33rd 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)
Today's gospel scene is set after Jesus has entered Jerusalem, knowing he will soon be put to death. His words are enigmatic, frightening even, but we have to be careful not to read them as a scientific description of the end times, even if the wars and natural disasters we are witnessing around the world might lead us to think so. Jesus' message is clear: Following him also means walking the way of the cross like him. It will not be smooth sailing; we will encounter temptation, resistance and rejection, for some even persecution. Yet, if we stay true to him and trust him, living and spreading his love, from peace-making to hunger and thirst for what is right, we will be part of the Kingdom, now and in the resurrection.
1. When have you experienced that you surrendered yourself entirely to Jesus and were surprised by the outcome?
2. When bad things happen, how do you deal with them?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
For Pope Leo, Bishops, and all the clergy, that they may lead the church with wisdom, insight and compassion.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
Let us pray for peace in the world, for our rulers, that they may have the wisdom to act justly, and the courage to do what is right in the pursuit of peace.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
We pray for those who are sick, may they experience the healing hand of God upon them, especially through those who are responsible for their care and treatment and those who care for them.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
We pray for all those on the Prayer Foundation list and the many special intention we as a cluster are being asked to pray for that they may feel the presence of Christ and find healing.
Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer
During the month of November we remember moreso all those who have died in the cluster in the last year as candles were lit for them during our remembrance services.
We remember those who have died more recently: Mary Williamson, Laurence Loy, Dorothy Jackson, Phillip Shepphard, Mary Murray, Maureen Boyle, Kevin Laporte, Patricia Simmons. And for those grieving, that they may be comforted by God’s loving presence.
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)
As Jesus hung on the cross, the reactions of those at the scene were different. The crowd were "watching" - they had played a part in the crucifixion. Some had mourned, some had partaken in the demand that Jesus was executed, some had just been there. The reactions of those in power however, the Pharisees and the soldiers, was sneering and taunting, because they saw only victory in Jesus' death. One of the two thieves resorts to insulting Jesus. These reactions share the same theme - the question of "why hasn't Jesus saved himself?" They see a person hanging, naked, humiliated and tortured but this doesn't move them to pity or guilt, rather it proves to them their own power and Jesus' weakness. They have not been able to accept or be moved by any of Christ's teachings over his three years of ministry - his words and deeds do not appear to have done anything but cement a belief that Jesus' teachings were somehow dangerous to their own positions. The other thief has the capacity to look at Jesus and to see something which transcends this world's view of power and victory. Like us, he might not understand fully but he sees an innocent man and has the humility to ask to be with him in heaven. Jesus didn't ask the "good" thief what he had done, he didn't even want to know whether he was sorry. A promise that he would be in paradise with him was unhesitatingly and unconditionally given. All the good thief had to do, all any of us have to do is accept Jesus' message. In that way we make Jesus our king.
1. If you had been in the crowd what do you think your reaction would have been?
2. In what ways is Jesus the ruler of your life?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Gospel for the day - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
Luke 21:5-19
‘By your endurance you will gain your lives.’
At that time: While some were speaking of the Temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’ And they asked him, ‘Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?’ And he said, ‘See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am he!” and, “The time is at hand!” Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.’
Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it, therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and sisters, and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary