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)
Having been told that Jesus must suffer, die and rise again, this week the disciples begin arguing about who is the greatest! It's so frighteningly up to date.
We Christians, entangled in a materialist culture, are no better than them at times. We are torn between the challenging gospel message and the constant lure to be richer, prettier, stronger...
- How do you stay faithful to Jesus in a culture that is so alien to his message?
- What evidence do you see in the world around you that many do not accept Jesus' teaching on power and ambition?
* All second questions © The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
In today’s readings we are reminded “Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and for all in positions of leadership in the church, that they give us all an example of serving the poor.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We pray for world leaders that God may grant them the wisdom to make just decisions which respect the earth and all who live in it, especially the poorest and most in vulnerable.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We pray for all children in our parish communities and throughout the world that they know their value, experience love, and have their need for food, clothing shelter and have the chance to build a brighter future.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We pray for our parish and the local community that through the grace of God we may hear the urgent cry of the earth and all the poor and be inspired to respond at times when the need is great.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
We pray for all those on the prayer foundation list, for all our housebound, for those in our care homes and hospital and all who care for them.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
For all those who have died we remember especially
Mary Dias, Cath Porteous, Aneta Macauley, Oscar, Ethan & Andrew Bell.
And for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Remembering
Canon Nicholson who served our communities faithfully with care and love and for all those who mourn their loved ones..
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We will now say the Prayer to become 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
Gospel for the day - 25th Sunday B
Mark 9:30-37 'The Son of Man will be delivered. If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself servant of all.'
Jesus and his disciples left that place and went on through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where he was, because he was teaching his disciples: "The Son of Man will be handed over to men who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life."
But they did not understand what this teaching meant, and they were afraid to ask him.
They came to Capernaum, and after going indoors Jesus asked his disciples,
"What were you arguing about on the road?"
But they would not answer him, because on the road they had been arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus sat down, called the twelve disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be the servant of all." Then he took a child and made him stand in front of them. He put his arms round him and said to them, "Whoever welcomes in my name one of these children, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes not only me but also the one who sent me."
This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.