Gospel for the day - 28th Sunday B

Mark 10:17-30 'Go and sell everything you own and follow me.'

As Jesus was starting on his way again, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?"


"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother.'"


"Teacher, the man said, "ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these commandments."


Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, "You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me." When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich. Jesus looked round at his disciples and said to them, "How hard it will be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God!"


The disciples were shocked at these. words, but Jesus went on to say, "My children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."


At this the disciples were completely amazed and asked one another, "Who, then, can be saved?"
Jesus looked straight at them and answered, "This is impossible for man, but not for God; everything is possible for God."


Then Peter spoke up, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
"Yes," Jesus said to them, "and I tell you that anyone who leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. He will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-and persecutions as well; and in the age to come he will receive eternal life.


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)

Today's gospel is less about a life of poverty and more a question of personal commitment to Jesus. It is what is expected of all missionary disciples. Our lives are full of commitments, of course, but we still need to discern how all these many commitments can be made to serve the one that is the priority


  1. How can the pleasures and comforts of this world become barriers to your relationship with God?
  2. How would you describe what Jesus asks from all his disciples? How do you try to put it into practice? Share*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


The subject of wealth arises in today’s Gospel and causes all sorts of conflicting emotions. Jesus does not expect us to give up everything, but he does want us to share what we can, and by trusting in Gods power, we can overcome the challenges of earthly attachments and strive for an equal world for all.


For Pope Francis, and the bishops, priests and lay faithful gathered at the Synod in Rome, that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit so all will walk together in Christ caring for the poor and vulnerable.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For freedom from attachment that God will give us courage to live with less and embrace our family, our community and the gift of each day more fully.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For World leaders that they will have the courage to act urgently and wisely to facilitate reconciliation and peace to end all wars and violence.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For the wealthy nations of the World that this week’s International Day of Eradication of Poverty on Thursday will call on them to share with those who lack the necessities of life.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For those that govern our country that they will enact policies to end the poverty and deprivation that affects so many.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For those in prison and their families that our prisons may prove to be places of healing and redemption.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer


For all who are unwell in mind, body or spirit and all on the Prayer Foundation list, especially Vincent McCann May they experience the comforting presence of God and know that they are safe and loved

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

For all who have died recently and those whose Anniversaries fall at this time Especially: Elizabeth Lovell, Dawn Adams, Edward Ward and Paul Devine.

May the light of Gods glory fall on them.

Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer

 

 

We will now say together the 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 -  29th Sunday B

Mark 10:35-45  'The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.'


Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. "Teacher," they said, "there is something we want you to do for us."

"What is it?" Jesus asked them.

They answered, "When you sit on your throne in your glorious Kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left."

Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?"

"We can," they answered.

Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup I must drink and be baptized in the way I must be baptized. But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them."

When the other ten disciples heard about it, they became angry with James and John. So Jesus called them all together to him and said, "You know that the men who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, he must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."


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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


It's interesting that the rest of the disciples are not saddened at the brothers' vain ambitions but angry that they themselves might lose out! 

Pope Francis has this to say - "Men and women of the Church who are careerists, social climbers, who use the people, the Church, brothers and sisters - those they should serve - as a springboard for their own ambitions and personal interests do great damage to the Church." (May 2013)


  1. Have you found yourself resenting the way that some parishioners seem to have a lot of influence on what is done in the parishes? If you are actively involved have you ever invited others to join in?
  2. Why is it hard to do good works if you will not be acknowledged for them? 



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center