Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, May 2, 2021 (EPISODE: 296)

Readings for Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year B
FIRST READING: Acts 9:26-31
Ps 22:26-27, 28+30, 31-32. "I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people."
SECOND READING: 1 John 3:18-24
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 15:4a+5b). Alleluia, alleluia! Live in me, and let me live in you, says the Lord. My branches bear much fruit.
GOSPEL: John 15:1-8

Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed stock vector ID: 402647986 -Floral corner frame with grapevine, grape clusters on a vine tree with a cross, By Thoom
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, May 2, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-5b-2020-episode-296/s-gudgsAiuCla  (EPISODE: 296)
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* Abiding in God and God Abiding in Us. 
The Easter Season continues this weekend.  We see the wonderful boldness of the disciples, who fearlessly preach God's word, even in the face of opposition.  And we see what a true leader is like. A shepherd cares for and knows their flock, and would give their life for them. 
 
One of my all-time favourite images in the new testament writings is this concept of us "abiding"  or living in God,  and God abiding and living in us. This powerful concept is mentioned several times, including in John's Gospel but also in John's letters and other New Testament letters*
 
Can we picture a deeper connection than being united with God by means of God dwelling in our hearts and making a home in us, and us in him?  This is such a profound concept of communion in the widest sense of that word.   
 
We are all invited to be disciples and friends of Jesus. The word "Disciple" means "one who learns"  - Our role is to learn from Jesus. To get to know him, to learn something about his words and his teaching to observe reverently what he nurtures as his deeply-embedded attitudes and values; so that we might capture and nurture that same Spirit, that same inner strength and drive as our teacher possesses by his very nature.
 
Our Gospel this weekend is that great image of the Vine and the branches. It shows the profound and deep connection we have, and are called to have, with Jesus. 
 
We are called to not only observe and learn about Jesus, but to allow Jesus' and his presence, his message, his attitudes, to become so much part of us that Jesus lives in us, and we live in God and we also, through Christ, abide in one other's hearts. Further, we gain our source, our meaning and our fruitfulness FROM that connection to Christ. 
 
Without Jesus, our efforts are misdirected and fruitless. Connected to Jesus, our actions and efforts bear much fruit, by God working in and through our lives. 
 
The connection of this image of the vine and branches, cannot help but highlight the importance of Eucharist. In Eucharist, Jesus comes to us in the form of food and drink. We take Jesus into our very selves,  and Jesus becomes part of us. In turn, we become more and more like Christ in our words and actions and lives. 
 
Inspired by these wonderful readings this weekend, the following things would be a wonderful rule of life, they should constantly be in our thoughts and prayers:
Prayer, and connection to God
Attention to what God is doing in our lives.
Reflection on our lives and actions; to honestly, openly, and regularly look back at our decisions, our actions and our values, in order to see how these match up with God's love.
Stillness, to allow God to be present to us and within us,  and speak to our listening and attentive hearts. 
Oneness, we are called to unity, (oneness), and communion, with God and one another !!
 
"I am the vine, says the Lord, and you are the branches…. whoever abides in Jesus and Jesus abides in them, will bear much fruit in their lives."
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Homily – Fr Peter Dillon – Homily- 5th Sunday Easter B 2021

The readings of the Easter season give us statements of identity, our Creed, who God is, who we are, what we believe. Lent was a time for conversion, turning back to God. Easter season is a time for discovering the effects of Jesus' resurrection in our lives.

Christ wrote no books. He left no buildings or monuments behind. Yet he did something far greater and more necessary. He built a community. This was his "monument". His suffering death and ultimate rising, had a profound impact on Christ's disciples. We see them come to a much more confident faith in him as a constant presence in their lives. They form a tightly knit community around the risen Christ. They accepted his challenge, "as the Father sent me, so I send you..." which is the foundation of the mission of the church.

 Thomas was the model of the faithful doubter, who sought a resolution for his doubts, and finally came to understand where his questioning led him when he said, 'My Lord and My God'. Last Sunday we discovered Christ as 'the Good Shepherd' offering the model of selfless pastoral care.

 Today he offers us a new image, 'I am the true vine, my father is the vine grower, and you are the branches". These metaphors for how we are to live have survived to this day, mainly because we can picture what he was teaching the disciples. More than words, they are images that seem real and relevant in any age. His image of the community as a vine was a simple but profound illustration of unity, closeness and interdependence.

I was fortunate to grow up in an area where the growing of grapes was a large local industry. On many orchards around the town there were vineyards and fruit trees. In fact, my grandfather had a large vineyard and I was very aware of the hard work involved in pruning and preparing the vines for harvesting. Pruning the vines, or 'chipping' as it was called, was a delicate job, because to cut too deeply or carelessly could completely sever a branch from the root, resulting in the withering and ultimate death of the branch. No branch, no fruit.

In spring the branches of the vine teemed with life in the form of leaves and tiny berries, with no resemblance of what they would become in a very short time.  In autumn they were loaded with grapes, the fully formed fruit, reading for picking. It was always a time of excitement to see how much could be produced from what had appeared months before to be bare branches.

But just as the branches needed the vine to produce the nourishment, so too the vine needed the branches to produce the fruit. We are those branches which means that Christ also needs us. Together we form a unity. From this we see how great is the trust that Jesus placed in his disciples, and also has placed in us. As inadequate as we might feel, we must never forget that we are attached to that sturdy vine.
 
One thing I noticed back then was not every vine produced the fullest and juiciest fruit. Some vines were less productive than others. While they all produced some fruit they were of varied quality. My grandfather explained that the less productive vines would get more attention next year. They needed a little more nourishment and fertilising. But he was always hopeful and rarely did he completely remove the vine. This perhaps is a good reminder that Christ didn't ask everyone to be successful, but fruitful. Each of us has some gift, something productive. By developing, using, and sharing that gift with others we become fruitful. It is up to God, the vine to make us fruitful whether we see it or not. If Christ prunes us through trials it is only to make us more fruitful. When we are pruned by suffering, we produce fruit of understanding and compassion.

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References:
homily – fr peter Dillon

Prologue- Fr Paul W. Kelly

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Abiding-In-Christ

Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed stock vector ID: 402647986 -Floral corner frame with grapevine, grape clusters on a vine tree with a cross, By Thoom


Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year B  (Sunday, May 2, 2021)  (EPISODE: 296 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{May God's Spirit of Knowledge and reverence}}

As we prepare to celebrate the great Sacramental feast of Gods love, let us pause, recall our sins, and trust in Gods infinite mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace. Lord have mercy
You are Son of God and the Son of Mary. Christ have mercy
You are Word made flesh, the splendour of the Father. 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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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: Easter IV
EP II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: 3 )
(pre+post variation: 3)
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{My heartfelt thanks to you, for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise. }

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 my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  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: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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.

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B – (ANZAC DAY in Australia and New Zealand) - Sunday, April 25, 2021 (EPISODE:295)

Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B – (ANZAC DAY in Australia and New Zealand) - Sunday, April 25, 2021
(EPISODE: 295)

Readings for Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B
FIRST READING: Acts 4:8-12
Ps 118:1+8-9, 21-23, 26+21+29. "The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone."
SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-2
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep and mine know me.
GOSPEL: John 10:11-18

Shutterstock licensed image ID:1688640952. An ancient statue of Jesus Christ Good Shepherd with the lost sheep on his shoulders. Biblical tradition, religion, Christianity, God, faith concept. Zwiebackesser
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, April 25, 2021, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-4b-2021-ep-295  (EPISODE: 295)
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**Prologue – Fr Paul 
Today marks the 106^th Anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli, in 1915, during World War I. This national day of remembrance honours the courage and the self-sacrifice of those who served in all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. We particularly recognise the sacrifice of the fallen. We commend them to God's eternal care... and we also fervently pray that the justice and peace, which they sought to defend and preserve will dwell richly in our land and in our world in the hearts of all.
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Today, we remember the sacrifices, the bravery and the loss of those who served, suffered and died in the time of war.  The emotion and the significance of these events in no way lessen with the passage of time…
  
In all wars and military operations, including peacekeeping operations…  Australia has, in total lost 102,930 - and that's an increase of 85 human lives lost in the last six years.   With 226,060, injured (another 187 added in the last six years),  and 34,733 taken as prisoners of war (an addition of three.. which although thankfully low, is bad enough).  And surely 100% of those who served and returned have been profoundly affected in ways that one could hardly put into words….      The sheer size of these numbers  (let alone the human effects behind it- and countless more lives which were changed forever – loved ones and friends and the community too… suffering their tragic loss and remembering their bravery and dedication -  it is really impossible to fully comprehend…    Just this last week the government has launched a royal commission to look into the huge issue of returned veterans suicide…  another reminder of the untold cost for those who returned alive, after upholding their loyal duty..so profoundly. Our prayers and hearts are with them all. 

We hear from the Lord's own lips, "No one has greater love, says the Lord, than those who lay down their lives for their friends, "  and today we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of those who served in times of war…  and those who risked life and limb for those they loved…..

As disciples of Jesus….  We are not trying to merely imitate God's actions, (as commendable as this would be),… nor are we merely trying to do what God, in Jesus, did, (as far as any human being could try to imitate our God made flesh)---    but rather…  we are ultimately striving to become more connected to what motivated Our Lord to act as he did. The reason and cause of all his actions and words…  which (at its core and centre)  is his identity as God – and God's nature as infinite love… ….To become instruments of God's love, ………………servants of God's love…  and to become the love of God inside and out…


Here is the critical truth about faith--it is grounded in God's wondrous LOVE for us. We may not feel worthy to be loved, we may even push that love away at times…--but we cannot keep God from loving us. That is God's very nature. God is a shepherd – (a very good one – the best, in fact). God is love.
Today, we remember the truth that God always searches for the one who is lost, or who feels unworthy or unloved and carries them in His arms. Anyone who would follow Jesus ,(the good shepherd)  as a disciple or especially in the vocation as a priest or religious…..  must be prepared to have a love for God's precious ones – after the example of the good shepherd himself. 

Jesus tells us that He will lay His life down for us.  He has already died for us, but every day He is willing to lay down His life for us once more.  Salvation is not something in the past, salvation is today.

The second reading, from the First Letter of Saint John, is a wonderful prophecy of what heaven will be like:  we shall be like Him and we shall see Him as He is.  So much of our life here is spent trying to be like Him, trying to live as He lived, trying to love and He loved.  In heaven, we shall be like Him, and we will LOVE like him. That is the goal of all discipleship and vocation …   to love like God. If we LOVE as God does.. then all other things flow from it.

Jesus offers healing for us every day - in so many different ways. (true, sometimes we ask for help or healing in certain specific ways, and we don't always get it. But God always answers our prayers in some way or another..  and even if God does not take all burdens from our shoulders, we can know that at least God is love and God is faithful and God does not will any bad thing for us or for others…. God only wants  to cherish us always). 

Let us rejoice and be glad today.  Let us be still and listen and look for the signs of God's love in our lives.  Let us be aware of how much healing God has already done in our lives" (A)

And may God keep transforming us into instruments of his love and grace…  that we might show God's love and care to others we meet…  and slowly but surely be transformed from hired workers into shepherds after the Lord's own heart…  (with love – which never ceases to give of itself…   at its very centre)….


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Homily – Fr Peter Dillon:

4th Sun Easter B 2021

There are very few of us who would not be familiar with the 23^rd Psalm beginning with the words " The Lord is my shepherd" we find that it brings us great comfort, particularly at funerals, when we feel most in need of the protecting and comforting presence of God. Even though we have very little experience of shepherds in the modern world, we cannot forget the security that comes each time we the consoling words of the Psalm.

The Gospel of Luke tells us of the lost sheep and the shepherd who leaves the 99 to seek out and save the lost one.
Where I grew up, graziers had an expression. They were going into town to 'buy a few sheep'. A few sheep always meant a few hundred or a few thousand sheep. I grew up with the familiar sight of the unknown, abandoned, dead, fly-blown sheep rotting in dry paddocks. A completely different context from the one in which Jesus introduces the concept of the shepherd who knows his sheep, who lays down his life for his sheep, whose sheep recognise his voice.
 The shepherd of Jesus's time cared for a few dozen sheep, lived with them, talked to them, sang to them, played the pipes to them, and protected them personally from the wolf.
We think of the utter foolishness of that rescue mission. We have a God of unthinking passion. Not dictated to by common sense. Why take the risk of losing even more sheep? Surely losing one is bearable compared to the 99 others.

Jesus speaks of himself as the door to the sheepfold, who physically lay across the entrance to the sheep pen to protect the sheep, who lay down his life for his sheep. No hireling - the shepherd who will never abandon us. Today's gospel adds a further intimate touch. The shepherd who knows the sheep by name. A personal relationship with the Shepherd.  Who knows us anymore? We are the numbers on our credit cards and cheque books. In the concentration camps, people had numbers tattooed on their arms. Prisoners were no longer people but numbers in a series. It is easier to erase numbers than to kill people. An old saying: 'Don't count the sheep out loud'. As soon as you make the sheep an abstraction and a number on your computer, they are no longer unique, important, they will not thrive.

There is a story of an old farmer's problem: The neighbour's dogs were killing his sheep, so he thought he had three options - He could sue his neighbour for damages but that might be too costly and bad for future relations. He could build a stronger and higher fence, but that too would be costly and may not be effective. The solution he eventually decided on was to give the neighbour's children two lambs as pets. Suddenly the sheep were just not an impersonal herd, but warm fuzzy animals with individual pet names. The neighbours soon had their dogs under control.

A truer story is that of Joseph Abdiah, who founded the Haifa Symphony Orchestra in Israel. Some years ago in an Arab village, he was surrounded by an angry crowd who began to shout, "We are going to kill you".
 "Why"? he asks.

 "Because we have orders. You are a Jew and we are Arabs. Our leaders have told us to kill any Jews we meet".

"Well, how are you going to kill me?"

 "We'll throw you down that well over there". He slowly walked towards the well with great dignity. Suddenly their mood began to change. They did not see a faceless enemy, but an old man walking to his death. They hesitated, had a discussion. Announced, 'We hereby declare you to be a Muslim", and they changed his name! He became a person, not an enemy. They had feelings and emotions, not just an ideology.                 

I am the good shepherd... I know my sheep and mine know me... And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice...

  We still portray the 'Good Shepherd' as a man carrying a lamb on his shoulders
  To really have any meaning for us, we have to radically re-interpret this Good Shepherd image.

 The point of knowing is more than merely recognising the external features. It is a whole sense of belonging - being part of. Those who belong to Christ recognise his voice because they live the same life. It is listening to the voice of the one who is calling, allowing his voice to reach us and touch our hearts, basic to the ability to recognise is opening of our hearts to listen.

Called to belong to this flock are all persons who have begun an adventure with Jesus, calls for enormous mutual trust and love. It is the kind of love that requires one to forego material distractions and to die to selfish ambitions so that the loved one can live. No one is ever called to stand alone but called to be part of one flock, one community.

  We are really called to make a journey of love and sacrifice, more and more able to recognise the voice of our Lord as he speaks, as he moves among those he loves. We are called to ignore the voices that call us to success at any cost, and ambition that that excludes the needs of others. He is the gathering force among us, he is here as we gather, in our homes as we learn to love, in our work as we learn to serve.

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References:

(A) MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT. ABBOT'S HOMILY. Abbot Philip, OSB

Inaugural Speech to Clergy of Brisbane by Archbishop-elect of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge,  (2012) – taken from notes by Paul Kelly.

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Shutterstock licensed image ID:1688640952. An ancient statue of Jesus Christ Good Shepherd with the lost sheep on his shoulders. Biblical tradition, religion, Christianity, God, faith concept. Zwiebackesser


Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B  (Sunday, April 25, 2021)  (EPISODE: 295 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{May God's Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude abide in you. }}

On this special day of Easter, which here in Australia is also the Commemoration of Anzac day, we know that our God's love and mercy have no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.  

• Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy

• You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy

• You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord have mercy

 

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.

 

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

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Let us pray for peace in our world, and in our hearts and homes. Lord Hear Us. Let us pray for all the servicemen and women, who served our nation with bravery and honour. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for those men and women who died in the time of war, defending the freedom and people they loved. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for all those who have been injured or in any way physically or emotionally affected by war. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for those who presently serve in armed forces, that they may be protected and strengthened. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for everyone separated and physically isolated in this time of the pandemic. That we will experience a deep sense of unity with God and with one another.   Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray that the ANZAC spirit of self-sacrifice, bravery and support may always live in the memories and hearts of all Australians. Lord Hear Us.

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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Easter III
EP II
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Each year on this day Australians observe Anzac Day, in memory of those who served, suffered and died in all wars and armed conflicts.

 

We pause to listen to the recitation of "the Ode," then "The Last Post," followed by one minute's silence, and concluded by the "Rouse."

 

{They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them!}.

(people respond): We will remember them.

 

Last Post

 

(One Minute Silence)

Rouse

leader: 'Lest we forget."

R/ 'Lest we forget."

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{I am very grateful for you joining in, at this special time of prayer and reflection. }

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

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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 my weekly 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: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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.

- "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.

[ Production -  KER -  2021]
May God bless and keep you.
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Third Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, April 18, 2021-(EPISODE: 294)

Third Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, April 18, 2021

(EPISODE: 294)

Readings for Third Sunday of Easter. Year B
FIRST READING: Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19
Ps 4: 2, 4, 7-8, 9. "Lord, let your face shine on us"
SECOND READING: 1 John 2: 1-5a
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 24: 32). Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us. Make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
GOSPEL: Luke 24: 35-48

{Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed stock vector ID: 254006194 . Jesus after his resurrection in triangles style By mashabr}
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Third Sunday of Easter. Year B - Sunday, April 18, 2021, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-3b-2021-ep-294  (EPISODE: 294)
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*Prologue – Fr Paul –
In the gospel, this weekend, the absolute truth of the PHYSICAL resurrection of Christ is again reinforced.

Jesus even shares a meal with his disciples; and makes a point of eating what sounds like a delightful piece of grilled fish to show his disciples he is indeed flesh and blood.

It is quite a claim to suggest that Jesus has risen. The Disciples initially couldn't believe what they were hearing when reports started coming in that Jesus has risen again. If it were merely a made-up story, it would be easy to suggest that he was merely Spiritually risen, and was experienced by others in only a kind of ethereal or spiritual way, but that is not what is being said and not what has ever been claimed. Jesus is RISEN, and he is truly risen indeed! His disciples saw him, touched him, ate with him, and spoke with him on many occasions after he rose from the dead.

The true genius of the Christian faith is our belief in the Resurrection and what it says about the relationship and connection between the BODY and the SOUL. For Christians, the body is not just some annoying outer shell that encases the pure spirit of a person and which would be better off being cast off so that the person can achieve perfection.

The Greek philosophy (which was very popular and influential in the time of Jesus, and has been very influential throughout history, tends to see a sharp divide between body and spirit. The Greek philosophy tends to see the "Spirit" as pure, and divine, and good, and the body (that is, physical matter) is corruptible, imperfect, temporary, sinful and bad.

Even in the Jewish faith, the spirit, (or the soul), was considered (by many) to indeed live on after death, but only some Jewish people believed in the resurrection of the body. The Jewish understanding tended to see the flesh as earthly and the soul/spirit as heavenly.

The Christian belief in the incarnation of Christ (God becoming flesh and dwelling among us as one of us), and that Jesus is truly God and truly human, shows a profound understanding of the human person which reveals the holiness and the dignity of the body and of the material world. We have been saved by Jesus – (God made flesh) - who took on our nature and never cast off.

We believe that Christ's human nature was never cast off….. He kept his glorified human body when he returned to the Father in Heaven -- This belief informs our teachings on justice and the dignity of the human person and of the sanctity of the human body and why suffering is not something to take lightly.

Jesus Resurrection takes this a step further. The destiny of the human person is that they will one day live with God in Heaven (body and soul). The body is sacred and will be raised up and is not to be cast off in order to attain perfection. God will perfect us physically and spiritually. The earthly, the physical and the material DO matter in Christian spirituality, and cannot be ignored or put out of the picture.

The disciples, in today's gospel, are shown to be in fear and doubt when suddenly Jesus appears to them and reassures them, giving them literally a solid and tangible foundation for their belief (his physical resurrection), the truth of which will keep them going in good times and in bad,., in peacetime and in persecution,…..

Jesus opened the minds and hearts of his disciples…. Otherwise, they would have gone on sitting and hiding in the upper room, and they would still not have understood……. and they would not have had the courage to go out and preach the Gospel - It is essential that the disciples (and each one of us) are "OPEN" to Jesus' message.

Our discipleship and following of Christ (if it is to remain authentic) must always have a deeply practical element of action and right behaviour to it. Our faith must show itself in practical ways for our physical world and the physical body.

One of the readings today pointedly reminds us "anyone who says 'I know (God)'… but doesn't keep God's commandments is a liar." … Anyone who says 'I know Jesus'… but does not live according to Jesus' actions, teachings, values.. and behaviours… /….anyone who does not show real respect for the world and the human person does NOT have the TRUTH in them.

The other important point from today's readings is that the Resurrection of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, tells us a lot about sin and its forgiveness….. ///… We sin. Sadly, this is often what we humans do. But that is never where we leave things. We cannot ever make a concession to weakness and wallow in the lowest common denominator of our frailty. We can often do the wrong thing and sometimes it is knowingly, sometimes it is out of ignorance, and sometimes it is out of negligent failure to know what we ought. We, humans, are flawed! But nevertheless, we also are infinitely loved by God who created us.

God knows what we are like and loves us unconditionally as a parent loves their child.

And, just like a parent's love for a child, - a parent does not condone or encourage bad behaviour or 'willful refusal to change one's ways' because of the lame excuse that "we are all human and we all make mistakes." Just because we are human and prone to sin is no excuse to stay in our bad habits and remain in ignorance. We are called, as beloved children of God, to grow and change constantly. We are called to spend our whole lives on a journey of learning, openness, repentance, conversion and transformation, with God's grace.

So, a major victory achieved through Christ's death and resurrection must be seen as the forgiveness of human sin. "The scriptures point out is not easy for us to admit that we are sinners and that there is sin in the world. Today we speak of 'mistakes,' of 'faults,' of 'misunderstandings'—but sin is also there and not to be denied. Sin is a reality that is still a very unpopular topic, even though really, it is not being falsely humble to say… we are all sinners.

We are all invited to look into our hearts and to know that we need salvation. Jesus needed to die for each and every one of us. We do well to recognize that our own choices against God are part of the sins in our world. Can we accept that Jesus came to die for us and for our sins and that in Him we are redeemed (purchased back by God) – Body and soul?
And we must now live in the light of this wonderful truth!

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Homily – Fr Peter Dillon  -   
It is not uncommon to hear a politician or business person, who has been heard to say or do something that shows them in a bad light to say, "I was taken out of context". Meaning that the real story has not yet been revealed and that further explanation is needed to get the full picture.

It is always frustrating to witness an event without knowing what it actually means. We know from our own experience that there is a difference between being part of an event and understanding its significance. If you have ever been involved in a religious ritual in a church other than a Christian one, then you might think that as much as it is clearly a spiritual event, without the background and teaching relating to the ritual, we feel merely onlookers and not participants. Unless we know the context we can impose any meaning we like, and it might not be the correct message.

Jesus himself made the distinction between those who "see and hear" and those who "perceive and understand." The scriptures are full of such events that only reach their full meaning when we are able to look back and see the events in a new light, for instance, the light of the Resurrected Jesus.

Today's Gospel is a perfect example of disciples who cannot make sense of Jesus' recent death, nor can they make sense of what is going on when he appears to them. Luke makes it very clear that only the risen Christ can make sense of the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The disciples need the risen Christ to enlighten them as to what has happened.

Even though they tell the stranger on the road to Emmaus, how they had recognised Jesus in the breaking of the bread, they still don't know how to make sense of it all. In fact, it is a bit surprising that there was so little excitement about the empty tomb.

Surely it was a very big deal to have their teacher and companion, who they saw crucified before their eyes, come back to life again. What had they hoped for? Perhaps they thought that things would go back to the way things were before. That Jesus would return to teach and to heal and perform miracles.

 It could be that they were expecting something more spectacular and they were possibly a little disappointed. Certainly, that seems to be the attitude of the disciples on the road. It is only when, like Thomas, they are able to touch him and be close to him in the home that clarity came to them. Only when he interprets for them what this rising from the dead could mean for them, that they come to believe in who he is. They cannot do it by themselves. Only the risen Christ can take the disciples from mystery to revelation, from confusion to understanding. It required that personal encounter for things to make sense. Hearing the story is one thing, it is completely another issue to have Jesus present in the flesh.

Still today people get disappointed that Easter doesn't automatically take away their fears, confusion and pain. It took the disciples a long time to recognise that not only Jesus changed with the resurrection, but that he was with the world through them. That by his dying and rising they received a new meaning.

In this new understanding the disciples became more than witnesses, they became the embodiment of all that Jesus had prepared them for. So when Luke tells of the preaching of the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles, like Peter's sermon in the second reading, we come to understand that the Church today is based on the unique experience of those first disciples. Happily, they did not keep this new experience to themselves.

Every generation must make the message of Jesus its own and pass it on to others. It is a message enlivened by the witness of generations of Christians who have continued to have life in the name of Jesus. We keep the message alive only by giving it away. That way, the Gospel never dies.

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References:
HOMILY – Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue – fr paul Kelly

Abbot's Homily. Monastery of Christ in the Desert.

{Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed stock vector ID: 254006194  Jesus after his resurrection; in triangles style  M By mashabr}


Third Sunday of Easter. Year B  (Sunday, April 18, 2021)  (EPISODE: 294 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and understanding abide in you. }}

My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: 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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Memorial Acclamation

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Easter II
EP III

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Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

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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 my weekly 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: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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.

- "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.

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

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
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