Third Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 23, 2023 (EPISODE- 417)

Third Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 23, 2023 (EPISODE- 417)

Readings for Sunday, April 23, 2023 - Third Sunday of Easter. Year A
FIRST READING: Acts 2:14, 22-33 (diff)
Ps 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11. "Lord, you will show us the path of life."
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 1:17-21
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 24:32). Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us. Make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
GOSPEL: Luke 24:13-35

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1585608064 - Ramla, Israel, December 07, 2019: Religious icon on the territory of the ruins of the Byzantine church complex on the territory of Emmaus Nicopolis. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Dmitriy Feldman svarshik
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Third Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 23, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-3a-third-sunday-of-easter-a-ep-417  (EPISODE- 417)
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The Gospel this weekend is really wonderful. It has such a richness to it… and many levels of meaning….

The journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, is also like a symbol of what happens each time we gather as disciples of Jesus at Eucharist….  when we listen to the word of God in the scriptures, and Christ opens our minds to his word.   And when Christ breaks the bread for us and becomes present to us, in this special way ….. and we too recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread……. 

 

Another very special thing about this Emmaus journey is the fact that the disciples are talking to a fellow traveller along the road… and show hospitality to this person…. unknown to them this person is Jesus himself…..        it is no coincidence that Jesus becomes present to them in the outsider to whom they show hospitality … and with whom they break bread together…  then their eyes are opened and they recognise Jesus……  if they had not showed hospitality to this person if they had let him go on… they may never have know who they were walking with… and what he had to offer them…..              Jesus told us …  what you do to the least of my brothers and sisters… you do it to ME……            love God, love your neighbour as you love yourself……            so hospitality, community and service are completely interconnected in Jesus' kingdom….

 

Today's gospel reminds us that Jesus is always with us…  always there to encourage us and give us new hope…  he gives his disciples the sacraments to strengthen them on our journey.  Jesus also gives his disciples the power to experience the forgiveness and mercy of God through reconciliation…  which assures us of God's love and care and healing.

 

Our Lord walks along with us on our life journey… he is always interested to hear us tell him of our hopes, our fears… our disappointments and our failures… and he is there to reassure us and give us strength and assure us that if we keep trusting in him, the love of God has the final word in our life….    and it lasts forever…..

 

whenever we gather at Mass, we come together as disciples and friends of Jesus, and we break the bread and drink from the cup….and we believe that this is not just a sign of our connection to Jesus, that God forgives us, renews us and commissions us… we believe that Jesus comes to us in what looks like bread and wine and Jesus comes into our hearts and we become more and more part of Jesus' life…. and go out into our daily lives to live his commandments to show love and care for each other…  this is the unique message of the journey to Emmaus…and when we listen to the scriptures and reflect on the many ways in which Jesus is present and active in our lives, inviting us to listen to him and follow his ways……..we too can say to each other… "did not our hearts burn as Jesus talked to us along the way, and explained the scriptures to us. "

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References:

References: Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1585608064 - Ramla, Israel, December 07, 2019: Religious icon on the territory of the ruins of the Byzantine church complex on the territory of Emmaus Nicopolis. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Dmitriy Feldman svarshik

Third Sunday of Easter. Year A  (Sunday, April 23, 2023) (EPISODE- 417)

The Lord be with you.
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{{I pray this week brings you an ever deeper expereience of his compassion and love.}}

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is full of love and mercy. And so, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us acknowledge our sins.
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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Ps 16:1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10, 11. "Lord, you will show us the path of life."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 24:32). Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us. Make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Preface II of Easter
EUCH PRAYER II

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{I pray this week brings you an ever deeper expereience of his compassion and love.}

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

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

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 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.

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

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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Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 16, 2023 (EPISODE-416 )

Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 16, 2023 (EPISODE-416 )

Readings for Sunday, April 16, 2023 - Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday
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: 2125590809. Painting. Jesus Christ and Saint Thomas.- Catholic church. Togo. 06-30-2014 -Important information -Editorial Use Only.Photo Contributor: godongphoto

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday - Sunday, April 16, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-2a-second-sunday-of-easter-a-ep-416-pauls-interim-version  (EPISODE-416 )
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This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, where we recall the absolute mercy and love that Jesus has for all humanity.

 

Speaking of God's divine mercy. God's mercy is more profound than any human mercy or compassion could imagine. We cannot downplay the significance of how different Jesus' reunion with his disciples is after he rose from the dead, from how the expectations of the world might be… After all, Jesus had been betrayed and abandoned by most of his followers and almost all of his disciples. Only a few loyal women stayed with him through it all… his chosen disciples mostly scattered in fear. The one Jesus chose to be the rock on which he would build his church denied him three times. Now he is risen and he returns to meet them… would not one expect (if this were merely an earthly drama), that there would be revenge, retribution, or at least an extended session of guilt trips and finger pointing… But no…. there is not a hint of judgement in our Lord's return…. He does not even punish Thomas for his doubt and his demands before he would believe the news that Our Lord had indeed risen.

 

Christ meets Thomas where he is. And shows Thomas what he needed to be assured… he shows him his hands and side… That is mercy. That is compassion. It is also service and love. These are God's ways, which are so very different from many of the ways of the world….

 

In the Easter narratives…. "The risen Jesus is encountered by different disciples in different situations and ways….

 

• Mary Magdalene recognised the risen Jesus only when he called her by name.

 

• The two disciples travelling along the road towards Emmaus did not realise WHO this stranger was who walked along with them…. until they saw him break bread ….. and then they realised that their hearts had already been burning with fervour as they had walked along the road….. but they had not recognised the signs of Christ's presence …. But the disciples would get better and better at recognising Christ in the Eucharist… and in the word of God and in the stranger… and in the burning energy of God's good news…

 

• And then again today; some people do not recognise Jesus until they touch the wounds of the suffering one…..

 

May we continue to recognise Christ's presence whenever we touch the woundedness of those around us and offer support and strength….

 

 The common interpretation of this scene of St Thomas doubting … is that he doubts that Jesus had been raised from the dead. ……..But if we look at this incident very carefully, it could be argued that, in fact, it is not Jesus whom Thomas doubts, but rather, Thomas is expressing doubt in his fellow disciples. In fact, when Jesus appears to them seven days later, Thomas has the opportunity to share in the experience of the Risen Lord and, like the others, immediately confesses Easter faith.

 

So, this passage can also be saying….. do not be tempted to doubt the proclamation of the Disciples…. This is the church's constant message throughout its two thousand and more years of history,… that Jesus is truly risen…. Even if we have not seen it for ourselves and touched the very wounds of the risen Christ, … we trust in the testimony of those apostles who did see him and who did touch his hand and side and took broken bread from his hands…. and whose words are written in scripture so that we now share in their message and believe, and also share fully in the life of the risen Lord, that Jesus offers us to us all….

 

The first reading gives a picture of the early Christian church community as it grows in numbers and strength, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The apostles are doing what Jesus did. Jesus is working in and through them. The first reading mentions that they all met by common agreement, and it illustrates in the first reading some ways in which this Christian community was a powerful source of Christ's healing to those in need.

 

We need the community…. And we need that important gathering together to unite our hearts and minds to that of Christ and his gospel…. We know implicitly that coming together as the Body of Christ, the church is never an added extra… there is no such thing as a solo Christian… even when we work individually….we are united in a common bond with Christ and one another. The community of disciples, the church, ensures that we are always one in Christ…. And not merely walking to the beat of our own drum………… nor making up our faith as we go.

 

In a world where individualism is strong and a deeply valued quality….. the idea of being united and focusing on unity (in Christ) whilst at the same time not denying the value of unity in diversity is a careful balancing act, not to be taken lightly…

 

Jesus wants us to be ONE IN HIM….. he wants to unite us in the communion of his loving relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants us to be united in his belief and experience as the Risen Son of God… who invites us to share in his life and participate in his Kingdom forever.

 

 We pray for the grace to be people of unity and healing…. who constantly act and work in ways that build up unity, and protect against fragmentation…..

 

 We pray for the ability to see and act in ways that put the needs of others up there with our needs….. so that we might see the whole picture of our participation in one big family….. and not just a lifelong 'solo act'.

 

Thomas, in the gospel, is so inspiring…. he doubted….but he did not leave…. he was still with the disciples the next week….. he struggled…..but the others did not reject him……. and Jesus strengthened him in his struggle and doubts……….. at times in life… we will have doubts and fears…… Jesus shows us all that we are right to trust in his promises, even when we do not always experience the confirmation of the truth of these promises with our own eyes, hands and ears…… Thomas is a gift to us in another way. He shows us that the apostles were not gullible or foolish. What they experienced in the Risen Jesus was the experience of sensible people, just like you and me. Thinking people, who do not easily swallow everything they are told. Still, nevertheless, they truly did experience Jesus risen body and soul, and this is what they have steadfastly passed on to all future generations. This is the testimony of sensible, deep-thinking people who know what they mean and mean what they say.

 

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….

 

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

 

A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY Alice Camille;

 

Richard J. Leonard;

 

MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT. ABBOT'S HOMILY

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2125590809. Painting. Jesus Christ and Saint Thomas.- Catholic church. Togo. 06-30-2014 -Important information -Editorial Use Only.Photo Contributor: godongphoto
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.


Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Divine Mercy Sunday  (Sunday, April 16, 2023) (EPISODE- 416)

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

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 God's loving mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace. Lord have mercy// You are Son of God and the Son of Mary. Christ have mercy// You are Word made flesh, the splendour of the Father. Lord have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."

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.
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Preface I of Easter
Eucharistic Prayer II

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

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

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

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:       Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

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

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 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.

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


Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

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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Easter Sunday of the Resurrection. (Short celebration) -Year A - Sunday, April 9, 2023

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection. Year A - Sunday, April 9, 2023

Readings for Sunday, April 9, 2023 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection. Year A
FIRST READING: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23. "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad."
SECOND READING: Colossians  3:1-4  (OR  1 Cor 5:6-8)
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 Cor 5:7b-8a). Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has become our Paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord.
GOSPEL: Jn 20:1-9  (or Matt 28:1-10)  

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.  Illustration - Magdalena and Jesus Resurrection. Stock Illustration ID: 101936632

Illustration Contributor: IOSIF CHEZAN
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection. Year A - Sunday, April 9, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/fhl-easter-sunday-morning-w-johns-gospel-master-copy-2023/s-0eXz0fU9Glh

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Prologue

Happy Easter everyone !

 

and I pray and hope that God's blessing  and peace are with you; and with all your family and friends on this Easter morning  - and indeed thoughout the whole  Easter Season.  

 

We are very much united in Christ – who is indeed the resurrection and the life and who is with us always to the end of time

The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

To him be glory and power, for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia.

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Christ is risen; as he said!!  
His resurrection is the first fruit of the eternal life promised to all who entrust themselves to him.

Easter, more than any other feast tells us that God has the last word in all things definitively…. and that word is a profoundly positive and definitive "YES" - first and foremost, a YES to his beloved son…Jesus Christ. Who is God the son; and all that he did and taught in his ministry… and a profound and absolute YES to life…., and to us, as his eternally cherished sons and daughters… Yes to forgiveness of sin for all who are bowed down by the past…. Yes to faithfulness no matter what trials and tragedies befall us in life…….>

- Easter… and the message of the Resurrection is about life, hope, love, and forgiveness…

- The irony of the cross and the message of today's wonderful feast means that it is rather fitting on this Easter celebration to hark back to the beginning of our journey towards this moment…... For I believe that Easter could be summed up by the rather intriguing saying … "The only things that we truly possess (things that have abiding and eternal value)… are the things we gain by giving them away… the only things worth possessing are the things that only make sense when given…. Which achieve very little if merely stored up….… things like love, (given freely without expectation), kindness and forgiveness (without expectation of return)…. acts of charity, (not for recognition or approval), random acts of kindness (that no one will ever know who is responsible for them)/…/ I read a quote once saying… that "there is an odd economic principle associated with love -- the more love you give away, the more love you have. It defies all other economic principles."  Our Lord Jesus, in his life, his suffering and death, and his resurrection… is the perfect example of all these wonderful qualities… and even more wonderfully, he invites us all to share in this way of living….

- This Easter, is a special time for giving thanks for and remembering and hopefully getting opportunities to share time with family and friends…

- And Easter is also about reminding us that our God is the God of New starts… and new beginnings….. 

- We also remember prayerfully, all those who have gone before us.. the Resurrection gives us peace in the belief that the lord of the resurrection is faithful to his children.. and raises them up to new and eternal life in heaven… where one day we will all be reunited in joy…

- At Easter, we think of people who are struggling.., and those who feel hopeless. ….and also those who feel they will never be good enough, or worthy enough… and those who fear they can never be forgiven… For today's feast says… YES>>>> God is with us, God will never abandon us… God truly does want to renew us and give us new hope .. new life… and indescribable mercy….

- Jesus is an unequivocal "yes" to self-sacrifice and service, and love, compassion, mercy and generosity of spirit… of thinking more of others and less of ourselves… - May God bless us and renew us in his astounding love… and ever-abiding faithfulness… and eternal care… and may our lives be more and more marked by these wonderful qualities with every new day….. 
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.  Illustration - Magdalena and Jesus Resurrection. Stock Illustration ID: 101936632

Illustration Contributor: IOSIF CHEZAN

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection. Year A  (Sunday, April 9, 2023)
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 God's grace strengthen your love and hope and faith, and may God's love surprise you even in the trials and challenges of the week.}}

Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by recalling our sins and remembering Christs greater mercy.
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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Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23. "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 Cor 5:7b-8a). Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has become our Paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord.

 

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Easter Sequence  (Jerusalem Bible version)

 

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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Preface I of Easter
Euch prayer III



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

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

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:       Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

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

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 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.

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


Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER . Year A - SATURDAY, April 8, 2023 (Longer Liturgy of the Easter VIGIL)

HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER  . Year A - SATURDAY, April 8, 2023
(Longer Liturgy of the Easter VIGIL)

Readings for HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER. Year A - SATURDAY, April 8, 2023
(This is the whole vigil of Readings and Holy Saturday Mass – It is traditionally much longer than the usual Mass and filled with ancient beauty and profound symbolism)
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily) for HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER. Year A - SATURDAY, April 8, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/fhl-holy-saturday-night-vigil-full-easter-vigil-a-2023/s-ZmIfZMyFvsW  

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The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

I. The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil (also known as "Lucernarium"):  Blessing of the Fire, Procession, Exsultet

II. The Liturgy of Word:           Readings/psalms/prayers, Gloria, Homily

III. Renewal of baptism

IV. The Liturgy of Eucharist:    Preface of Easter I, (Easter Communicantes, Hanc igitur in Euch. Prayer I)

V. The Concluding Rites:         Dismissal with Alleluia

Readings:       
I     Gen 1:1 - 2:2: God saw all he had made, and indeed it was good.
Ps 103:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35: R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

II    Gen 22:1-18: Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac.
Ps 15:5, 8-11: R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

III  Ex 14:15 - 15:1: Tell the children of Israel to march on, to walk through the sea on dry ground.
Ex 15:1-6, 17-18: R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

IV  Is 54:5-14: But with everlasting love I have taken pity on you, says the Lord, your redeemer.
Ps 29:2, 4-6, 11-13: R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

V   Is 55:1-11: Come to me and your soul will live. With you I will make an everlasting covenant.
Is 12:2-6: R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

VI  Baruch 3:9-15,32 - 4:4: Walk in the way of God and you will live in peace forever.
Ps 18:8-11: R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

VII Ezek 36:16-28: I shall pour clean water over you and I shall give you a new heart.
Ps 41:3, 5; 42:3, 4: R. Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.

Rom 6:3-11: Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again.
Ps 117:1-2, 16-17, 22-23: R. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Mt 28:1-10: He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 585677387 - Easter resurrection - abstract artistic religious digital illustration with the figure of the risen Jesus Christ and the cross of light rays - Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor:
Thoom

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Christ is risen; as he said!!  
His resurrection is the first fruit of the eternal life promised to all who entrust themselves to him.

A special welcome and thank you to our candidates and catechumens who tonight are fully received into the Christian faith in the Catholic church. Thank you for your preparation… the Lord has been guiding you and with you your whole life…. Now he leads you to fuller communion with him in the church and in the faith…. Your reception, baptism, confirmation, and receiving of First holy communion is a beautiful source of renewal and strength for all of us too!.. We, too, this season, renew our faith and commitment to Christ and his grace.. Thank you to all who have supported them in this WONDERFUL journey of faith…..

Easter, more than any other feast tells us that God has the last word in all things definitively…. And that word is a profoundly positive and definitive "YES" - first and foremost, a YES to his beloved son…Jesus Christ. Who is God the son; and all that he did and taught in his ministry… and a profound and absolute YES to life…., and to us, as his eternally cherished sons and daughters… Yes to forgiveness of sin for all who are bowed down by the past…. Yes to faithfulness no matter what trials and tragedies befall us in life…….>

- Easter… and the message of the Resurrection is about life, hope, love, and forgiveness…

- The irony of the cross and the message of today's wonderful feast means that it is rather fitting on this Easter celebration to hark back to the beginning of our journey towards this moment…... For I believe that Easter could be summed up by the rather intriguing saying … "The only things that we truly possess (things that have abiding and eternal value)… are the things we gain by giving them away… the only things worth possessing are the things that only make sense when given…. Which achieve very little if merely stored up….… things like love, (given freely without expectation), kindness and forgiveness (without expectation of return)…. acts of charity, (not for recognition or approval), random acts of kindness (that no one will ever know who is responsible for them)/…/ I read a quote once saying… that "there is an odd economic principle associated with love -- the more love you give away, the more love you have. It defies all other economic principles."  Our Lord Jesus, in his life, his suffering and death, and his resurrection… is the perfect example of all these wonderful qualities… and even more wonderfully, he invites us all to share in this way of living….

- This Easter, is a special time for giving thanks for and remembering and hopefully getting opportunities to share time with family and friends…

- And Easter is also about reminding us that our God is the God of New starts… and new beginnings….. 

- We also remember prayerfully, all those who have gone before us.. the Resurrection gives us peace in the belief that the lord of the resurrection is faithful to his children.. and raises them up to new and eternal life in heaven… where one day we will all be reunited in joy…

- At Easter, we think of people who are struggling.., and those who feel hopeless. ….and also those who feel they will never be good enough, or worthy enough… and those who fear they can never be forgiven… For today's feast says… YES>>>> God is with us, God will never abandon us… God truly does want to renew us and give us new hope .. new life… and indescribable mercy….

- Jesus is an unequivocal "yes" to self-sacrifice and service, and love, compassion, mercy and generosity of spirit… of thinking more of others and less of ourselves… - May God bless us and renew us in his astounding love… and ever-abiding faithfulness… and eternal care… and may our lives be more and more marked by these wonderful qualities with every new day….. 
 
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 585677387 - Easter resurrection - abstract artistic religious digital illustration with the figure of the risen Jesus Christ and the cross of light rays - Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor:
Thoom


HOLY SATURDAY NIGHT – VIGIL OF EASTER  . Year A - SATURDAY, April 8, 2023


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PREFACE: Preface I of Easter
Euch prayer I

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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).

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

- "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.

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

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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