The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - 2025 - Year C
The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.
- The gospel for the day
- Some optional questions for reflection
- Prayers of Intercession
- Cluster Prayer
- The gospel of the week ahead with questions for reflection
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)
In celebrating the Real Presence of Christ, the Church chooses Luke's gospel of the feeding of the 5000. Interestingly, Jesus doesn't work a miracle out of thin air. He first asks his disciples to feed the hungry crowds, then shares out the simple gifts they have to offer, to create community, fellowship and abundance.
In nurturing us in the Eucharist, Jesus is asking us - his disciples today - to share out our gifts to feed others' needs. He is asking us to become the Body of Christ in the world. He is asking us to trust that he is truly present in our lives, in every moment and every encounter.
- Share about how you have experienced the "Body of Christ" in your life.
- Have you had an experience of not having enough of some gift or grace, then receiving more than enough? What happened?*
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center
Prayers of Intercession
Heavenly Father, as we celebrate Trinity Sunday, enable us to be open to the radical, transforming love of God, so that we will bring hope to a divided world. We pray for Pope Leo that God’s spirit and presence will protect and guide him as he seeks to bring unity in the church and the gospel of peace to the world.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
We pray for our political leaders, that they be enlightened by the spirit of truth, and be courageous in facing the serious injustices in our country and abroad and so lead with hope and vision. May all citizens be inspired to embrace life and hope and overcome despair and division. We remember especially the situation in Northern Ireland.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
We bring before our heavenly Father those who suffer violence and injustice in so many conflicts throughout the world, that they will not be abandoned by the world in their suffering. We ask that God’s spirit will speak into the hearts of all peoples to see, pray and act for peace and justice. We remember especially the people of Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and those in places we don’t hear of in the news.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
For our faith communities, that we be grounded in prayer and filled with God’s spirit of faith, hope and charity and so bring the life of Jesus into our churches, homes, work places and communities. We give thanks for those who both nourish and challenge us to grow in our faith, that they be blessed in their work.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
We bring before God our Father those who suffer ill health in body, mind or spirit, those who are isolated or imprisoned, that they will receive God’s healing presence and peace. We remember especially Fr Alex, Fr Nick and Fr Mike and those named by the Prayer Foundation.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
For those who have died recently, that they will rest in peace in the eternal love of God. We remember especially Adamko Cech, Mary Smith, George Smith, Ella Stoddart, John Lovell, Patricia Cairney, Gina O’Neill, and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May those who are grieving be comforted in their loss, and those surrounding them accompany them on the continuing journey of life with understanding and compassion.
Lord, hear us ... Lord graciously hear us
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
Gospel for the day - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Luke 9:11b-17 - ‘All ate and were satisfied.’
At that time: Jesus spoke to the crowd of the kingdom of God and cured those who needed healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the Twelve came and said to him, ‘Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.’ But he said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish — unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ And they did so, and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.