Fourth Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 24, 2023 (EPISODE: 453)

Fourth Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 24, 2023
(EPISODE: 453)
Readings for Sunday, 24 December 2023
FIRST READING: 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 (diff)
Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27+29. "Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."
SECOND READING: Rom 16:25-27
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 1:38). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord. May his will for me be done.
GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1905407200 - ODESSA REGION, UKRAINE – JUNE, 25, 2018: Orthodox icon of the Mother of God.

Important information - Editorial Use Only.Photo Contributor: hramikona
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Fourth Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 24, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-fourth-sunday-of-advent-year-b-episode-453/s-QoHfngXTuDl  
(EPISODE: 453)
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* Prologue – The wonderful news of the Annunciation to Mary occurred more than two thousand years ago.  The message Mary received was the start of the fulfilment of God's promise, made to King David one thousand years before that.  That timeline is so long that it is hard to comprehend. God has a very, very long memory. The people of Israel hoped and trusted in God's promise to King David.  And as the years went on, (and there were many years); that hope was boosted, and then seemingly shattered, then rebuilt.

After all this time, (in the fullness of time), God's promise is fulfilled at the home of a humble maiden.

Here we can learn our response from Mary the right response to God's message:  "Be it done to me according to your word."  If only we could all learn to respond to the Lord in such a wonderful way as Mary did!  May we more readily and with joy proclaim:  "Be it done to me according to your word!"

Mary is the model for all of us who want to follow God's ways.  She was a humble servant of God who was faithful to the Lord.  In her lowliness, God chose her for the most important role:  the mother of His Son.

This weekend's gospel, for the closing Sunday of Advent is all about the greatness of that word "YES" in Mary's life and in the lives of all of us who want to be Disciples of Christ. Mary's trust in God's promise is absolute. Mary continues to live according to God's ways, even when the events in her life are confusing and worrying and disorientating. 

It would be a tragedy if Mary's "yes" was the last "yes" in human history! In fact, Mary's YES becomes the pattern for many more "Yesses."
The Hebrew word "Amen" means "yes," --That is, "let it be so." And we say this "yes/ Amen" every time we come forward for the Communion at Eucharist. We say yes, we will be the house where God, in Jesus, makes his home.

We are saying YES. we will take the divine life of God into our bodies, - by the body and blood of Our Lord. And we too say "Let it be done to us, according to your word." So, as amazing and wonderful as it seems, one of God's last known addresses is….within YOU!

One thing I find really striking and challenging.  Mary's wonderful reply to the Angel was very down-to-earth and with no puffed-up pride. She answers: "I am God's servant !!"   Mary is saying to God, "I am your servant. I am your humble slave; let it be done to me according to your word"?

Briefly put:  We are here to do things God's way, not our way.
May this Advent bring us all closer to the Lord because He is always close to us.  God loves us and sends His Son to save us.   Mary intercedes for us as we learn from her complete trust in God's plan and learn to serve her Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

We say YES to God's invitation to cooperate in the constant work of building up God's Kingdom, not only in heaven but here and now, in this life. May this coming Christmas celebration be a time of incredible renewal and peace as we allow God's grace to strengthen and build upon our YES.   Inspired by Mary's great YES to God.

O Emmanuel,
king and lawgiver,
Desire of the nations,
Saviour of all people.
Come and set us free.
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Celebrating the Gospels.

 

My Daily Visitor, Nov-Dec 2011.

 

Monastery Of Christ In The Desert. Abbot's Homily. http://christdesert.org

 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1905407200 - ODESSA REGION, UKRAINE – JUNE, 25, 2018: Orthodox icon of the Mother of God. Important information - Editorial Use Only.Photo Contributor: hramikona

Fourth Sunday Advent. Year B  (Sunday, December 24, 2023)  (EPISODE: 453 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May Our Lord's generosity inspire you.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives. On this Fourth Sunday Advent. Year B

My friends in Christ, to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us first acknowledge our sins.
option two on the cards/ Have mercy on us, O Lord./ For we have sinned against you./ Show us, O Lord, your mercy. And grant us your salvation.
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 89:2-3, 4-5, 27+29. "Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 1:38). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord. May his will for me be done.
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PREFACE: Advent II
Eucharistic Prayer I
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 1 )

 

(post version: v1-long)

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

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to 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:

Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au

To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

 

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.

NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

 

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

 

"O Come. Lord. (Advent)" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).

By Paul W. Kelly.  Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.

Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.

 

[ Production -  KER -  2023]

May God bless and keep you.
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Extra Text : unspoken for Advent: -

             Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)

           

             Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.

           

             "The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.

           

             Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Third Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 17, 2023 (EPISODE:452)

Third Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 17, 2023
(EPISODE:452)

Readings for Sunday, 17 December 2023
FIRST READING: Isa 61:1-2a, 10-11
Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54. "My soul rejoices in my God."
SECOND READING: 1 Thess 5:16-24
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: John 1:6-8, 19-28

Shutterstock licensed Image:  stock photo ID: 697915306. ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER 30, 2015: Deesis - Byzantine mosaic in Hagia Sophia church, showing Jesus Christ and John the Baptist (Ioannes Prodromos), probably dates from 1261. By Zzvet.
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Third Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 17, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-third-sunday-of-advent-year-b-episode-452/s-6dtQtSOWl0v
(EPISODE:452)
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*Prologue: Our Advent journey of waiting is nearing its end. Only one more Sunday after this, and then Christmas will be upon us!
There is a tone of increasing joy and expectation in the readings and prayers this weekend.  The whole weekend is called "Rejoice Sunday," as we are filled with joy at the nearness of the Lord and the salvation he brings to us, and our loved ones and friends. This offer of salvation is for all people of every time and place. O Come, Lord Jesus and deliver us, without delay.
HOMILY - 

There is something ironic here.  John the Baptist himself illustrates in his own life, the disciple who is humble and self-forgetting, rejecting the temptation to pride, and being open to change his thinking, to match the ways of God. This extraordinary Prophet, who came to testify to the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, himself practises the very word he preaches - because John the Baptist got a bit of a shock when Jesus arrived.
 
John had been preaching the old 'fire and brimstone' model of the Old Testament prophets. He taught that the judgement of God was close at hand. He warned people that God will come in power with his threshing sword and uproot the weeds and sort out the wheat from the chaff and throw the rubbish into the fire. He warned people that Christ would bring down God's judgment upon the earth - uprooting the stubborn plants... But then, astoundingly, along comes Jesus. Our Lord announces, (in line with our first reading), a time of grace and mercy. This is a season of jubilee, including the complete and wholesale cancellation of debt, as well as freedom of prisoners, the forgiveness of sin and renewed life and favour from God.
 
John is understandably confused. It is as if he was preparing everyone to celebrate a funeral and then at the very last minute someone rushes up and says, "Actually it's a wedding feast, not a funeral." That was the dramatic revelation that probably took John the Baptist, (and many others), by surprise. We know John the Baptist was fairly surprised and confused because we are told in Matthew's Gospel (11:13) that he sends disciples to ask Jesus: "are you the one who IS to come; or OUGHT we to wait for another????"
 
Let us instead be joyful followers, in the spirit of John. may we be ever ready and willing to adjust course according to the sudden and unexpected commands of God. God sees the whole picture and knows best. Certainly better than our mortal perceptions.
 
We would not be a very useful instrument in God's hand unless we are open to adjusting our direction at the sudden instructions of the master-craftsman. To be truly open to those fine adjustments, we must not assume that our vision is the perfect touchstone of how everything should be. Rather, we remain open to God's word, and the wisdom of the faith community and the experiences and insights of our brothers and sisters around us.
 
We can so easily want to stretch God's ways and thoughts so that they suit our desires and expectations. We are constantly on guard against this so that we can, just like John the Baptist, "decrease," so that Christ will "increase"...
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References:
Homily- Fr Paul W. Kelly

Shutterstock licensed Image:  stock photo ID: 697915306. ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER 30, 2015: Deesis - Byzantine mosaic in Hagia Sophia church, showing Jesus Christ and John the Baptist (Ioannes Prodromos), probably dates from 1261. By Zzvet

Third Sunday Advent. Year B - (Sunday, December 13, 2020)  (EPISODE: 266)

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INTRODUCTION
 
In the Name of the Father (+) and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
The Lord be with you.
 {{Greetings}} welcome everyone, we gather - Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament. As we continue our Advent journey. We now light the third Advent candle (the Rose Candle). Also known as the "Shepherd's Candle," it reminds us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Christ.
{The Presider lights the third candle}
O Lord and leader of Israel. Come and save us with your mighty power. Lord Have Mercy.
 
O Stock of Jesse, Come to deliver us, without delay. Christ have mercy.
 
O Key of David and sceptre of Israel, Come to free those who sit in valley and shadow of death. Lord Have mercy.
 
Third Sunday Advent. Year B  (Sunday, December 17, 2023)  (EPISODE:452)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{May Our Lord's care, comfort you}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To offer or praise, prayers and intercessions to God. On this Third Sunday Advent. Year B

Coming together as God's family, let us call to mind our sins.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault,* through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
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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Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54. "My soul rejoices in my God."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
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PREFACE: Advent II
Eucaristic Prayer II
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 3)

(post version: v2-long)

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

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
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

"O Come. Lord. (Advent)" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).
By Paul W. Kelly.  Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.
Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.

 [ Production - KER - 2023]

May God bless and keep you.

Extra Text: unspoken for Advent: -
Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.

"The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.

Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993).
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Weekday - Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th.(Years ABC)

Weekday - Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th.(Years ABC)

Weekday Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8^th. 

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 97:1-4. "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds."
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Gospel Acclamation: cf Luke 1:28. Alleluia, alleluia! Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 628121756 Blessed Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. Artistic abstract modern colorful design. Digital illustration made without reference image. By Thoom
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for this feast of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th , please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-december-8-years-abc

 

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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.
{{Joy and peace to everyone}}

On this special (feast of) Feast Of The Immaculate Conception
Coming together as Gods family, let us call to mind our sins.

Lord jesus, you humble the proud and exalt the lowly. Lord have mercy.

You fill the hungry with good things, and The self-sufficient you send away empty. Christ have mercy.

Your mercy reaches from age to age for those who revere you. Lord have mercy.

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

(Gloria)

Collect (Immaculate Conception)

Let us pray.
(that we too will be admitted to the presence of God)

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
grant, we pray,
that, as you preserved her from every stain
by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,
so, through her intercession,
we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
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: Immaculate conception.
Euch .Prayer: 3
(PROPOSED THEME Marian hymns)
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{Thank you, everyone, for participating in this superb feast of the immaculate conception… and for giving generously to god and to our christian community, of your time and prayerfulness.}

Dismissal:
go and announce the gospel of the lord..
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HOMILY:
The Immaculate Conception
(8 December)
Prologue: This feast had its origin in the East as the "Conception of Mary by Saint Anne". It spread through the West during the Middle Ages as the "Immaculate Conception" and was extended to the entire Western Church in the eighteenth century. The feast celebrates Mary, preserved from sin from the moment of conception; she is the first fruits of her Son's redemption and a prophetic model of what the Church is called to be.
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This is a very special feast celebrating Mary's life… from the moment of her conception… This Feast… as all feasts and solemnities, is really about God and what God has achieved, through the wonderful grace and blessings God has showered upon his beloved children… And on this occasion, the superb and wondrous plan of God that envisaged and made a reality through the first moment of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary…. Whenever we pause to turn our attention to contemplate Mary, this "first and most perfect disciple of Christ" always humbly points us in turn towards her beloved son, God's son, who is the reason and cause of all our joy and hope…

Mary, although fully human, was conceived without sin and remained sinless throughout her life.

By this feast we remember the earlies beginnings of Mary's existence and also contemplate our own earliest beginning. And the love at the very heart of our origins.

Ultimately we all belong to God. A God of the most profound and overflowing love. God's plans of love and inclusion for his children began well before time began.
We were imagined by God long before we came to be. We were all lovingly brought into existence, created by God, through God's loving grace…(that same source of love that brought the whole of creation into existence). ..
God's love claims Mary's entire existence. We, too, seek to allow God to envelop our whole selves now and always. (1).

The Immaculate Conception: Is defined like this…..
490 To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. (that is, God gave her the graces and gifts needed to allow God to achieve his plan for the salvation of humanity, through her cooperation). "The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.
491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. as Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed in 1854:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and the privilege from almighty God; --and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.
492 The "splendour of entirely unique holiness" by which Mary is "enriched from the first instant of her conception" comes wholly from Christ: she is "redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son". The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love".(2)

and a nice quote from:
Scripture Scholar and Theologian, Gustavo Gutiérrez:
 "Mary is aware of all the implications of her accepting God's will: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (v. 38). In the Canticle of the Magnificat, Mary will again call herself a servant. Luke has in mind the meaning of the Hebrew word which we translate by "servant." It means completely belonging to God... Servants are those who announce the Lord's message completely, and those who receive a mission (Acts 2:18).

Belonging to God is expressed by our availability, by our welcoming his plan for our lives and our world.

Mary does not ask for a sign from the Angel Gabriel… in the way that Zechariah had demanded and doubted(Lk 1:18). She shows her complete trust and confidence in the will of God. Mary makes God's will her own, in her entire self-hood…. in her whole life and in her body. 

We are called do the same.

The reading from Ephesians shows the deep meaning of our human existence. We have come into this world for the purpose of fully realising our full calling to be daughters and sons of God (vv. . 4-5). Being God's children is not something added from outside the human condition, instead, it is our very reason for being. The grace of God's love is the first and the last word upon everything.
However, we cannot accept God's plan of love and peace if we do not first incarnate God's plan, (that is, to make God's plan a concrete reality)…… to "enflesh" God's word, into the tangible elements of our daily lives. In order to achieve this we first need to get rid of any selfishness or wilfulness, and trust, rely and act upon the grace and vision of God, (as Mary did), and take risks in the strength of this trust and obedience, (again, As Mary did)." (3)

All Praise and blessing to our beautiful and loving God, for the wonderful things God has achieved through his extraordinary plan to utilise the free and full cooperation of the of the Blessed Virgin Mary, flowing through her, for the good of all people. Praise, indeed, be to God whose wonderful and astounding plan of salvation for the whole world, included his loving and freely cooperative plan for Mary's life, which began before her conception, and anticipated the salvation that Christ would later achieve by his Death and Resurrection, to save us all.

O Mary, The Immaculate Conception. Pray for us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

1. Quote from a pamphlet: "Mary: God's radical daughter." Published by CATHOLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE. Copyright: The Australian Episcopal Conference of the Roman Catholic Church, 1994
2. Vatican.va. (2019). Catechism of the Catholic Church - "Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary". [online] Available at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p122a3p2.htm [Accessed 12 Nov. 2019]).

3. Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books. pp 280-281.

4. Prologue from Liturgy Brisbane Resource.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 628121756 Blessed Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. Artistic abstract modern colorful design. Digital illustration made without reference image. By Thoom
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

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

Marian Hymn –– "Rainfall – Hail Holy Queen." Music by Paul W. Kelly. 1994, 2021. Words by Paul kelly, based on the Traditional Salve Regina Hymn. Arranged & with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Reflection Hymn post communion - Salve Regina (tono simple) 450 voces coro virtual Música Católica. https://cantocatolico.org/salve-regina/

Magnificat (Praise and sing to God)- (July 2021) -Music by Paul W. Kelly. (1985, 2010, 2021), Lyrics inspired by Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). Music arranged, with adapted lyrics by Stefan de Freyne Kelk. [https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk ] July 1, 2021.


[ Production - KER -]

May God bless and keep you.
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Second Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 10, 2023 (EPISODE:451)

Second Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 10, 2023
(EPISODE:451)

Readings for Sunday, 10 December 2023
FIRST READING: Isa 40:1-5, 9-11
Ps 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14. "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation"
SECOND READING: 2 Pet 3:8-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-8

Image Credit: Image:  Photo by Ray Fragapane on Unsplash

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Second Sunday Advent. Year B - Sunday, December 10, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-second-sunday-of-advent-year-b-episode-451/s-VQO3nWcHtje

 (EPISODE: 451)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND

*Prologue: To be even a tiny part of God's grand project is surely satisfaction enough. In the same way, wilfulness, pride and self-focus are obstacles to our peace and to accepting Christ's unconditional love.

May we appreciate more deeply, the reality of Christ's selfless and generous love and make it an ever deeper reality in our lives too.  

O Come, Lord Jesus!!   

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Homily: 

 

A fitting quote (from Scripture commentator William Barclay), is quite apt for today. . .." In my youth, because I could not be a singer, I did not even try to write a song; and I planted no little trees along the roadside Because I knew their growth would take so long and I would never see them fully grown. But now from the wisdom that the years have brought me, I know that it may be a blessed thing; to plant a tree for someone else to water and enjoy or make a song that someone else will sing when I cannot." (William Barclay).

 

The goal will never be reached unless the labourers unite to make it possible, under the great architect's plan. Each one adds their little bit to a project much bigger than any one of us.

 

God's plan was being unfolded long before we came on the scene and it will continue to come to fruition long after we have finished our earthly journey.

 

In the gospel, we hear that those who were baptised also confessed their sins. . .. Admitting to our sins and faults is difficult. But when we do this we straighten the path between us and God. Often, the most difficult person to admit sin, is actually ourselves.   For example, when the prodigal son took off with half his father's property, he probably thought very well of himself.    He thought he was a fine and clever young man who will make it big. But, later, in extreme poverty, as he even longed to eat the scraps of pigs' food and realised his folly, he would first have had to admit to himself how pathetically he had acted.   Even before he returned to his father, he had to look at himself honestly and humbly, and it must have been very deflating and difficult. But he could not have imagined the astounding love and mercy he would receive when he made a straight path back to his father.

 

We must let the barriers down…  and fill in the valleys of pride and self-satisfaction.  It is not the person who desires to meet God on equal terms who will discover forgiveness, grace and compassion - but rather, the person who falls to their knees and whispers: "Lord, I need you! I am a terrible mess without your help. Be merciful to me, for I am a sinner!"

 

The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks of comfort for God's people. God assures the people that they have 'done their time' for their sins. The debt is cancelled. However, one gets a distinct feeling that God is just being kind and generous. We couldn't have paid off the debt; but God, in His love and mercy has cancelled it and written "paid in full" anyway. Another act of astounding generosity. 

 

John the Baptist was out in the desert. This reminds us of the time when the People of Israel wandered in the desert and lived in the wilderness for forty years, In that time, they were utterly reliant on God's providence. They had nothing else but the presence and leadership of God's guiding hand. The people had to trust totally in God's wisdom and care. For the most part, they were humble and grateful people.  (although at times, for those who trudged the relentless desert paths, - pride, distrust and ingratitude got the better of many of them)

 

In the process of trying to give up sin and live with virtue, we often find it difficult. Even after years of struggle, we can often find ourselves still facing the same sins and defects in our lives. But let us not lose hope. The Lord assures and comforts us…… He comes to save us, not to condemn us. The secret is to trust completely in Jesus Christ. To surrender to God.  To stop wrangling with God and resisting him with our wilfulness. We humbly admit our need for Our Lord's grace and mercy.

 

Everything God gives us is a grace -- Gifts and blessings are given, completely and unreservedly in love for all people….By contrast, we are tempted to keep score or place conditions on love,  or by "trying to live as if we were an island complete of itself," this is what creates valleys and mountains – making rocky the pathway of communication and the friendship between God and ourselves.  

 

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References:

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

 

Leonard, R. (2006). Preaching to the converted. New York: Paulist Press.

 

Fr Paul Kelly

 

Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Abbot's Homily. Advent 2, Year B. 2008.

 

PrepareTheWord.com © 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC.

 

Image Credit: Image:  Photo by Ray Fragapane on Unsplash

Second Sunday Advent. Year B  (Sunday, December 10, 2023)  (EPISODE: 451)
The Lord be with you.
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{{May Our Lord's empathy abide in you.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Reflect upon the Holy Scriptures On this Second Sunday Advent. Year B

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: 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 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14. "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
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PREFACE: Advent I
Eucharistic Prayer III
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 3 )

 

(post version: v1-short)

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

 

"O Come. Lord. (Advent)" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).

By Paul W. Kelly.  Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent.

Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.

 

 [ Production - KER - 2023]

 

May God bless and keep you.

 

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            Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)

           

             Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA.

           

             "The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.

           

             Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) 

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