ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL – AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. Year A - SATURDAY. 25TH APRIL 2020

SATURDAY 25^TH APRIL 2020.  ANZAC DAY -    

Readings for ANZAC DAY

FIRST READING: Wisdom 3:1-9 (JB)
Psalm: Ps 114 and Ps 115 (JB). "I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (JB)
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Revelation 14:13 (JB) Alleluia, alleluia! Happy are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labours for their good deeds go with them. Alleluia!    or John 14:27. Alleluia, alleluia! Peace I leave with you, says the Lord, my own peace I give you. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: John 14:23-29 (JB)

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock vector ID 1055357618. Silhouette of soldier paying respect at the grave, vector. By Seita.
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for Anzac Day, April 25^th 2020, by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-anzac-day-memorial-mass-2020/s-YTyGfS13tiV  (EPISODE: 224)
+++++
Today marks the landing of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli, in 1915, during World War I. This national day of remembrance honours the courage and self-sacrifice of those who served in all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. In this liturgy, we particularly recognise the sacrifice of the fallen. We commend them to God's eternal care... and we also fervently pray that the justice and peace for which they sought to defend and preserve will dwell richly in our land and in our world.
 ++
We are all acutely aware of the fact that the health crisis at present has made it impossible for the usual extremely well-attended gatherings to Remember and pay our respects at Anzac day. Nevertheless, in many different ways, and within the ability of each and every household, we still commemorate this time.  And we remember the sacrifices, the bravery and the loss now, as always.   We also look forward to the day when we can gather again as a community to mark this important day.
The emotion and the significance of these events in no way lessens with the passage of time…
 
For a nation of 5 million people as we were back then…   61,511 young Australian lives were lost. 
 
In all wars and military operations, including peacekeeping operations…  Australia has, in total lost 102,930 - and that's an increase of 85 human lives lost in the last six years.   With 226,060, injured (another 187 added in the last six years),  and 34,733 taken as prisoners of war (an addition of three.. which although thankfully low, is bad enough).  And surely 100% of those who served and returned have been profoundly affected in ways that one could hardly put into words….      The sheer size of these numbers  (let alone the human effects behind it- and countless more lives which were changed forever, are almost impossible to fully comprehend… 
 
We hear from the Lord's own lips, "No one has greater love, says the Lord, than those who lay down their lives for their friends, "  and today we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of those who served in times of war…  and those who risked life and limb for those they loved…..

I remember a few years ago,  just before a Dawn service was due to start, I could hear the sound of a baby crying… just near to me…   a baby in a pram….  And it struck me….  This is that baby's first Anzac commemoration…  The first of a lifetime of Anzac commemorations…    which will be part of his or her life since before they could even remember …..   The next generation.   as with previous generations of young people, have taken up the torch of remembrance for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice…   An important torch to carry...  Remembering devoutly, the cost of freedom and peace… which came at such an enormous price….   From so many brave men and women…. and their families and communities.   

I remember also, quite a few years ago now, visiting the beautiful city of Ballarat, in Victoria, and being powerfully impressed and moved by the 22 km-long Avenue of Honour, starting with a memorial arch of victory,... with 3912 trees planted along the road, (mainly elms and poplars),  to remember those who enlisted from that town alone, in the first world war. With many trees marked with plaques, also commemorating those who had died in the service of their country.  It brought home the impact of the wars, even to this day, on the people of every town (large and small) ...  

Every year, the numbers who gather to commemorate and remember the sacrifice of so many, and so young…   ever increases….  And this is so this year, even though we cannot physically gather, we are still united in commemoration. And it is so inspiring in past years to see the wonderful representation of young people and the schools who participate so beautifully … it gives great hope… 
Many who returned from serving in the wars often did not speak of their experiences…they were so deep and indescribable….    And when they did speak of it, it would astound and humble all who heard…  Today we respect their silence… and we also respect their sharing of whatever they did feel was important for them, or for us to know and to take to heart.
Today,  and every year at this time, we willingly and gratefully pause to remember and pray - give thanks for those countless men and women who served in time of war…. And who sacrificed everything….  For the sake of their families, their friends, their colleagues… their mates.. and their country.. and the freedom, the love, the friendship and peace that it symbolises….
 
We remember and pay our heartfelt thanks to all who gave their lives.. The ultimate sacrifice – We take strength from Christ, Our Risen Saviour, who gave his life so that we might all be saved and be made forever citizens of the eternal and Heavenly City of peace and justice…….   We cherish those words from Our Lord..... "no greater love has a person than to lay down their life for a friend."  
 
We pray that all those who lost their lives are now resting in the eternal peace of Christ…  
 
There are many, many sacrifices that were made by those who served in time of war and those who serve now too….   As well as the sacrifice of their lives, there is also the loss of their youth, their health, and emotional well-being…..    Those who came back injured in body, mind or spirit, from their experiences….    Anyone in any way affected by the horrors of war and its aftermath….. We remember them…. With profound respect.
 
Our prayer today and for the future is for that peace which only Christ can give to the world…..   A peace and a love that quenches the all-too-real hatred and misunderstanding in the world..… and banishes that which leads to enmity and violence… We long for this…   Those who served prayed and struggled for it…  We continue this prayer this year and every year…  this special day and all days….  
 
May peace be in the hearts and minds of all people in the world….  May the peace of God's kingdom one day soon put an end to all war and violence….  In remembering and acknowledging the human cost of war and the price,  beyond telling, of those who served….   We not only remember them, but we commit ourselves to a world where the values they fought for are cherished, protected and remembered.
 
We pray that God's reign of peace, justice, dignity and love will come in all its fullness…..   and that the values of those who struggled and suffered for us will be always and everywhere respected, preserved and built up ever stronger…  
 
Today we recall the extraordinary poem of which a paragraph has become immortalized as THE ODE….  the poem, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 (one hundred-and-six years ago this year)….  And captures the importance of remembering and commemorating this day….
 
elsewhere in that same poem, he writes a passage that echoes our belief that those who have made sacrifices in the service of others remain not only in our hearts and memories… but, although hidden from sight… live on…. in the everlasting life of God's kingdom where there is true peace… no more suffering, no war…  no pain….   our constant prayer is that God's Kingdom Come, not only in heaven but that the peace and justice of God's Kingdom will take hold and express itself more and more on earth…. and that the freedoms and values that our past generations have sacrificed everything for   …. will be assured for all… and forever……
 
"Where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
 
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain."**….
 
(We will remember them) ... 
 
+++
- Reflection by Fr Paul Kelly
 
- ** Robert Laurence Binyon, (10 August 1869 – 10 March 1943). "For The Fallen", The Times, (London), 21 September 1914.
 
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Australia
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock vector ID 1055357618. Silhouette of soldier paying respect at the grave, vector. By Seita.
+++++++++++++++++
ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL – AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. Year A -  SATURDAY 25^TH APRIL 2020.
  (EPISODE: 224 )
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
 
As we begin the Holy Eucharist, let us acknowledge our sinfulness, so as to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries.
 
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit. Lord, have mercy//
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner. Christ, have mercy// You bring light to those in darkness. Lord, have mercy//
 
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Let us pray for peace in our world, and in our hearts and homes. Lord Hear Us. Let us pray for all the servicemen and women, who served our nation with bravery and honour. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for those men and women who died in the time of war, defending the freedom and people they loved. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for all those who have been injured or in any way physically or emotionally affected by war. Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray for those who presently serve in armed forces, that they may be protected and strengthened. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for everyone separated and physically isolated in this time of the pandemic. That we will experience a deep sense of unity with God and with one another.   Lord Hear Us.
 
Let us pray that the ANZAC spirit of self-sacrifice, bravery and support may always live in the memories and hearts of all Australians. Lord Hear Us.

++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
pref:  Christian death I
Eucharistic Prayer II
++++
 
Go in peace

+++++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com
 To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
 You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com
 Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
 Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
 Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
 "The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers. 
 Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
 {Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. } 
 "Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. 
 [ Production -  KER -  2020] 
 May God bless and keep you. 

Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 19, 2020

Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 19, 2020

Readings for 2nd Sunday of Easter A
FIRST READING: Acts 2:42-47
Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 1:3-9
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 20:29). Alleluia, alleluia! You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; happy those who have not seen me, but still believe.
GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 20641483. St Thomas Icon In Eastern Orthodox Christian Style. By Denis Radovanovic
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 19, 2020 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-2a-2020/s-bP0me6dmFAU  (EPISODE:223)
+++++
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, where we recall the absolute mercy and love that Jesus has for all humanity.  

Today we know that Our Lord is certainly worth trusting in, and all his promises are true…..  We can thank Thomas for Jesus confirming that for all future generations….  including us here and now….
+++

The Homily this weekend will be given by Fr Peter Dillon.

Low Sunday: Second Sunday of Easter 2020

It has been said that faith survives and grows when there is a whole culture that conspires and promotes it to keep a religious view intact. Which says to me that it is easy to be a believing Catholic if you never meet someone who isn’t.. Yet when you and I move out of that culture it is sometimes difficult to maintain that belief, particularly if we have accepted beliefs blindly and have not sort to understand their meaning and significance.

In our world every day we meet cynicism, doubt and pluralism, and we usually choose to walk away from any counter-arguments because we either don’t feel confident in arguing our beliefs or we don’t see it as important enough to go to the trouble.

The task of every Christian is to make Christ visible in the world. That is how it was from the time of the first disciples. Once they had seen Christ, they felt compelled to make him know to others. Today the risen Christ commissions his followers to do just that: ‘As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you’. The question is, what sort of Christ are we making visible to the world?

In all three years of the cycle of readings the Low Sunday, probably called so in the English speaking world because it follows the high significance if Easter  or First Sunday of Easter gospel is the same: the account of the appearance of the risen Lord to Thomas. Thomas is a strong and questioning character. The placement of the gospel here is to remind the Church and the world that we are not a credulous group of people who are easily misled. The first response of the Christian is always skepticism. The Disciples are surprised and doubtful about the resurrection before they come to belief only when they have seen it for themselves. They are loathe to accept the testimony of Mary and the other women who discovered the empty tomb.. Peter and John must go to see the empty tomb for themselves. Thomas is the most extreme form of this skepticism and yet he comes to the most profound faith. Jesus, in response, utters the ninth Beatitude: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’. In other words, how much more difficult will it be for those who have not had the advantage of post resurrection appearance to come to faith in the risen Christ.  Yet it is these blessed ones, despite their very real doubts, who must be the heralds of the Good News.

Among the first of the believers who had never met Jesus was the Apostle Paul.

He is the earliest of the Christian writers,  and describes Christ as the image or icon of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). He is the living image of the Father. His humanity made present and reveals the God who dwells in unapproachable light.  However, after Calvary, his visible presence was withdrawn from the world and  we are left with icons which are meant to reveal him, somewhat as glimpsed in faith, and make him present to our consciousness. (One of these icons is  the Divine Mercy, another Sacred Heart, another the Infant  Jesus of Prague)

Jesus of the Scars

American pioneer environmentalist, Aldo Leopold, died in 1948. He lived in a world which was not yet ready to develop an ethical attitude to the planet. Seeing the mistreatment of the world’s forests, wilderness and wildlife, Leopold once said that, ‘One of the penalties of an ecological education is living alone in a world of wounds’.

In all the great artistic depictions of Resurrected Jesus, they always include the scars on his hands, feet and side. One might imagine that in resurrection not just the soul, but the body would be in a perfect state. But it was through these scars that we learn the road of resurrection. They were not wounds of failure but indications of the sacrifice made to show us how to arrive at this perfect state. 

The risen Jesus appears today with wounds of love.

Jesus through his rising has passed into the uncreated life of God. He had made the great breakthrough but he retained the signs of his love for the world. The scars of his passion are not only proof of his identity but also of his continuing love for us. This is the God who makes his own the cause of every man and woman wounded in life. The Jesus of the Scars is the human expression of the divine, eternal love itself, the glory of God shining through his wounds. The assurance that fulfillment comes through the cross and only through the cross. 

We are asked this weekend to take the difficult road to belief, to saying ‘my lord and my god’. Who is this God we worship and adore and why? In his passion, death and resurrection, Christ confronts suffering and evil, confronts it at its depths and overcomes it by the supremacy of his love.

Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon all humanity who are enfolded in the most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show us your mercy, that we may praise You forever and ever. Amen

+++++
References:
Fr Peter Dillon.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 20641483. St Thomas Icon In Eastern Orthodox Christian Style. By Denis Radovanovic 
+++

Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday  (Sunday, April 19, 2020)  (EPISODE: 223 )
The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++
{{Welcome everyone}}

my brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Easter I
Euch Prayer II
++++
{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 my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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

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

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

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

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

{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }

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

[ Production -  KER -  2020]

May God bless and keep you. 

Easter Sunday Morning Mass of the Resurrection, April 12th 2020. (For you at Home).

Easter Sunday Morning of the Resurrection,
April 12^th 2020.
(For you at Home).
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy week liturgies which we feature here, are specially approved shortened and adapted liturgies for this time of difficulty. You will notice that some options are not featured this year.  But we are still united in Spirit, in our Lord.
 

Image: Shutterstock stock photo ID: 722611741. Abstract and surrealistic image of a cave with light. revelation and open the door, Holy Bible story concept. By tomertu

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Acts 10:34. 37-43
Psalm: Ps 117:1-2. 16-17. 22-23. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad."
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
Paschal Sequence
Gospel Acclamation: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Gospel: John 20:1-9
Homily
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection -  by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-sunday-morning-year-a-2020/s-OILb4nJQsm6     (EPISODE:222 )
++++++++++
The homily will be given by Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Fr Peter Dillon.

Easter Sunday Morning

In the early 1920s, when Communism was in the ascendancy in Russia, a Communist leader called Bukharin was sent from Moscow to Kiev to address a rally. For nearly an hour he used every anti-God argument he could muster, and then turned to abuse and ridicule of the Christian faith till it seemed that the whole structure of belief was in ruins. At the end, there was a deathly silence. Then he invited questions from the floor. Quietly one man rose to his feet. He was a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. Standing beside Bukharin, he turned his face to the people and simply addressed them with the ancient liturgical greeting: 'Christ is risen'. Instantly the vast crowd rose to its feet, and the reply came thundering back like the crashing of breakers against a cliff face: 'He is risen indeed'. Bukharin remained silent. There was nothing he could say in the face of such strong faith. When every argument against God has been marshalled, there remains the colossal truth that Jesus is risen from the dead.
The gospels tell us about three occasions when Jesus called people back from the dead and restored them to their family and friends. He did this for the daughter of Jairus at Capernaum, for the widow's son at Nairn, and for his friend Lazarus.

Can you imagine the change of emotion that accompanied these miracles? The bystanders watch as Jesus goes into the room where the twelve-year-old girl's body lay in death. They see him invite the parents and three apostles to join him. From outside they hear the screams of ecstasy as that mother and father see their little girl sit up and holdout her arms once again to be hugged by them.

Can you imagine the scene at Nairn where there was a funeral procession but the young man being carried out to the tomb suddenly walks back to his own home, in the company of his mother and the astounded neighbours? Food and drink intended for the wake are now shared to celebrate a miraculous homecoming.

Can you imagine the scene at Bethany when Lazarus who had spent three nights as one of the dead in the cemetery walked again and talked again and entered through his own front door to sleep in his own bed?

These gospel scenes are tantalizing. We have all sat in a bedroom and looked at the lifeless body of someone we loved. No miracle-worker, followed by a group of disciples, entered to take them by the hand and restore life to their lifeless limbs. We have all followed the hearse from church to the cemetery. There was no wonder-worker to stop the procession and send us home rejoicing. We have all gone to a loved one's grave – days, months, years later and there is only a deathly silence.

Theologians describe these three incidents in the life of Jesus as the revivifying miracles. Jesus puts an end to the tears, the sorrow and the mourning but it was a temporary measure. He restored them to the life they were already living. All three would have to face death again. A popular pilgrimage place in Israel today is the burial place of Lazarus in Bethany.

However, there is another miracle in the Gospels where death gives way to life - the miracle of Easter. It is the greatest of all miracles. On Easter Sunday morning Jesus was not called back to a further period c earthly existence. He was called to take his place beside his Heavenly Father. He is the firstborn of the human dead. Born to a new and everlasting life. He says that where he goes we can hope to follow, hope to have a share of this eternal life.

Today is the great day of hope. Christian hope is a hope firmly grounded in the past, in the Easter event, but always looking inwards and forwards to the future - to a time when we will see again those who have gone before us in faith.

+++++++++++
Poem:
'That Nature Is a Heraclitean Fire and of the Comfort of the Resurrection'
By Gerard Manley Hopkins.

"Enough! The Resurrection.
A heart's-clarion! Away griefs gasping, joyless days, Dejection.
Across my foundering deck shone A beacon, an eternal beam. ...
I am at once what Christ is, since he was what I am."

+++++
References:
Fr Peter Dillon PP.

Poetic Reflection (not quoted in Homily): Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89).  Poems.  1918.
"That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire and of the comfort of the Resurrection." The poem can be seen in full at  https://www.bartleby.com/122/48.html

Image: Shutterstock stock photo ID: 722611741. Abstract and surrealistic image of a cave with light. revelation and open the door, Holy Bible story concept. By tomertu
++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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

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

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

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

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

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
[ Production -  KER -  2020]
May God bless and keep you. 
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection,
(EPISODE: 222)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
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

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Easter I

Euch Prayer II

++++
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday Night – April 11th, 2020 (For you at Home)

Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday Night – April 11^th, 2020
(For you at Home).
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy week liturgies which we feature here, are specially approved shortened and adapted liturgies for this time of difficulty. You will notice that some options are not featured this year. But we are still united in Spirit, in our Lord.

(Our apologies for a technical glitch in an earlier version of this link. It has now been fixed). Bless you and Happy Easter to everyone!

Image -Shutterstock stock illustration ID: 569517097. Easter candle - Abstract artistic pastel style Christian religious background. By Thoom

Easter Proclamation: (The Exsultet)
Old Testament Readings and Psalms
• Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 and Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18
• Isaiah 55:1-11 and Isaiah 12:2-6
New Testament Reading and Psalm
• Romans 6:3-11 and Psalm 114
- Gospel- Matthew 28:1-10
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Easter Vigil 2020 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-221-holy-saturday-vigil-in-absence-of-assembly-2020/s-rF23WEoU6ra (EPISODE:221 )
+++++
The homily will be given by Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Fr Peter Dillon.

Easter Vigil 2020

The famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas wrote a poem when his father was going blind and nearing death. It was a protest against the double darkness. Its last verse runs: "And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that goodnight. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light."

We can approach death differently because of this night. On this most holy night, we, Christian people, proclaim a song about the rising of the light. Jesus, the light of the world, was done to death, and in that death, the light truly died. A beautiful life ended, a good man died, death and darkness seemed to triumph. The hopes of all Jesus' followers were dashed, and, of all those who mourned his passing, none was more bereft than Mary of Magdala. Her life had been a struggle between beauty and tragedy. Tragedy had once again won, it would seem.

However, while it was still dark, as Easter morning approached, there is a glimmer of light. The light that everyone thought was extinguished re-ignites. Christ the light is risen. After the angel messenger has spoken to the women at the tomb, Jesus appears first to Mary of Magdala. She, the woman who has known such tragedy in her life, now becomes the first witness to the resurrection of the Lord.

This Easter, pilgrims from all over the world will this time sit close to the empty tomb. They shall do so within their own homes, within their own local communities. But they will remember the empty tomb first visited by Mary Magdalen, Peter and John. They will join that timeless queue reaching back to the first believers on Easter morning and stretching to the end of time, those who can accept in their hearts - He is risen just as he said! The one who lay stilled in death between Good Friday and Easter Day 'now lives no more to die'. They will hail him as the great trailblazer of human destiny: the conqueror of death, the one who more than any other assures us that we come from God, that our earthly journeys are journeys to a destination, voyages to a port, that someone and something awaits us at the end, that God is there, that heaven is there and that he, our risen Lord, awaits us.

The joy of the resurrection is a joy for all people, especially announced to those whose lives have known sorrow, disappointment, betrayal, suffering, hopelessness. We do not rage against the dying of the hope, we rejoice, rejoice, at the rising of the light!
 
Our Christian hope is not a thoughtless hope; it is a hope despite everything to the contrary. Through viruses, tsunamis, scandals, children dying, personal tragedies, and imperfect Church, wars and rumours of wars - And the yet the message of this day is that we can still trust our God who raised Jesus from the grave.

In the early 1920s, when Communism was in the ascendancy in Russia, a Communist leader called Bukharin was sent from Moscow to Kiev to address a rally. For nearly an hour he used every anti-God argument he could muster and then turned to abuse and ridicule of the Christian faith till it seemed that the whole structure of belief was in ruins. At the end, there was a deathly silence. Then he invited questions from the floor. Quietly one man rose to his feet. He was a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church. Standing beside Bukharin, he turned his face to the people and simply addressed them with the ancient liturgical greeting: 'Christ is risen'. Instantly the vast crowd rose to its feet, and the reply came thundering back like the crashing of breakers against a cliff face: 'He is risen indeed'. Bukharin remained silent. There was nothing he could say in the face of such strong faith. When every argument against God has been marshalled, there remains the colossal truth that Jesus is risen from the dead. He is Risen indeed!

+++++
References:
Fr Peter Dillon PP.

We acknowledge the beautiful chanting of the Exsultet (the Easter proclamation ), the Gloria and the Easter Alleluia; chants from the Roman Missal edition 3, recorded by www.CCwatershed.org media COPYRIGHT @ 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED especially at http://www.ccwatershed.org/blog/2012/feb/23/video-recording-paschal-proclamation-exsultet-plus/ and also specifically at http://www.ccwatershed.org/media/audio/14/12/08/19-00-19_0.mp3 

Image -Shutterstock stock illustration ID: 569517097. Easter candle - Abstract artistic pastel style Christian religious background. By Thoom
+++
Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com


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

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

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

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

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

{ "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -published 2011, Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski
Featuring the….Gloria, plus also the Alleluia, Exsultet: http://www.ccwatershed.org/chabanel/ ]]] ] COPYRIGHT @ 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. www.ccwatershed.org/vatican/Ralph_Sherwin_Videos/

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

[ Production - KER - 2020]

May God bless and keep you.

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. April 10th 2020.(For you at Home)

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

April 10^th 2020.

(For you at Home).

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy week liturgies which we feature here, are specially approved shortened and adapted liturgies for this time of difficulty. You will notice that some options are not featured this year.  But we are still united in Spirit, in our Lord.

Image: by  Shutterstock photo ID: 44203843. Crown of thorns hung around the Easter cross. By Anneka

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for Good Friday Passion -  by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/good-friday-3pm-passion-of-our-lord-shortened-in-absence-assembly-2020/s-ysgQ3vxhOUc  (EPISODE:220 )

+++++

LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Psalm: Ps 30:2. 6. 12-13. 15-17. 25. "Father, I put my life in your hands"
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel Acclamation: Philippians 2:8-9
Passion: John 18:1 - 19:42
Homily
Solemn Intercessions
Spiritual Veneration of the Cross
Communion
Departure in Silence

+++++++++
The homily will be given by Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Fr Peter Dillon.

THE LORD'S PASSION - GOOD FRIDAY

Despite what the papers want us to believe, we do live in
a lucky country in a very fortunate era.
So many choices are available to many people.
We may not have all we want but we certainly have all we
need, at least materially.

Even without lots of money, we can still take in our country's beauty and its benefits. And still, we want more.
One of the downsides of such a plentiful society is that we have forgotten the concept of "enough". We are no longer comfortable with words like sacrifice and discipline.
They are too distressing in a world that says we don't have to put up with the uncomfortable. We have gradually moved away from the idea of putting up with the uncomfortable in order to attain the important things of life.

That is why the idea of Christ's suffering for the sake of others is fast becoming a foreign and unfamiliar concept. It is too jarring and counter-cultural.
In a world that promotes comfort and satisfaction at all costs, why would someone willingly endure suffering if it could be avoided?

Self-sacrifice really only makes sense to people who know what "compassion" feels like. The word means "with passion". To give and receive it.

When words are not enough to express the depth of our love or concern for someone we have to move to action to show the strength of our feelings.
When people refuse to listen to how they can help themselves they need to be shown in the most profound way.
Parents know what I mean, and some children come to understand it.

We see it from time to time in our world, but often fail to recognise it.

It is there in the life of Saint Theresa of Calcutta, in Doctor Fred Hollows, the monks of Tibet.

Jesus came to discover his words were falling on deaf ears. Even his own followers had become immune to the richness of what he was telling them. They had become seduced by their perception of comfort and safety.

We gather today to hear the story of self-sacrifice because we need to be reminded that our world cannot blindly accept that we can have and do what we want without care or responsibility.

While we do not actively seek suffering, we know that is a reality in all lives. Running from it leaves us exhausted and defenceless.
If there was another way to impress upon us the truth of what he wanted us to know don't you think this wise man Jesus would have found a way?
There was only one way for him to press the importance of his message

.
This was a necessary loss in order to gain much, a sublime example of how much we needed to know what he knew about the human condition and its possibilities.

And still, we resist - looking for an easier way. If you are looking for an example of unselfish love, an example of how to commit yourselves with passion to what you know to be true, we do not need to die for it, but rather live for it but endurance, perseverance and sometimes to suffer for it.

There is a fresh urgency in our world because people have neglected to connect their personal crosses to the. one Christ died on.

There will always be crosses, sometimes they are almost unbearable. Even Jesus discovered that. But we cannot make the cross unbearable by coming down from it. It becomes bearable when we are crucified with Christ. There is purpose, then there is hope, then there is resurrection.

+++++
References:
Fr Peter Dillon pp.

Image: by  Shutterstock photo ID: 44203843. Crown of thorns hung around the Easter cross. By Anneka

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

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.
May God bless and keep you.