Pause

Take a moment to still yourself. Take a deep breath and ask God for a renewed sense of presence with you in this moment.

Opening Prayer

Grant us, Lord our God,
that we may honour you with all our mind,
and love everyone in truth of heart.

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.

Sing or listen

FIRST READING

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
R: If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Gospel

Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.

In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.

This section is designed to be adapted depending on how you are gathering to pray. These are links to external resources for children and young people. There is also a reflection which can be used by individuals or adapted to be used in groups.

Closing Prayer

You are not a reactive God. You do not “make things up as you go.” You love us more than that. You have a plan set in motion before we even realize the plan exists. Thank you for knowing and loving us perfectly. Amen.