Gospel for the day - 22nd Sunday B

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23  'You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.'


Some Pharisees and teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples were eating their food with hands that were ritually unclean - that is, they had not washed them in the way the Pharisees said people should.


For the Pharisees, as well as the rest of the Jews, follow the teaching they received from their ancestors: they do not eat unless they wash their hands in the proper way; nor do they eat anything that comes from the market unless they wash it first. And they follow many other rules which they have received, such as the proper way to wash cups, pots, copper bowls, and beds.


So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law asked Jesus, "Why is it that your disciples do not follow the teaching handed down by our ancestors, but instead eat with ritually unclean hands?"
Jesus answered them, "How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! You are hypocrites, just as he wrote:
'These people, says God, honour me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach man-made rules as though they were God's laws!'


"You put aside God's command and obey the teachings of men."


Then Jesus called the crowd to him once more and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing that goes into a person from the outside which can make him ritually unclean. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that makes him unclean. Listen, then, if you have ears!"


"For from the inside, from a person's heart, come the evil ideas which lead him to do immortal things, to rob, kill, commit adultery, be greedy, and do all sorts of evil things; deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, pride, and folly - all these evil things come from inside a person and make him unclean."


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

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)


A traditionalist traveller packs the same things for every trip irrespective of where they are going. The liberal traveller packs things based only on what they plan to do on the trip. One takes things they will never need; the other often forgets about some essentials…

  1. Take a look at your “faith luggage” for your missionary journey.
    What would be your essentials and what do you need to leave behind?
  2. Which words of Jesus provide the most inspiration for the Christian work that you do?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercessioner


The Season of Creation begins today, September 1st, until October 4th, the feast day of St Francis. The theme this year is”Hope and Act with Creation”, inspired by Romans 8.

 

May the world’s 2.5 billion Christians be granted a fresh vision of the relationship with our Mother Earth and with one another, as creatures made in God’s image. And may Pope Francis’s call to hear the cry of the Earth instil in all, the desire to take radical action, to safeguard our planet for future generations.


Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.


For co-operation between nations who are addressing the causes of conflict between nations, human and environmental exploitation, and structural injustices. In the many war torn countries across the globe, may selfishness and greed be transformed by the courage of those who speak God’s truth, without fear or reprisal.


Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.


For our cluster parishes as the transition to a Cluster parish council continues. May the wisdom, discernment, and vision, of the Holy Spirit guide Fr Alex’s decision making.


Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer


For ourselves, that, as missionary disciples, we reflect our faith and hope of resurrection, by our actions that are embodied in prayer, service and solidarity.


Lord in your mercy.  Hear our prayer


For all who are unwell or anxious and those concerned for a loved one. May they experience God’s healing presence in their pain. We remember all on the Prayer Foundation list

 

Lord in your mercy.   Hear our prayer.


For those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries fall at this time.

Especially Mary Dias, Cath Porteous, Aneta Macaulay, Oscar and Charlie Burns

May they rest in the peace of the Lord.

 

Lord in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.

 


We will now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.



Cluster prayer

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 -  23rd Sunday B

Mark 7:31-37  'He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'

Jesus then left the neighbourhood of Tyre and went on through Sidon to Lake Galilee, going by way of the territory of the Ten Towns. Some people brought him a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged Jesus to place his hands on him. So Jesus took him off alone, away from the crowd, put his fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up to heaven, gave a deep groan, and said to the man, "Ephphatha," which means, "Open up!"


At once the man was able to hear, his speech impediment was removed, and he began to talk without any trouble. Then Jesus ordered the people not to speak of it to anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they spoke. And all who heard were completely amazed. "How well he does everything!" they exclaimed. "He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!".


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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The Decapolis region is a good bit north of Galilee. Jesus is among strangers when he heals a deaf and dumb man in private with the words, “Be opened” and the words reverberate around the whole region. They recognise how special Jesus is… Such a contrast between open-minded strangers and the recent antagonism from his own people…

  1. Do you see yourself as close-minded in anything?
    Who/what irritates you about other people’s beliefs?
  2. When has your faith in Jesus enabled you to speak out on an issue of importance?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center