Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B - Sunday, 17 November 2024 (EPISODE:505)
Readings for Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year B
FIRST READING: Dan 12:1-3
Ps 16:5+8, 9-10, 11. "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."
SECOND READING: Heb 10:11-14, 18
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 21:36). Alleluia, alleluia! Be watchful, pray constantly. That you may be worthy to stand before the son of Man.
GOSPEL: Mark 13:24-32
Image Credit- adapted from this original image - pwkelly - https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/YmlrnwqiarL5HvTwWfMp?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 17 November 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-33rd/s-4tIuC8JLaEn?
(EPISODE:505)
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This weekend, our Lord warns his disciples that there are tough times, stormy times ahead, not only for him but for his immediate followers and all who come after them.
But, in the midst of this, he offers hope. He says, don't be fooled. The end has not come. Witness to the truth of my message. I will be with you. I will be faithful to you, even if following me causes hardship.
In some ways, all this talk in the readings this weekend of end times and the last judgment and the day of the Lord and the like, is about saying all things come to an end, except the things that last forever. The things of abiding and eternal value last forever.
Only that which lasts should be sought after. And the one thing that endures forever is love. God is love and all who live in love abide in God forever.
One of the most unexpected and, in many ways, unwelcome things that has come about in the last few years is, by social media and new technologies, ones see the emergence of a countless number of self-proclaimed experts who claim to know the book of Revelation, and other apocalyptic passages like today's message from John, and the first reading. Thousands of people have suddenly awarded themselves doctorates in scripture, theology, and ecclesiology without reference to the authentic scholarship and interpretation from the church over thousands of years. So, large numbers of these "experts" have come out of the woodwork and are happily telling anyone who will listen, and some who'd rather not, what the true meaning of the books of the Bible is.
And as people have done so many times in the past, they're telling everyone that these passages are predicting what's happening right now. They'll even lecture lifelong scripture experts and preachers about the meaning. However, their information has been cobbled together from YouTube or fundamentalistic and often non-Catholic sources (which at other times have been unapologetically anti-Catholic). They use those same texts differently when it suits their argument to accuse the Catholic Church of being the enemy predicted in these same apocryphal texts, which we know is nonsense and grossly lacking in Christian charity.
We cannot say this strongly enough: do not listen to these prophets of doom and misinformation. Let us take our counsel and information from reliable sources, including the 2000 years of tradition, study, and teachings of the Catholic Church and its teachers, saints and scholars. Don't be fooled.
That is Jesus' own words of warning in the scriptures today, "do not be misled. The end has not yet come." He also says quite clearly that we do not know the time or the hour. If even Jesus does not know the hour or the day, who are these other "experts" who claim to know better than the Lord?
How anyone could claim to predict the future with any clarity is beyond me.
There are so many things that we could be tempted to put our trust and energy into, things that we value but are not necessarily of abiding value, which we can try to wrap up and spend so much time protecting and storing away. But then, when we go to check on it, it's gone. It has slipped through our hands because it's only temporary.
In this weekend's gospel, Jesus is not merely warning us about the impending end of the world, which 2000 years later has still not come, despite countless predictions to the contrary in every century since. Rather, Christ is asking us, his disciples, to make sure our values and actions are directed to the coming of Christ's kingdom in every aspect of our lives, here and now.
And in the future, those Kingdom Values will indeed come to life in its fullness. That's why I love this quote. It's from John Henry Newman, who is now an official saint of the church.
He says, "I observed then, that though Christians throughout the centuries may have been mistaken in what they took to be the signs of Christ's imminent return in glory, the second coming, yet they were not wrong in their state of mind, and they were not mistaken in looking out for Christ and being ready to respond to Christ in their daily lives."
As another scripture scholar points out, the late Gustavo Gutierrez, in the context of the whole chapter of this gospel passage, Jesus is speaking about the imminent destruction of the temple, which people, 2000 years ago, were taking as the be-all and end-all of religion and experience and achievement. Jesus is saying even with this unthinkable tragedy of the complete destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, this is definitely not the end. (Even if it feels like it).
Even when the temple is destroyed, still keep hoping. The kingdom is still coming. His good news is not about turning his word into a safe, secure, exclusive or privileged object for people to get complacent about.
His good news is about loving service and paying the price for the values that last. And it's about standing with those who are suffering. It is also about realising that this will come at an enormous cost, not just for our Lord, but for all who dare to follow his values and path.
But the most reassuring thing about this weekend's gospel is the line by Jesus: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Jesus' words, Jesus' gospel, Jesus' values, and Jesus' kingdom will never, ever pass away. These are of eternal value.
So let us cling rightly to his word, which lasts forever. Let us nurture his word and values in our daily lives. Let us build on the permanent and strong foundations that our lives and priorities are based on the gospel values, the kingdom values, because these cannot be taken and cannot be destroyed.
And investing in any other values or priorities is pure folly and eventually will pass away. The Lord's word remains forever, including these words, where Jesus said,
"What good is it if you gain the whole world, and lost your soul?"
And these words too…
Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you…
The greatest among you is the one who serves….
There is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over 99 who did not need to repent…
…..Neither do I condemn you….
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be given you…
The law was made for humanity and not humanity for the law…
What I desire is mercy and not sacrifice…
Is it against the law to do good or to do evil….
I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put in more than all of the treasury…..
Unbind him… set him free...
Anyone who is not against us is for us….
Whatsoever you do to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine… you do it to me….
In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He who is forgiven little loves little.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? ……. And if you greet only your brothers and sister, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
These words and so many more of Christ's words, which we are so privileged to have preserved in the living word of the Scriptures…. will NEVER pass away.
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References:
Homily Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
Image Credit- adapted from this original image - pwkelly - https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/YmlrnwqiarL5HvTwWfMp?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B -(Sunday, 17 November 2024) (EPISODE: 505)
The Lord be with you.
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{{Kindness and grace to you all}} welcome everyone, we gather - To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to our loving God On this Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Coming together as Gods family, let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: 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
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Ps 16:5+8, 9-10, 11. "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope."
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 21:36). ). Alleluia, alleluia! Be watchful, pray constantly. That you may be worthy to stand before the son of Man.
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PREFACE: Ordinary 5
Eucharistic Prayer 4
(theme variation: theme 3 )
(post version: v1-long)
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{4. I give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of reflection upon our God.}
3. 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 the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
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Details 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 (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. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.
Editing equipment: -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)
Text transcription as per recorded podcast version is transcribed by TurboScribe.ai
{excellent and accurate transcription from voice to text}
[Production - KER - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.
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