Third Sunday of Lent. -Year B - Sunday, 3 March 2024 (EPISODE:467)

Third Sunday of Lent. -Year B -  Sunday, 3 March 2024
(EPISODE:467)

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 2156585795 - MONOPOLI, ITALY - MARCH 6, 2022: The painting of Jesus Cleanses the Temple scene in the church Chiesa di Sacro Cuore by Onofrio Bramante from 20. cent.Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent.- Year B
FIRST READING: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11. "Lord, you have the words of everlasting life."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 3:16). Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. God loved the world so much, he gave his only Son. That all who believe in him might have eternal life.
GOSPEL: John 2:13-25
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Third Sunday of Lent. Year B - Sunday, 3 March 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-third-sunday-of-lent-year-b-episode-467/s-uETkhv7qfdo  
(EPISODE:467)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND

Third Sunday of Lent. Year B. Sunday, 3 March 2024

The lines of the First reading today set the scene for everything that follows. That first sentence is the key to understanding the ten commandments that follow.

 God gives the Law to Moses, saying, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery in Egypt." The "Words" from God that follow, which we know as the commandments are given to God's people to free them, protect them, and keep them in a good relationship with the Lord. (God declares to us that he is the God of liberation; God gives us this law to free us).

 God's law is not an onerous duty or a burden. It frees us to be everything we are created to be.

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The Psalm sums it up so well: God's law is perfect. It is an absolute JOY. It gives wisdom. We are created not to be slaves, wearily doing the Lord's will as if it is a dreadful imposition and a burden. God's law is life and light. 

 

From the outset, God names two things that imprison and enslave us;

      - Putting other earthly things before God. and

      - Creating false idols (making passing "things" into our 'god'),

 

These things lead to disaster. Our Lord wants to free us from this. Our Lord sets us on the path of God's ways, being first and respecting and showing reverence to ourselves, our communities and our neighbours.

 

To truly understand the real meaning and purpose of the law, it can be very helpful to understand the lawmaker. Then, one sees what the purpose of the law is. God is love, and God has unfathomable depths of compassion. God is just, faithful and loving. To keep God's law is a delight; it is created by our loving and compassionate God.

 

Our Lord, Jesus, who embodied and perfected the law, shows us God's loving, compassionate heart.

 

This is why Jesus knew the purpose and meaning of the law and how to apply it in Spirit and Truth. And, it is why he occasionally seemed to bend the letter of the law, to keep the spirit and meaning of the Law. Only Christ (who is the Law and the compassion of God), could understand the meaning of the Law so well as to complete it.

 

A good symbol of this issue in a modern example would be on our roads, As you drive along the highway. How many people do you see who look like or act like the road laws are a delight, a pure joy to keep? How many do you see driving around filled with delight and peace as they faithfully observe the laws of the road?

 

They cut in, tailgate, or sail past others doing four times the signed limit.

 

Like many laws, rules or regulations: - we know that the laws of the land protect safety, regulate competing rights and ensure the protection of life, liberty and property. But, in this one example I am mentioning, many seem to go through life flouting laws and treating them as a bore and a burden, a silly restriction on their "freedom," as they drive at excessive speeds, cut people off, turn and brake dangerously tailgate, abuse, and so on. Too many people seem to have taken this view on the road rules and other aspects of life.

 

"This law is silly, and it limits me. It doesn't apply to me. I am above all that, so I ignore it." But if everyone flouted laws when they felt it was unimportant, who would obey any? And what would become of it?

 

Too many find out by accident that they were not such a master of the situation that they believed. 

 

As I am sure most would agree, following the road rules can be a joy and a delight because it frees us to be thoughtful and respectful to others and peaceful as we drive. Gone is the desperate effort to speed, rush, tailgate and rage over people who happen to be "in the way". The person who impatiently tailgates one car finally gets past them, only to be pathetically stuck behind the next car; all the while, they never notice that these cars aren't driving too slow; rather, THEY keep getting stuck because they are going too fast!!!! Some people are slow learners. Especially when they get to their destination (not having saved any time), and with a speeding camera fine, coming in the mail. All riled up. and, of course, it is always someone else's fault;

 

As necessary as human laws can be; God's law is so much better than this. It is true that the more we understand the reason for laws and the purpose of a rule, the more likely we will be to follow it. Of course, as the second reading reminds us, if God's ways are not like human ones, we must obey God's wisdom even if we find it unusual. We can be more and more open to God's ways. And get deeper inside the heart of the one who makes the laws not to hold us back but for life to be full.

 

The key to the gospel today is the first sentence too!!

            - "Just before the Jewish Passover. " -

 

There is nothing wrong with people coming into the temple and offering up goats, pigeons, or spotless lambs in reparation for sin and offering up one's prayer and dedication to God. In fact, it was the law of the time to do this. The temple was the house of God's presence amongst his people.

 

The money changers would have claimed that they were there to assist with the people's religious duties simply. There are major problems here, though. At one time, "living animals" were prohibited from being brought into the temple grounds for sale. But that had changed. The area of the temple that was supposed to be reserved for Gentiles to worship God was now a marketplace where no one could possibly hope to pray or worship amidst all the noise and the rabble of haggling. Our Lord saw that the Gentiles were being treated with contempt, as well as everything else wrong with this scene. The fees charged for the temple services had also gotten out of hand, costing poor visitors three or more days' wages to be able to perform their religious duty there. The attitude with which the money changers were robotically, mechanically and business-like performing these operations was making a mockery of the sacredness of the action. This was a place of mystery and awe, not a place to turn into a circus with markets and cold businesslike precision. It is also never meant to be a case of "put in a penny and out comes a blessing". So, Our Lord was restoring the proper awe and reverence to God.

 

And, since it was indeed "just before the Passover, we cannot help but notice that Jesus is the TRUE Passover lamb. He is doing away with the need for lambs, goats and pigeons. He will be the one offering once and for all the perfect sacrifice, which will now be the means of forgiveness, grace, and redemption. He is restoring in himself proper worship and effective sacrifice in which businesslike marketplaces will not be needed.

 

Also, Jesus will BE THE NEW TEMPLE. Our Lord will be for us always the presence of God and the abiding promise of God's presence.

 

In and through Christ, church and the Eucharist.

 

Jesus, (who not only knows the lawmaker but us actually ONE WITH him), restores, completes and renews the ancient sacrifices and makes them effective by his own life, his teaching, his death and resurrection. And he warns us, just as he did the moneychangers, never take this for granted. Do not go through rituals with the mechanical presumption of a slot machine. Always, let us do this in awe and reverence for the saving law and sacrifice found in the temple that is the body of Christ.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

D'ARCY, T., JOHNSTON, J. AND COPLEY, B. (2015). BREAK OPEN THE WORD. BRISBANE. QLD.: THE LITURGICAL COMMISSION/ LITURGY BRISBANE.

 

DEBONA, G. (2014). BETWEEN THE AMBO AND THE ALTAR. YEAR B. 1ST ED. COLLEGEVILLE, MINNESOTA: LITURGICAL PRESS.

 

JOHN J PILCH. THE CULTURAL WORLD OF JESUS/ THE APOSTLES/ THE PROPHETS SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE B. COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. LITURGICAL PRESS .1996, 2002.

 

BARCLAY, W. (1975). THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. VOLUME I. 2ND ED. EDINBURGH: ST. ANDREW PRESS.

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 2156585795 - MONOPOLI, ITALY - MARCH 6, 2022: The painting of Jesus Cleanses the Temple scene in the church Chiesa di Sacro Cuore by Onofrio Bramante from 20. cent.Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

 

Third Sunday of Lent.  Year B  -(Sunday, 3 March 2024)  (EPISODE:  )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Kindness and grace to you all}} Welcome, everyone; we gather - To reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives On this Third Sunday of Lent.

Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
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
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11. "Lord, you have the words of everlasting life."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 3:16). ). Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. God loved the world so much, he gave his only Son. That all who believe in him might have eternal life.
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PREFACE: Preface ii  of Lent is used (when readings from year A are not used)

Eucharistic Prayer 2
(theme variation: theme 2 )

 

(post version: v2-long)

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{1. Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection}

2. 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 the 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. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Sound Engineering and Editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

[ Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.

 

 

 

 

Second Sunday of Lent. Year B - (EPISODE: 466)

Second Sunday of Lent. Year B - (EPISODE: 466)

Readings for Second Sunday of Lent. Year B

FIRST READING: Gen 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Ps 116: 10+15, 16-17, 18-19. "I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living."

SECOND READING: Rom 8: 31b-34

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 17: 5). Glory and Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! from the shining cloud the Father's voice was heard. This is my beloved Son, hear him.

GOSPEL: Mark 9: 2-10 - Transfiguration

 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 1344423617. Tiberias, Israel - 4/7/2015: Mount Tabor in the Lower Galilee region of Northern Israel, Jezreel Valley, Afula, Tiberias, Israel. The Church of the Transfiguration and the Franciscan Monastery

By Tomanovic Violeta

 

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Second Sunday of Lent. Year B - by clicking this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-second-sunday-of-lent-year-b-episode-466/s-zPM809iytHH  

(EPISODE: 466)

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* (Fr Paul Kelly) -ABRAHAM AND HIS FAITH JOURNEY

Second Sunday of Lent. Year B - (EPISODE: 466)

 

The story of Abraham being asked to deliberately sacrifice someone he loved, (more than his own life), is really horrifying. It is vital to keep in mind that it is, after all, God who is the one stopping the hand of Abraham. In fact, this incident is a foretaste of what God alone proposes to do to save humanity -   For out of astounding love and faithfulness to us (who were not worthy), God the father did not even spare his only son (Jesus) –in order to save everyone… Because God's love is so profound that he is willing to sacrifice himself in love, in order to save us all. (And it is the Father and the Son united who willingly sacrifice so much for us. God spares nothing and goes to the ultimate length to share complete solidarity with us.

 

In life and death, in joy and devastation, God gives us everything he has. God holds nothing back. It is impossible to truly understand the depths of this unmerited love and commitment that God has given to us.

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This Sunday we hear of Abraham and of the Transfiguration story. Despite its vividness, the drama and even the horror of Isaac's near-sacrifice -  the main point of this passage…   shown in such stark, unavoidable clarity…… - is that Abraham's faith in God is utterly complete. Abraham, in his journey of faith, has learnt utter trust in God's promises. Abraham and Isaac's unswerving obedience to God, and trust in God's faithfulness… (and particularly trust that God will provide), is a foreshadowing of the absolute generosity, faithfulness, sacrifice and love that God the Father, and the Son show for the world…  

 

Abraham and his sacrifice is a proto-type for Christ's death for us on the cross..   the comparisons are deep.   Abrahams beloved son even carries the wood of his own sacrifice..  Jesus carries the wood of his own cross for his sacrifice.  A Ram is found caught in thorns, and replaced Isaac as the sacrifice…  Jesus is crowned with thorns. Abraham goes to mount Moriah for the sacrifice……  this place would later be known as the city of Jerusalem…   Our Lord offers his life in Jerusalem. and so on..   Only God would give up so much out of love, to save us.

 

Peter, James, and John also find deeper faith on the mountain: They see Jesus as he truly is, in his full glory. These scenes give us a taste of Easter glory to come and challenge us to believe that Jesus is truly and completely everything he says he is.

 

Even the disciples didn't always or fully see Jesus clearly, and this is so, even though they had the singular benefit of being with him all the time. (Did they become so familiar with them, that they occasionally stopped seeing him…   stopped learning from him….    and took him for granted, or projected onto him their expectations (or even lack of expectations at times), instead of being open to what he truly was offering.

 

Abraham, too, misunderstood the God he followed for such a long time.

 

In lent, let us take some time to try and see Jesus more clearly. Let us not allow familiarity to obscure his glory and his challenging message.

 

We all need a transfiguration of our image of God once in a while to ensure we see God more clearly. May this season of Lent ensure that we are not fashioning God according to our convenience, or according to our own image and likeness…..but rather encountering God in Jesus in the fullness of his radical message.

 

Can we, like Abraham, put our complete and utter trust in God. Trust God even when we don't understand the meaning of what might be happening to us at any different moment of our lives.  Will we trust utterly in Christ and be humble and completely obedient to his vision.

 

Lent is about removing obstacles to our faith but also about choosing to let Jesus be the meaning of our lives.  Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

 

And, (Just as Jesus is transfigured), may we be changed.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Pitre, Brant/ Bergsma, John. (2018). A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament: Vol 1. San Francisco, California. Ignatius Press.

 

Life Application Study Bible Large Print. 2007. Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

 

also, Abbot's Homily, Monastery of Christ in the Desert;

 

Prepare the Word resources.

 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 1344423617. Tiberias, Israel - 4/7/2015: Mount Tabor in the Lower Galilee region of Northern Israel, Jezreel Valley, Afula, Tiberias, Israel. The Church of the Transfiguration and the Franciscan Monastery

By Tomanovic Violeta

 

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Second Sunday of Lent. Year B  (Sunday, February 28, 2021)  (EPISODE: 466)

 

The Lord be with you.

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{{Joy and peace to everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather - Reflect upon the Holy Scriptures and the values of the Lord.

 

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

 

Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to the Father and to one another: Lord, have mercy.

 

You heal the wounds of our sin and division: Christ, have mercy.

 

You intercede for us with 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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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: Sunday Lent II

EP II

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{May God's grace strengthen your faith hope and love, and may the Lord' love surprise you, even in the trials and challenges of this 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.

 

[ Production - KER -  2024]

 

May God bless and keep you.

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First Sunday of Lent. Year B -

First Sunday of Lent. Year B -

(EPISODE: 465)

Readings for First Sunday of Lent. Year B
FIRST READING: Gen 9: 8-15
Ps 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9. "Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant."
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 3: 18-22
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 4: 4b). Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. No one lives on bread alone. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 
GOSPEL: Mark 1: 12-15 - Temptation

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 150965762. Our Lord in the Wilderness. By Motortion Films.
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for First Sunday of Lent. Year B - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-first-sunday-of-lent-year-b-episode-465     (EPISODE: 465)

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* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)
"The Spirit impelled Jesus into the desert, and he remained there for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 'This is the time of fulfilment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel'" (Mark 1:12-15).

"As Lent begins, the Church enters a period of spiritual renewal leading to Easter. Lent is a time of retreat. We journey inward to places of solitude and silence to rediscover God's love for us. To refocus and re-connect to God's priorities, and allow God to re-order our habits and choices according to God's values.

In the passage prior to this Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, Mark writes that Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan and heard the voice confirming that his future mission was blessed by his heavenly Father.

Then, we read that Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to prepare for his public mission.

The words are very powerful.  They are strong words:   Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. He was impelled, obliged, pushed with a sense of urgency and necessity!

"He lived among wild beasts,"  - We may all have heard the saying: "humans are just animals, so it's only natural to respond to our base inclinations" But Jesus shows us that we might be surrounded by wild animals, but it doesn't mean we have to act like one.

We humans have been given the rare gift of discernment; the ability to tell right from wrong. We have freedom and choice, so we are unique in being able to adapt our lives, our choices and our priorities so that we are not merely stuck in reacting only on instinct or inclinations, to any of life's events.  We have been given the human grace (by God) to rise above might otherwise have us responding at the same level of response as animals.   Having said that, I do acknowledge that some commentators on human behaviour have rather ruefully observed that many animals can act better than the way some humans treat one another.

Our lives are filled with temptation, and Jesus' life was also filled with temptation, since he was not only God, but also fully human:

The temptation to take an easier but not best path;   temptation to lose hope in difficult situations,  temptation to put ourselves and our needs,  (legitimate or not), before others,  tempted to respond to our desires rather than our duties.  And so on.  In so many ways we are assailed by temptations to take a less loving, more selfish and less compassionate path. A path that denies that God is the centre of our lives and existence.

But "angels ministered to him" as he fasted and prayed during those forty days.

Do we accept the strength of the sacraments, the support of parishioners, family and friends, and the encouragement along the difficult path that is offered at different times? Hope is one of the best defences against the temptations that weigh us down. Hope need not be over-idealistic, but can exist even under the full weight of the reality of how bad things can be for many people.  Hope is never losing sight of God's faithfulness and love, and hope is continuing to love and show the values of the gospel of Jesus even when everything around us may be going wrong.

For most of us, there is no physical desert. Our deserts and 'wildernesses" are often real, but symbolic. They are moments of dryness in our lives that come from tensions in family life, arguments with significant others, anxiety about economic distress, world conflict, and many other sources.

This Gospel passage invites us to recognize those times when we experience our own "temptations" and "temptation to despair," not taking desolation, and fear as times that reveal the face of God to us in a very close way. These are the times in which we discover our utter reliance on God. And this opens up the path to new and greater life.

Perhaps patience should be seen as one of the most powerful of the virtues… Forbearance, restraint, pause,  and "waiting in silence for God to save" are surely remedies to what would, otherwise, be a huge list of possible mistakes and dead-end pathways.

What have been "desert" moments in our lives that have caused us tension, stress, or despair? How has God been a part of these moments?  Can we let Jesus, who lived in the wilderness for forty days, (and who was assailed by the temptations that would later surface in other ways during his ministry and knowing that he faced suffering and eventually the cross; because he was taking the path of love and forgiveness. Can we let Jesus lead us in this journey as we face so many different aspects of spiritual wilderness in our lives and allow His Spirit to fill us up with all the virtues that crowd-out sin…

That is:  Love, faith and hope, and also patience, goodness, and  chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, and humility.

Jesus is ably suited to leading and guiding us through this and all other experiences of wilderness.


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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Word on the Go, a downloadable resource from RENEW International

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 150965762. Our Lord in the Wilderness. By Motortion Films.

First Sunday of Lent. Year B    (EPISODE: 465 )
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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{{Love and joy be with everyone}}. Welcome. everyone, we gather -  Listen to God's Word and contemplate the sacraments.

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 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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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sunday Lent I
Ep II
(theme variation: have Mercy  )

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{Cheers and thanks everyone for this time of prayer and reflection - I hope you have a blessed week. }

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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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 the 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. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

[ Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.

 

​Ash Wednesday MASS - February 14th, 2024. Weekday Solemnity-

Ash Wednesday MASS  - February 14^th, 2024.    Weekday Solemnity-  

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
      Prayer of the Faithful

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Photo ID: 1615569214 - Ash Wednesday, crucifix made of ash, to dust as in the Christian religion. Lent beginning- Photo Contributor: vetre
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for Ash Wednesday, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ash-wednesday-feast-abc-2024-edition-episode-464/s-lQ500fRXoFk

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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. –

Ashes, a symbol of destruction, death, and desolation, are an ancient Judeo-Christian symbol of our journey from death to new life…. 

We use the ashes from old burnt palm branches that were used in the Palm Sunday Masses last year. 
When we think about Lent, we generally think 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: (2024) Fr Paul.
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. 

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

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 create in us a space for God…  and a detachment from whatever may keep us at a distance from an ever-closer connection to God. 

 

Since, this beautiful season is time for God to help us loosen our wilfulness and self-focus, the idea that Lent is some kind of a test of our willpower and resolve, our resistance to temptation, actually defeats the real purpose of this time.  Its precisely not about our willpower but surrendering our wilfulness and self-focus to God's giving and loving will.   If we enter into the season with a humble, contrite and not-wilful attitude God's grace will produce wonderful fruits in us..  that will last…. Overcoming sin, and defeating habits is not about willpower, since its our willfulness, and the imperfection of our ability to will all that is good for us, without God's help, that often leads to our falling into the things we know are harmful to us and to others.

Imagine an army that tries to fortify its Castle – focusing on making the outside walls and doors strong and resistant to attack…  but the enemy keeps trying to find gaps in the fortess,  tiny flaws..  where the armour weak or imperfect…   they can sneak in through these gaps and once inside they can wreak havoc…    the idea of lent is not to build powerful external armour – so that if there is a flaw, we are helpless inside…  Lent is allowing God's grace, and virtues and gospel values to so fill op the inside of our hearts and minds that if the enemy found a gap,,.. they would come inside the heart and find it so filled with Jesus' values that there is simply no room for them and they would have to retreat..  we rely not merely on outward shields as if the inner life is so completely weak that it would fall at once when breached. 

In self-denial and in giving "of 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.  (Let us read and pray with God's word in the scriptures even more in this season….   Because this living Word is the source of our grace and life….. and also let's read and reflect on the enormous resource of the lives and wisdom the saints, who have heroically shown us how to allow God's grace to fill us and transform us and grow in holiness and love.)

 

Let our heartfelt prayer this year be:

Lord, help us to be true ambassadors for you..  in our words, and actions.

Lord, let no-one look at our lives and actions and ask "where is your God."  Let, our love and practical charity, shine out with the answer.  During Lent, we give to the excellent cause of Project Compassion, run by the Catholic charity, Caritas.. (which means love in action). May this, and so many ordinary and everyday acts of kindness, patience, forebearance, mercy, practical help and compassion, fill our minds and hearts with Jesus' loving heart.  ( please visit - https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion for more information and for donation options)  

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 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.

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……… actions for the glory and praise of God alone… This is close to the nature and heart of God.  This is also at the heart of the gospels and of our faith. It is the source of lasting truth.

So, let's make this time of lent the wonderful, Joy-filled gift 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

https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

 

#Elizabeth Harrington – Liturgy Brisbane  © Liturgybrisbane. 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Photo ID: 1615569214 - Ash Wednesday, crucifix made of ash, dust as in the Christian religion. Lent beginning- Photo Contributor: vetre
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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 - 
(as placed on the forehead.. the minister says: - ):  
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."
Or alternatively:
"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
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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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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).

-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 - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B - 2024 (Episode:463)

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B - 2024

(Episode:463)

Readings for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
FIRST READING: Lev 13: 1-2, 44-46
Ps 32: 1-2, 5, 11. "I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble and you fill me with the joy of salvation"
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 10: 31—11: 1
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 7: 16). Alleluia, alleluia! A great prophet has appeared among us. God has visited his people.
GOSPEL: Mark 1: 40-45

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 2259208961 - Jesus Christ of Nazareth Touching a Leper to Heal Him - Illustration Contributor: Carolangoni
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B - , by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sixth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-463  (EPISODE: 463 )
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(Prologue – Fr Paul): The Gospel today is a wonderful example of God's great desire to reach out and touch us…… to include and heal us.  There is sadly much illness and suffering in the world. We pray that those who are sick, will be healed of their illness and brought out of their suffering…..and in every case may the Lord certainly touch their lives with peace and strength and assure them that God is with them in this difficult journey…. 
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Today's Gospel makes it really clear that God loves us completely and desires that we be healed, freed from the burden of suffering and reunited with our community……  Jesus is the compassion of God…. And Jesus shows us the endless depths of that compassion and love for us….  God loves us so much that Jesus reaches out and touches us…

Because Jesus is God the son, he could simply have said to the leper, 'you are healed' and he would have been…. But the poor man was suffering illness,…. He was isolated from his community….. he was alone…. And Jesus reaches out and touches him to bring him back into the community… and heal his Spirit too…….. 

Jesus is not just in the midst of suffering… he is to be found abiding within the people who suffer, as well as in the people who reach out to help……  God, whose essential nature is loving and compassionate and deeply involved in our lives and who promises us much more than physical or emotional healing, but a cherished place in God's family forever. 

Those he cured would eventually get sick again and eventually all reach the end of their lives...  but he was offering them a reassurance of God's ultimate faithfulness to them -  peace through the assurance of their membership in God's family that will stay with them in this life and the next

Jesus also shows us God's attitude towards our suffering when Jesus declares "of course I want to heal you!"  God's compassion and love for others is the key to everything Jesus says and does. Jesus put people first and at the same time put his heavenly Father first, because the love of God, love of neighbour and love and care of oneself are different aspects of the same one teaching.  St Paul in the second reading..  sums up what it's all about in our ministries and service… "Whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. ……try to be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for my own advantage but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved." And that is at the heart of what we do…   everything for the honour and glory of God….
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References:

HOMILY –-

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Abbot's Homilies - Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert.. (2009) [online] Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. Available at: https://christdesert.org/updates/abbots-homilies

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 2259208961 - Jesus Christ of Nazareth Touching a Leper to Heal Him - Illustration Contributor: Carolangoni

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B   (EPISODE:463  )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Hi everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament. 

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 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
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays V
EP II
Communion side.  pwk:  RH
(theme variation: 4 )

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{May God's love, strength, mercy and kindness guide you all this week. }

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 the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  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.

- "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.

[ Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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