Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B - Sunday, 16 June 2024 (EPISODE:483)

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B -  Sunday, 16 June 2024 (EPISODE:483)

Readings for Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year B
FIRST READING: Ezek 17:22-24
Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16. "Lord it is good to give thanks to you."
SECOND READING: 2 Cor 5:6-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ((no bibl. ref.)). Alleluia, alleluia! The seed is the Word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.

GOSPEL: Mark 4:26-34

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Photo ID: 2272663117 -Mustard seeds in a bottle with a holy bible book in the background. A close-up. Faith parable of Jesus Christ. Christian biblical concept of trust in God. Photo Contributor: MarinelaM

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 16 June 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-11th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-483/s-8398mDz4omd  
(EPISODE:483 )
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*Prologue- 

I love the wonderful practicality of the prayers for this weekend's liturgy…   the opening prayer (or the "collect" as it is called) gathers our many prayers and thoughts and distils them in these wonderful thoughts:  "Grant us the help of your grace always,  so that we may please you with our resolve and our DEEDS…" 

 

In other words, may your help and guidance, Lord, lead us to pleasing attitudes and practical action.

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The first reading this weekend and the Psalm refer to the majestic and awe-inspiring sight of the towering cedar trees of Lebanon. This familiar and powerful image represents God's Kingdom and God's people. It is a strong, powerful, impressive, and providential image. 

 

But then we move to the gospel. Jesus asks himself:  "What image can I give you for the Kingdom of God?"  

 

The people would have expected him to refer to the traditional image of the royal, strong, immovable Cedar tree, which towers over everything else and can be seen far and wide.   

 

So, it is extremely surprising when Our Lord uses quite a different image. Christ tells us the Kingdom of God starts out like a mustard seed, a tiny, almost imperceptible seed, virtually inconsequential to the casual observer. And yet, this tiny seed grows up to become the largest shrub.  Here again, Our Lord deeply surprises his listeners. He does not say that the tiny seed grows to become the largest tree. No, it becomes the largest SHRUB!!!    

 

His point is both surprising and beautiful!  Our Lord is telling us all that God's Kingdom is not only to be seen in the obvious and towering grandeur of a mighty Cedar tree, but it is much more subtle and widespread. God's Kingdom is still sturdy, productive, and more down-to-earth. The Kingdom is more widespread. At times it can be patchy, looking less "royal"  and "majestic" and more suburban. It is more practical and "every day,"  but it is better adapted to produce many fruits and survive in many different harsh environments. 

 

But, just like the image of the cedar, this large shrub, which has grown from a surprisingly tiny mustard seed, still provides adequate shelter and welcoming protection for all that gather under its leaves. Again, not so high-class, but every bit as effective and much more involved in the lives of those around it. God's Kingdom doesn't tower loftily over everything else. Rather, it is in and amongst everything and involved directly in its surroundings. 

 

This image is a good one that gives us hope and courage. Our human efforts can be spasmodic and inconsistent. However, God is constantly and quietly at work in obvious and invisible ways. 

 

We can help or hinder God's work, cooperate in it or frustrate it. But whether we cooperate or block God's work, God keeps working and will succeed in the end. No matter what setbacks or frustrations, God is willing us to keep working away with his grace, and our hopes will be richly rewarded.

 

God is at work all the time in big and small ways, and we, his disciples, are called to respond to what He is doing, jump in, and cooperate with it. 

 

It is good for us to keep in mind the purpose of the sowing of the seed and its harvesting… the seed is to produce fruits. God's word is a powerful seed planted and nurtured to produce fruits…  We must not fall into the trap that the Pharisees and scribes did in Christ's day. They turned the seed of God's word and Kingdom into an academic novelty and an exercise in endless rules and regulations. The Faith became almost a thing in itself, separated from its purpose to produce the fruits of God's kingdom..  love, compassion, kindness, mercy and faithfulness…. And so much more… 

  

So, we, too, plant the seed of God's word and nurture it by God's word and sacrament and by constant prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord… and God's grace sets to work in us to produce real and practical fruits for the building up of God's kingdom. Never just for itself but for the greater glory of God and God's Kingdom.  

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References:

 

Homily by Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

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

 

Link, M. (2000).  Mission. Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way. Year B. Allen, Tex.: Resources for Christian Living"

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Photo ID: 2272663117 -Mustard seeds in a bottle with a holy bible book in the background. A close-up. Faith parable of Jesus Christ. Christian biblical concept of trust in God. Photo Contributor: MarinelaM

 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Year B  -(Sunday, 16 June 2024)  (EPISODE: 483 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{May Our Lord's grace and love abide in you}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament. On this Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16. "Lord it is good to give thanks to you."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ((no bibl. ref.)). ). Alleluia, alleluia! The seed is the Word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.
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PREFACE: Ordinary 7
Eucharistic Prayer 2
(theme variation: theme 1 )

 

(post version: v1-short)

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{16. I pray this week brings you an ever deeper experience of Our Lord's compassion and love}

1. 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

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:

https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 

Details 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 (1942-2017) - 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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

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.
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(weekday Solemnity) – Friday- The Most SACRED HEART OF JESUS -

  (weekday Solemnity) –

Friday- The Most SACRED HEART OF JESUS -

 

The Solemnity of the Most SACRED HEART OF JESUS  -

First Reading -  Hosea 11:1 3-4, 8-9
Psalm: - Isaiah 12:2-6, rv3. "You will draw water joyfully from the spings of salvation."
Second Reading -  Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Gospel Acclamation - Alleluia, alleluia! God first loved us
and sent his Son to take away our sins. Alleluia!
Gospel -  John 19:31-37

Image: Shutterstock licensed image. stock photo ID: 71906230. Vienna - The painting of the heart of Jesus Christ from church St. Gertrude Pfarrkirche. By Renata Sedmakova

 

Please listen to the audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The Solemnity of the Most SACRED HEART OF JESUS by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/weekday-solemnity-faith-hope-and-love-the-most-sacred-heart-of-jesus-year-b/s-0KIlNPaDRUH   

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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 Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you. On this special (Solemnity of) Sacred Heart, Who can fathom the endless depths of God's love for us...    Our Lord's heart burns with compassion and mercy for the world.
Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

LORD JESUS, YOUR SACRED HEART DESIRES TO RESCUE OUR SOULS FROM DEATH AND KEEP US ALIVE IN FAMINE. LORD HAVE MERCY.

YOUR SACRED HEART, WOUNDED FOR OUR SINS, OVERFLOWS WITH COMPASSION FOR US. CHRIST HAVE MERCY.

THE DESIGNS OF YOUR HEART ARE FROM AGE TO AGE.  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:  Of the Most sacred heart
Euch.Prayer: I

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{Thanks everyone for this time of prayer and reflection}
Dismissal:
Go in peace. 
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Prologue: The devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most widely practised and well known Catholic devotions, taking Jesus Christ's physical heart as the representation of his divine love for humanity, a love that flows out from an endless source...  and which suffered for us, to save us... 
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HOMILY:
Devotion to the sacred heart was part of the spirituality of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the twelfth century and of Saint Bonaventure and St. Gertrude the Great in the thirteenth. The beginnings of a devotion toward the love of God as symbolized by the heart of Jesus is found even in the fathers of the Church, including Origen, Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, Saint Irenaeus, Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Cyprian.
And the devotion of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
This feast is also a time of prayer for the sanctification of Priests, to more closely follow after the heart of Jesus
 
devotion to the Sacred Heart  went a long way in breaking down the resistance of the Jansenists, who saw God as a vindictive judge and were reluctant to receive Communion more than once a year.
 
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"The Sacred Heart is an inexhaustible fountain and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure." In other words, the purpose of devotion to the Sacred Heart is to renew the effects of redemption in our souls,
 
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St. Margaret Mary in the Office of Readings: "This divine heart is an immeasurable depth of all blessings, and into it the poor should submerge all their needs.
 
It is a bottomless extent of joy in which all of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an endless depth of lowliness to counteract our foolishness, an eternal wellspring of love to meet our every need."
 
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Second Reading
 
A letter by St Margaret Mary Alacoque
 
We must know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge
 
From this divine heart, three streams flow endlessly. The first is the stream of mercy for sinners; it pours into their hearts sentiments of contrition and repentance. The second is the stream of charity which helps all in need and especially aids those seeking perfection to find the means of surmounting their difficulties. From the third stream flow love and light for the benefit of his friends who have attained perfection; these he wishes to unite to himself so that they may share his knowledge and commandments and, in their individual ways, devote themselves wholly to advancing his glory.
 
But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure. In order to preserve it, there is nothing more useful than renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the divine heart. In this way, his will can carry out for us whatever contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and to trust entirely in him.
 
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St Bonaventure
 
With you is the source of life
 
 the soldiers  opened his sacred side with a spear, so that blood with water might flow out to pay the price of our salvation. This blood, which flowed from its source in the secret recesses of his heart, gave the sacraments of the Church power to confer the life of grace, and for those who already live in Christ was a draught of living water welling up to eternal life.
 
Arise, then, Bride of Christ, .......... place your lips there to draw water from the wells of your Saviour. For this is the spring flowing from the middle of paradise; it divides and becomes four rivers, then spreads through all devout hearts, and waters the whole world and makes it fruitful.
 
O soul devoted to God, whoever you may be, run to this source of life and light with eager longing. And with the power of your inmost heart cry out to him: 'O indescribable beauty of God most high! O pure radiance of everlasting light! O life that gives life to all life! O light that illuminates every light, ......   ..........
 
'O water eternal and inaccessible, clear and sweet, flowing from the spring that is hidden from the eyes of all mortal men; the spring whose depths cannot be plumbed, whose height cannot be measured, whose shores cannot be charted, whose purity cannot be muddied.'
 
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
 
Wikipedia  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Sacred_Heart
 
Image: Photo. Shutterstock licensed image. stock photo ID: 71906230 . Vienna - The painting of heart of Jesus Christ from church St. Gertrude Pfarrkirche. By Renata Sedmakova
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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.

- "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.

 

Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time - - Sunday, 9 June 2024 (EPISODE: 482)

Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time - -  Sunday, 9 June 2024 (EPISODE: 482)
Readings for Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time-
FIRST READING: Gen 3:9-15
Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. "With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption."
SECOND READING: 2 Cor 4:13—5:1
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 12:31b-32). Alleluia, alleluia! The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth. I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.
GOSPEL: Mark 3:20-35

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 2209882663 -Jesus and the crowds. Illustration Contributor. Mulina Vesile

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time  - Sunday, 9 June 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-10th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-482/s-9Egv8OdNDfd  
(EPISODE: 482)
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In a world where those who are trapped by actions of their own doing, and who have only themselves to blame for the pickle they find themselves in, these same people are often left unaided because "they've brought this harm on themselves," so the saying goes.

 

However, the Lord God cares about us, even when we've sinned and made mistakes, even when we've brought the situation on ourselves and now find ourselves horribly stuck. It's such a message of hope and unconditional love to know that our God feels compassion, God feels sorry for us, God feels like a parent when their child has strayed and hurt themselves, and reaches out to help us, even when we know we were the architect of our own downfall.

 

God lovingly invites us to deepen our compassion and love too, and respond gently, even to those whose predicament is caused by their own willfulness or poor actions, their own fault. We too can be tempted to hide in shame from our God whenever we are aware of our faults, only appearing when we think we've hidden the signs of our failings. But God asks us, why are you hiding? Who told you that there are things that can be hidden from me, the one who created you and loves you? God's mercy and love and grace inspires us to turn back to God time and time again for help, and to give grateful thanks to God always, for the more grace we receive, it's so important for us to give more thanksgiving to God, who gives us out of love.

 

God doesn't need our thanks, we need to give it, to appreciate the gifts we have. In the Gospel, our Lord reminds his followers that a house divided against itself cannot stand, so an essential element of our membership of God's family is unity and harmony. It's not any part of God's kingdom to have factions, quarrels, jealousy, but instead we're called to be united in one heart and one mind, and kind, compassionate and loving towards all, as the offering prayer says today in this liturgy, may our service, may everything we do and all we offer, lead to a growth in charity, may our actions lead to an increase in our love.

 

The writer Harold Kushner says his grandfather had virtually an unofficial doctorate in practical theology, because, though he was a down-to-earth labourer, who never attended a university, his actions showed a profound insight. Everything he did shone with the knowledge that the way he treated people, all of this mattered very much to God, who loved him and loved everyone, so his growth in charity and compassion grew daily and reached out to others in his daily life. It is a shocking incident in this Gospel.

 

Jesus is teaching the good news. He is the loving, visible expression of God's kindness, mercy and love, and yet his enemies reject him. They try to discredit him and disgrace him.

 

They distort his message of life and turn it into a message of death. It's a sad situation when the world has got its values so turned upside down that good is named as bad, and bad things are called good. But that is what they were saying.

 

They accused him of working with the evil one, even though Jesus represented everything opposed to evil. What a grave insult. Our Lord warns them, if you do not accept me, that is Jesus, as working for the of God, then there can be no penitence, no repentance, no forgiveness, because they're refusing to believe in the one who came to lead us out of this mess.

 

It's a very sobering message. We must be very wary of labels that people try to attach to others, to try and neutralise their good works. If we feel threatened and challenged by someone, it can feel easier to blame or label them rather than face the truth.

 

Calling someone crazy or labelling them as bad or motivated by malice, these are awful techniques to destroy the credibility of people who may be only acting for the good. In this day and age, where accusations and labels flow thick and fast, and often without much or any substance to the claims, we should be more than wary and alert than ever. We ought to be extremely slow to swallow any claims made, just because people labelled Christ a madman, or in league with demons, certainly and obviously didn't make it true.

 

The fact that some believed these claims also did not make it true, it still was false. In fact, the claims could not have been more false and blasphemous. It reminds me of one of my favourite sayings, "To a friend, no explanation is necessary. To an enemy, no explanation will be sufficient."

 

When we hear claims that discredit and disgrace others, we can only tell ourselves the truth. I have only heard one side of the story. It does not make what is said true, just in the telling of it.

 

As we also can admit that we may not be entitled to hear the other side, as it often is not our place to adjudicate anyway. The Lord calls us to be on our guard against applying false labels to others, spreading wrong assertions about others, or accepting as true such claims by others. The gospel warns us that this kind of thing undermines the good of the kingdom.

 

Christ is the truth, and he calls us to seek the truth always, just as God asked Adam and Eve, who told you these things? Of course, they were told things by the serpent, who was a liar. Our Lord in the gospel is virtually asking his people, who has poisoned your mind with such lies? Have you made room in your hearts to see bad, when there is only good, and good when there is clearly bad? This is still wise counsel for us today. One final insight, I have never realised before we are told that people were saying Christ had gone out of his mind, and his family had come to take charge of him, as it says.

 

This seems astounding. True, his relatives thought that they were trying to help him. His enemies had labelled Jesus, and they were trying to thoroughly disgrace and discredit him, even before his family members.

 

The danger was real, that this would lead to him being executed, and eventually he was. The family thought they were doing good, by having him declared mentally unwell, or taking charge of him, as this would be a defence against blasphemy charges. That is, he did not know what he was saying or doing, so he can't be held legally responsible for his actions, if someone accuses him, even wrongly, of blasphemy.

 

They were trying to save his life. But Christ will have nothing of this, even if they mean well, and think they're trying to help him. He knows the risk of death, and he's willing to accept it.

 

He will face death, and he will also rise again. He will not save himself by legal claims of unsound mind. He's completely in his right mind, and will not allow anyone to say anything to the contrary.

 

So, he replies, "who are my family? Anyone who hears my words and does them."

 

We are indeed Christ's family, when we do as he commands.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

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

 

Link, M. (2000). Mission. Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way. Year B. Allen, Tex.: Resources for Christian Living.

 

Marshall, A. (1990). NRSV-NIV parallel New Testament in Greek and English. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan.

 

Pilch, John J . The cultural world of Jesus Sunday by Sunday, cycle B. Collegeville, Minn. Liturgical Press .1996.

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Illustration ID: 2209882663 -Jesus and the crowds. Illustration Contributor. Mulina Vesile

 

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Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time    -(Sunday, 9 June 2024)  (EPISODE: 482)
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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{{Peace and Goodness to you all}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Reflection upon God's word, and encounter Christ's presence. On this Tenth Sunday Ordinary Time

Coming together as brothers and sisters, with confidence let us ask the Fathers forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy . You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy . You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy .
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. "With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 12:31b-32). ). Alleluia, alleluia! The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth. I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.
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PREFACE: Ordinary 4
Eucharistic Prayer 3
(theme variation: theme 4 )

 

(post version: v2-short)

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

4. Go in peace.

++++++++
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

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:

https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 

Details 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 (1942-2017) - 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 Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

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.

The Mass - The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B - Sunday, 2 June 2024 (episode 481)

The Mass -  The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B - Sunday, 2 June 2024 (episode 481)
 

Image Credit:Shutterstock licensed image 1041144766-Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper- By Macthia
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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 B. - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-year-b-episode-481
(EPISODE: 481)
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Prologue (courtesy of Liturgy Brisbane)

This feast, originally Corpus Christi, arose in thirteenth century Belgium,  in response to debates about the real presence and as a result of an upsurge in Eucharistic piety. It's extension to the entire Western Church was first decreed by Urban IV in 1264. The feast celebrates  the mystery of the nourishing and enduring presence of the  body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

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Homily: 

Our Lord wanted his life, death and resurrection to be a source of eternal life and salvation for all people, not just of his time 2,000 years ago, but every time and generation. So Christian faith believes in God who became flesh, the incarnation. So it's perfectly fitting that Jesus gives us a way that we can touch and taste the reality of his gift to us.

The reality too of his loving involvement in the many joys and sorrows, graces and challenges of daily life. The sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord was first instituted at the Lord's last supper, before he suffered his passion. He celebrated the annual tradition of the Passover meal, in which generations of God's people repeated the meal commemorating the freedom of the people of from slavery in Egypt, passing over from slavery to new life, from death to new life.

According to that God-given and ancient tradition, everyone who participated in that sacred meal was included and united in God's saving action, irrespective of the time or place that that person was joining in. Then we fast forward a thousand years or so later, and our Lord, who has come to perfect and fulfil the law of God, also celebrates this ancient Passover feast. But near the end of that very ancient meal, he does something new.

Something that makes this Passover meal his own, and which creates the means by which we can all be now included in his love and salvation. He took bread, blessed it and said, see this bread? This is truly my body, broken for you. Take and eat.

Do this in memory of me. Then he took a chalice of wine and blessed it, and gave it to his disciples and said, take this and drink of it. This is the chalice of my blood, poured out for you and for many, to forgive sins.

Do this as a memorial of me. This action means that we, some two thousand years after his supper, are all included in the benefits and the action that Christ won for us by his love. We live in a deeply sacramental world.

So many things in this world bring us the reality of what they signify. In general, a warm handshake conveys friendship.It doesn't just signify it. It's a sacrament of friendship in a broad sense, which actually gives us the expression and feelings of the friendship it represents. Jesus,, in his wonderful ministry, ate and drank with many, many people.

He shared meals with sinners. He included people of every different group. He healed, welcomed, taught, and cared for all.

It's fitting that Jesus left us the gift of this holy meal as more than a reminder of him and his ministry. But this meal is presented to us by his own promise and command, his very self, given for us. As we take the host, we receive Jesus into our hearts and lives.

As we drink his chalice, we are washed clean and joined to God and to one another. We can all be part of what our Lord offered first to his apostles. The gift of the Eucharist, which we celebrate on this Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, is essential in the life of all Christians.

We receive Christ himself, first of all in his word, proclaimed in the weekly scripture readings, and we receive Christ truly in his body and blood in communion. We are opening up, weekly, the meaning and implication of the scriptures and ensuring that it's not just our convenience and comfy version of Jesus' word, but his full, challenging, life-giving message that spurs us on to action, week after week. And I always love to say to First Holy Communion people, that as they receive Jesus in communion for the first time, that there's only one thing better than one's First Holy Communion, and that is, your Second Holy Communion.

And there's only one thing better than Second Holy Communion, and that's your Third, and so on and so on. Weekly, it sets up a pattern of communion with Christ in our daily lives, always. Our 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 receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are united in communion, connected by an unbreakable bond to God, first and foremost, through Jesus. But also we're connected to our loved ones and friends, our fellow Christians, and we're even connected to our departed loved ones, who are all part of the communion of believers. We abide in God, God abides in us.

We are in communion, alive in Christ forever. So today in this feast, we celebrate Jesus who makes His home in us, through the sacrament of His Body and Blood. This is a gift that is truly priceless.

May we always give thanks for it and receive it with joy.
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References:

Prologue – From Liturgy Brisbane

 

Homily – Fr Paul W. Kelly

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

and For a Background on Sacramental Theology context, please see Vorgrimler, H. (1992). Sacramental theology. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press}

Image Credit: Shutterstock licensed image. 1041144766— Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY— 24-8-2016. Mosaic: The Last Supper— By Macthia.

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year B.  (EPISODE: 481 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{May Our Lord's courage, uphold you.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Praise, Worship of God

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 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
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Ps 116: 12-13, 15-16, 17-18. "I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6: 51). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
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PREFACE: Preface of Holy Eucharist I or II
EP II

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

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to our 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.

- "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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