Gospel for the day - 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.



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)


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


Prayers of Intercession


For our Holy Father Pope Francis that even through this difficult time for him, he continues to guide and strengthen us through the Holy Spirit as he continues to discern God’s will for us and for the world.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


We pray for the church throughout the world that, as we continue our Lenten journey, we still listen to the voice of Jesus and faithfully follow him

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


We pray especially for the children who celebrated the sacrament of 1st reconciliation this week and for the children of the cluster who begin their preparation for 1st Holy Communion this weekend.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


For all those who are preparing for the Easter Sacraments, that God will draw them closer and help them to turn toward all that is holy and good.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


We remember those of the prayer foundation as they encourage us to put time aside and join them in praying for peace where it is needed and to have hope in our hearts.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


For all who are facing crisis or loss, that they may grow in their trust of God to bring forth change and a new beginning for our community, that prayer, fasting and almsgiving for Lent may bring forth a new springtime of faith in our lives.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


For those who are sick in mind or body or suffering in any way that they may know the presence and comfort of our Lord. We remember especially Pope Francis, Fr Alex & Fr Nick in our prayers.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


We pray for all those who have died we remember especially: Gayle, Esther Parker, Thomas Fallon, Blake Erickson, Leonardo Rodriguez & Alex McGinnity.                                  For those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, that the Lord will heal their wounds and fill them with hope in the resurrection.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us


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 -  3rd Sunday of Lent

Luke 13:1-9 ‘Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’


There were some present at that very time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’


And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vine dresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


This parable of the fig tree speaks of the “gospel of the second chance”. A fig-tree normally takes three years to reach maturity. If it is not fruiting by that time it is not likely to fruit at all. Just as happened in the lives of Peter and Paul, so this fig-tree was given another chance.

But the parable also makes it quite clear that there is such a thing as a final chance. If God's appeal to change our lives comes again and again in vain, the day finally comes – not when God has shut us out – but when we choose to shut ourselves off from the God whose only wish is to have us share in that divine life.


  1. Recall a time when you were given a second chance by someone and how worked out in the long run.
  2. What important work could bear fruit in your life right now if you have more confidence in God’s loving care?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center