Gospel for the day - 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.



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)


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


Prayers of Intercession


We pray for Pope Francis that the lord may strengthen him during his convalescence and grant him continued improvement and recovery, enabling him to resume his mission of shepherding his flock.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For world leaders that the Holy Spirit may move them to work for peace and reconciliation for all peoples, for we are one family made in the image of God.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray for the people of Myanmar seeking Gods peace and healing for a nation facing ongoing challenges, particularly in the wake of recent earthquakes and conflict. May they receive the practical help they need.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For all who live surrounded by conflict, war and lasting injustice, may the barriers which keep us apart be broken, and may each one of us become committed to strive for justice for all.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For all who face prejudice, discrimination and oppression in our world, may God grant us the grace not to judge one another, but to love one another as Christ taught us.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


May tomorrow’s World Health Day stimulate cooperation between governments to ensure health care for all especially the vulnerable.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For our Parish community, that in this time of Lent, we may be inspired to renew our relationship with God and with one another, living lives filled with love, hope and faith.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For those who are sick and those in any kind of need or distress, and all on the Prayer Foundation list that they may know the gentle touch of Gods healing love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For all who have died and all whose anniversaries fall at this time in particular:

Tam Murphy, Gayle, Anna Walker, Alex McGinnity Philip Sheppard, Ester Parker and Blake Erickson. May they dwell secure with the Lord forever.

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 -  Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-40
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’


Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you,

“Why are you untying it?” you shall say this,

“The Lord has need of it.”

So those who were sent went away and found it as he had told them.

And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,

‘Why are you untying the colt?’

And they said, ‘The Lord has need of it.’

And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their garments on the colt

they set Jesus upon it. And as he rode along, they spread their garments on the road. As he was drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives,

the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’

And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him,

‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’

He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’

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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The entry into Jerusalem is led by Jesus and carefully planned by him, not only to fulfil Old Testament prophecies but right down to the arranged password for picking up the colt. Jesus enters Jerusalem as the Messiah who brings peace not war, riding on a colt not a warhorse. The people are blind to its significance – they’re too drunk with the notion of a leader who will wage war against Rome and win a lasting freedom for Israel. This notion disturbs the Pharisees – Jesus is trouble…


All true followers of Jesus have found his message troubling at some stage but this is a healthy tension. Having a relationship with Jesus is living with a friend who understands, challenges but also forgives.


As we enter Holy Week with Jesus let’s relive the story with him but also reflect on the implications all along the way for our lives and our situation.




  1. A close friend asks you, “Do you really believe that Jesus rose from the dead?” You answer, “Yes I do.” They ask you, “How does it show in your life?”
  2. When have you felt that you betrayed the confidence of another, as Peter did when he denied Jesus?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center