29th Sunday 2024 - Year B
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with commentary
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)
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)
- 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?
- Why is it hard to do good works if you will not be acknowledged for them?
* All second questions © The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
Dear heavenly Father at this time of the Synod we ask that you inspire all those taking part to listen and respond to what the Spirit is saying to the church, that all will listen with love and humility to those with differing views and also to those who experience life on the margins of society.
Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer
We bring before you Lord in prayer those who experience disability, that they be valued and included in our communities, both in the wider world and in the Church. We ask for wisdom and love that both able-bodied and those with disabilities be enabled to work together to build life-giving faith communities that celebrate life as a gift from God.
Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we see so much awful news and feel overwhelmed. Yet we live in a relatively peaceful environment. Give us the courage to ask what we can do to alleviate the suffering we see in so many places in the world. We particularly remember the people and rulers of Gaza, the Holy Land, Lebanon. Yemen and the Sudan. We pray that we will not forget these people but remember them in our prayers, thoughts and actions.
Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer
Dear Lord, we bring before you our political leaders and particularly the situation in the United States where the outcome of the presidential election will have worldwide effects. We pray that the Spirit of God will raise up people of courage and conviction who will lead your people towards a more life giving and loving society. Help us not to lose heart, but to always work for the common good.
Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer
We bring before you Lord those who are suffering in mind, body and spirit in our communities. We ask that you give them and those who care for them healing and strength. We particularly remember those mentioned in the Prayer Foundation.
Lord in your Mercy. Hear our Prayer
We bring before our Heavenly Father those who have passed away recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We remember especially Paul Devine, Elizabeth Lovell, Dawn Adams, Eddie Ward We pray that those who have been bereaved will be comforted in their loss and have happy memories of their loved ones.
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
Gospel for the day - 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.