Gospel for the day - 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.


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)

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


Prayers of Intercession

For the Church, that she may be faithful to God’s commandments as revealed in Creation, in the Covenant and in Jesus himself.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For leaders of nations and all in authority, that they may govern with wisdom and understanding. May they be guided by the Spirit 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 our fragile Earth, may God show us how we can play our part, however small in being good custodians of the natural world and our environment.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For a resolution and just end to the many unresolved conflicts across the globe, and particularly the escalating situation in the Middle East. May the great commandment of’ loving your neighbour as yourself’ be witnessed there amongst all parties.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For ourselves, in our Cluster parishes, may we have the spirit of charity in all our dealings with others so that your light may shine out in all we say and do.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For all those named on the Prayer Foundation List, particularly Fr Gordon Brown, and all others who are troubled in any way that they will find grace and the redemptive power of God in their suffering, and be supported by the practical love of those around them.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

 

For all who have died and those who mourn them In particular Fr Eugene in Romania, Carolyn Fraser, Jean Harvey, Mary McFadden, Paul Devine, Elizabeth Lovell, 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 -  32nd Sunday B

Mark 12:38-44  'This poor widow has put in more than all.'


A large crowd was listening to Jesus gladly. As he taught them, he said, "Watch out for the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and be greeted with respect in the market-place, who choose the reserved seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts. They take advantage of widows and rob them of their homes, and then make a show of saying long prayers. Their punishment will be all the worse!"

As Jesus sat near the temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them, "I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had-she gave all she had to live on."

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

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The widow effectively carries out the request made by Jesus to the rich young man: "Give away all you have... " What will she live on if she has nothing? She trusts that God will provide.

Authentic faith arises from a transformation of our mind and heart towards God that does not know how it will end.


  1. When did you trust someone enough to do something for them - not knowing whether it would turn out good or bad? What happened?
  2. What are you willing to give out of love for God that would be a hardship for you?**

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center