Gospel for the day - Pentecost

John 14:15-16, 23b-26 - ‘The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.’


At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.


‘These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.’



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)


For Jews, fifty days after the Feast of the Passover comes the Feast of Weeks which is a harvest festival celebrating God’s gift of a fruitful harvest. In addition, it was traditionally known as the day on which God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai.


For Christians, fifty days after the Feast of Easter comes the Feast of Pentecost (Pentecosta is Greek for the number 50). Christians see this as the moment when God showers his people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Instead of ten commandments, God gifts his people with the power to “love one another as I have loved you”.


It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church but it’s important to think of the word “Church” here as people - the community of believers transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit rather than the establishment of a worldwide institution.



  1. What gift or gifts do you appreciate in those closest to you? See if you can tell them this by "sneaking" it into a conversation this week.
  2. What gift of service have you received from the Holy Spirit and how well are you using it right now?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


For Pope Leo, may he blessed with health, strength and wisdom,

and be a beacon of hope, to a troubled world.

Lord in your mercy      Hear our prayer


For the Church that it may be a vibrant and united community,

inspiring all to seek a deeper relationship with Christ.

Lord in your mercy    Hear our prayer


For world leaders and all who work for peace and unity, 

that they will earnestly seek ways to end the suffering caused by war and injustice and strive for peaceful solutions.

Lord in your mercy     Hear our prayer


For World Environment Day on 5th June, we pray for the wise stewardship of God’s creation ensuring that the world's resources are used responsibly and sustainably.

Lord in your Mercy     Hear our prayer


On this World Communication Day, let us pray for those involved in communication. May they always strive for clarity, truth and integrity for the good of all.

Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer


For the children who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation - that the Holy Spirit opens their minds and hearts to the true message of Jesus, 

and for our children receiving their First Holy Communion,

may they be granted the grace to be strong in Faith.

Lord in your mercy    Hear our prayer


For all who are sick, suffering, housebound or infirm and all on the Prayer Foundation list and especially Fr. Alex.

May God's healing love strengthen and comfort them and lift their spirits.

Lord in your mercy    Hear our prayer


For all who have died and those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

We remember especially

Pope Francis, George Smith, Ella Stoddart, John Lovell, Patricia Cairney, Gina o Neill, Carmine De Feo, Eleanor Rowley, Linda Reid and Margaret Hadaway.

May the Lord raise them up and grant them everlasting joy and may those who mourn be comforted.

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 Most Holy Trinity

John 16:12-15 - ‘All that the Father has is mine; the Spirit will take what is mine and declare it to you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.’


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


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


For Jews, fifty days after the Feast of the Passover comes the Feast of Weeks which is a harvest festival celebrating God’s gift of a fruitful harvest. In addition, it was traditionally known as the day on which God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai.


For Christians, fifty days after the Feast of Easter comes the Feast of Pentecost (Pentecosta is Greek for the number 50). Christians see this as the moment when God showers his people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Instead of ten commandments, God gifts his people with the power to “love one another as I have loved you”.


It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church but it’s important to think of the word “Church” here as people - the community of believers transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit rather than the establishment of a worldwide institution.


  1. What gift or gifts do you appreciate in those closest to you? See if you can tell them this by "sneaking" it into a conversation this week.
  2. What gift of service have you received from the Holy Spirit and how well are you using it right now?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center