29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2025 - Year C

Gospel for the day - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 18:1-8
‘God will give justice to his elect, who cry to him.’


At that time: Jesus told his disciples a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying. Give me justice against my adversary.” For a while he refused, but afterwards he said to himself, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” ’
 And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

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 please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The plight of the widow in today's gospel has a vivid contemporary resonance in our world where many people, communities and nations are crying out for justice.

In so many parts of the world, the need for fairness and justice in our world has never been more urgent.

Sadly, the notion of the common good is being publicly shredded by some powerful political forces whilst the unique insights of Catholic Social Teaching can find few prophetic voices to challenge them.

The widow's faith in her quest for justice is not only strong but also persistent.

Every waking moment is to be lived in an awareness that God is with us and is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions, our fears and our joys.

As Christians, our faith journey is more a marathon than a sprint; it's a lifelong war where we'll not win every battle.

The widow and Jesus are agreed on this: that true faith never doubts the outcome - and crucially doesn't care how long it takes. 

1. Have you ever been tempted to give up on prayer?

2. Whose needs might you be failing to listen to right now?*




 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

We pray for Pope Leo, that his message of dignity for all and his challenge of inhumane economic structures will find open hearts and open closed minds. We pray for his protection as he challenges those in places of power.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For all people of faith, that they will persevere in prayer to bring the Kingdom of God into our hearts, our families and our countries. Lord God, please remind us frequently of the power of prayer so we may always hope and not despair.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for our political leaders, Lord God, open their hearts to the Gospel, of love, dignity and hope for all, especially those who feel forgotten and marginalised .

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For the many people trying to survive in war torn countries and places infested by violence, that through acts of justice and peace grounded in prayer, they will be free to live in dignity and peace. We remember especially the situation in Gaza and the Holy Land, Sudan, the Congo, Yemen and Ukraine. 

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for hope and perseverence for all who are struggling with financial, family and health situations, that they will receive what they need from those who can give and so enable all to live life to the full.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For those in our communities who are unwell, awaiting medical tests and surgery, and all those on the prayer foundation list that they will experience the tender love and deep peace of God's presence and effective care from those around them.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We remember those who have died recently especially May Murray, Maureen Boyle, Kevin Laporte, Patricia Simmons, Jeffrey Sogovia, James Alphonso D’Souza, Bridget Bonnar, Joe Callaghan and Philip Sheppard.

And those whose anniversaries occur at this time, that they will rest in the peace of God's love and mercy. We also pray for those who are struggling with loss of their loved ones, that they will know the hope of eternal life in a deeper way.

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 -  30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Luke 18:9-14
‘The tax collector went down to his house justified, rather than the Pharisee.’

At that time: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’


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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


In today's gospel, Jesus points to a trap that we, as Christians who try to lead righteous lives, may easily fall into. It is not about false humility, beating ourselves up and dwelling on self-guilt. We can, and should, rejoice in the goodness in us. The Pharisee's sin of pride consists, rather, in assuming that it is all his own achievement. God is effectively excluded from his life, he is only there to rubber-stamp it. The Pharisee's self-delusion lies in believing that he does not need God, and even less does he need people who fall short of his expectations. The tax collector, by contrast, is humble enough to recognise his dependence on God. He knows that he doesn't get everything right and leaves room for God to come into his life with healing and guidance. We are at rights with God when we recognise and embrace that we are but a part of the web of life, all dependent on each other, and all and everything dependent on God.


1. Share a moment when you had a strong sense of needing God.

2. When have you felt self-satisfied in observing the mistakes of others? What should we remember at such times?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center