The Holy Family B

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day
  • Commentary on the readings
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Luke 2: 22-40   My eyes have seen your salvation


When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.


This is the gospel of the Lord.

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved.


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)

Both Simeon and Anna could recognise greatness in what was, to all intents and purposes, just an ordinary poor Jewish couple coming to the temple with their new-born son.

God never undervalues the ordinariness of life - from which comes incomparable value.

  1. Recall an experience, such as that of Simeon, in which you could see the value of another person and the good that person was bringing about.
  2. What does your family do to honour and respect its oldest members?   *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession


For Pope Frances and the family of the church that, by our unity and love we will always bear witness to the love of God our Father and so strengthen family life through the world.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For the whole human Family, may we model it on that of the Holy Family of Nazareth, that we may learn to live in peace, striving to break down prejudice and intolerance.   May ‘the family’ become ever more the sanctuary of life where all are welcomed as a gift rather than a burden.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For refugees in all parts of the world who, like the Holy Family, cannot return home for fear of death or repression. May they be received with kindness in foreign lands and supported in their hope of building a new life.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

 

For families where there is hurt or difficulty, that those who have suffered may find healing with the help of the Holy Family so that children especially may flourish in loving and lasting relationships.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

 

For all those who are sick and housebound, for those who have asked for our prayers and those named on the Prayer Foundation List; may they be comforted by the love of Christ and assured of the presence of their loved ones.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


For all those who have died, and those they leave behind, that they may be part of the family of God, and that you will grant them the peace and joy of eternity. We remember especially:

Joe Mc Cole, Giuseppe Rosano, Annette Martini, Alison Davies, Thomas Graham, Bridget Barr and Suzanne O’Callaghan (Brian O’Callaghan’s mother) and Stevie Donald.

(Pause) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.


Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.

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 -  The Epiphany

      Matthew 2:1-12      The visit of the Magi


After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Christmas gifts, especially for children, can be a source of real joy.

But for many of us, the real gifts that count are seeing family, friends, neighbours - especially if they have come from far, just like the Magi.

  1. Think of someone you know who would appreciate a call, a visit or an invitation to meet up. Give that precious gift of yourself and receive much in return.
  2. When have you been jealous or fearful of another person?
    When are such feelings harmful?         *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center