Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 Update No.9 - Third Sunday of Lent

 

Third Sunday of Lent

John 2 v 13-25

¹³ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. ¹⁵ Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸ The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

²³ When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵ and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

Reflection

Jesus was highlighting that the worship in the Temple - God's House - had become corrupted by the market place and all that went with it the buying, selling haggling was all coming before authentic prayer and worship of God the Father.

The Pharisees ask for a sign and they fail to hear the sign hidden in the prophecy he gives of His Death and Resurrection; the disciples too don't understand at the time only later after the event.

Reflection questions

What gets in the way of our prayer and worship?

Do we fail to 'hear' what the Lord is saying to us?

Picture

A picture of Our Lord crowned with thorns, being taunted by the soldiers for their entertainment. The pains in His head are hard to endure!

 
“My dear children, My Son Jesus is in torment, He takes upon Himself the pain of evil thoughts to make reparation to the Father for the sins of Mankind. When I look upon His poor battered and bloody head embedded with thorns I cannot help but think back to when Jesus was a very small child and we played a game of planting kisses all over His sweet little head and He would ask for more kisses,  My children could you take the time to abandon yourselves spiritually to kissing My Son’s wounded head and then He will know how much you love Him and care for Him, Jesus will be strengthened to continue on making reparation for Mankind. Will you my children make reparation with Him and so help to draw souls to Him who is Love personified.
If you pray and make reparation with Him you will see great conversions. My dear ones pray, for my Priest Sons, your families and friends. Guard your souls from the Adversary as I have taught you with Holy Mass, Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer and especially love in your hearts for God and your neighbour and all will be well.
Your Mother Mary."

Lenten Challenge

This week read and reflect on Chapters 6-8 of Marks Gospel. If you would like to please share any insights you receive. 

Pope Francis on Fasting this Lent :

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill you heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Intercessions

Pray for peace and justice in the world. Pray for Yemen and Myanmar and all countries were there is war, unrest, famine and drought.

You may wish to support CAFOD during lent - see link below:

Yemen Crisis Appeal | CAFOD 

Lent Appeal 2021 | CAFOD 

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Adrian aged 24 who recently committed suicide and for his distraught mother, Annie, who lives alone.

Please pray for a lady in Southern Ireland called Jamie, a young Mother with 4 children the last being born three weeks ago, she has a tumour on her brain and has had surgery but now cannot speak, also the doctors are not sure if to go with Radio Therapy or Chemo so we ask that God will provide her with all the Healing she needs and to help the doctors to give her the correct treatment so she will be fully restored and can once again be a  Mother to her children, and ask for peace for her husband and family.
 
Pray for the repose of the soul of a 95 year old lady called Florence McArther who died in Hospital of Sepsis. May she Rest in Peace.

Ann has asked for prayers. She has recently found out that in 2019 a Court Order was made against her for non payment of a parking fine in 2018 which she believed had been settled. She has asked this order to be reversed. She asks for justice, perseverance and wisdom.

Dave who has cancer, has now been told an operation may be possible, the surgeon awaits the go-ahead. Continued prayers please.

Pray for Ashley struggling with an addiction.

A further update on Andrew Haygarth. He is in need of our prayers again, he is to receive a tracheotomy and appears to have blood poisoning, he received the Last Rites last week, and so we live in hope he will be saved! Amen

Please pray for Jean who has lost her sight, pray for healing, strength and comfort.

Ray whom we have been praying for passed away. His wife Priscilla was with him. May he Rest in Peace and may the Lord comfort Priscilla.

Yvonne Noone has asked for further prayers for her niece who is pregnant, her niece has now been told the baby is not moving again, and the doctor is very worried! Please can we all say an extra Hail Mary that this child despite all this worry is born completely healthy. Amen.

Pray for David that his job difficulties will be resolved soon.

Pray for Alan Guile and his healing ministry. May God bless him and all those he ministers to.

Clayne's brother David Gates who  was taken into hospital with Covid is better now and has been back at work and says he feels in better shape now than 5yrs ago, so physically healed. Amen. Clayne on his behalf says thank you to everyone who prayed!

Pray for Heather who is struggling with personal problems.

Steve who was suffering with Long Covid is much improved, thank you for the prayers.

Pray for Chantelle suffering with depression.

Pray for Pat who has not only cancer but now found out that her terrible back pain is a disk that’s resting on another disc, and they won’t operate.

Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World.

Thanks for the prayers for John who is doing well after the operation on his brain tumour. He is continuing with chemotherapy.

Pray for our priests and our parishes.

Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.

Pray for lost souls.

Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.

Resources 
1.Theotokos Prayer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook with live streaming of Sunday Masses and Holy Week services:
https://www.facebook.com/parishfamilystocktonRC/
3. Daily Mass readings can be found at:
https://universalis.com/mass.htm
4. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website - keep up to date on the latest situation as regards our Churches and resources for praying the Mass at home:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/No-Mass-A4.pdf
5. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:
http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php
6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:
http://www.ccr.org.uk/ 
7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International
https://www.charis.international/en/home/

8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ 

9. Walsingham Catholic TV
(109) Walsingham Catholic TV - YouTube 

Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.
Also please update on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.
You can also get in touch just to say hello!