Exaltation of the Holy Cross - 2025 - Year C

Gospel for the day -  Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Year C

John 3:13-17 - ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up.’


At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.’

This is the gospel of the Lord.

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 feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, commonly known as the Triumph of the Cross, encapsulates the purpose of Jesus's life, death and resurrection. It is also a blueprint for our own lives as Christians, particularly when we are faced with hardship, pain, or difficult decisions.


In a world where one's own comfort is being sold as the more attractive alternative to sacrifice, this can all too often result in more pain and destruction. In this Season of Creation, in fact, we are reminded how thoughtlessness, self-interest and greed are putting the very planet we share, and its most vulnerable people, in jeopardy.


Crosses come in many sizes. Crosses that are inflicted on us. Those we make for ourselves. Everyday choices between the easy way out and a path that will force us out of our comfort zone. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice of love, his Triumph of the Cross, tells us that facing our crosses is the better way, embracing what love asks of us, even if it comes at a cost. Jesus' way leads us to the resurrection, here and now.


1. Share a moment when you embraced your cross and emerged more alive.


2. What is something you can give up this week to make more time for prayer or service?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

We pray for the church: that through God’s grace it may be a place of welcome and love for all people, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe him, and take hold of the peace and justice that only he can bring.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for all people who are facing the troubles of war, poverty, that they may find comfort in God’s love and the love of those around them. May they receive the practical help that they need.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray that all whose lives are marked with suffering may discover the saving power of the Cross of Christ, and be victorious in all their trials.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for our parishes, family and friends: that we may be moved to share God’s love with one another, working together to build a better world, free from poverty and conflict.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for all our housebound, those in our care homes and all those on the prayer foundation list may they be blessed with Our lord’s loving care.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for all those who died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

We remember especially Joe Callaghan, Michael Boyle, Dorothy Gilhooly, Patrick Boyle, Jack Laing, Jonathon Savage & Kate Selby. May they be held in 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

Preparing for next week -  The Exaltation of the Cross

Luke 16:1-13 - ‘You cannot serve God and money.’


At that time: Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.” And the manager said to himself, “What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.” So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He said, “A hundred measures of oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.” Then he said to another, “And how much do you owe?” He said, “A hundred measures of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and write eighty.” The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.’ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

‘One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful with the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.’


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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


In the gospel this week, the steward stands accused of wastefulness for misusing his master's property. Currently, we are in the middle of the Season of Creation and one of the things this parable encourages us to reflect on, is whether the master's property could be God's creation and whether we use our world for our own ends rather than see it as a gift to all.



It is confusing however, that Jesus seems to praise the steward's reaction. Perhaps it is rather that he applauds the steward for responding with zeal; but is indicating to his disciples (and to us) that our focus should be equally zealous but should not be on self- advantage. 


Jesus is telling us that when we spend our resources we should be mindful of whether we are acting consistently with his message or whether we are only using the resources for our own benefit at the expense of others and our planet. For example in the present climate emergency some companies are reacting like the steward, by seeking to ensure they can survive, not by changing their ways, but by currying favour and greenwashing. Jesus tells us very clearly that worldly success is not the aim. Choices need to be made and those choices will show tangibly in the way we live. 


1. Jesus was praising the steward's zeal but not his choices. How do we as believers show such initiative and zeal in following Jesus' message? 

2. Can cheating and deception ever be justified?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center