The Feast of the Transfiguration A

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

Matthew 17: 1 - 9 His face shone like the sun.

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’

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)

Recall an experience when your faith in God/Jesus was strengthened through witnessing the example of another person's love in action. God's love "shone through" what s/he did.
Is there a time that you were chosen to witness something amazing? *

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

On this Feast of the Transfiguration, Jesus chose to reveal his divine nature to some of his followers and his Father called on those present to listen to the message of his Son. Let’s pray for the gift of attentive listening to God and to those through whom God speaks to us.

For Pope Francis and all those who will assemble in Rome for the forthcoming meeting on Synodality in October. May they listen attentively to each other as they discuss the Working Document which has been produced from Catholic conversations all over the world.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For those in positions of responsibility in politics, business and the economy. We ask you to give them the wisdom to consult widely and the courage to deliver fair decisions which benefit the majority rather than the few.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

In the Transfiguration of his Son, the Father not only reveals the divine nature incarnated in one human being but indicates the true dignity of all people made in his image and likeness. May we honour and respect all human life from conception to death.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For ourselves, as we see the closure of one of our church buildings and perhaps feel threatened by change. May we listen carefully to everyone’s viewpoint and reach conclusions which bond us closer together and bring renewed life and hope to all our parishioners.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

In our Vision Statement we pray to “grow and be transformed by the Spirit”. We ask God to help us understand better how we might embrace that transformation in our daily lives so that others might see in us that divine life we received in baptism.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

We remember all those who are sick and suffering in mind, body or spirit and all those who are prayed for on the Prayer Foundation list. Let us ask God for healing and an end to suffering in the knowledge that God is ever ready to respond lovingly to our requests.
Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

We commend to God all those who have died recently and all those whose anniversaries occur about this time. We remember in particular… Mary Ferry, Fr Brendan Forde OFM, Donat Kweka (Tanzania), George Pringle, James O’Donnell, and Mary (Molly) McIver.

Lord in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

We will 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 - 19th Sunday A

Matthew 14: 22-33 Jesus walks on the water

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear.

But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’

This is the gospel of the Lord.

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Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Poor Peter! He does not come across well in this gospel incident - but at least he got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus. If we were to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus, what is it that we would be afraid of? What stops our full commitment to him?

Have you ever acted impetuously and trusted God to get you through it?
When have you doubted the loving care of God for you as the apostles did in the boat? *