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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
Generous God,
you give us gifts and make them grow:
though our faith is small as mustard seed,
make it grow to your glory
and the flourishing of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 79.8-14
Remember not against us our former sins;
let your compassion make haste to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and wipe away our sins
for your name’s sake.
Why should the heathen say,
‘Where is now their God?’
Let vengeance for your servants’ blood that is shed
be known among the nations in our sight.
Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you,
and by your mighty arm preserve those who are condemned to die.
May the taunts with which our neighbours taunted you, Lord,
return sevenfold into their bosom.
But we that are your people and the sheep of your pasture
will give you thanks for ever,
and tell of your praise from generation to generation.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Matthew 13.36-43
Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!’
Matthew 13.36-43
This is the word of the Lord.
Reflection on Matthew 13.36-43
Prayers
Let us pray to God, giver of all good gifts and our only defence against evil.
As we look for the full revelation of your glory, keep us faithful in work and worship. Defend the Church against the assaults of evil, to yield a good harvest from the planting of your holy word.
Root out all the evil things that mar the goodness of your world. Give the glorious liberty of the Spirit to those who live only for the demands of the flesh.
Shield our families from all assaults of evil. Bless our local community and keep it free from corruption. Guide with your Holy Spirit those who hold responsibility for health and environment.
Visit the afflicted with the assurance that their suffering will pass. Restore health to the damaged bodies and the troubled minds.
Grant that the faithful departed may as joint heirs with Christ share in his glory. Have mercy on all souls in the time of judgement when good and evil shall be revealed together.
May these our prayers, purified from fault and error, be heard through Jesus Christ, Son of Man and Lord of all.
Lord and heavenly Father,
make us mindful of your presence with us;
that we may draw near to you with holy and humble hearts,
and offer prayers and praises acceptable in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
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.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Conclusion
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore.
Amen.