The Assumption of Our Lady

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

The gospel for the day
(a useful commentary on the reading here)
Some optional questions for reflection
Prayers of Intercession
Cluster Prayer
The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Luke 1: 39-56 The Almighty has done great things for me
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could

to a town in the hill country of Judah.

She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

She gave a loud cry and said,

‘Of all women you are the most blessed,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

For the moment your greeting reached my ears,

the child in my womb leapt for joy.

Yes, blessed is she who believed

that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

And Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

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 from any of the resources you have watched please email us. cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Jeff Bagnall has composed a modern take on the Magnificat which is found in today's gospel.

Read it here and reflect on which parts speak to you.

When you read the Magnificat, what implications are there for the Church/you in today's world?
(Share if you are in a connect group)
How does your belief in eternal life affect your daily life?

Prayers of Intercession

Today’s Gospel includes Mary’s song of joy and trust in God.

May the Church throughout the world awaken Christ in people’s hearts with joy, as we celebrate the dignity of each human life.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For Governments, that they recognise the social and ecological injustices in our communities and act to become good stewards of our common home, and create meaningful change for those who are vulnerable and powerless.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For our young people as they receive exam results, and those returning to learning this week. May they be valued for who they are and encouraged to reach their unique potential, knowing they are loved and wanted by our Lord.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For all mothers, fathers, grandparents, caregivers and all entrusted with our children's lives. May they find the strength in these uncertain times to carry out their vocation with love and tenderness.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For areas of the world where violence and oppression continue on a daily basis, especially Ukraine and Palestine and Israel. May we stand in solidarity with them by our prayers and actions. Like Mary, may we expand our imaginations beyond what we currently believe is possible, in order to create a future where all can flourish.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For ourselves, that, inspired by the example of Pope Francis, we are granted humility to see we are but a small part of a vast ecosystem and may we have the strength to be advocates of every unheard, powerless, struggling, and suffering living thing on earth. May we be gentle on ourselves and merciful to others.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For those in pain of any kind. May they be given a sense of God’s presence by those who care for them. We remember in love all on the Prayer Foundation list.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

For all who have died and those grieving a loss

We remember Michael Rodgers, Jim O'Donnell, Alex Cameron, Marciana Sebastian,

Sr. May Lewis, Inge Downie.

May the rest in the peace of the Lord

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We will now say our cluster prayer

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

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 - 21st Sunday of the Year C

Luke 13: 22-30 Men from the east and west will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching,

making his way to Jerusalem.

Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’

He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because,

I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door,

you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying,

“Lord, open to us” but he will answer,

“I do not know where you come from.”

Then you will find yourself saying,

“We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets”

but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from.

Away from me, all you wicked men!”

‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth,

when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob

and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,

and yourselves turned outside.

And men from east and west, from north and south,

will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first,

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

When we look at our materialist culture with its fixation on power, wealth and possessions,

Jesus' teaching on love of neighbour seems pure fantasy. But 'the last becoming the first' echoes perfectly Mary's Magnificat prayer of last week and should give us pause for how well our faith journey is going...

"The door is narrow." What obstacles are there on your journey
that prevent you from striving for inner transformation?
What daily choices are you making that will allow you to be recognized
at the doorway of the reign of God?