Gospel for the day - 30th Sunday B

Mark 10:46-52 'Master, let me see again.'

They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus! Son of David! Take pity on me!"
Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, take pity on me!"
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up!" they said. "Get up, he is calling you.
He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
"Teacher," the blind man answered, "I want to see again.”
"Go," Jesus told him, "your faith has made you well."
At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road


This is the gospel of the Lord.

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)

Losing his sight devastated Bartimeus' life - forcing him into a life of begging He shouts out to Jesus and in the exchange calls him "rabboni" (my teacher) a term of endearment used again by Mary Magdalen to her risen Lord. 

It took faith and courage to openly call Jesus 'Son of David'. He lacked sight but not insight: a new missionary disciple was born.


  1. When has your faith lacked the courage to follow through on what you believed to be right? (Ps. Don't forget your little triumphs as well!)
  2. What have your eyes of faith helped you to see in a new way?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

For the close of the Synod in Rome this weekend. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide the participants to be a people of vision, with a common voice, as they continue to discover a pathway towards the future to which God is calling us.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For those who are able to affect change in countries across the world, that they be granted the wisdom to separate strength from power, growth from greed, leadership from domination and protect human rights for everyone everywhere.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For the many unresolved conflicts across the globe, and particularly the escalating situation in the Middle East. For those without homes, food, or medical care, who desperately need aid. For those who consider violence to be the way forward, that their hearts be softened by our prayers.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For the Fair Trade movement on it’s 30th birthday this year. For all who campaign and spread the message for a world in which trade is based on fairness, so producers in the Global South can earn secure and sustainable livelihoods to safeguard the future for their families and countries. For the opportunities Fair Trade gives, to us t o declare our intention to live out love and justice in our daily lives.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For ourselves, that, as we rejoice in the beauty of the natural world this autumn, we seek God’s guidance as we learn to live more sustainable lives. Like Bartimaeus, may we have the courage to pursue the vision and desires which are founded in faith.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For all who are troubled in any way, and all on the Prayer Foundation List, that they receive, peace in mind, body and spirit.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

 

For all who have died and those who mourn them. In particular Jean Harvey, Mary McFadden, Paul Devine, Elizabeth Lovell and Dawn Adams. Let us give thanks for the gift of their lives

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 -  31st Sunday B

Mark 12:28-34  'This is the first commandment. The second is like it.'


A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: "Which commandment is the most important of all?"


Jesus replied, "The most important one is this, 'Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two."


The teacher of the Law said to Jesus, "Well done, Teacher! It is true, as you say, that only the Lord is God and that there is no other god but he. And man must love God with all his heart and with all his mind and with all his strength; and he must love his neighbour as he loves himself. It is more important to obey these two commandments than to offer animals and other sacrifices to God."


Jesus noticed how wise his answer was, and so he told him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
After this nobody dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


Jesus' life exemplifies the two main commandments of the Jewish law. But the scribe sees Jesus as a Rabbi (Master) rather than the Son of David as Bartimeus did last week.

The kingdom belongs to those whose focus is on Jesus and, in a paraphrase of the song, wish to see him more clearly; love him more dearly and follow him more nearly day by day by day.


  1. Self, neighbour and God... Where does love come easiest/hardest? Why do you think this is?
  2. Why is love of neighbour as important as love of God?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center