meets, write down in a nutshell what you think is the message of eternal life. Share.
In what way has the example of Christian marriage (your own or that of another couple) helped you understand the relationship between Christ and his church?* (Based on the second reading.)