“I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony”

John 17:11, 17-23

Begin with a few moments of quiet.

The intention is to open yourself to the presence of God within you and among those gathered.

Invite all present to sit comfortably.

When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.

Now return to breathing normally and make the sign of the cross:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Invite each person present to take a few moments to reflect on:
Where in the past week did I encounter God in my life?
Where in the past week did I inhibit God in my life?

Allow time in quiet for this and then, after a few moments, invite those present to share on this, if they are comfortable to do so.
If you like to have some quiet music playing during this click below.

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Introduce the Gospel

On this Sunday we celebrate the Mission Sunday in place of the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The community of faith — the church — does not exists of and for itself. We belong to the church because of God’s own mission to all of humanity. As we share this mission, we recognise that the project is not “ours” in a double sense.
It is God’s project, first and foremost. Even more, the Spirit is already at work ahead of us in everything and everyone. Our missionary task is more nuanced: as we recognise
the Spirit at work in our own lives, we hope to help others come to the same realisation and ownership, the same love and hope.

Read the Gospel – John 17:11, 17-23
Read the Gospel aloud, even if you are on your own.

[Jesus said:] And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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Reflect on the Gospel

Sit quietly now for a few moments and allow the images created by hearing the Gospel to emerge. Use some quietening music again if you wish

When you are ready, ‘sit with’ one or more of the following questions to open up different elements of this Gospel reading.

1. Jesus prays for his followers — of all generations including ourselves today.
   Do I feel his intercession for me and my own calling as a disciple and witness?
   
2. Within communities of any kind, division is simply normal: it’s just what happens. How do I myself work towards reconciliation and greater unity?
   
3. To be witnesses to the love of God means to live the love we have received ourselves, as a wordless — more effective? — living witness.
   Do I own that as a central part of my mission?

Close the time of Prayer with the Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Take a moment now to bring to mind those you want to share peace with, family, friends, those where your relationship is broken.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Additional Resources

Fr. Kieran O’Mahony offers a scriptural analysis on the Readings in Written or on Video