Fifth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 26, 2023 (EPISODE: 412)

Fifth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 26, 2023
(EPISODE: 412)

Readings for 5th Sunday of Lent A

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. "With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption."
SECOND READING: Romans 8:8-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 11:25a+26). Glory and Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! I am the Resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Whoever believes in me will not die forever.
GOSPEL: John 11:1-45 - Raising Lazarus

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 85594159 - Milan - the resurrection of Lazarus from San Giorgio church - Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Year A  - Sunday, March 26, 2023, by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-412-lent-5-2a-2023/s-fZKpYLR4TjT   (EPISODE: 412)
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I am the resurrection,  says the Lord in today's wonderful gospel.  This is such a beautiful and important scripture passage today.  Our Lord assures us that he has the power and the intention to raise us to eternal life, to call us out of the grave and into the new life of the Kingdom.  This powerful scene of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus shows many things.  He feels deeply for us in our loss; even at the same time, he is certain that he will call us into eternal life- but he still shares the pain of loss with us.  He also reminds us that, as well as the promise of the bodily resurrection on the last day, we can be caught in many symbolic tombs during our living years.  We can be stuck in e darkness of attitudes, actions and thoughts that are not life-giving.  We can get bound up with cares and ambitions that wrap us in the things of death and not new life.  Our Lord has the power to call us out of the tombs and darkness and enmeshment of this life and the ultimate call to eternal life.  Let us trust in this promise and follow Christ into the light of his new life for us.  
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(The following are a couple of sections from the poem entitled).   
LAZARUS.  (John 11:1-53)   (Written by Dan Doyle).

"If only his friend had been here,
He would not have died,"
We say to one another.
If only…If only…
Is our desperate prayer.

II
"Rabbi, If you had been here
my brother would not have died."
"Martha, he will rise again."
"Yes, I know this, Rabbi. At the Resurrection."
"I am the one who raises the dead. Do you believe me, Martha?"
"Yes, Master.  Oh, yes, I believe.
I know you and with all my heart
I believe in you."

Then, Jesus wept.

…. In the days that followed,
we talked excitedly about this miracle
that we had all been witness to.
And, still, many could not believe
in their weary and frightened hearts
that this son of an old carpenter from Nazareth,
this wandering rabbi, Jesus,
might be the one we have been waiting for
since the time of Moses and the prophets.

But some of us knew that this Jesus,
who had come so gently,
yet so powerfully among us,
was, indeed, the Messiah of God
and we began to tell everyone we met
what we had seen him do for Lazarus, our friend.

Lazarus lived on for many years
and never tired of telling the story.
In hushed and awe-filled tones.
And we never tired of listening.

Lazarus was a man of gentle knowledge,
of abiding faith, and of quiet strength.
He told us over and over again
that we were loved by one
who knows our hearts, and who
despises not our petitions,
and that we would never be alone.

We began going to the synagogue differently.
We listened to the words the Rabbi read
from the ancient prophets more closely
and we were moved in our hearts and minds.

At long last, Lazarus died
and we wept for sorrow again.
But we knew in our depths
that he was not dead,
that the Resurrection
promised by the prophets is real,
that death no longer holds sway
over our simple lives,
and that we will see each other again

in the world to come.  Amen

Jesus said a lot of words to people in his ministry…  (Words perfectly formed, completely based on truth, and backed up by action). Sometimes the things he said challenged the faith of those with him……Other times, it healed and uplifted people, forgave them, and included them in a way they never could have imagined.    

In today's gospel, Jesus talks to them about God having the final say on suffering and death. / Jesus is powerfully SHOWING that HE DOES CARE…. HE DOES LOVE US…  It profoundly matters WHEN PEOPLE SUFFER, GRIEVE, DIE…   OR FEEL TRAPPED BY THEIR PAST SINS or MISTAKES….. HE CRIES WITH US…..  not because he feels helpless and can do nothing…    he can do so much…   he cries in union with us…  because he feels and experiences along with us.  HE SIGHS FROM THE HEART FOR US…    AND HE SPEAKS WORDS OF CHANGE…

BE HEALED

BE FORGIVEN

BE FREED….

I AM the resurrection and the life.  ….

Some other very special words have a powerful effect because they are so intimately connected with Jesus' life, attitudes and actions//  His message, and the perfectly consistent qualities about himself are a perfect union. ….

These words are powerful, For the Spirit hovering over them fills them with resonance and effectiveness.

Words such as:

 "Your sins are forgiven"
 "Your debt is cancelled"
 "Be Opened"
 "BE freed FROM YOUR BURDENS"
 "Unbind him…. set him free!"
 "This is my body broken for you…..  
This is my blood poured out for you "

I love these words….  I know you do too……    They fill us with hope… But more than that… they immediately begin achieving what they say……. 

 

No wonder the church believes so powerfully in reality and the effectiveness of the Sacraments – where we touch, taste, smell, hear and see the action of Our Lord – connected to his ministry and mission – made present to us in every age.

Surely only Divine love can truly fill us with the fullness of life again….……and call us to life eternal.   Drawn near, embraced…., healed, forgiven, included….  Always LOVED.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Doyle, D. (2020). This Poem Gives Such A Great Perspective On How Powerful and Yet Tender Our Lord Is! [online] FaithHub. Available at: https://faithhub.net/dan-doyle-lazarus-poem/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2020].
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 85594159 - Milan - the resurrection of Lazarus from San Giorgio church - Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

 

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Fifth Sunday of Lent. Year A  (Sunday, March 26, 2023)  (EPISODE: 412)

 

The Lord be with you.

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{{May Our Lord's courage uphold you.}} welcome everyone, we gather - Praise and Worship of our God.

 

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and 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.

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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 126:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5, 6. "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Joel 2:12-13). Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless Glory. With all your heart, turn to me. For I am tender and compassionate.

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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary II

Euch Prayer One

Communion side. pwk: LH

(theme variation: )

 

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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}

 

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: 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).

 

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

 

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

 

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Sennheiser MK4 Cardioid Condenser; and Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

 

Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

 

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

 

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

 

 

[ Production - KER - 2023]

May God bless and keep you.

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023 (EPISODE: 411)

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023
(EPISODE: 411)

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 189092048 - VENICE, ITALY - MARCH 14, 2014: The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind by Antonio Trevisan (1753) in the church San Francesco della Vigna. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

Readings for Sunday, 19 March 2023
FIRST READING: 1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: Eph 5:8-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
GOSPEL: John 9:1-41 – Man Born Blind

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-411-lent-4-2a-2023/s-fmAMVv0xKnh  
(EPISODE: 411)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
This weekend, we hear the wonderful psalm that has brought so much comfort and strength in times of difficulty…  the Lord is my Shepherd…  I shall not want. He leads me along the right paths; He preserves my soul…". In addition, we have the amazing incident of Our Lord healing the blind man and the experts in the law refusing to accept it. This is a profound call for us to beware of any spiritual blindness our willfulness can cause.  The Lord has come to shine his light of love, truth and healing upon the world and invites us to stand on the right side of history.  
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Many of you might remember the old Royal Brisbane Hospital -  It stood where the new high-tech buildings stand in Brisbane opposite the showgrounds.  I remember visiting relatives at the old Royal Brisbane hospital as they recovered from surgery.  Back in the original days, there was a wonderful long open-balcony where patients could be wheeled out to sit in the sun because the benefits of getting a bit of sun was an important part of healing. The new building dispensed with this pleasing aspect. 

This little bit of history reminds me of the teaching in this weekend's second reading.   The Light of Christ casts away all darkness and not only shows up any flaws and faults but also shines its healing light upon our wounds.  The image is a powerful and positive one. 

Back in the days of Our Lord, the local merchants and their stalls would line the streets. Each one inside a little booth, covered in shade-cloths. A wise customer, when attempting to buy some fine silk or other precious items would take the product outside the entrance of the shop and hold it up to the sunlight, so that any flaws or damage would be easily revealed, which would be invisible to the eye in a darkened booth.  The wisdom of this image of Christ as the divine light who scatters the darkness of sin and death is powerful and deeply reassuring.

We Christians are encouraged by Saint Paul to be like children of light, and put away all the works of darkness. And the SIGN of being a child of light shines through in one's actions -     for he says, "the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness, right living and truth. And are completely inconsistent with the futile works of darkness."   We witness to the light of Christ shining in our hearts, by actions and attitudes which contrast sharply with the ways of secrecy, shame and darkness. The things which are done in secret are things that people are ashamed even to speak of; /  Sunlight exposes flaws…  But, sunlight also has medicinal value too, as we have mentioned. Its healing qualities for "killing off the bad" by opening up the wounds to the sunlight. So, our Christian path is not only about avoiding the exposure of our sins and the condemnation that follows, but more positively, to bring about healing and spiritual and moral resilience.'''

I love that first reading.  It reminds us that God is primarily concerned with what is within -  not merely outward appearances. God judges the heart and not by externals.  Look at that wonderful scene where God asks the Prophet Samuel to anoint the future King as the successor to King Saul. He visits Jesse and looks at each of the brothers.  The older brothers all look strong and tall and imposing, but none of them is acceptable to God. God judges from the heart…  they eventually run out of brothers, until Samuel finds out that the youngest and least likely one is not there. He has been overlooked. He is out looking after the sheep.  He is called in and chosen by God. God, by CHOOSING AND ANOINTING DAVID and not any of his BROTHERS, BY SAMUEL. The Oil is poured over his head, as a sign of God's choice and commissioning. He is not made king there and then. He actually goes back to his shepherding. But God has already chosen and anointed him for his future. Note, too that although God chooses from what is in the heart and not just the outward appearances, nevertheless, we are told that David still has a find bearing.   Being someone who is engaging to others, appealing and can draw people to oneself, this is an important value of a leader, but also, inside are innocence, godliness, righteousness, (later in this same chapter, he is described to King Saul as a "brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him. All these inner qualities are also important. "(1 Sam 16:18, NIV).  

And then, in the wonderful Gospel, there are a FASCINATING SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS… and scenes. Our Lord cures a BLIND MAN ON the SABBATH. This leads to ridiculous arguments and questioning from the religious authorities. They question the once-blind man and when he answers them honestly, they don't want to hear his answer and throw him out saying "why would we listen to you. You are a sinner."  But THEY are the ones asking him the question. They are clearly able to see, but quite obviously spiritually blind and don't even know it. That very fitting saying – "there are none who are so blind as they who will not SEE!"  Meaning, of course – "Understanding cannot be forced on someone who chooses to be ignorant" or also the very similar saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

Again, it is so important for us to realise that this incident is not in the Gospels to tell us how stubborn and willfully blind and stubbornly deaf people were two thousand years ago.  We too are quite capable of hearing without listening and looking without seeing. Refusing to be challenged or to change when the light is shone on our own faults or areas for growth.  

The man who was cured, meets Jesus again, (or actually, Jesus searches for him and finds him again). The cured man has a wonderful OPENNESS OF HEART AND MIND…   and he says to the Lord: "LET ME KNOW who this Son of Man is, so I CAN BELIEVE IN HIM…."  - "I want to believe, just show him to me." And Jesus says, "You are looking at him, it is me! " This man was open and ready. He did not say to our Lord. "look I am old and I have been through enough. I don't want any more. I am too set in my ways to change, so this is as far as I go. No, he was ready and willing.

 "What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so."   ― Mark Twain

 Show us lord and we will believe and we will worship you!   Always open us,  so as to go deeper and immerse ourselves more fully into the light of Christ and the endless depths of Christ, who is THE  water of eternal life.
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

Barclay, W. (2002). The letters to the Galatians and Ephesians. 3rd ed. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, pp.189-191;

Payne, D. (1982). I and II Samuel. Philadelphia: Westminster Press. P 81-83;

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/there_are_none_so_blind_as_those_who_will_not_see; ** Jer. 5:21 (King James version): "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not."        / "There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know. The proverb has been traced back in English to 1546 (John Heywood), and resembles the Biblical verse: Jer. 5:21. In 1738, it was used by Jonathan Swift in his 'Polite Conversation,' and is first attested in the United States in the 1713 'Works of Thomas Chalkley'..."   https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/5/messages/1614.html

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 189092048 - VENICE, ITALY - MARCH 14, 2014: The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind by Antonio Trevisan (1753) in church San Francesco della Vigna. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova.


Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A  (Sunday, March 19, 2023)  ((EPISODE: 411)
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 grace and love abide in you}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Reflection upon God's word. On this Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A

Our God's love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.
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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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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Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
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PREFACE: Man Born Blind
Reconciliation 1
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 1 )

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

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

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).

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

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    NCH Software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2023]

May God bless and keep you.
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St Patrick, Bishop. 17March. Solemnity (This is a weekday Feast)

 

St Patrick, Bishop. 17March. Solemnity (This is a weekday Feast) 

St Patrick, Bishop. 17 March. Solemnity
(This is a weekday Feast)  

ST PATRICK, bishop (Seasonal colour- white). Mass of the Solemnity.   Gloria, Creed, Preface of Holy Pastors.  (JB Lectionary, vol. 1, p. 979)

Readings:

Jeremiah 1:4-9;

Ps 116. R. "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News."

Acts 13:46-49;

Gospel Acclamation. (Luke 4:18-19). "Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! The Lord sent me to bring Good News to the poor, and freedom to prisoners. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!"

Luke 10:1-12,17-20

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed  stock illustration ID: 385542565 St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Vector illustration. By Thoom
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Saint Patrick's Solemnity by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-284-feast-of-saint-patrick-2021/s-muiVygIpLbV    
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Today we commemorate Saint Patrick of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain around the end of the fourth century. He Died in Ireland about the middle of the fifth century. Faced hardship as a missionary bishop in Ireland, and opposition even from his friends and fellow Christians. Yet worked to unite and reconcile people, to evangelise, and to educate local chieftains and their families. Remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care, for his humble trust in God, and for his fearless preaching of the gospel to those who had enslaved him in his youth. Specially honoured in Australia because the many Irish people who came to settle here brought with them the faith and zeal of St Patrick. fittingly we now hear a hymn inspired by SAINT Patrick's prayer...  today I arise ....  and a happy feast day to my mum Patricia and all whose patron is St Patrick. Faith hope and love —-  
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Qualities:   
Listening - Empathy - Healing - Awareness – He was clearly aware of his own weaknesses and the culture of the Celtic Irish. Persuasion - His ability to convert strong leaders, Chieftains and Kings. Conceptualization – The use of the shamrock to articulate the Trinity. Foresight - The strategy he employed in charting his mission throughout Ireland, carefully choosing each step. Stewardship - He saw the future of Ireland and the care of its people as the core of his mission. Commitment to the growth of people - He trained clergy and so sustained and consolidated each location before moving on to the next.  Building community - The sites he used as Churches were at or near the seats of Chieftains and Kings, many were founded as monastic settlements and became population centres at a time when few existed.
 (taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership) 
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**** in detail:  
Listening - The time he took to listen, talk and answer questions was a recurring theme.
Empathy - Based the trials of his own life his empathy was displayed when he encountered the trials of others. This was especially clear in his letter to Coroticus.
Healing - At the end of his Letter to Coroticus he offers the opportunity for them to repent, even after what they had done, the chance for healing.
Awareness – He was clearly aware of his own weaknesses and the culture of the Celtic Irish.
Persuasion - His ability to convert strong leaders, Chieftains and Kings.
Conceptualization – The use of the shamrock to articulate the Trinity.
Foresight - The strategy he employed in charting his mission throughout Ireland, carefully choosing each step.
Stewardship - He saw the future of Ireland and the care of its people as the core of his mission.
Commitment to the growth of people - He trained clergy and so sustained and consolidated each location before moving on to the next.
Building community - The sites he used as Churches were at or near the seats of Chieftains and Kings, many were founded as monastic settlements and became population centres at a time when few existed.
 (taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership) 
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QUOTES:   

1.) "So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance. He guarded me before I knew him, and before I came to wisdom and could distinguish between good and evil. He protected me and consoled me as a father does for his son." (Confessio, 2)
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2.) "This is how we can repay such blessings when our lives change and we come to know God, to praise and bear witness to his great wonders before every nation under heaven." (Confessio, 3)
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"This is the one we acknowledge and adore – one God in a Trinity of the sacred name." (Confessio, 4)

6.) "In the knowledge of this faith in the Trinity, and without letting the dangers prevent it, it is right to make known the gift of God and his eternal consolation. It is right to spread abroad the name of God faithfully and without fear, so that even after my death I may leave something of value to the many thousands of my brothers and sisters – the children whom I baptized in the Lord." (Confessio, 14)
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7.) "I didn't deserve at all that the Lord would grant such great grace, after hardships and troubles, after the captivity, and after so many years among that people. It was something which, when I was young, I never hoped for or even thought of." (Confessio, 15)
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 9.) "It was in the strength of God that I went – God who turned the direction of my life to good." (Confessio, 17)
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10.) "For that reason, I give thanks to the one who strengthened me in all things, so that he would not impede me in the course I had undertaken and from the works also which I had learned from Christ my Lord." (Confessio, 30)
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8.) "More and more the love of God increased, and my sense of awe before God." (Confessio, 16)
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15.) "So I want to give thanks to God without ceasing." (Confessio, 46)________
Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall.
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I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
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if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God.
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Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
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The Lord discovered to me a sense of my unbelief that, though late, I should remember my transgressions and that I should be converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God.
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I only seek in my old age to perfect that which I had not before thoroughly learned in my youth, because my sins were a hindrance to me.
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I plainly told them, 'Be ye sincerely converted, and with your whole heart, to the Lord our God, for nothing is impossible to Him, that He may today send you food on your road, even until you are satisfied, because He has everywhere abundance.' And, with God's help, it was so done: Behold! A herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes.
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I have a Creator who knew all things, even before they were made - even me, his poor little child.
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I partly know why I have not led a perfect life like other believers. But I avow to my Lord, and I do not lie, that from the time when I first knew him, the love of God and the fear of him has grown in me from my youth so that I have, by the power of God, always till now kept the faith.
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Let who will scoff and revile - I will not remain silent; neither will I conceal the signs and wonders which have been shown to me by the Lord, who knew all things even before the time of this world, many years before, just as they happened.
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Sufficient for me is that honour which is not seen of men but is felt in the heart, as faithful is He who hath promised and who never lies.
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I have had the good fortune through my God that I should never abandon his people whom I have acquired in the extremities of the earth. 
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I most certainly believe that it is the gift of God that I am what I am. And so I dwell amongst barbarians, a proselyte and an exile, for the love of God.
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Believe Avarice is a deadly sin.
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I was freeborn according to the flesh; I am born of a father who was a decurion, (Roman cavalry officer in command of a squadron (turma)), but I sold my noble rank - I blush not to state it, nor am I sorry - for the profit of others. In short, I am a slave in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of the eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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It was not any grace in me, but God that put this earnest care into my heart, that I should be one of the hunters or fishers whom long ago God foreshowed would come in the last days.
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I see that already in this present world I am exalted above measure by the Lord. And I was not worthy nor such a one as that he should grant this to me since I know most surely that poverty and affliction become me better than delights and riches.
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I have vowed to my God to teach the heathen, though I am despised by some.
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 The Lord is greater than all: I have said enough.

(taken from https://epicpew.com/17-breathtaking-quotes-saint-patricks-confessio/  and https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/saint-patrick-quotes)

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

(taken from https://epicpew.com/17-breathtaking-quotes-saint-patricks-confessio/  and https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/saint-patrick-quotes)

(taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership   ) 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed  stock illustration ID: 385542565 St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Vector illustration. By Thoom
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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. } 

"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 -  2023] 

May God bless and keep you. 
St Patrick, Bishop. 17 March. Solemnity  
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 Our Lord's empathy abide in you.}}

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

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom: Lord, have mercy// You come in word and in sacrament to strengthen us and make us holy: Christ, have mercy//You will come again in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have

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

Preface of Holy Pastors

Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Pastors
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Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord.