SOCL, Sunday27B

Sunday October 06, 2024

Therefore what God joined together, let no one separate.

See

At present, the culture hesitates before the long-term commitments such as life-long marriage. Perhaps wisely! And yet, there is freedom in commitment. It is possible to walk the quay sides looking are various options for the journey. At that time, you have freedom of choice. However, if you want to get any where, one vessel will have to be selected. That is the freedom of choosing, choosing not to remain in the paralysis of choice. Once made, commitment opens up to another level of living and loving and being loved in return

Listen

Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128 (127); Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

Reflect

(Marl 10:2-16)

-Marriages do break down, but in this story Jesus appears as the wise person urging people to seek first the original harmony where possible, rather than seek escape routes when difficulties arise. When have you found that, in marriage or in other relationships, the bonds have been strengthened when you have been prepared to work through difficulties?

-There are other things that we needlessly and wrongly put in opposition: young and old, male and female, people from different cultures, body and soul. Perhaps at times you have discovered the advantages of exploring the richness in combining such apparently exclusive opposites.

-The children in the second story can be taken as representing any group of ‘little ones’ whose opinion we may be inclined to dismiss. When have you found that you have been taught an important lesson about life, about love, or about faith by people whose views you had been inclined to dismiss?

Pray

Creator God, in Christ you call man and woman to the fulness of glory for which you created them in your image. Heal our hardened hearts, renew our obedience to your will, and conform our lives to your gracious design. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

References

Blessed Are Those Who Fear the Lord

One another, Sunday26B

September 29, 2024

Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19b; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Let us now offer our prayers to God, the Father of justice and compassion:

For our Church and parish community, that in our prayer and work together we may proclaim God’s great love for all humankind: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who proclaim the gospel as teachers, writers, scholars, and preachers, that the Spirit of God may be revealed in their work: let us pray to the Lord.

For the leaders of nations and the peoples of the world, that the Spirit of peace, understanding, and wisdom may come to rest upon them: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who manage corporations and financial institutions, that they may conduct their businesses with justice and commitment to the common good: let us pray to the lord.

For those who are suffering from the effects of physical, sexual, or substance abuse, that they may be healed and made whole through the compassionate care of family and friends: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have died in the peace of Christ [especially _________], that they may be welcomed into the company: let us pray to the Lord.

For the prayers we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Bestow your Spirit upon us, O Lord, so that in all things we may act in Jesus’ name:to reach out to one another without condition, without judgment, without bias, without thought to the cost – for no other reason than that they are your sons and daughters.

Hear these prayers we offer for them and for us in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024k, September 29). Twenty-sixth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092924.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

One another, Sunday25B

September 22, 2024

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54 [53]; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

As a community of peace and compassion, let us offer our prayers to our merciful and loving God:

That our Church and parish may seek, in all things, to become a community of reconciliation and forgiveness: let us pray to the Lord.

That all peoples and nations may “cultivate peace” in order to reap “a harvest of justice”: let us pray to the Lord.

That our parish religious education teachers may guide and inspire our children in the wonders and wisdom of God: let us pray to the Lord.

That those who have dedicated themselves to the service of the poor and oppressed may be exalted as first in the reign of God: let us pray to the lord.

That we may hear, with openness of heart and generosity of spirit, the voices of those who cry out for mercy and justice: let us pray to the Lord.

That God will raise up to new life those who have died in the peace of Christ [especially _________]: let us pray to the Lord.

That God will hear the prayer we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Enliven us with the Spirit of Christ the Servant, that we may serve and honor you by serving and honoring one another; inspire us with the wonder of a child, that we may seek with gratitude the simple and humble ways of your justice and peace We ask these things in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024h, September 22). Twenty-fifth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092224.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.