Gospel for the day - 4th Sunday of Lent

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 ‘Your brother was dead, and is alive.’


At that time: The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’


So he told them this parable: ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.


‘But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ ”


‘And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.


‘Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” ’

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)


To forgive must be one of the most difficult, yet most generous things we are capable of as humans. Today's gospel makes this much clear: God's boundless love will never fail to embrace anyone who returns to him. At the same time our own human nature is more akin to the brother's who struggles to do the same. Perhaps because we don't like to take a good look at ourselves and our own shortcomings? Perhaps because we don't try hard enough to understand the "sinner" and their journey? 


Would the older brother have been more generous, had the prodigal son asked him for forgiveness too, not just the father? For the really thorny situations are surely those when someone is not contrite and the conflict persists. How many family feuds continue for months and years because neither party will acknowledge any wrongdoing? Anger and resentment fester and poison life. The only way to break free of this downward spiral is to forgive and to leave judgement to God. Forgiveness is both a decision and necessary for healing. In the words of Lewis B. Smedes: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and realize that the prisoner was you".




  1. In many ways, asking for forgiveness is bigger than bestowing it. Share a moment when you plucked up the courage. 
  2. When have you been generous enough to forgive someone who hurt you deeply?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


For Pope Francis, that the Holy Spirit will bring him comfort and peace as he recuperates at home. May the church carry forward his hope, that everyone hears the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, and so help bring God’s message of compassion and mercy to all who are wounded or alienated.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For reconciliation among nations, through a desire to acknowledge and forgive wrongdoing. May there be an acceptance of diversity within differing cultures, and the will to work for a peaceful co-existence.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all who face exile as a result of violence, need or hunger, that they receive a warm and compassionate welcome in a new land. May they be given the opportunity to enrich their new communities with their gifts and talents.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For mothers everywhere and for all those in nurturing and caring roles in our society, whether professionally or at home. May the Holy Spirit give them strength to persevere in all that they do.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For our families and friends, that we will surrender our resentments to God, and allow Christ to heal the wounds of words and actions, and lead us on the path of unconditional love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For those who are sick or suffering in any way, and all on the Prayer Foundation List, that they will receive strength by experiencing God’s love, through all who care for them.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all in our community who have died and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. In particular Tam Murphy, Gayle, Anna Walker, Alex McGinnity, Philip Sheppard, Esther Parker & Blake Erickson.

May Christ welcome them into their heavenly home and may all who are grieving a loved one, feel Christ’s presence with them.

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 -  5th Sunday of Lent

John 8:1-11 ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’


At that time: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’

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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The gospel tells the story of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus refuses to condemn her, his is a mission of love rather than of rule enforcement. He shows again, that he is not interested in maintaining the status quo or the letter of the law and creates another reason for those in power to be wary of him. Jesus not only doesn't condemn the woman, but he creates a situation where the Pharisees have to confront their own sinfulness and look within themselves - perhaps for some of them it would have been the beginning of a journey of change?  Jesus does not stop them throwing stones, some may have argued they were not adulterers; but gives them the opportunity to put aside judgement for empathy. For whatever motivation no stones were thrown. In his own interaction with the woman he simply tells her to sin no more; again reinforcing his message that love and justice only comes from the spirit of the law and not the letter.  Today we live in a world where sometimes there is little sign of empathy but a lot of judgement. Jesus' message of calm, empathy and justice have never been more needed. 




  1. Jesus calls the Pharisees back to their humanity. In what situations is this call needed today in society? In the church?
  2. Have you ever been too willing to “cast the first stone” when you disapproved of someone’s behaviour? How can you resist these feelings?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center