Gospel for the day -  Christ the King - Year C

Luke 23:35-43
‘Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’


At that time: The rulers scoffed at Jesus, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’


One of the criminals who were hanged there railed at Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

This is the gospel of the Lord.  Commentary



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)


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


Prayers of Intercession

For Pope Leo and all ambassadors of peace, that inspired by the example of Christ the Servant king, they will by their teaching and preaching help to bring an end to violence and open the way to mediation so that love, peace and justice may flourish.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For world leaders and all who have power to make a difference.
May they use their power and authority to promote justice, uphold human rights and care for those most dispossessed

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For ourselves, that we may be strengthened in our calling to be missionary disciples and follow Christ the Servant King by serving others and living more simply …that others may simply live.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For families that are divided and in opposition to one another, that God’s peace will touch their hearts and lead them toward reconciliation and healing

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for all who are struggling with poor health, either at home, in care homes or in hospital, and those named on the Prayer Foundation list. May they be comforted and healed by our prayers and the compassion of those who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For all who have died recently, especially. Brian Phillips, Pauline Aylott, Stuart Millikin, Mary Williamson, Laurence Loy, Dorothy Jackson, Philip Sheppard, Mary (May) Murray, and all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, may they know God’s presence, and experience the love and compassion of others

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 -  1st Sunday of Advent - Year A

Matthew 24:37-44
‘Stay awake so that you may be ready.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


We all know that during the four weeks of Advent most of us will have to get through a mountain of tasks involving the cluster, our work, our friends and our families. There will be buying and wrapping of presents, shopping and cooking aplenty, even the occasional extra church visit in Advent... 

Many will dread the amount of time involved - just as some will dread the loneliness of having to do very little at all. 

Perhaps we can interpret today's message to "stay awake" as meaning "stay conscious", "keep someone in mind". 

We can't ignore Christmastide, but we can make the supreme effort to remain conscious of the central character in it all - the Christ child. If we can get into the way of linking all our preparations into the mantra "Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus" (as we trudge round the shops!) we will have started something really important. We will be living our lives "in Christ" not just for Christmas but forevermore.


 1. "Maranatha at the shops

Maranatha meeting friends

Maranatha at the sink

Maranatha as day ends." 

Share the ways you will seek to keep returning to the Christ child this Advent.


 2. What will you do during Advent so that others can see that you have put on the light of Jesus Christ?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center