CTK – Poverty – Prayer Resources
Hello everyone, welcome back to CTKPray. The prayer theme for this week is POVERTY.
In the Catholic faith, we are called to care for the poor and to work to alleviate poverty. We are also called to be aware of the causes of poverty and to work to change them. Scripture reminds us that we can be financially poor but we can also be poor in spirit and that as followers of Jesus we should show mercy to all people, especially those most in need.
This Sunday we entered into the twenty-eighth week in Ordinary time.
Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church refers to the liturgical period outside of the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. It is a time of growth and reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, rather than a specific event like His birth or resurrection. The name “Ordinary” comes from the Latin word “ordo,” meaning “order,” referring to the numbered weeks that make up this season.
During this liturgical period the colour is green to show growth in the church and as a individual
This week we celebrate:
Monday 14th October – Saint Callistus
Tuesday 15th October – Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Avila)
Wednesday 16th October – Saint Hedwig, Saint Margaret Alacoque
Thursday 17th October – Saint Ignatius of Antioch
Friday 18th October – Saint Luke, Evangelist
Saturday 19th October – Saints John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues
Saint Paul of the Cross. Saturday Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Please note that the responses in red are for everyone to join in with.
If you would like to explore your own choose of the scripture the link below will take you to open bible which allows you to explore scripture on any theme.
https://www.openbible.info/topics/poverty
Mark 10:17-30 Sunday’s Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according Mark
Glory to you O Lord
As Jesus was starting on his way again, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man said, “ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these commandments.”
Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.
Jesus looked around at his disciples and said to them, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus went on to say, “My children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”
At this the disciples were completely amazed and asked one another, “Who, then, can be saved?”
Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings but not for God; everything is possible for God.”
Then Peter spoke up, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
“Yes,” Jesus said to them, “and I tell you that those who leave home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel, will receive much more in this present age. They will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—and persecutions as well; and in the age to come they will receive eternal life.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Leviticus 25:35-38
A reading from the book of Leviticus
If any Israelites living near you become poor and cannot support themselves, you must provide for them as you would for a hired worker, so that they can continue to live near you. Do not charge Israelites any interest, but obey God and let them live near you. Do not make them pay interest on the money you lend them, and do not make a profit on the food you sell them. This is the command of the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt in order to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
2 Corinthians 8:1-15
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
Our friends, we want you to know what God’s grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea. It was more than we could have hoped for! First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God’s will they gave themselves to us as well. So we urged Titus, who began this work, to continue it and help you complete this special service of love. You are so rich in all you have: in faith, speech, and knowledge, in your eagerness to help and in your love for us. And so we want you to be generous also in this service of love.
I am not laying down any rules. But by showing how eager others are to help, I am trying to find out how real your own love is. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
My opinion is that it is better for you to finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act, but also to be willing to act. On with it, then, and finish the job! Be as eager to finish it as you were to plan it, and do it with what you now have. If you are eager to give, God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you don’t have.
I am not trying to relieve others by putting a burden on you; but since you have plenty at this time, it is only fair that you should help those who are in need. Then, when you are in need and they have plenty, they will help you. In this way both are treated equally. As the scripture says, “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Matthew 25:35-40
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you O Lord
I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’ The righteous will then answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:1-12
A reading from the Holy Gospel according Matthew
Glory to you O Lord
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy
If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Use these videos our on the theme of “Poverty”. These videos help us to feel unity as a church and stand up for those in need.
Visio Divina, meaning “Divine Seeing,” is a form of prayer in the Catholic Church that involves contemplating religious images or art to encounter God. It is similar to Lectio Divina (sacred reading), but instead of focusing on scripture, the participant meditates on visual representations, such as icons, paintings, or stained glass. The process usually involves several steps: gazing at the image, meditating on its meaning, praying in response to what is seen, and contemplating how the image speaks to one’s life. This practice deepens spiritual insight and fosters a connection with the divine through sacred imagery.
Make a donation or money, items or time to a charity this week.
Loving God,
We come before You with hearts full of concern for those who suffer under the weight of poverty. We lift up to You those who struggle to find food, shelter, and the basic needs of life.
Grant them strength and hope in the midst of their hardships. May they feel Your presence, even in their darkest hours. Let Your love surround them, providing comfort in their struggles.
Lord, awaken in us a deep sense of compassion. Open our eyes to the needs of others and stir us to action. Help us to share what we have with those who go without, knowing that in serving them, we are serving You.
We pray for justice, that the systems which keep so many in poverty may be transformed. Let leaders and communities work together to break the chains of inequality, creating opportunities for all Your children to thrive.
Bless those working tirelessly to bring relief to the poor, from aid workers to charities to volunteers. Empower them to continue their mission with grace and endurance.
Lord, we also ask for the transformation of our own hearts. Help us to live simply, to be mindful of our consumption, and to hold fast to generosity, so that others may experience Your abundance.
In Your holy name, we pray for a world where no one is left behind,
Amen.
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