Ash Wed 2nd of March 2022. (episode: 353)

Ash Wed 2nd of March 2022. (episode: 353)

Readings for Ash Wednesday Mass -
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
Psalm: Ps 50:3-6. 12-14. 17. "Be Merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2
Gospel Acclamation: cf Ps 94:8  "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!"
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18
Homily
Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
       Distribution of Ashes
       Song
Prayer of the Faithful

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Id; 1189523149. Ashes in hand are prepared for the Ash Wednesday. By xmas_zest
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for Ash Wed 2nd of March 2022. (episode: 353), please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-353-ash-wednesday-2022?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

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Prologue:  Welcome as we gather to mark the beginning of the season of Lent…   40 days of prayer, penance and self-denial (reminding us of Our Lord's forty days in the wilderness),  and to prepare us for the renewal and new life celebrated in the  Easter season. Because of Covid-safety, the Church has adjusted the rite to accommodate this. "The words that are used explaining the meaning of our action with the ashes have not changed, but the moment when those words are said and especially the way the ashes are imposed will change,": "Repent,  and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and you will return to dust"." These words are normally pronounced at the moment of imposing the ashes on each of the faithful, but they will now be said only once before the distribution of ashes begins,- Then the action will no longer be to touch the forehead of the faithful by marking it with ashes," - The note indicates that the priest should not touch the faithful, but rather sprinkle some of the ashes on the top of people's heads," Interestingly, this is not a novelty.  This method has long been standard practice in many Catholic areas, such as Italy, even in normal times. And sprinkling ashes on one's head as a sign of repentance and sorrow for sin is also referred to in the old testament. (1)

Ashes, a symbol of destruction and death, are used as an ancient Judeo-Christian symbol of our journey to new life….  We use the ashes from old burnt palm branches that were used in the Palm Sunday Masses.   When we think about Lent, we generally think in terms of giving something up - a kind of 'dying' to self. But the readings for this day suggest that Lent is about beginnings: coming to new life, deepening our relationship with God and others, and transforming who we are and how we live. (2)
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Homily:

Lent is a time of Prayer, Penance and Good Works; Which are three aspects of the one thing.

From ancient times this Lenten observance reflects the three central concerns we have in life: Our duty to God (prayer), our duty to our bodies (fasting) and our duty to others (almsgiving). 
The purpose of fasting and abstinence is not to punish ourselves, nor is it a time of testing our willpower and personal strength, but rather, it is to teach us detachment from whatever may keep us from a closer connection to God. In self-denial and in giving of our time to more prayer and good works, our hearts move even closer to God.  Distractions like excess food or any other things that take up our time and energy are avoided, helping us become more focused, attentive and charitable. 

In this Lenten fasting, we also remember and imitate the example of Jesus, who fasted 40 days in the wilderness, as he prepared to begin his life-giving ministry. 
For us also, its also a recognition that sin has not only personal consequences but also sin has communal dimensions - and so Lent provides us as a community a means of expressing our common repentance. #

Lent is a six-week gift to the church from God….  As a time of nurturing positive habits of prayer, self-denial and giving of our time and resources for worthy causes… to build up our spiritual health…. and build up good spiritual habits and attitudes that become so automatic and natural to us that we do them without hesitation, and for no other reason than our love for God,  so that as the reading says today....our left-hand does not know what our right hand is doing.

We have been given such treasures and gifts by God and they are priceless.  We are sorry that sometimes we don't recognise the treasure from God and confuse it with the rubbish and static of OTHER things that distract our attention./ 

The only gifts worth having are actually the ones we give away./ The kind of gifts that are pretty useless if locked away and not used. /Gifts like love, given freely without expectation, kindness and forgiveness without hoping for something in return….    acts of charity, not for recognition or approval, but from the love of God welling up inside us.      Random acts of kindness and compassion, that no one will ever know we are the ones responsible for.// 

The gospel has a lot of wisdom in it… those things are done for no other reason but the love of God and not for anything else, call us to a deep inner movement of the heart towards God because it does not get any other reward but to serve and love God in each other… actions for the glory and praise of God alone…
So, let's make this time of lent the wonderful, Joy-filled gift that it really is. A time of peaceful self-denial and of making space for God… fostering positive habits that will last well beyond forty days.....and may God who has begun this good work in us, bring it to perfection… in the secret of our own hearts…
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

#Elizabeth Harrington – Liturgy Brisbane  © Liturgybrisbane. 

William Barclay – St Matthew - commentary


Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Id; 1189523149. Ashes in hand are prepared for the Ash Wednesday. By xmas_zest


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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.
{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and Awe abide in you.}}

(no penitential rite, as the ashes – given later – are the penitential act on this day).
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After the Homily - 
(Just prior to the Distribution of Ashes -  said once only):  
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."
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Memorial Acclamation
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Preface: Lent III
Eucharist Prayer II
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{my heartfelt thanks for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}
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
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Lenten Hymn: "Have Mercy," inspired by Psalm 50(51). Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2020

 [ Production - KER - 2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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​Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 27, 2022 (EPISODE: 352)

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 27, 2022
(EPISODE: 352)

Readings for Sunday, February 27, 2022 - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
FIRST READING: Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm 91: 2-3, 13-16. "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Philippians 2:15d+16a). Alleluia, alleluia! Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Luke 6:39-45

Image: Shutterstock licensed Image - Item ID: 1054136807 - The Cross of Jesus with White Garment
Contributor:  - Rick Schroeppel
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 27, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-eighth-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-c-episode-352?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  (EPISODE: 352)
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*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)
A Seventeenth-Century French writer with quite an unpronounceable name has some very interesting quotes that fit with this weekend's readings........ 
 
"If we had no faults, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others."
 
"(most) faults (are) more pardonable than the means by which one tries to hide them."
 
"We gain more by letting our real selves be seen than by pretending to be what we are not."   François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, (1613 –1680)
 
Also,
Inspired by the gospel today, I have long felt that "unless one can say something out of love, (motivated by compassion and goodwill), any intended correction that we might be tempted to offer to another will miss the mark." That is to say, "if one cannot say something with love and compassion, don't say it at all."  And so, we have no right to criticize unless we ourselves are free of faults. Which simply means that we have no right to criticize. If we happen to be intent on fixing up faults and weaknesses, we would be much more productive by inviting Christ to pour his healing and challenging grace upon our own sins and omissions, rather than focusing first upon others. There is plenty to work on right within our own heart, mind and soul.
 
Jesus warned that no teacher can lead their students beyond the stage which they themselves have reached.  Our Lord is teaching us that he deeply desires that anyone who follows him, needs to become a true teacher by example first; that is, by being a very attentive and open-hearted student of Him and His ways.   He makes it clear that we cannot be true disciples unless our closeness to his teachings leads to us becoming more and more like him in thought, word, and action.  This is because Christ desires us to be teachers by example; modelling our lives and priorities on his.  This requires us to be really alert, attentive and be self-aware -   open enough and humble so as to notice and address the areas of spiritual blindness that we all can suffer from. Lest we foolishly try to lead people; only for both leader and follower to fall into a hole.
 
Speaking the words of Christ could very well have limited effect if our everyday actions and attitudes contradict them and drown them out.  The loudest, most effective message we send is most often by the unspoken eloquence of our actions and priorities.
 
And surely, the best way to show the truth and primacy of Christianity is to show by our lives that actively following in the footsteps of Jesus, produces outstanding men and women. - compassionate, reverent, generous, loving, gentle, just, inclusive and merciful.
 
The fruits and results of our lives and what we say and where we spend most of our time and energy is a powerful revelation of where our heart truly lies...   Our Lord so wisely pointed out that nothing speaks louder about the truth of a person than what they do and say in unguarded moments.  " few things show the state of a person's heart better than the words SPOKEN, when talking freely, unguardedly, and saying the first things that come into ones' head."
 
When our hearts are very close to Our Lord's, the unguarded and surprising moments in life will still lead to a pouring forth of the fruits of the spirit, lying so close to the surface….love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
 
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Homily (Fr Peter Dillon)
There was a time when people in business would be proud to say "My word is my bond". Once they had given their word on a transaction, then it was considered binding. Sometimes all it took was a handshake, no paperwork or expensive contracts. Sadly today such a simple arrangement is no longer sensible even for the most ordinary of deals. People seem to need something solid to seal the deal. A deposit, an escape clause or a default condition at the very least. While it might be prudent to have such guarantees, it does feed a suspicion we have when doing business, even with people we know.

What seems to be missing these days is the quality called 'integrity'. That understanding of wholeness, of being complete, not being divided in any way. It also means being well-rounded as well as practical, sturdy, rational and realistic. It's an excellent quality to possess, but sadly frequently lacking in the world of commerce these days.

At its core it is an uncompromising adherence to a code of morals or other values, being sincere and honest. While it is not something we openly advertise about ourselves, our integrity becomes evident clear to others through our relationships and interactions, essentially letting others know that we can be trusted not to be duplicitous, deceptive or shallow.

Today's Gospel draws the essence of integrity together in three separate sayings which are part of what we now call Luke's "Sermon on the Plains", which although shorter than Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount", has a list of short "one-liners" challenging the listener the test the integrity of oneself as well as having a positive judgment of others.

The three sayings have to do with the blind leading the blind, seeing the splinter in our companion's eye and a good tree and its fruit.

He applies these principles in three areas. For one thing, he reminds his listeners that there is not much point in a leader trying to lead others until they have been there themselves. Then he reminds us that we ought to have enough integrity to see both ourselves and others honestly, without bias.

His mention of the splinter in our own eye is encapsulated in the old saying that there is so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst of us that it is pointless to talk about the rest of us. To the disciple who is concerned with the faults of another and ignores their own is a 'hypocrite', a term he usually reserves for the scribes and Pharisees.

While our criticism of others may often be true, telling the truth about others is rarely a sufficient recommendation in itself – the process may be little more than scapegoating, and at the end of that process we usually end up with a victim, not a convert. If we really want people to pay attention to what we have to say, then we should be aware of our own shortcomings and that any criticism that we might present does not emerge from self-righteousness.

So if our words flow from what fills our heart, as Jesus suggests, then that kind of heart is behind the way we criticise others? It is has been said that "they have a right to censure who have the heart to help". When people know that our heart is behind our censure and that what we say comes from a genuine attempt to help them, they might take heed. Unless goodness is at the heart of what we say of others then we would do well to keep silent.

Sharing the goodness in our hearts does not always guarantee that others will greet our criticisms with applause. People might rightly wonder if we are critical of others to them, what we might be saying about them to others. A sword edged sword, if you will.

The final test of integrity is our ability to be able to be honest with ourselves. When no one is looking or listening, are we honestly able to say our intentions are noble and our values honourable?

As the poem says:
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that one has to say.
For it isn't your mother or father or spouse
Who judgment upon you must pass:
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
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References:

prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly

Homily by fr peter Dillon

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press;

Link, Mark J. 1994. Action 2000 Praying Scripture In A Contemporary Way. Year C. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub;

François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, (1613 –1680).   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_La_Rochefoucauld_(write)  ).

Image: Shutterstock licensed Image - Item ID: 1054136807 - The Cross of Jesus with White Garment
Contributor:  - Rick Schroeppel




Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, February 27, 2022)  (EPISODE:  352)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{May Our Lord's care, comfort you}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord,s supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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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Psalm 91: 2-3, 13-16. "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Philippians 2:15d+16a). Alleluia, alleluia! Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!

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: Sundays Ordinary II
Eucharistic Prayer II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: v2 )
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{I gratefully acknowledge and give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of prayer and reflection upon our God.}

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.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

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

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      RODE-NT-USB-mini

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 20, 2022 (EPISODE: 351)

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 20, 2022
(EPISODE: 351)
Readings for Sunday, February 20, 2022 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-25 ++
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "the lord is kind and merciful"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 ++
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 13:34). Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you.
GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed 1828646321 Be merciful bible words with the sky over mountain background – Contributor: -Naitham
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 20, 2022 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-seventh-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-c-episode-351?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  (EPISODE:351 )
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*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)
What does it mean for us to, (as St Paul says so wonderfully in the second reading), "bear the image of the one of Heaven?" Or, as another translation says: "be modelled on the Heavenly man, (Jesus)."

Surely it means, we open ourselves up to the Lord's grace, teaching and values and allow ourselves to be reshaped into an icon of Christ's grace, mercy, and compassion.   It means a deeper union with Christ – to the point of exercising our thinking, abilities, and powers in union with how Christ acts.

The first reading is quite challenging…   David has been persecuted quite unjustly by King Saul, who is suffering from terrible delusions and jealousy and paranoia about David.  David has been nothing but loyal to him but Saul will not be satisfied.  War breaks out but David and his army are given the chance to kill Saul and David refuses to do so.  This is not the first time this will happen. 

 

It's a striking lesson…   Just because we have been given the power to lift up and to cast down, and simply because we have within us the ability to kill or to heal, does not mean that we should use our freedom to destroy, to avenge or to harm.  David unites himself to God's patient, loving forbearance -  he does not lower himself to repay the wrongdoing of others with the same behaviour. He does not return bad for bad. Rather, he uses God's perfect antidote; – returning love and kindness for wrongdoing. Cancelling it out, rather than multiplying it. This is a radical and otherworldly solution, but clearly, it is Divine wisdom. 

 

As David says so beautifully ….  "Today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed.'"  In this instance, David used his ability to be modelled upon the values and actions of God's ways and not human ways… and the results are refreshing, surprising and wonderful.   Once where it seemed only one solution to the problem of King Saul and David.  One strikes the other down. Now there is a beautiful second option… reconciliation and rebuilding.   We are invited to give from God's gracious and compassionate love within, rather than to mirror or give back what one receives from the selfish, narrow actions of others.

 

Our Lord confirms this Heavenly mindset in the gospel….  He teaches us a very challenging message that goes against base instinct…  Do good to those who harm you and pray for them…   go further than the minimum……

 

The word "love" used by Our Lord in this teaching is not the same as for family or friends or a spouse…  but it's a love that wishes the best and only the good for another, irrespective of their actions.  Wanting for everyone that dignity and respect and good that anyone deserves as a child of God, whether they themselves have acted in ways befitting of their status as children of God.

 

Do this, and 'you will be children of the Most-High, for God himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.'

 

BE generous, not stingy or selfish; loving and compassionate, not gossiping, or judging; Merciful, not vengeful and precious. .... The standard by which we will be judged is going to be the standard with which we treat others!

 

Are we tempted to be offended when someone slights us?   Are we outraged when someone wrongs us?    But then we look at Our Lord…  who is deserving of all honour, obedience, and service… 

At times, each of us has offended the Lord, slighted him…  not given God his due, deliberately or carelessly chosen to do what is wrong…   God would have been within his rights to become furious, to lash out, the punish, to cast us away….  But God does not…   (thank goodness!).   {So many times I thank God that we humans do are not God because the results would be disastrous and capricious}. Rather, Our Lord is full of love, mercy, and forbearance…    

 

Thanks be to God, that the Lord does not choose to exercise his rights against us when we have wronged him time and time again. And if we are truly to model ourselves on the Heavenly Person, and bear the image of the one of Heaven, then we too must have the same attitudes and responses when we are offended, slighted or wronged.    How different would the world and our local communities be if this was the full reality? 

 

Otherwise, as Jesus points out if our goodness and kindness go no further than our family and friends and those we are already in goodwill with, what difference is that from the pagans and the sinners… they are kind to their kin and friends…    Christ invites us to be fully immersed in his ways, not just dipping our toes into the waters of baptism we have received.  

 

The golden rule is in many ways a universal rule…  also found in other religious traditions.  (Jewish, Greek, even Confucian) …  but in each of these traditions. it is framed negatively and in a limiting way…  namely…   "don't do things to people you wouldn't like people to do to you." But in Christ, this teaching goes much further! …  It is expressed in a wonderfully positive light!  and not merely a negative one…    That is, it is not merely refraining from doing what you would not want to be done to you, but also doing the good things for others that you would want people to do for you!   Christ's saying itself, "goes the extra mile…"  

 

A commentator on today's first reading shared this insight too….-  "David, an anointed messiah, shows mercy in taking king Saul's sword and water jug. I cannot help but see a foreshadowing of the cross when the sword in the hands of another soldier, pierces the side of a king, the son of David, to give us the greatest mercy of all. The water and blood flow from Jesus' side in our Baptism and in the Eucharist, feeding us until we too enter the deep sleep of the Lord."

-To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https:- soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks.   

((References: Fr Paul W. Kelly; Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press). 

(Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. 1828646321 Be merciful bible words with the sky over mountain background – Contributor: -Naitham)

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Homily (Fr Peter Dillon)

7th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C 2022

If you were challenged by the paradoxical teachings of Jesus in the Gospel last week, then hold on to your hat, because this week he moves things up a gear with even more confronting teachings that must have been very difficult for the disciples to hear. We must remember that prior to Jesus gathering his trusty disciples their teachings were all to be found within the writing of what we know as the Old Testament. To them is was simply their sacred scripture and was both law and instruction for life. They were depend upon the scribes and the scholars of the temple to keep them informed and, since most of these humble disciples neither read not wrote they would have committed the teachings to memory and revelled in the grand sagas of kings and warriors who fought on the side of God.

 

But before we take on the Gospel, it is worth taking a brief look at the events and the relationships in our first reading from 1st Samuel. Often we gloss over some of the Old Testament readings because consider that they were written for different people in a vastly different time. However, when it comes to human nature and frailty, very little has changed over those many years. People are still suspicious, envious, greedy and threatened by the power and conviction of others, so it is worth making sure that we don't miss some of those key elements that underpin what might be happening both then and now.

 

David and Saul are two very significant and powerful men, both leading figures in a heartbreaking story of friendship, betrayal and misfortune. Both are anointed by God and become kings, and both must confront the challenge of ambition, power and madness.

**(apologies but technical problems make the next section of the recording unusable--

**While they are connected through marriage and initially have a love and respect for each other, what starts out as loyalty and attachment, soon turns into a quest to remove each other since they each come to threaten each other's rise to power, to the point where murder is seen to be the only solution.

 

Fortunately the wise King David comes to realise that if he wants his subjects to treat him with respect and dignity then he too must do the same to his ailing father in law. It is only when this generous loves becomes a reality that the impasse is broken between the two men.

 

It with this background knowledge that Jesus disciples would have been very familiar with that Jesus gives now gives as his most difficult teaching.

 

"Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly". Why, "because the amount you measure out will be the amount you will be given back"

 

Note that Jesus is not asking his disciples to fall in love with their enemies, but rather to be challenged to be determined about their enemy's welfare, to be stubbornly gracious and to refuse to pay back violence with violence. Of course, we understand why this would have been so contrary to what the disciples had heard from their own scriptures and even experienced in their community living)***

 

 The revenge and payback method of appeasement has been part of human thinking from the beginning of humanity. Even our civil laws today suggest that those who have been wronged by others are entitled to some form of compensation. Fortunately, we have moved away from the eye for an eye method of extracting justice.

 

Jesus goes on to tell them that hatred can only be defeated by love: injury can only be healed by forgiveness, and evil can only be controlled by goodness. We can fall into a trap of thinking that Jesus must have tried to make it easy for his followers to live his message, to make it more palatable, but in fact the opposite is really the case. If they were to be the teachers of others then they had to be the model of example. Even in his own life Jesus had to work hard at honouring his own ethic. As we know it ultimately cost him everything, but in doing so he confused his enemies with his love. He offered love first even though he knew the return would never measure up to what was being offered.  That is sometimes the only way we can pass on these tough but important lessons, by trying them out. Not dismissing them as being too difficult or pointless without putting them to the test. Lived with pure intentions and honesty of spirit, then these gifts can create worth in others, they can stop the contagion of meanness, that can so consume our world.

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References:

prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Homily by Fr Peter Dillon

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.


Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, February 20, 2022)  (EPISODE:  351)
The Lord be with you.
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{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and understanding abide in you.}}

Our Gods love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.
(option two on the cards):

 

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

-          For we have sinned against you.

Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

-          And grant us your salvation.

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

-          Lord have mercy

-          Christ have mercy

-          Lord have mercy

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Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "the lord is kind and merciful"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 13:34). Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you.

Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary I
Euch prayer two
Communion side.  pwk:  RH

(theme variation: v1/full )

(pre+post variation: v2-short)
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{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflectying upon God's goodness and care.}

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.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

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

 

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

 

Microphones: -      Shure MV5

 

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

 

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

 

[Production -  KER -  2022]

May God bless and keep you.

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[ Production -  KER -  2022]

May God bless and keep you.
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