Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 Update No. 8 - Second Sunday of Lent

 

Second Sunday of Lent

Mark 9:2-10 2 (NIV)

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 6(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" 8Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.

Reflection

Today’s Gospel presents the Transfiguration of Christ. What is the Transfiguration itself? Mark speaks literally of a metamorphosis, a going beyond the form that he had. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:6 “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” In and through his humble humanity, his divinity shines forth. The proximity of his divinity in no way compromises the integrity of his humanity, but rather makes it shine in greater beauty. This is the New Testament version of the burning bush.

The Jesus who is both divine and human is the Jesus who is evangelically compelling. If he is only divine, then he doesn’t touch us; if he is only human, he can’t save us. His splendour consists in the coming together of the two natures, without mixing, mingling, or confusion.

This same Jesus then accompanies his disciples back down the mountain and walks with them in the ordinary rhythms of their lives. This is the Christ who wants to reign as Lord of our lives in every detail. If we forget about this dimension, then Jesus becomes a distant memory, a figure from the past.

(Bishop Robert Barron - Word on Fire)

Reflection Questions

How does the reality of the Transfiguration and the Resurrection give you hope?

Do we allow Jesus to reign over every aspect of our lives and allow Him to transfigure us?

Picture

A picture of Our Blessed Lord being lashed and in agony, His Blood covers the pavement, His strength is nearly spent.
 
“My dear children, my Son is tortured and I cannot stand with Him in His trial and so I do the only thing I can, I send my Hearts strength to fill Him and my Motherly love to surround Him, but in so doing I feel the sword of pain enter my own Immaculate Heart, leaving me tortured and spent with Him.
My children place your loving hearts around my Son’s Heart and let Him know you are thankful that He is bearing this torture for your sakes. Jesus loves you personally and would bear all to save you and have you safely with Him.
Prayer and fasting will in the end prevail and those who turn their eyes and their hearts away from Him will at last be converted to He who is all Love poured out for Mankind.
My children pray and fast for your Clergy and my Sons Church as they are being sifted and set upon by the Adversary but even so with your prayer and fasting all will be made clear and will go well if you cooperate with my requests. My children you who are my Hearts delight,  I call on you now to take my mission of prayer into your hearts and minds for the conversion of Mankind. Lift your heads up stand firm pray and fast, ignore the digs of the Adversary, I pray with you instantly when you call on my name, the Holy Spirit will guide you, use Holy Water and most important go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Mass when possible, keeping yourselves as free of sin as you can, if you do all these things in the Most Holy Will of Jesus, you will see miraculous conversions in your families and your Country and in the World.
Mary Mother of Jesus and Your Mother."

Lenten Challenge

This week read and reflect on Chapters 3-5 of Marks Gospel. If you would like to please share any insights you receive.

I was struck by Mark 1 v 27 "and when they found him, they said "Everyone is looking for you.""

Whether they know it or not everyone is looking for Jesus, He is the answer.

He is the one that brings healing physically and spiritually. His mission is inclusive to the good and bad, rich and poor, the spiritual and unspiritual.

Holy Spirit, teacher of truth, open my heart and mind to the deeper meaning of Scripture. Lord Jesus, I want to know You in the very depth of my being. I want to live every moment in the knowledge of Your love and care for me. Help me to cherish the grace and promise of Easter today and throughout the year. Amen

I was struck by Mark 1 v 27 "and when they found him, they said "Everyone is looking for you.""

Whether they know it or not everyone is looking for Jesus, He is the answer.

He is the one that brings healing physically and spiritually. His mission is inclusive to the good and bad, rich and poor, the spiritual and unspiritual.

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

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.

Pray for continued healing for Peter recovering from Covid.

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!

Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 Update No. 7 - First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday Of Lent

Mark 1:12-15

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Reflection

In this gospel we see that Jesus is driven by the Spirit into the desert and there he confronts and overcome the temptations of Satan. Only after this is He able to move forward with His ministry to proclaim the Kingdom of God, repentance and belief in the good news that He brings to all.

Reflection Questions:

In what ways have you experienced the desert?

In what ways have found yourself tested during the last year?

Have you discovered strengths or insights into God’s presence through this year of living through the pandemic that you did not perceive previously?

Picture

A picture of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
He is in an icy cold sweat and drops of great sorrow fall from His Body to the ground.
 
“My dear children, you see my Son Jesus, His Heart is so full of love for you His people, that when He feels and contemplates the Sin of the World that HE has to carry, He feels an icy cold sweat forming and falling from His Body to the ground. His Heart so full of Love and afire for His people, He will do anything to appease the Holy Wrath of The Father but Jesus sees so much sin He nearly faints with sorrow!
My children when my Son was sorrowing  in Gethsemane, I did the only thing possible, I sent Him my Motherly Heart to comfort His Most Sorrowful Heart.
my children will you do this for Jesus, send Him the comfort of your loving hearts of warmth and let Him know you are with Him on His walk to save you.
Will you try your best not to hurt Him and do only good things so that His Heart blazes with Love even more for humanity.
Every little sacrifice united to Jesus in His Perfect Will gives Him comfort, and your prayer, suffering and fasting will draw many others to Him giving Jesus little rays of joy in His great  sorrows.
Whatever your state in fife, If you are a father be a father to Him, if a mother be a mother to Him, if you are a sister or brother be a sister and brother to Him, offer your motherly, fatherly, sisterly, brotherly hearts and prayers to Him, He who is The Ever Eternal Sacrifice between you and the Holy Wrath of God. My children in these cold and unloving times, I Your Mother beseech you to cover His Poor Heart with heartfelt Kisses, He loves you so.
Your Mother Mary."

Mark 14 v 32-36

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” 

Lenten Challenge

This week read and reflect on Chapters 1-2 of Marks Gospel. If you would like to please share any insights you receive.

Holy Spirit, teacher of truth, open my heart and mind to the deeper meaning of Scripture.

Lord Jesus, I want to know You in the very depth of my being. I want to live every moment in the knowledge of Your love and care for me. Help me to cherish the grace and promise of Easter today and throughout the year. Amen

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

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.

Pray for continued healing for Peter recovering from Covid.

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 is very ill with a chest infection.

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 for a vaccine.

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!