Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, October 3, 2021 (EPISODE: 325)

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, October 3, 2021

(EPISODE:325)

Readings for Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B
FIRST READING: Gen 2: 18-24
Ps 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6. "May the Lord bless us, all the days of our lives. "
SECOND READING: Heb 2: 9-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 4: 12). Alleluia, alleluia! If we love one another. God will live in us in perfect love.
GOSPEL: Mark 10: 2-16 or 10: 2-12

Image: ShutterstockLicensed image ID:2043205592 -ROME, ITALY - AUGUST 31, 2021: The fresco Christ Blessing the Children in the church Santa Maria in Monticelli by Cesare Mariani (1859).-By Renata Sedmakova.
++++
Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, October 3, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-27th-sunday-ordinary-b-episode-325?si=680920de9ccc4b6dbb0be93edf862906  
(EPISODE:325)
+++++
* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)
In the readings this weekend there is a recurring theme about the membership of a family. God has made us his children. We are all adopted sons and daughters of God through God's gracious action. God now treats us as full members of the family and with all the rights and duties of a member of the family. It is through Jesus that we become part of God's family. We are all brothers and sisters of Jesus.
 
This is such a special and profound gift. Through our baptism, we become part of God's family, which includes being brothers and sisters with all the saints who have gone before us into eternal life and stand in the presence of God praising him night and day and continuing to pray for us and intercede for us to Our Heavenly Father.
 
If the world truly realised and acted upon the truth of this message we would be living in a different situation. If everyone acted as if they were truly brothers and sisters to each other, then surely we would be so much closer to an end to war and violence and hatred. They say 'blood is thicker than water" but in the Christian mindset, (which turns on its head the values of the world), the water of Baptism is much thicker and stronger than the ties of blood relations. The first reading is also powerful as it reminds us that men and women were created to be equal and to be helpers and supporters of each other along life's path.
"Your Son went down from the heights of his divinity to the depths of our humanity. Can anyone's heart remain closed and hardened after this?" —Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) (FHL)
++++++++
HOMILY : Fr Peter Dillon:
27^th Sunday Ordinary Time Year B 2021

The gospel this weekend has such a strong teaching about the sanctity of marriage that we might not even notice an equally important reference to the need for us to become like children if we want to enter the kingdom of God. We tend to dismiss this section because we regard childhood as something that we must grow out of, leave completely behind, as if there was nothing from our childhood that we needed to bring into adulthood. This is not a new theme for Jesus, who correctly notices that with maturity comes rigidity and judgment of others, so he frequently reminds his followers, and us, that his message is not complex for those who see it through the eyes and mind of a child.

It's important to distinguish between being childlike and childish. To be childish implies immaturity and being irresponsible. We all know that children are not angels. These are the things we should grow out of. But there are some childlike qualities that we should retain like openness and a sense of wonder, being able to live in the present. What tends to happen is that we lose some for the good qualities and keep some of the worst. A child's imagination is infinitely stronger than that of an adult. They have a clear and honest vision, that they don't know how to manipulate to suit their own needs. Children see everything as for the first time.

There is also a refreshing honesty with children. While there are not too careful about the way they tell the truth, it is also sad to find out when they tell a lie, because we then know that they have discovered a way to avoid responsibility. Evading the truth becomes too easy when it starts to become a barrier to a relationship of trust. Once we have been found out being dishonest then is it almost impossible to go back to a time when we were not afraid to tell the truth.

They have not yet got into the groove of routine, habits and prejudice. They have not been exposed to gossip or criticism or at least they don't understand what it means. Happiness seems to be their natural state and they have the capacity to find enjoyment in life's simple things.

When and why does it all change? What brings about that loss of innocence? Perhaps it's when we first become aware that we don't have the same things that others might have. We see difference as threatening and we start to feel insecure when we live in a world where we don't know each other. These are learned insecurities not innate, but it is possible to recover some of that lost innocence, by honestly asking ourselves where our fears do and hurts come from. Why do we hold back on seeking to know the reasons why people are as they are, by not holding on to hurts that have kept us bound to anger and vengeance?

When we bring these hurts into our committed relationships like marriage, we become so trapped and closed off that we hide behind them as though they offer us some protection.  Healing fractured relationships is possible when we are prepared to regain the honesty and innocence that is not only a character of children. It is part of a gift of the belonging to the kingdom, but only for those who are ready to accept it as a gift and not as a burden.


+++++
References:

Homily – FR PETER DILLON

 

PROLOGUE - Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image: ShutterstockLicensed image ID:2043205592 -ROME, ITALY - AUGUST 31, 2021: The fresco Christ Blessing the Children in the church Santa Maria in Monticelli by Cesare Mariani (1859).-By Renata Sedmakova.




Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B   (Sunday, October 3, 2021)  (EPISODE:325)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
+++++++++++++
{{Peace and greetings to you all.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Silence, reflection, prayer and contemplation of our God. 

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is full of love and mercy. And so, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us acknowledge our sins. 

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.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6. "May the Lord bless us, all the days of our lives. "

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 4: 12). Alleluia, alleluia! If we love one another. God will live in us in perfect love.
++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: own preface  Sundays IV
EP IV
(theme variation: 1 )

++++
{I pray that you have a wonderful and grace-filled week. }

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to our 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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FEAST DAY (WEEKDAY) OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL - ARCHANGELS, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 (EPISODE: 324)

Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels (white)

Mass of the Feast, Gloria

Preface of the Angels

Readings:     Dan 7:9-10, 13-14 or Apoc 12:7-12;
Gospel - Jn 1:47-51

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 21506758 -Stained glass window in St.Sulpice church (Fougeres, France), depicting (from left to right) The Archangels: Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. By Tiberiu Stan
++++
Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Feast Day (weekday) of saints michael, gabriel and raphael - archangels, September 29, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-weekday-feast-saint-michael-gabriel-and-raphael-archangels-episode-324/s-L1gTiDEY3ci  
(EPISODE:324)
+++++
* (Prologue)
The devotion to Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael began in the East. In the West, this day first marked the dedication of a fifth century church of Saint Michael in Rome. This festival of "Michaelmas" came to be very popular and widely celebrated in medieval Europe. Raphael and Gabriel were added to the Roman calendar in the twentieth century, and the three are now celebrated together. In the Scriptures (for example, Revelation 12:7-9, Luke 1:26-38, Tobit 3:16-25), each of the three angels is named as a messenger of God, entrusted with special divine missions on earth.
+++++++++++++
References:
Homily – fr paul kelly

https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/29/quote-of-the-day-29-september-the-feast-of-sts-michael-gabriel-and-raphael/

Prologue - © Copyright Liturgy Brisbane 2021
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 21506758 -Stained glass window in St.Sulpice church (Fougeres, France), depicting (from left to right) The Archangels: Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. By Tiberiu Stan.

Feast Day (weekday) of saints michael, gabriel and raphael - archangels, September 29, 2021
(EPISODE:324)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault,* through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

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

Lord Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy
Lord Have Mercy.

(Gloria)

+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: God  glorified through his angels (proper preface for the feast)
EP II

++++
{thanks everyone. And may God sustain you with his grace and love. }

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to our 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 – Jerusalem Bible
"The Psalms" ©1963  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 (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, September 26, 2021 (EPISODE: 323)

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, September 26, 2021
(EPISODE: 323)

Readings for Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B
FIRST READING: Num 11: 25-29
Ps 19: 8, 10, 12-13, 14. "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."
SECOND READING: Jas 5: 1-6
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 17: 17b+a). Alleluia, alleluia! Your word, O Lord, is truth. Make us holy in the Truth.
GOSPEL: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48

Image: Shutterstock Licensed stock vector ID:1643153383- Biblical vector illustration series, close up of Jesus on the cross wearing a crown of thorns.  By rudall30
++++
Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, September 26, 2021, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-26th-sunday-ordinary-b-episode-323  
(EPISODE: 323)
+++++
* (Prologue: 
WORK WITH GOD, WHEREVER AND WHENEVER HE IS WORKING. AND WITH WHOMSOEVER HE CHOOSES TO WORK.
This weekend, the core of Christ's message of unselfish service and love really strikes us.  I love these readings for their practicality and clarity.  God reminds us that God's Spirit blows wherever it wills. God acts in and through whom God wants. We cannot limit God or demand that God works only through official channels. We are God's servants, and we do not direct God, we serve God and God's ways.
 
The readings speak of the fact that God's Spirit blows where it wills and we cannot try to limit God's action. God works in and through anyone God chooses. Eldad and Medad are two people in the First reading who receive the spirit of God even though they were not in the tent with the others. There was some consternation about that… should we stop them, because they did not receive the Holy Spirit in the same way that we did, and the way WE think they should have received it? God says I will give the Spirit to whomsoever I choose and how and when I choose.  
 
Our job is not to limit God but to respond and cooperate with God wherever God's action is found.  The names Eldad and Medad are rather interesting…   Eldad means 'the one whom God has loved" and Medad means "love" or "waters of love."  It could also be a reminder, that God's love and God's action flow freely and generously to everyone, without boundary or limitation. The waters of God's love flow whichever course God chooses and the Spirit of God blows wherever it wills.
 
We are warned:  Jealousy is not a virtue in the Kingdom of God. Do not be jealous of anyone who is doing God's work. Do not make comparisons between yourself and your work of the Kingdom and someone else. There is enough work for the labourers of the Kingdom to occupy us all. Do not look at others and who they are or what are not doing.  Do your work diligently….   Everyone has a different part of the work of the Kingdom, (as we heard last week, making comparisons and being jealous and trying to monopolise God's work… none of them are the qualities to be found in the real Kingdom of God…)
 
Saint James is encouraging a healthy aversion to possessions and wealth, particularly if wealth and comfort are gained at the expense of others who are going without the necessities of life, and are who are in dire need…  and especially if the wealth is gained from dishonesty and unjustly ripping off others…  this will all come back to bite them, Saint James warns…
 
The gospel..  rather than talking about literally "cutting off" parts of the body, is really speaking metaphorically by means of a surgical idea that sometimes the integrity and health of the whole body needs to be preserved by amputating or removing a diseased part of the body….  So, this is really talking about the Community, the church, as the Body of Christ. This image refers to the members of the community… For all who are doing the work of the gospel, let them do it unobstructed, and cooperate with them in their work where possible…  Do not interfere with others' work and do not dismay or overload them…..   But, if anyone is doing things that are opposite to the values of the gospel, or disrupting the work of the Gospel, cut them off quickly…   Remove them so that they do not poison the community in its good work and rightly-ordered values…   This is quite challenging and sobering stuff…
 
The readings today are a great encouragement for ecumenical cooperation amongst people of other Christian church denominations, and even broader cooperation with people who are of a non-Christian faith, or even those who do not believe in God at all but who practise the human values that do not contradict Jesus' values and message in essence or effect.
 
Anyone who (even though they do not personally know of Jesus), but who nevertheless who holds Jesus' values and who lives the principles and values of the gospel, is a friend of God and will be welcomed into God's family.
++++
References:

Homily –- Fr Paul W. Kelly

(Image: ShutterstockLicensed stock vector ID:1643153383- Biblical vector illustration series, close up of Jesus on the cross wearing a crown of thorns.  By rudall30)


Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B   (Sunday, September 26, 2021)  (EPISODE: 323 )
The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++
{{Good wishes to you all.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To Pray, listen and reflect upon God and God's Kingdom.

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, - so let us pause and reflect upon our sins, so as to rejoice in Gods loving mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you were lifted up to draw all people to yourself: Lord, have mercy//You shouldered the cross, to bear our suffering and sinfulness: Christ, have mercy// You open for your people the way from death into life: Lord, have mercy//

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 19: 8, 10, 12-13, 14. "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 17: 17b+a). Alleluia, alleluia! Your word, O Lord, is truth. Make us holy in the Truth.
++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Sundays VIII
EP III
(theme variation: 4 )

++++
{thanks everyone. And may God sustain you with his grace and love. }

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to our 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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, September 19, 2021- (EPISODE: 322 )

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, September 19, 2021

(EPISODE:322 )

Readings for Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B
FIRST READING: Wis 2: 12, 17-20
Ps 54: 3-4, 5, 6-8. "The Lord upholds my life. "
SECOND READING: Jas 3: 16—4: 3
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. 2 Thess 2: 14). Alleluia, alleluia! God has called us with the Gospel, to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL: Mark 9: 30-37

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. stock vector ID: 1564585582. Cartoon Jesus standing and hugging happy kids. By Ayelet-Keshet.
++++
Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - Sunday, September 19, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-25th-sunday-ordinary-b-episode-322  
(EPISODE:322 )
This weekend Our Lord teaches us a most important lesson. He reminds us that following him is the path of unselfish service. Love and sacrifice….  Our Lord also shows us that God's idea of greatness is very different from the ideas of the world… 
////
I love the system of continuous readings that the Catholic Church and many other denominations have developed. The Lectionary cycle…. I think that it is a true genius that allows the Bible to come alive in our yearly journey…. The readings this weekend are challenging, but I love that too…. It would be easier for us to pick the readings we like…. To pick the texts that most speak to us and expound on them…. But perhaps if I were to do that, I would be sorely tempted to pass over those passages that challenge me, that move me out of my comfort zone… that are inviting me to be a disciple in the building up of Christ's Kingdom and not my watered-down vision of what I think the Kingdom of God should be…. Through our journey through the continuous cycle of readings… we don't choose the text…. It chooses us… and it reads our lives and God transforms them, reshaping us in God's image, not in our own….
 
Scenes like this weekend's gospel can be very sobering and they can give the impression that the disciples never fully understood the Lord's teaching. But we have to keep in mind that the gospels largely are a sneak peek into the formation and training that the disciples were getting from Jesus during his earthly ministry.  Later, after Jesus' death and resurrection and ascension, and after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples were transformed and enlightened.  They finally understood the message and teaching of Jesus. No longer were they wrangling and jockeying for the best places of honour, no longer were they squabbling over who was the greatest or what part of the work Jesus left for us to complete was their part, and which was the most lucrative part of the ministry.
 
We are very fortunate that the gospels are not merely the END result of all Jesus' teachings, with all the rough bits polished off. We are very blessed that the gospels show us the journey of understanding and learning and change of vision that the disciples had to go through before they fully comprehended the message of Jesus. If we only got the final results, we would not have understood the journey of discovery and conversion that we too must undergo. We must let go of our old ways of thinking and embrace the new ways of the gospel.  The old ways were of self-advantage, self-focus and 'what can I get out of this for myself?" -   and the new ways of the gospel are self-sacrificing service and consideration for others, a mindset that puts oneself last and servant of all.
 
The first reading reminds us of something we have to be very wary of. When we become aware of some challenging aspects of our own weaknesses and selfishness, it is sorely tempting to want to 'shoot the messenger."  This is what happened in the Old Testament days, and it is alive and well today too:  The prophets pointed out the ways the people were not living up to God's ways and what did the people do?  in the main, they didn't start working on their areas of weakness and their blind-spots, but rather typically they started trying to discredit the prophets and ignore and ridicule the message and in many occasions, they killed the prophets rather than deal with the actual problem – their wrongful ways and attitudes.
 
Do we ever see that tendency in ourselves in one way or another?…    We become aware of a weakness or an area in our lives or areas for growth or change in our personalities (ones that need work and improvement), but instead of humbly beginning the work of asking God to change these aspects and asking for God's grace to remove these barriers and wrongdoings, we just fob off the message or blame the messenger.  This would have to be one of THE most unhelpful and dangerous behaviours around.  In a way, it is a self-defensive mechanism, (designed to protect us), but it ends up keeping us stuck in bad ways and repeated mistakes. It is not being honest and open with ourselves and it is not admitting our utter dependence on God's mercy, love and grace to slowly but surely change us to be more like the disciples he calls us to be. God loves us despite our sinfulness, but God doesn't want us to stay stuck in the mud either! God is offering us the grace to rise above our weaknesses if we let him address our sinfulness – if we bravely and honestly face the truth of them!
 
St James spells it out in the second reading: "Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom … from above is essentially about working for peace, and shows itself in kindness, consideration of others, compassion, and results in good actions.  If we are on the right track, partiality or hypocrisy and endless wrangling and fights and disruptions would not be present.  ….. holiness..  in God's eyes is being a Peacemakers, not a stirrer or an agitator for one's own desires and ambitions. (James 3:16 - 4:3).
 
He says it really clearly:  We wouldn't have jealousy or wrangling if people had a self-sacrificing, serving, considerate approach to others, above themselves.  Jesus is the perfect example of this self-sacrificing approach. He could have claimed all authority and all privilege but instead emptied himself completely for others.   It is starkly and shockingly challenging.  Will we follow in the master's footsteps or try to go in circles on our own?

+++++
References:

Homily –Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. stock vector ID: 1564585582. Cartoon Jesus standing and hugging happy kids. By Ayelet-Keshet.


Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B   (Sunday, September 19, 2021)  (EPISODE:322 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
{{hello everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives

Coming together as brothers and sisters, with confidence let us ask the Fathers forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion

Lord Jesus, you call your people to turn away from sin: Lord, have mercy//You teach us wisdom, and write your truth in our inmost heart: Christ, have mercy//You forgive sins through the ministry of reconciliation: Lord, have mercy//

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 54: 3-4, 5, 6-8. "The Lord upholds my life. "

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. 2 Thess 2: 14). Alleluia, alleluia! God has called us with the Gospel, to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: OWN PREFACE
EP Iv

++++
{heartfelt thanks to you all ,for uniting in prayer and for reflection, upon God's overflowing goodness and care.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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

To listen to our 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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Twenty-fourth Sunday. Year B - Sunday, September 12, 2021 -(EPISODE: 321)

Twenty-fourth Sunday. Year B - Sunday, September 12, 2021

(EPISODE: 321)

Readings for Twenty-fourth Sunday. Year B
FIRST READING: Isa 50: 4-9a
Ps 116: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. "I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living."
SECOND READING: Jas 2: 14-18
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Gal 6: 14). Alleluia, alleluia! My only glory is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Which crucifies the world to me and me to the world.
GOSPEL: Mark 8: 27-35

Image - Shutterstock licensed - ID:47848003 - Saint Peter - By Zvonimir Atletic
++++
Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twenty-fourth Sunday. Year B - Sunday, September 12, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-24th-sunday-ordinary-b-episode-321  
(EPISODE: 321)
+++++
* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)
"You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." (Mark 8:33)
This weekend in the readings, we are reminded that our faith must show itself in ACTION, and flow into good works.  And in the gospel, Our Lord reminds us that following him is not about self-interest, but about denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following him, in HIS ways of service, sacrifice and compassion.   No wonder the three theological virtues are so important and go together...  Faith leads to hope, and hope leads to love that shows itself in practical action.
+++++++
A Dramatic series of events in today's Gospel. Jesus firmly says: "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." (Mark 8:33)
 
Jesus wants to make it clear to all who are following him….  (as if to say…)  …"I am not the one who is making false promises of success…..  It is the liars and false prophets who promise worldly success and its trophies….  wealth, money, gold, earthly kingship, success, health and happiness in this life…..  I am not offering this to you… I am offering you the way of the Cross….  The path of suffering, self-forgetting love and service… even to giving one's own life.  Be under NO misapprehension about what following Christ means…."  But also, trust that this path will gain the vindication, the stamp of approval from God the Father and it truly the way of everlasting life.
 
Peter had rightly worked out WHO JESUS IS>>>>>////that Jesus was the Christ….  A word which means, anointed one…  Messiah….God's Chosen King….   But the reason Jesus silences him as soon as he says this truth about him, and then shortly after rebukes Peter when he misunderstands what the next steps in Christ's mission will be… is that Jesus now has to set about carefully teaching them….Re-educating them into the RIGHT understanding of what "God's Messiah" actually means… It is NOT an earthly King… it is NOT a revolutionary who will bring war and retribution upon the Romans…..  it is NOT one who is offering earthly success… in the eyes of the world…. And this goes against the common expectations and understandings of the time…. And it's going to be hard to get those mistaken concepts out of their heads.  And Our Lord is wise and understanding; He knows that many will ask: "Who would want to follow someone who only promises the CROSS, suffering, failure, death!"  But it is only those who believe and trust in Him, and who can trust that this path leads to the TRUTH, and to the fullness of life, who are capable of making the giant but the necessary leap of faith.
 
Jesus calls us to follow him and not try to lead him. St Peter tried to LEAD Jesus in today's gospel, and Our Lord quickly set his straight. Get behind me. Not in front of me.  Follow me, don't try to lead me.
 
Also, just as importantly, Jesus shows us the priorities and values of God's anointed -  he healed the sick, forgave sinners, welcomed outcasts, he looked for the lost. He invited all people to be part of God's Kingdom. This was a "re-ordering" of values and priorities according to God's values. And it was bound to cause a lot of anger and hatred from those who liked things just the way they were – because those people were benefitting from the present status quo (at the expense of a lot of others who were trapped in terrible situations, unable to get out). Jesus knew that they would try to kill him and succeed, and then, only then, would God's victory over their evil be revealed in its fullness.  Because you cannot bury God's plans and priorities and you cannot silence God's anointed one.  But Jesus had to crucify all the opposing powers by taking the poisonous fruits of their values and actions and defeating them on the cross.

"The Messiahship of Jesus is one of service, of suffering love and of self-giving love. There will be no triumph apart from the Cross. To be a disciple is to walk this same path of service, suffering and self-giving love."[ii]

Jesus wasn't desiring to suffer. He wasn't demanding the cross for its own sake. He wasn't welcoming difficulty in his life, any more than he would wish us to suffer -  And he did go about healing people and assisting them. But being faithful to the truth of the gospel's values means burdens and suffering.  Jesus knew that each person has their own cross to bear….  For each of us, there are some things that cannot be avoided without losing the things that matter most. So we are invited to live with these crosses in ways that are loving, giving, hopeful, and which shows grace and gentleness throughout.  Allowing God to transform the crosses into means of life and love.  To try and evade the Cross in our life is to live dishonestly. It is a hard concept to pin down….  Naturally, we are meant to do everything to heal, to help to reduce other's suffering and burdens. That truth continues to be abidingly important. But there are some burdens that if we try to avoid, it would mean selling out on very values that really matter. Or it would mean not really living fully;  not being prepared to pay the price for standing up for justice, forgiveness and support for those in practical need. And for all of us, eventually, there will be one definitive cross that each of us cannot escape, at different times and in ways not of our choosing. Christ shows us the way through them to lasting victory.

Ultimately, the teaching of Jesus about the cross is actually a lesson in hope. Jesus is giving us the best message we could hope to know. No matter what happens in life, even if everything goes pear-shaped and doesn't seem to be ending well, Our Lord is calling us to put our trust in him, that the difficult journeys that we all are called to take through life, will eventually be greeted with resurrection and eternal life in Christ.  And that gives us all the strength we need to endure whatever comes, following the example of Jesus.. who goes ahead of us through it all…

References:

Homily –Fr Paul W. Kelly

2009 – A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY ALICE CAMILLE;

SHARING THE WORD THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ;

THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF MARK. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY;

St Paul Sunday Missal. 2009. Paper edition; Celebrating the Gospels.

Gaynell Cronin; The Summit. Archdiocese of Melbourne. Vol 39. Number 3, Aug 2012).
 
Image - Shutterstock licensed - ID:47848003 - Saint Peter - By Zvonimir Atletic

Twenty-fourth Sunday. Year B  (Sunday, September 12, 2021
(EPISODE: 321)
The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++
{{How are you today}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to our loving God

As we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery, let us admit our failings and ask the Lord for pardon and strength. 

Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to the Father and to one another: Lord, have mercy//You heal the wounds of our sin and division: Christ, have mercy// You intercede for us with the Father: Lord, have mercy//

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 116: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. "I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Gal 6: 14). Alleluia, alleluia! My only glory is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Which crucifies the world to me and me to the world.
++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Sundays VI
EP II
(theme variation: 2 )

++++
{Bless you all and May God's grace guide you each and every day of this week.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to our 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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++