30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2025 - Year C
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions for reflection
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)
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
Prayers of Intercession
For Pope Leo, as he prays in this month of October, that the world’s different religious traditions work as sisters and brothers for peace and justice, as we are called to live, work, pray and dream together, becoming the yeast of unity in a fragmented world.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For the mediators engaged in securing agreements to end wars around the world. That the fragile shoots of peace they plant will take root and flourish.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For all in need; for families living with ever rising prices and those who live on the margins of society. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and hearts to their needs and their presence in our communities
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For all stewards of creation, that they, and we, will continue to fight for healthy seas, lands and skies, as we hear the cry of the earth.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For ourselves, that, with grace, we may come before our God honestly, surrendering our pride and recognising our own limitations. Through the power of the Holy Spirit may our words and actions demonstrate gentleness and humility to all around us.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For those around us who are in pain of any sort. May they be cared for with gentleness and patience. We include all those on the prayer foundation list.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
For our sisters and brothers who have died and those whose anniversaries fall at this time.
Especially we remember Fr.Eugen whose first anniversary falls on 30th October and also Philip Sheppard, May Murray, Maureen Boyle, Kevin Laporte, Patricia Simmons, Jeffrey Sogovia, James Alphonso D’Souza, Bridget Bonnar
and Joe Callaghan.
May they rest in the peace our Lord.
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
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
Gospel for the day - 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.