Thursday, December 29, 2022

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - Sunday 1 January 2023

 

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - Sunday 1 January 2023

Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish - Weekly Parish Mass - podcast of Eucharist, including readings, prayers, homily)

Greetings from Surfers Catholic parish!

Please find linked below the latest edition of the Parish weekly Homily and link to the (audio) podcast of the mass, especially produced for those who are unable to be with us at mass.

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sunday-solemnity-of-mary-the-holy-mother-of-god-1st-january-2023/s-6PInYBg9KRB

Many thanks,

The Parish Team

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - Sunday 1 January 2023


First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: Ps 66:2-3. 5. 6. 8. "May God bless us in his mercy."
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel Acclamation: Hebrews 1:1-2. Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Image Credit: ID: Virgin Mary of Jerusalem. - Icon, in gold and silver. From Bethlehem.

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Mary Mother of God. Year A - January 1, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sunday-solemnity-of-mary-the-holy-mother-of-god-1st-january-2023/s-6PInYBg9KRB

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Homily – Fr Paul Kelly 2023.

At the start of a new calendar year... (with 2022 now freshly behind us)... Our minds turn to our Lord's words to us from Scripture-........
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Rev 22:13)

Since Our Lord is the beginning and end of everything... and; The Lord is truly "The One who was, who is and who always will be."
We are on the surest possible ground when we dedicate this New Year, and all our words and actions, to the Lord who brings all good things to perfection and completion.

We dedicate this new year to the intercession and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; the mother of the church; and our heavenly mother too..

At the start of a new year - we echo the perfect words that were first on the lips of Mary.... who said yes to Our Lord at the annunciation...

Here I am ... here I stand, the servant of the Lord... let it be done to me according to your word...
with Mary, let us stand ready with the new possibilities of this brand new year... to be of service to the Lord.

And our prayers are full of the inspiration we find from the scriptures, and the words of the Saints…

Such as Psalm 20:4-5
"May God give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests."

Good heavenly advice at the start of a new year can also be readily found in St Paul:

Philippians 3:13 -14 13 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

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In the octave of Christmas, we're still focused on the Prince of Peace, but also Mary, the Queen of Peace,"......... "We begin a new calendar year praying for peace in the world, in our homes and in our nation."

..... Pope Francis said, "a new year is a chance for a new start, a time to remember that all people are brothers and sisters and a time to nurture amazement that God became human to save all people. The feast of Mary, Mother of God is also a time to remember how strong maternal love and care are, and how they are the secret to making life more liveable.

"Through the intercession of the virgin Mary, may the Lord grant us to be artisans of peace — and this begins at home, in the family — every day of the New Year."(1)

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"Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labours."
St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) - Doctor of the Church

cf (similar): New Year's Day is a good time to fix one's eyes on the only One who knows what the year is to hold.

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but fewer of us are willing to do the little things. (Dwight L. Moody)

(paraphrase)
God is our strength.
Let Him be the strong foundation of our life
so that we will be truly uplifted when things go well,
and so that we will not stumble when things go badly. (2)
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And with so many worries, tragedies and threats to
May the Christ-child guide and protect us, and May Mary the Mother of God inspire and pray for us……

For a very blessed and peace-filled Year!

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

(https://catholicreview.org/solemnity-of-mary-mother-of-god-ushers-in-new-year/)

(https://www.newyearwiki.com/new-year-religious-quotes

Image Credit: Virgin Mary of Jerusalem. - Icon, in gold and silver. From Bethlehem.



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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!


{{God's kindness, peace and grace to everyone!}}

On this special Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God,, trusting in God's timeless faithfulness, mercy, and love, let us first call to mind our sins.

Lord Jesus, your beloved Mother is thereby the Mother of God. Lord have mercy

Your beloved mother is the Help of Christians. Christ have mercy, your beloved Mother is the Queen of Heaven. 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: Blessed Virgin MARY I
Euch .Prayer: 2
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{Thanks everyone, and THROUGH God's grace and mercy, and the faithful intercession of Mary the holy mother of God, may this be for you all a blessed, healthy and grace-filled year of the lord 2023.}

The Lord be with you…
(Let us bow our heads to receive God's blessing)

May God, the source and origin of all blessings,
grant you grace,
pour out his blessing in abundance,
and keep you safe from harm throughout the year. Amen.

May he give you integrity in the faith,
endurance in hope,
and perseverance in charity
with holy patience to the end. Amen.

May he order your days and your deeds in his peace,
grant your prayers in this and in every place,
and lead you happily to eternal life.
Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son,+ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you forever.

Amen.



Dismissal:

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.

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.

Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14, 1 John 4:9, & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7.
(Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20). Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics. 2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Marian Hymn - "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." (Traditional 11th Century). Melody: Mainz (1712), Hymn #783 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/

Marian Hymn – "Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera." ("Whom Earth and Sea and Sky Proclaim"). Traditional 6th Century Hymn. Melody: Bartholomaus Gesius (d.1613). #376 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/

[Production - KER - 2023]

May God bless and keep you.
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First Reading

Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of Numbers.
The Lord spoke to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,
'Thus you shall bless the Israelites:
You shall say to them,
"'The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.'
"So they shall put my name on the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 66:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (JB)

R. May God bless us in his mercy.
God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help. R.


Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples.
you guide the nations on earth. R.


Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him. R.

Second Reading

Galatians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.
When the fullness of time had come,
God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law,
in order to redeem those who were under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as children.
And because you are children,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,
"Abba! Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a child,
and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation
Hebrews 1:1-2 (JB)
Alleluia, alleluia!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
now he speaks to us through his Son.
Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 2:16-21 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke.
When the angels had left them
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go now to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went with haste
and found Mary and Joseph,
and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known what had been told them about this child;
and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds told them.
But, Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed,
it was time to circumcise the child;
and he was called Jesus,
the name given by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.



(Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish sends these emails in order to speedily keep in touch with parishioners, including for the occasional urgent/emergency emails affecting parish schedules (which has come in handy already for several unexpected events in the past - which people were grateful to receive quickly - So, we ask that you please consider keeping subscribed to this mailing list, as it helps us keep in touch in all sorts of changing situations. We have had times when parishioners said they did not know of an important development within the parish and it turns out that they had opted out of this central email).

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Wednesday, December 28, 2022

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Year A – (episode 398)

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Year A – (episode 398)


Due to the timing of the date of Christmas and new year both falling on a Sunday, this feast of the holy family which usually falls on the first Sunday after Christmas is moved this year to a Friday – a weekday feast.

Homily The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year A - 

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3:2-6, 12-14; 

Responsorial Psalm. 127:1-5. R. Happy are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Colossians 3:12-21;

Gospel Acclamation. Colossians 3:15, 16 (JB). Alleluia, alleluia! May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and the fullness of his message live within you. Alleluia!

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Stock illustration Shutterstock licensed image - ID: 586044503 – "Holy family of Jesus, Mary and St Joseph the worker."  Artistic abstract religious design. By Thoom.
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Year A - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/weekday-feast-friday-30-12-22-faith-hope-and-love-the-holy-family-year-a-episode-398/s-D35mXHOwtVK     (episode 398))    
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prologue:  

"'The Christian family ... can and should be called a domestic church'" (2204). To see the family as the Church "in miniature," and to call the Church itself the "family of God," are ideas that have been present from the early centuries of Christianity.

... The family has a high vocation in the Church. ...because it is a "communion of persons," it is "a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit." the family reflects the Father's work of creation." Moreover, the Christian family "is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ," and it "has an evangelizing and missionary task" (2205).

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are a wonderful expression of the union and cooperation we are all called to as we work to build up God's kingdom,  which includes working together as one and joining as one big family in Christ.  

This weekend let us pray that families receive every support because this is where the faith is often first handed down, and this is where the values of Christ can most effectively be modelled in action.  All that is good and life-giving about families is an expression of God's kingdom of unity, peace and love and mutual support.  May the Holy family inspire us deeply to reaffirm our decision to respond to every event and surprise in our lives as a loving, compassionate family, and like Mary and Joseph may we be quick to respond to what God is doing in our lives. 

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In many ways, today's feast and readings continue on the Christmas message. God is true to us in our lives and in the ordinary daily events of life.

It is nice that the Feast of the Holy Family follows on so closely the celebration of Christ's birth. Christmas is a special time for families; for treasuring the gift of our families; for being close to family and friends. And remembering with love those who have gone before us and given us so much love, friendship and care. They still smile upon us from the Heavenly banquet feast. / 

Speaking of family, there is also the blessing of the family that is our parish community and fellow Christian communities. And in many ways, this is the key. "Being family" in the parish and in the wider community is where we put into action what Our Lord spent his life and ministry modelling so perfectly. He truly included others-  All others! - into his family. and into his priorities. This is very important. Our daily lives are truly meant to be transformed, in a VERY REAL WAY, by Our Lord's message that we are to treat everyone we meet as beloved members of The Lord's family.

Our Lord was born into our world. He was also born into a human family. He too experienced the joys and struggles of family life. It may have been a close family. But things were far from always being a case of 'happy families.' Rather, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, faced difficulties, struggles and grave dangers in their time. This includes having to flee for their lives to Egypt, as refugees, in order to escape the deadly jealousy and malice of King Herod. Herod meant to find Our Lord and kill him if he found him. His murderous jealousy was so bad, he was killed many infants of the same age, in an attempt to destroy the Messiah. It is a horrible situation.

To Our Lord, family meant a lot. He had the greatest respect for his parents. And he was highly critical of anyone who dared to neglect their duty to their parents under the weak excuse of some religious obligation. To him, the duties to the family were an expression of the mutual duty of care and love that we owe to our beloved Father of all, in Heaven.

But, in another place in the gospel, Our Lord makes a "seemingly" contradictory statement about his family. When his mother and other relatives come to see him, they cannot get inside because of all the crowds. So they call for him and send a message to him to let him know they are there. Our Lord replies: -" Who are my mother. Who are my brothers? They are anyone who hears my words and keeps them. They are my brother, my sister and my mother."

Mary, that first and most perfect of disciples, rose to the invitation, and was Our Lord's Mother in fact and also in "discipleship of his Word." All are invited to respond to this wonderful invitation. Jesus welcomes us to be real members of his family and to be part of God's life. And at the same time, we are challenged to treat everyone around us as if they are our relatives. For in Christ, that is exactly who they are!

In fact, it is precisely because family means everything to Our Lord, that he can make this stunning claim. He loves his family. He continues to show care and devotion to his mother, Mary, -(And he was an obedient and attentive son to his step-father, the humble Joseph). The image of God that Our Lord presents to us is revealed as a loving and inclusive community. Father, Son and Spirit. Three persons in one God. A family, in itself; - Sharing perfect union, communion and one nature as God. It is into this community that Our Lord invites each of us. We are welcomed and 'implanted' into the very life of God. We share the inner relationship of God as members of God's family.

So, Our Lord is not narrowing the definition of the family but he is quite literally extending the definition of family. To include many others and to exclude no-one from the invitation.

How would the world be different if all people truly saw each other as if they were related as blood relations? What would it be like if the people being treated as the 'least' in this world were suddenly recognized by everyone as if they were just like their own sister, brother, or mother?

As I drive along in my car, I often reflect on people's values revealed by how they drive.

Who amongst us if we were stuck behind some cautious driver, would not check their behaviour if they realized the person in the car ahead of them was their own sister or mother. Would we tailgate someone to pressure them to move out the way, to the point that they panic and almost run off the road? Would we do that to our own mother? Surely we wouldn't sharply overtake one of our own family members – leaving them panic-stricken at the said of the road? Would we erratically or aggressively drive towards another car until it almost crashed, if it was our own sister?  Our Lord is saying, in a real way we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

So presumably when people are tempted to treat another poorly, they cannot be thinking of the people around them as their brother, their sister and their mother. The people on the news locked in violent attacks and counter-attacks on their enemies, obviously do not see the other as if they are a beloved member of their own family. If they thought like this, how many conflicts could be solved humanely?  Our Lord's life and ministry show that this is not just a pipe-dream, but a real world-changing attitude. Difficulties and conflicts occur even in families, but the ties of family are often an enormous motivator for finding respectful solutions, long after other connections have broken down.

Our Lord was never stuck on exclusive membership of anything. And so he invites us to be family members of his, along with everyone else. There is plenty of room for everyone.

May this profoundly affect our daily lives. May it give to the world a deeper sense of respect and reverence for the dignity of every human person, and give us a sense of peace as one family of many nations, cultures and languages. This is what the world longs for, and for which it quietly hopes.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly


http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20060707_levada-valencia_en.html

MY DAILY VISITOR REFLECTION, December 26th. Holy Family.

stock illustration Shutterstock licensed image - ID: 586044503 – "Holy family of Jesus, Mary and St Joseph the worker."  Artistic abstract religious design. By Thoom.

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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year  A
(episode 398)

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 Knowledge and reverence}}

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

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

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Nativity of the Lord II

Eucharistic Prayer II

Communion side. PWK:  LH
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{I pray that you have a wonderful and grace-filled new Year.}


Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic. Blogspot. om. u
To contact Fr. Paul, please email paulwkelly68@gmail. om

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

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love, A time of Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.

Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.


 [{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins. **]

Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray." Published in Sydney Australia By E.. Dwyer. (out of print).

{ "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -published 2011, Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski
Featuring the. loria, The Creed, The Kyrie, The Mass parts, Psalms: http://www. cwatershed. rg/chabanel/ ]]] ] COPYRIGHT @ 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Www. cwatershed. rg/vatican/Ralph_Sherwin_Videos/ 

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn: Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.

For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.Blogspot.com.au  
 
Contact us at paulwkelly68@gmail. om 
Production by KER (Kelly Enterprises Resources) 2022

May God bless and keep you.

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Thursday, December 22, 2022

The SOLEMNITY of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, December 25, 2022 (EPISODE- 397)

The SOLEMNITY of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, December 25, 2022 (EPISODE- 397)


Readings for Sunday, December 25, 2022 - The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A
FIRST READING: Isa 9:1-6
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13. "Today is born our saviour, Christ the Lord."
SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 2:10-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Good news and great joy to all the world. Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.
GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-14

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1220902873 - Biblical vector illustration series, nativity scene of The Holy Family in stable. Vector Contributor: rudall30
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus. Year A - Sunday, December 25, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-nativity-of-the-lord-jesus-christmas-year-a-episode-397  (EPISODE- 397)
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God With US!
Hello everyone, and happy Christmas.
It is such a beautiful time this Christmas Season. We celebrate God, who loved us so much that he "pitched in his tent with us" and made his home with us… to share our joys and sorrows, our graces and temptations, our failures and successes.
 
The wonder of this Christmas season is shown by the sight of so many people… family, friends, and parishioners gathered together at Christmas masses and wonderful gatherings for meals. Christmas is about family. And through the Birth of Our Lord, that first Christmas night, we are all made, forever, brothers and sisters in God's family. We are all one beloved family in Christ who loves us beyond words.
 
 (And the beautiful thing is we didn't have to earn or prove that we somehow deserve this love); God's love for us is always "just there!" ... just like the love of unconditionally loving family and friends...
 
And it is never going away!
 
The entrance into this world of God, as a vulnerable and needy baby….  It is a profound statement to us…. God became one of us…   We know that God is all-powerful…   God could have come to the world any way he wanted…..    In glory…  in might… in majesty….    But no….   God came humbly …  as one of us… sharing our condition completely….   And as a vulnerable baby….   
 
This baby Jesus shows us and invites us how to enter into the truth of real unconditional love…..  
 
**(1)(an insight into what babies teach us about true love, comes from British philosopher Alain de Botton who writes insightfully…….   "Children teach us that love is, in its purest form, a kind of service.  The word LOVE has grown overburdened with confusing and contradictory ideas of what true love really is. It seems to be – too often - used in a sense of an individualistic, self-gratifying culture – which sits uneasily with the idea of being "there for others," without hope of what they can give back to us.  (pwk=The Blessed Virgin Mary understood what true love was…   mothers throughout history know it intuitively… and fathers too..) 
 
"We are used to loving others in return for what they can do for us, for their capacity to entertain, charm, or soothe us. Yet babies …..teach us to give without expecting anything in return, simply because (they completely need our help, care and love to survive)  - and we are in a position to provide that love and care. 
 
"We are introduced to true love which is based not on admiration for strength or potential self-gain, but on surprising compassion for weakness, …….Because it is always tempting to overemphasise autonomy and independence, these helpless creatures remind us that no one is, in the end, 'self-made': we are all heavily in someone's debt. We realise that life depends, quite literally, on our capacity for love - (to give it, and to receive it graciously!). 
 
We learn, too, that being there for others  -- ………set us free from the wearying responsibility of continuously catering to our (self-focused desires). We learn the relief and privilege of being granted something more important to live for than merely for ourselves alone . (p.110}
 
The child teaches the adult something else about love; that genuine love should· involve a constant attempt to interpret with maximum generosity what might be going on, at any time, beneath the surface of difficult and unappealing behaviour.
 
The parent has to constantly second-guess why the baby is kicking , upset or angry…..   WHAT  is really about in a small child.  And what marks out this project of interpretation - and makes it so different from what occurs in the average adult relationship - is its charity. Parents …… proceed from the assumption that their children, though they may be troubled or in pain, are fundamentally good. Once the particular pin that is jabbing them is correctly identified, they will be restored to native innocence. When babies cry, we don't accuse them of being mean or self-pitying; we wonder what has upset them. When they scream out, we know they must be frightened or uncomfortable. We are alive to the endless effects that hunger, a tricky digestive tract, or a lack of sleep may have on mood.
 
Babies remind us all how much effect we have over people who depend on us and, therefore, what responsibilities we have to tread carefully around those who have been placed at our mercy. We learn of an unexpected capacity to hurt without meaning to - to frighten through unpredictability, anxiety or momentary irritation. We learn to train ourselves to be as others need us to be, rather than as our own first reflexes might dictate. 
  
How kind we would be if we managed to import even a little of this instinct into adult relationships - if here, too, we could look past the grumpiness and the arbitrariness in adult life and recognise the fear, confusion, and exhaustion, hurt, and so on,  which almost always underlies these things

It's not just the children who are childlike. Adults, too, are – (beneath the bluster) - variably playful, silly, fanciful, vulnerable, hysterical, terrified, pitiful, and in search of consolation and forgiveness.  {We have just gotten better at clothing it in other garments}. 
 
It is a wonderful thing to live in a world where so many people are nice to children. (May this ever continue!) -   It would be an even better world if we were a little nicer to the childlike sides of adults as well ….. - for at different times… this could easily be all of us.  {P122}" (1)
…
This is what it would mean to gaze upon the human race with love
{P112-113}

{This is what Our Lord did!  - on that first Christmas eve… { and every day after that……reaching out with generous love…    inviting us to do the same……..}.   
And it changed and saved the world!} 
 
….Our Lord's birth as a baby…     reminds us …..to stop demanding a perfect love or being frustrated with the absence of perfect love around us in the world…..   and instead start to give compassionate, and caring love away – generously and widely……, ….. and without expecting  return.
{P117}
  
We remember today, the birthday of a person whose whole life (from birth, ministry, death to resurrection) speaks of complete self-giving and love.
 
Jesus shows us how to act and respond purposefully with kindness and generosity to life, come what may. (Jesus, even in the face of the absolute worst things that an ungrateful world threw back at him, steadfastly refused to stop giving freely of his compassion, his mercy, his generosity, and his healing). In short. He loved unreservedly... He IS love and invites us to join him in living his love and giving this to others...
  
Amidst all this joy and hope, worry and messiness is indeed news of extraordinary joy and amazing wonder and significance. Joy (and news) to be shared by everyone - of every time and place!
 
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly


(1) **Alain de Botton. "The Course of Love -By: ISBN: 9781501134517 - Penguin Books: 20th June 2017.
 
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1220902873 - Biblical vector illustration series, nativity scene of The Holy Family in stable. Vector Contributor: rudall30

The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A  (Sunday, December 25, 2022) (EPISODE- 397)

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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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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On this Feast day of The Birth of Our Lord, Heaven has been joined to earth. God has become flesh and dwelt among us.
A blessed, happy and peaceful Christmas to everyone.
 

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist on this wonderful Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. So let us pause and reflect upon our sins to rejoice in God's loving mercy.

Lord Jesus, you came into the world to give us eternal life. Lord have mercy.

You are the eternal light, who shines in the darkness. Christ have mercy.

You are the word made flesh, to make us all children of the light. Lord have mercy. 

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

GLORIA - SUNG   
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COLLECT- (The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A)

Let us pray,
O God, who have made this most sacred (night/day) radiant with the splendour of the true light, grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.

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Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13. "Today is born our saviour, Christ the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 2:10-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Good news and great joy to all the world. Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.
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Memorial Acclamation

 

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Nativity I

Eucharistic Prayer II


(pre+post variation: v1-long)

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Prayer after Communion- (The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Year A)

Let us pray.
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, that we, who are gladdened by participation in the feast of our Redeemer's Nativity,
may through an honourable way of life become worthy of union with him, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
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I pray that you have a truly blessed and joyous Christmas and that Our Lord's love and peace will completely fill your hearts and minds, and safe travelling to and from your destinations…
 
God bless.


(Solemn Blessing)
The Lord be with you.

(Let us bow our heads and pray for God's blessing)

May the God of infinite goodness,
who by the Incarnation of his Son has driven darkness from the world, and by that glorious Birth has illumined this most holy (night/day),
drive far from you the darkness of vice
and illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.
Amen.

May God, who willed that the great joy
of his Son's saving Birth be announced to shepherds by the Angel,
fill your minds with the gladness he gives
and make you heralds of his Gospel. Amen.
And may God, who by the Incarnation,
brought together the earthly and heavenly realm,
fill you with the gift of his peace and favour
and make you sharers with the Church in heaven.
Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit
come down on you and remain with you forever.
Amen.

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 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:       Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.

"The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.

Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993).

St. Ralph Sherwin Gloria  - written and sung By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski.  2011 ccwatershed.org.

Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14,  1 John 4:9, & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7. (Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20).  Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics.  2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Traditional hymns:
O Holy Night (Vocal Duet),
Joy to the World (Choir),
Away in a Manger (Choir), performed by the Bobby Cole Chamber Choir, licensed via Shockwave-Sound.com
(https://www.shockwave-sound.com)

 [ Production - KER - 2022]

May God bless and keep you.
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