Readings for Sunday, June 11, 2023 - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A
FIRST READING: Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20. "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 10:16-17
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Illustration ID: 628109324 - - Modern abstract Eucharist -Sacrament with grapes and wheat on a square abstract background. Digital illustration made without reference image. Important information. Release information: Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc. Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor: Thoom
++++
Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 11, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-corpus-christi-year-a-ep-424/s-IDWK11Z1Xpw (EPISODE- 424)
+++++
"Hungry hearts are all around us. Those mourning the loss of a loved one, those in need of a job, people desperate for solid advice, people unable to curb an addiction, those who are angry and bitter, people who feel unforgiven or unforgiving, …. Those in poor health or people worried about finances, or unhappy in a relationship, … and people who are unsure of their commitments, or being too hard on themselves, … and people who are afraid of the world around them, …….The list goes on and on. These are the people Jesus offers to feed—-- Jesus offers us himself –real food for our lifelong journey….. and he offers us his word and his vision of the Kingdom… a real nourishment for the values that will completely transform us and satisfy us…. He promises to be with us in the ups and downs of life – he who is with us… our faithful and loving God.
++++++++
I remember my First Holy Communion, way back in 1976 now 47 years ago. I cannot believe it. It feels like yesterday; those beautiful memories remain with me; they remain with all of us many years later.
I recall, after receiving my First Holy Communion, that I wanted to stay good forever; never do anything wrong again.
I'm pretty sure I didn't manage to stay perfectly good, but I kept on trying, and still keep trying with the help of weekly communion, and prayer, and the example of family, friends, and parishioners around us, and Jesus' beautiful gospel.
We all know that these days we are very aware that the things we focus our Time &Energy on; the things read; the things we watch, and the kinds of food we eat all make a big difference in forming our overall health of body and mind. It is the same with our faith. (The things we decide not to spend our time and energy on also help us focus on what's best for us too).
There is a common saying, "you are what you eat!"
This is indeed an interesting concept. It also reminds us that what we take in: Food, Entertainment, conversations, (and the type of these things), forms us!
If we were to eat only junk food all the time, instead of having it as "occasional food," we would become unhealthy and not receive the proper nutrition. This is the same in our spiritual life. When we take in wholesome things like the Word of God in the scriptures. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in communion. When we hear and receive the teachings of the church. In addition, when we read the lives of the saints, and listen to the wisdom of fellow Christians whom we respect and admire; we are taking into ourselves truly satisfying and healthy, and delightful nourishment.
Jesus wants to feed us with all the good values in life and so indeed we do listen to his word in the bible and we receive Jesus, truly receive him into our hearts, every time we receive Holy Communion. Moreover, we live daily our Lord's words, by putting our Time &Energy into the wholesome, helpful, and loving works of the gospel.
I was like to say to our First Holy Communion classes, (and we have just had these children receive their first communion here in this parish. People throughout the world will be receiving their first communion around this time as they receive Jesus in communion for the first time). I like to tell our first communicants this truth: What we receive in First Holy Communion is a priceless and beautiful moment. There is only one thing better than one's First Holy Communion, and that's your Second Holy Communion, and the only thing better than second Holy Communion, is the third Holy Communion and Fourth and so on, weekly. It sets up a pattern of communion with Christ in our daily lives.
Communion in the body and blood of Christ connects us forever to God and to our loved ones.
Every time we celebrate Eucharist; every time we received the Body and Blood of Christ, we are united - brought into communion - connected in an unbreakable bond with God who comes and makes a home in our hearts. Through our communion in Jesus, we are united, (spiritually in communion) with our loved ones and friends, and fellow Christians.
We are even connected to our departed loved ones – truly united with them, who are all very much part of this communion of believers in-and-through Christ. Our departed loved ones are still alive in Christ forever which is beautifully reassuring. We are never closer to a departed fellow family member and with other Christians and people of goodwill, than when we are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.
Today, we celebrate Jesus who makes his home in us through this sacrament of his body and blood. He is truly present to us. This gift is truly priceless and each time we receive communion; may we always be powerfully impressed with this reality. May we cherish this always.
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: Stock Illustration ID: 628109324 - - Modern abstract Eucharist -Sacrament with grapes and wheat on a square abstract background. Digital illustration made without reference image. Important information. Release information: Signed property release on file with Shutterstock, Inc. Illustration Formats. Illustration Contributor: Thoom
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A (Sunday, June 11, 2023) (EPISODE- 424)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
+++++++++++++
{{How are you today as we gather - To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives.}}
Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
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 mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20. "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51-52). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Preface I or II of the Most Holy Eucharist
Euch prayer two
(theme variation: 1)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
{How are you today as we gather - To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives.)
(pre+post variation: v1-long)
++++
{I am very grateful for you joining us for this special time of prayer and reflection.}
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly mass/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 (https://eepurl.com/hpETjf)
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 Digital Condenser (USB)
Editing equipment:
NCH software - MixPad Masters v10.27. Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.42
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor v.6.10.4320
[Production - KER - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
