Gospel for the day - 1st Sunday of Lent

Luke 4:1-13 ‘Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness and tempted by the devil’


At that time: Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were over, he was hungry.


The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” ’


And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” ’

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” ’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.


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)


It is interesting to note that, following his baptism, Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit yet does not begin his ministry immediately. Instead, he is first "led by the Spirit through the wilderness" and is faced with temptations. It certainly feels as if we are living through a wilderness moment ourselves, on the world stage, with the climate breakdown, as a Church, and perhaps also in our personal lives. The temptation is great to succumb to self-gratification, indifference or resignation.


Yet, the wilderness has its purpose and can be a place of transformation. As we enter Lent, let us look to Jesus who faces down temptation by holding fast to God's Word and precepts and staying true to the Father's will. Let us trust that, led by the Spirit, we too will emerge from this wilderness that we now do not understand and be ready for our mission.


  1. Share a time of "wilderness" that you have experienced in your life. Looking back, how were you changed by the experience?
  2. How willing are you to profess your faith in Jesus Christ openly to others?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


We bring before our heavenly father Pope Francis as he bears the burden of illness. We ask that God’s tender love will give him peace, strength and wisdom and that the spirit of God will continue his work in transforming the church to be closer to Christ.

Lord in Your mercy. Hear our prayer


Heavenly father as we begin this season of lent give us the courage to allow your spirit into our lives so that yourmerciful love transforms the wilderness in our hearts into life giving love.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For all those who are fearful in the face of chaotic political changes. That they will find a trustworthy foundation in the person of Jesus who was tempted in the wilderness and emerged ready to face reality.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray for our communities and leaders in this time of crisis , that we will find the peace that passes all understanding and so have courage and wisdom to reach out across the divides to find life giving solutions to  despair, climate crises, war and forced migration . We remember particularly the crises in the Holy Land, Ukraine and those hidden from the world’s media.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


We ask our Lord to bring peace and healing to those who suffer in mind, body and spirit in our communities and wider familes, We remember especially those who have asked for prayers and are on the Prayer foundation list.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer


For those who have died, especially Alex McGinnity, Philip Sheppard, Esther Parker, Blake Erickson & Tommy Fallon and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time , that the Lord grant them eternal rest and bring his loving comfort and peace to those who grieve

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 -  2nd Sunday of Lent

Luke 9:28b-36 ‘As Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face was altered.’


At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’ — not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


In the gospel of the Transfiguration Christ is shown in all his radiant glory. He didn't change but his true essence shone through and, unsurprisingly, the effect it had on Peter was one of awe. He didn't know what to do and his response was to suggest building shelters, perhaps in order to go and worship there. But Jesus is not to be confined because his divinity is within us all. The Transfiguration is as much about the spectator as it is about Jesus because our faith teaches us that everyone in creation has that spark of goodness that is shining so brightly in Christ. Today, as we look around the world, we could be forgiven if we find it difficult to see. Prayer can help us begin to look for, and increasingly recognise, the good in all people be they refugee, old, young or offender.


  1. By acknowledging our shared connection through Christ surely love must guide all our actions. In this day and age, how difficult is it to adopt this stance in everyday life, both personal and political
  2. How are your priorities affected by your faith in Jesus Christ?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center