The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2026 (EPISODE- 588)​

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2026 (EPISODE- 588)

LH: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 628109324.    -                           

RH: Paul Kelly and his family at his First Holy Communion, 1976

Readings for Sunday, June 7, 2026 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A

FIRST READING: Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20. "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 10:16-17
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Illustration ID: 628109324 - Modern abstract Eucharist -Sacrament with grapes and wheat on a square abstract background. Digital illustration made without a reference image. Important information. Release information: Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc., Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor: Thoom

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-588-the/s-4aUzPDLV5uE?si=bc70e14a4c2d46dc8f7965c89d5c9de4&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing    (EPISODE- 588)

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"Hungry hearts are all around us. Those mourning the loss of a loved one, those in need of a job, people desperate for solid advice, people unable to curb an addiction, those who are angry and bitter, people who feel unforgiven or unforgiving, …. Those in poor health or people worried about finances, or unhappy in a relationship, … and people who are unsure of their commitments, or being too hard on themselves, … and people who are afraid of the world around them, …….The list goes on and on. These are the people Jesus offers to feed—Jesus offers us himself—real food for our lifelong journey… and he offers us his word and his vision of the Kingdom… real nourishment for the values that will completely transform and satisfy us… He promises to be with us in the ups and downs of life – he who is with us… our faithful and loving God.

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I remember my first Holy Communion, which was back in 1976, 50 years ago today. It still feels like yesterday. Those memories stay with me, and it stays with all of us long after that beautiful experience.

After receiving Communion, I remember I felt a deep desire to stay good, to stay good forever, to never do anything wrong again. I'm pretty sure I didn't manage perfection back then, and I keep trying to this day, through weekly Communion, prayer, the example of family, friends and our parish, and all guided by Jesus' loving word and his real presence in the sacraments. We all know how what we focus on shapes us.

What we read, watch or eat affects our body, mind and spirit. The same is true of our faith. There's a saying, you are what you eat, and it's not just about food; it's about nourishment for the soul.

If we only took in junk food, we'd weaken. But when we feed on God's word and receive his true body and blood of Christ in Communion, and we listen to the church's teachings, we read the lives of the saints, and we learn from trusted Christians, we gain rich life-giving nourishment that builds us up and makes us spiritually healthy. Jesus wants to feed us with all his good values, so we listen to the scriptures, and we welcome him into our hearts with every Communion.

Even though it's been 50 years of Communion, I'm still immensely grateful for the first opportunity and every succeeding opportunity to receive our Lord in this very, very special way. We live out his words by investing our time in loving, gospel-centred actions. This weekend in the parish, children are making their first Holy Communion, 50 years after I first made mine.

And to all who are celebrating around the world, let me remind you that what you received in First Communion is priceless, beautiful, irreplaceable. The best meals, though, are the ones that are repeated. The second, third and fourth Communions are beyond.

There's only one thing better, (I always like to say), than First Holy Communion, and that's Second Holy Communion. There's only one thing better than Second Holy Communion, and that's Third Holy Communion, and so on. We make a daily pattern of drawing near to Christ through regular Communion, at least weekly Communion.

Through the Body and Blood of Christ, we are forever connected to God. And we're also in an extremely wonderful mystery where, united to our loved ones and fellow believers, we're all one in Christ, through Communion in Christ. So every time we celebrate Eucharist, we're invited into this unbreakable bond, this union, this mystic communion.

So, and this is very reassuring for us, whenever we take Communion, we're united with those who have gone before us, too, our loved ones, who are no longer living on this earth, but are in heaven. Every time we receive Christ, Christ becomes part of us, and we with Christ, but also those who are in union with him are united with Christ and us. So we're truly united with all who've gone before us, for they live on in Christ, and we're never closer to them than when we're receiving Christ in Communion.

Today we celebrate Jesus, who makes his home in us through this sacrament. He is truly present. This is a priceless gift.

May we always be moved by this reality and cherish it with each and every communion.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Illustration ID: 628109324 - Modern abstract Eucharist -Sacrament with grapes and wheat on a square abstract background. Digital illustration made without a reference image. Important information. Release information: Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc., Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor: Thoom
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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A (Sunday, June 7, 2026) 

(EPISODE- 588)


Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{How are you today as we gather - To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives.}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom: Lord, have mercy

You come in word and in sacrament to strengthen us and make us holy: Christ, have mercy

You will come again in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20. "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.

Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Preface I or II of the Most Holy Eucharist
Euch prayer two

(theme variation: 1)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)

 

{How are you today as we gather - To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives.)

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{I am very grateful for your joining us for this special time of prayer and reflection.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly mass/homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks


Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the Liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins Publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - "Together we pray" by Robert Borg. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney, Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:

NCH software - MixPad Masters v10.27. Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.42

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor v.6.10.4320

[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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The SOLEMNITY OF THE Most Holy Trinity. Year A - Sunday, May 31, 2026 (EPISODE-587 )​

Readings for Sunday, May 31, 2026 - The Most Holy Trinity. Year A

FIRST READING: Exod 34:4b-6, 8-9
Dan 3:52, 53, 54, 55  "Glory and praise forever!"
SECOND READING: 2 Cor 13:11-13
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Rev 1:8). Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To God who is, who was, and who is to come.
GOSPEL: John 3:16-18

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/b8kVRiXZ1bMtJ6TbnUaT/the-holy-trinity-of-jesus-the-father-and-the-holy-spirit-in-communion-in-the-form-of-three-humans?ru=Paul-Evangelion

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for The Most Holy Trinity. Year A - Sunday, May 31, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://on.soundcloud.com/pQlN4pkCGKRW6MGM4w   (EPISODE-587 )
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Homily: The Most Holy Trinity - A - Sunday, May 31, 2026

The Communion of the Most Holy Trinity 

The celebration of God as Trinity reveals to us the true nature of our God, and shows us what's in the very heart of the one who is at the centre of the whole universe. And that nature is community, communion, sharing, harmony, and of course, love. If we look at what Jesus did not hunger for, it's very revealing.

He did not hunger for money. In fact, he warned us to be very wary of its hollow charms. He did not hunger for popularity.

In fact, the popularity contest was terribly won by a thief and a murderer named Barabbas. Rather, the true thirst and hunger of Jesus was that he longed to share his blessings with others. He thirsted for others' faith and participation.

He longed to protect and comfort the poor and the struggling. This is faith, hope, and love. Blessed be God the Father, and the only begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit, for he has shown us his merciful love.

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The celebration of God as Trinity also reveals to us the true nature of God and shows us what is in the heart of the one who is at the centre of the universe. That nature of our God is a perfect community of persons with one divine nature, and within this union is communion, sharing, harmony, and above all, love, which is God's nature. If we look at what Jesus did not hunger for, it's just as revealing as what he did hunger for.

He did not hunger for money. In fact, he was very suspicious of it and treated it with suspicion. He warned us to be very wary of its hollow charms.

He did not hunger for popularity. In fact, a thief and a murderer, namely Barabbas, horribly won the popularity contest and he was released and Jesus was executed. The true thirsting and hunger of Jesus is this.

He longed to share with others. He thirsted for others' faith and participation. He longed to protect and comfort the poor and the struggling.

He could hardly wait to usher in the kingdom of peace, the kingdom of mercy and grace and inclusion, to invite us all into the inner life of God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the three in one, which we particularly celebrate today. It breaks your heart, doesn't it, seeing so many people around the world clearly searching for something that will truly satisfy their longings. These paths they think are life-giving, they seem attractive, but ultimately they prove to be dead ends and very unsatisfying.

But does it stop us? No. We can tend to keep rushing down more and more paths of the next attractive glittering possibilities, whether it be the pursuit of money as supposedly the solution to everything, which it clearly isn't, power, influence, or celebrity. So many things in this world and society cry out for our attention, inviting us to get enmeshed in them.

May the Spirit of Truth guide us as we discern through the light of Jesus' words and actions just what are the truly life-giving treasures that we should be putting all our heart and soul into. 

When we look at our local parish community, we're greatly heartened. When we look around the communities of the world, we see some very encouraging things.

In so many ways, people have asked themselves, now that I'm a follower of Jesus, a child of God, what shall I do in a very practical way to make a difference? God has answered our prayer in many varying ways and very satisfying ways that brings grace and benefit and service to so many people. People have joined, for example, Saint Vincent de Paul's Society and have done wonderful practical actions of charity to make a difference in the 

lives of people in need, to give them the dignity and respect that they have as children of God and vessels of Christ's presence. Others have joined the Surface Paradise Catholic Ladies and shared in the community, combining prayer, friendship, and good works to help others.

Other people have joined Rosie's Street Ministry to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are living on the streets and in need, and there are many, many other ministries in the parish and the wider community too. A wonderful variety of ministries and activities are all part of the parish's mission, and we know that we're doing it in communion with Christ and with the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father because we are abiding in them and they in us. The list of different ministries and ways of practically helping people is wonderfully long.

There's so much to do, and God is calling each and every one of us in our own local sphere of influence to be united, to be in communion with God and with one another in the spirit of cooperation, practical assistance, and spiritual support.

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REFERENCES:  

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 467095817   - Troitsky Cathedral, Saint Petersburg, Russia, circa July 2016: holy icon.  Important information: Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Antracit

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REFERENCES:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/b8kVRiXZ1bMtJ6TbnUaT/the-holy-trinity-of-jesus-the-father-and-the-holy-spirit-in-communion-in-the-form-of-three-humans?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) -  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Also found at -   https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk

The Most Holy Trinity. Year A (Sunday, May 31, 2026) (EPISODE- 587)

The Lord be with you.
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{{Shalom (peace) as we gather - To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to God.}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners:Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Dan 3:52, 53, 54, 55 (diff). "Glory and praise forever!"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Rev 1:8). Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To God who is, who was, and who is to come.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity
Euch prayer two

(theme variation: 4)

The Lord be with you.

{Shalom (peace) as we gather - To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to God.)

(pre+post variation: v2-long)
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{I gratefully acknoweldge and give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of prayer and reflection upon our God.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly mass/homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date  (https://eepurl.com/hpETjf)

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - "Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:
NCH software - MixPad Masters v10.27. Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.42

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor v.6.10.4320

[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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