Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD – 1 January 2025

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD –

1 January 2025

Solemnity of MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

1 January 2025   (Liturgical colour - White and Gold)

First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: Ps 66:2-3. 5. 6. 8. "May God bless us in his mercy."
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel Acclamation: Hebrews 1:1-2. Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
Image Credit: ID: 1740958460  - Icon of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. Canvas, oil. Contributor: Gouache7
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass (readings, prayers and reflections) for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. [YEAR ABC]  - January 1, 2025 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-solemnity/s-wO3xsh0z8Km

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Faith, hope and love, Mass for the First of January –

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.  

 

Homily – Fr Paul Kelly 2025.
Another calendar year has begun!  

How these years seem to fly!    

Nevertheless, it is really good at the start of a new year to give thanks for what has been and all that is to come…. We dedicate ourselves and this new year (first and foremost) to God and God's blessed Kingdom.

 

May this new year be filled with countless blessings and graces.

 

We give thanks today to our Lord for so many gifts we receive each and every day, the gift of life, the gift of family, friends, parishioners and our community. We have so much to thank and praise our Lord as we begin a new year of opportunities.

 

We dedicate this new year to the Lord, which is truly, in every sense of the word, the Year of the Lord 2025.

 

May our thoughts, words and efforts all be directed to the Lord's vision of the world and the Kingdom of God. At the very start of a new calendar year, we say to the Lord, all things we've done pleasing to you in the last year, we offer to you in love and gratitude.

 

All things we're about to do that are pleasing to you, we offer it humbly and with love. Anytime we've acted contrary to your will in the past, we are truly sorry, Lord, and ask your mercy and pardon. May we redirect our efforts in your gracious guidance to build up your Kingdom of love and mercy, justice and care.

 

This new year, O Lord, we accept from you as a pure gift. We desire not to waste this precious time, nor take it for granted, but to savour it and make use of it for all that you desire, loving God. We offer you our work and our efforts, recognising this to be a time filled with graced opportunities to praise you and love you and show our love for you by how we treat one another, especially those most in need.

 

An anonymous college student composed a poem that reads: "Today I saw a water lily growing in a pond, (the waterlily was entirely) unconcerned about whether anyone noticed its astounding beauty. As I sat there, watching it unfold its petals noiselessly, I thought of Mary pregnant with Jesus. She, too, was unconcerned about whether anyone noticed her astounding spiritual beauty. But to those who did, she shared a secret. That beauty came not from herself, but from Jesus' life unfolding its noiseless petals within her."

 

Mary allowed the astounding grace and beauty of God to shine through her to such a perfect extent that God became flesh and dwelled among us through her cooperation….   

 

The student's poem invites us to ask: "What is one way I might allow more fully and deeply for Jesus life to unfold within me this year?

 

Another quote comes to mind at the start of this new year….   "Be careful how you live; you may be the only Bible some person ever reads."    W. J. TOMS

 

Mary is the perfect example of perfect discipleship and a being an utterly superb model of faith, joy, humility, a love of justice, a concern for the poor, and complete trust in God. Her life is a perfect living bible – attesting to the glory and Kingship of Christ in all things. What a perfect lady to ask for her intercession to her beloved Son, our Lord Jesus, as we begin this new year. I think of two things particularly that strike me from the readings today.

 

One is the reference which is mentioned a few key times in the Gospel of Luke. Our Lady treasured these things in her heart. She pondered these things.

 

May we treasure everything that happens to us too. Our Lady pondered and treasured everything. When something wonderful happened, she treasured it in her heart.

 

When something confusing or upsetting happened, she pondered it in her heart. When something unexpected or sad occurred, she stored it in her heart also. SO, in everything, meditating on God's Word and reflecting on the mystery of God's faithful plan for the world and for her. Even if it was beyond her understanding, she continued to treasure it and meditate on it.

 

Because Mary, the Mother of God, is our intercessor ands inspiration…  let us meditate as we travel through these coming months….  

"What would our Blessed Mother do in difficult situations? How would she speak both lovingly, honestly, challengingly, constructively and wisely, but always with love and faith? The saints of the Church and the esteemed teachers within the Church throughout history have reflected upon the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Saint Francis de Sales writes, let us run to Mary and as her little children cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence. Saint Jerome says, even while living in this world, the heart of Mary was so filled with motherly tenderness and compassion for men that no one ever suffered so much for their own pains as Mary suffered for the pains of her children. That's beautiful.

 

Saint Thomas Aquinas says, just as seafarers are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.

 

The beautiful Saint Therese of Lisieux writes, in trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.

 

The world – even moreso over recent years has been suffering dreadful violence, war and injustice, and our hearts break when we think of this. We also think of tragic disasters, natural as well as human-made, and we ask the Blessed Mother of God to pray to her Son on behalf of us for the gift of peace in the world and in the hearts and minds and decisions of people everywhere, including its leaders.

 

As that wonderful Hymn says so beautifully -   "Lord, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me"  

 

 

Have a blessed and grace-filled year, and we also pray now and throughout this year, ………..

 

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Mark Link SJ.  – Vision – Praying Scripture in a contemporary Way.

Image Credit: ID: Image Credit: ID: 1740958460 - Icon of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. Canvas, oil. Contributor: Gouache7
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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.

  HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

{{God's kindness, peace and grace to everyone!!}}

On this special Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God,, trusting in God's timeless faithfulness, mercy, and love, let us first call to mind our sins.

Lord Jesus, your beloved and Mother is thereby the Mother of God. Lord have mercy
Your beloved mother is Help of Christians. Christ have mercy
Your beloved Mother is the Queen of Heaven. 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: Blessed Virgin MARY I
Euch .Prayer: 2
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{Thanks everyone, and THROUGH God's grace and mercy, and the faithful intercession of Mary the holy mother of God, may this be for you all a blessed, healthy and grace-filled year of the lord 2025.}

The Lord be with you……
(let's bow our heads to receive God's blessing)

May God, the source and origin of all blessing,
grant you grace,
pour out his blessing in abundance,
and keep you safe from harm throughout the year. Amen.

May he give you integrity in the faith,
endurance in hope,
and perseverance in charity
with holy patience to the end. Amen.

May he order your days and your deeds in his peace,
grant your prayers in this and in every place,
and lead you happily to eternal life.
Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son,+ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you forever.

Amen.

 

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

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

Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14,  1 John 4:9 , & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7.
(Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20).  Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics.  2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Marian Hymn - "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." (Traditional 11th Century). Melody: Mainz (1712), Hymn #783 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/
 
Marian Hymn – "Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera." ("Whom Earth and Sea and Sky Proclaim"). Traditional 6th Century Hymn. Melody: Bartholomaus Gesius (d.1613). #376 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/

[ Production - KER - 2025]

May God bless and keep you.
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First Reading

Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of Numbers.
The Lord spoke to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,
'Thus you shall bless the Israelites:
You shall say to them,
"'The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.'
"So they shall put my name on the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 66:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (JB)

R. May God bless us in his mercy.
God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help. R.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples.
you guide the nations on earth. R.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him. R.
Second Reading

Galatians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.
When the fullness of time had come,
God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law,
in order to redeem those who were under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as children.
And because you are children,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,
"Abba! Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a child,
and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Hebrews 1:1-2 (JB)
Alleluia, alleluia!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
now he speaks to us through his Son.
Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 2:16-21 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke.
When the angels had left them
the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go now to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went with haste
and found Mary and Joseph,
and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known what had been told them about this child;
and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed,
it was time to circumcise the child;
and he was called Jesus,
the name given by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year C – (episode 511) 29th December 2024

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year C – (episode 511)

29^th December 2024t

 Readings: Year C

1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
Psalm blessed are those who dwell in your house O lord.
1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Luke 2:41-52

Image: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/dKeusvSeHw6vas1HvBbd/the-presentation-of-jesus-in-the-temple-by-mary-and-joseph-and-watched-on-with-joy-by-elderly-simeon?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year C - 

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year C - by clicking this link here:
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-holy/s-0WNWOZPxJWW   (Episode: 511)
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I came across a wonderful poem on the birth of Christ and the Holy Family by a British poet called Godfrey Rust, and it's called "Midnight in Bethlehem, 0 A.D."  -   In part, it says,

 

"No room at the inn, no room anywhere,

they gave him the only place they could spare,

and the promised Messiah was born that night

on the floor of a stable without any light,

and while Mary slept there exhausted and cold,

 Joseph sat by feeling helpless and old.

 This wasn't the way he had thought it would be,

when the angel had told him the destiny,

chose them to look after the Holy One.

 

No, this was a farce.

What God had done was

to trust the care of the Saviour instead

to a man who could not even find him a bed.

 

If only he'd planned it more carefully then,

if only he could go back and do it again.

But when the shepherds burst in all breathless and wild,

and stopped in their tracks when they saw the child,

 they shifted their gaze from the baby's bed,

and their eyes met his, and he nodded his head,

 

standing awkwardly, not knowing quite what to do.

Now they all knew for certain the story was true.

They stayed there for minutes, it might have been years.

Not one of them spoke.

Their hopes and their fears were gathered around this helpless God,

as their minds tried to grasp what it meant.

 

Where he stood, Joseph was silent,

as finally he saw this was how it was planned to be.

 That the smell and the dark and the dirt and the pain

were not Joseph's mistake, but God's choice once again.

 

Past midnight in Bethlehem, Joseph knew that men would be saved

despite all they might do.

He could not control it, he did not understand.

He felt like a baby himself in God's hand.

He remembered the angel had said that his name would be Jesus.

'God saves!'"

 

That's a beautiful poem.

 

It's a wonderful picture of confusion, chaos and uncertainty that occurs in times of crisis. It would be familiar to any family when things aren't going the way they were planned. It's a reminder that God is even at work in the messiness and thwarted plans and unexpected situations of our lives.

 

The helplessness felt by Joseph is actually reassuring to all of us when things aren't going well, or we don't understand where things are going.

Today we pray for peace, peace in the world, peace in our families, peace in our own hearts. As with every worthy desire, the holding of an idea is often easier than putting it into practice, we know that.

 

The readings today remind us of something extremely important. That God's peace indicates not an absence of external conflict. Peace doesn't promise an absence of differences.

True peace does not necessarily indicate an absence of misunderstanding, nor of opposing opinions. No, true peace implies holding contradictory or opposing forces in harmony. Perhaps such a definition might be more helpful when we seek the meaning of an ideal community, or an ideal marriage, or even an ideal family and so on.

We don't mean uniformity but rather two solitudes embracing. A unity, a communion of differences enriching each other, and respecting each other, reverencing each other.

 

Joseph and Mary have wonderful care and support for each other.

They're open to God's will in their lives and they're dedicated to supporting and assisting each other and their wonderful child Jesus as a family unit and in their individual vocations in life; and that's inspiration for us all and a wonderful model of every family and community. I mean is there really any family that can say we're perfectly average? Every family is unique and has its own individual characteristics, because it's made up of individuals.

 

In the gospel our Lord is already wise beyond his years. He's a smart kid and he quickly realizes that being about his father's affairs at this stage of life means that he must go back with his family, with his foster-father Joseph and his mother Mary and he must learn from them and grow as he learns from their wisdom and guidance. Mary realizes she must ponder and reflect and learn from Jesus and the events of his life and prayerfully contemplate the meaning of his vocation which is unique and special. We too must follow Mary in constantly reflecting on the meaning of Jesus' life and actions for our lives too.

 

We must be brave and open. We must be ready to have regular shifts of thinking and attitude of openness and discipleship. The Holy Family's respect and openness to listen and learn from each other, to support each other in the calling each person has, is very important.

 

We might all have plans and hopes for members of our family but the best thing we can do is ultimately listen and dialogue with them about their inner calling or vocation that is unique to each of them. They're called to search for and live that vocation out and this might be a vocational calling that's different from our hopes or expectations for them. In the end, openness to God, who is at work in the lives of each of us, is the most important thing and living and working with each other in respect and love, gentleness and mercy.

 

Where did that last year go? The years seem to speed up each time.

 

I pray that this new year will be a time of peace and grace for us all as we, with Mary, ponder and treasure the things that God is doing in our lives and may God grant us peace in our hearts and in our lives and give us open, prayerful and grateful hearts.

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Some ideas adapted from 'Sharing the Word through the Liturgical Year, by Gustavo Gutierrez.

Joseph and the shepherds. Written for the carol service at St John's, West Ealing in 1989.  Of course, it is fairly certain that Jesus wasn't born in 0 AD (more likely sometime between 5BC and 2BC), and 0 AD doesn't exist as the calendar goes from 1 BC to 1 AD, and these days it's correct to call them 1 BCE and 1 CE, but hey, it's a poem. © Godfrey Rust,godfrey@wordsout.co.uk  . See here for details of permissions for use.

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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary And Joseph. Year C
(Sunday)  (episode 511)

"How happy they who dwell in your house, O Lord."

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
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

Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

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Nativity of the Lord II

Euch Prayer II

Communion side.  pwk:  RH
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Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to 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

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).

St. Ralph Sherwin Gloria  - written and sung By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski.  2011 ccwatershed.org.

Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14; 1 John 4:9; & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7. (Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20).  Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics.  2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Traditional hymns: performed by the Bobby Cole Chamber Choir, licensed via Shockwave-Sound.com   (https://www.shockwave-sound.com)
[Production - KER - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.

urgent - Stella Maris Church - Broadbeach - has had a major incident - Panels from the inner ceiling of the church, have fallen down inside the church. The Stella Maris Church is now closed until further notice

Urgent news - 

Sadly - Stella Maris Church - Broadbeach -  has had a major incident - 

Panels from the inner ceiling of the church, have fallen down inside the church. 

The Stella Maris Church is now closed until further notice - for repairs and safety assessment of the whole ceiling.   This could take several weeks. 

There will be no masses this weekend or in the future until the problem is resolved. 

Our apologies for any inconvenience. Fortunately this happened during the night when the church was closed, and after the busy Christmas period. 

Please let anyone know who might not receive this message.  

Also, subscribing to this email list also ensures that when urgent matters occur we can swiftly send out a message to keep parishioners informed. We encourage parishioners to stay subscribed to this service. 

Sincerely, 

Fr Paul. 

www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au

Our parish office location is found here:  Please see here for details of the location of the parish office.

The SOLEMNITY of the Nativity of the Lord. [Year ABC]- - December 25 -

The SOLEMNITY of the Nativity of the Lord. [Year ABC]- - December 25 -

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/WAutWg0Ci6rCrMjveAw4?ru=Paul-Evangelion

 

Readings for All Christmas Masses will be the Readings for Mass during the Night (as follows):
FIRST READING: Isa 9:1-6
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13. "Today is born our saviour, Christ the Lord."
SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 2:10-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Good news and great joy to all the world. Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.
GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-14
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. - December 25 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-christmas/s-LW0yGIPc2AZ

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To listen to the Christmas Mass (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) -  If the Mass for Christmas is not yet published, please re-visit regularly a day or so before Christmas 

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks    

Also found at -   https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk  

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My brothers and sisters in Jesus, whose birth saved the whole world and brought true hope to our hearts. As we gather at this Christmas at Mass, and as we move through the community at this time, it's wonderful to see the smiling faces of family and friends, the wonder in the eyes of children, and the warmth that fills our hearts. Christmas is indeed a very special time of joy.

 

Time for shared meals, catch-ups, laughter, and even tears. It's a moment when we reconnect, not just with those nearby, but also with those who may be far away, yet close in spirit and close to our hearts. This season reminds us of God's peace, love and kindness, which we can carry with us throughout the whole of the coming year.

 

It's a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the baby, God the Son, who came to dwell among us. He is the embodiment of hope, born into a world that often seems far from hope, chaotic and uncertain. At Christmas we proclaim peace on earth, but as we look around the world and even at times closer to home, we can ask, where is this peace? When will it be fulfilled? That's indeed a good question.

 

It feels like the world has hardly ever seemed less peaceful. But then we remember peace isn't a thing. It's not a concept.

 

Peace is a person. It is the person and presence of Christ. Jesus is our peace.

 

United to Christ, God's Son, who became human to share our condition and be with us always, He is our peace. United to Him, He lives in our hearts, minds and actions. Jesus is our way through the darkness.

 

He's our truth in a world clogged with contradictions and lies, our hope when we need it the most. The way He lived, in His earthly ministry, the values He embodies, the priorities He made, this is our faith, hope and love. He wants to stay with us and guide us by joining His life to ours forever.

 

He and His life and all His teachings and compassion, His mercy, love and justice is a true light shining out in the darkness to illuminate our path, to show us the way. This fills us with hope and peace in every situation, come what may. We know that today celebrates that the eternal Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.

 

I came across a beautiful poem by British writer Godfrey Rust, which speaks about this idea of the Word made flesh. It's entitled The Word. Sometimes words are not enough for everything we have to say.

 

Words can't beat like a heart. A verb won't sweat or bleed. A noun doesn't get thirsty.

 

An adjective cannot feel pain. Something gets lost in the translation into words. So when God needed to express a love deeper than words, He used body language of a kind not known on earth before.

 

How beautifully put. So this Word, this living Word, became flesh and blood and shared life with us and in us. This Word was living and active and has saved us.

 

Think back to that first Christmas night over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph faced tremendous difficulties. No place to stay, no warm room for the birth of their child.

 

They found refuge in a stable, a humble beginning for the King of all creation. This was not a mere accident. It was part of God's divine plan from the outset.

 

Amid the worry and strife, God chose to enter our world, reminding us that His love is not dependent on perfect circumstances. Just as the birth of any baby will not wait for ideal conditions, God's love does not wait either. God enters our lives, messy and complicated as they may be, offering us hope and salvation and companionship along the journey.

 

We often forget that the first announcement of Jesus' birth was made to shepherds, those who were marginalized and looked down upon in that society. Yes, it was to these simple, humble workers that God revealed His greatest gift. These shepherds were likely tending the flocks destined for sacrifice in the temple.

 

These were the first to witness the Lamb of God. Isn't it beautiful to think that those charged with caring for the sacrificial lambs were the first to meet the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, Christ our Savior? And let us not overlook the heavenly choir that welcomed Jesus into the world. Since there was no earthly music to welcome this King of the Universe, the angels stepped in and sang a glorious hymn, better than any hymn could ever be sung, to celebrate His birth.

 

This reminds us that in our lives, when earthly joy seems absent, God provides His own beautiful music, His very presence, to lift our spirits and to give us the strength we need to keep going. As we reflect on the story of Christmas, let us remember that Jesus came not in grandeur, but in humility. He did not choose a palace to reveal Himself as a King, but a stable.

 

And this shows us that true greatness lies not in trappings of power and symbols of great wealth, but in love, compassion, and being present with one another in our struggles, as well as our joys. God's message is very clear. He wants to dwell in our hearts, always.

 

Yet, like the innkeepers at Bethlehem, we often find ourselves too busy or too preoccupied to make room for Him. This Christmas, let us open our hearts wide and our lives wider to Christ. As 18th century poet Alexander Pope wrote, what does it profit me if Jesus is born in thousands of Christmas cribs all around the world, but not in my own heart? Let us create a great space for Jesus.

 

Let Him be born in our own hearts too, the stable of our own heart. Let us open wide our heart to His peace, His love, and His transformative power of compassion and mercy. As we celebrate Christmas, let's also commit ourselves to following His example.

 

Let us be bearers of His love and peace in a world that desperately needs, perhaps more than ever before, this peace. Let us choose to be part of the solution and not the problem. Finally, I want to share a heartfelt thought from a parishioner who sent me a Christmas message.

 

It beautifully encapsulates the essence of our celebration. God, in His immense love, chose to be with us, to walk alongside us, and to share in our lives, in our joys and sorrows, our graces and temptations. This is the profound truth of Christmas.

 

God is with us always. And so this beautiful Christmas message that I received, and I pass on to you.

 

May you have the spirit of Christmas, which is peace.

May you have the gladness of Christmas, which is hope.

And may you have the heart of Christmas, which is love.

 

May we carry this message in our hearts and share it with everyone, embodying the love we celebrate today.

 

Merry Christmas to you all, and may the joy of this season utterly fill your lives with love and peace of mind, now and also throughout every day of the coming year.

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References:

 

Fr Paul Kelly

 

Alain de Botton. "The Course of Love -By: ISBN: 9781501134517 - Penguin Books: 20th June 2017. P112-113}

 

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/WAutWg0Ci6rCrMjveAw4?ru=Paul-Evangelion

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The SOLEMNITY of the Nativity of the Lord. [Year ABC] - December 25 -

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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On this Feast day of The Birth of Our Lord, Heaven has been joined to earth. God has become flesh and dwelt among us.
A blessed, happy and peaceful Christmas to everyone.
 

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist on this wonderful Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. So let us pause and reflect upon our sins to rejoice in God's loving mercy.

Lord Jesus, you came into the world to give us eternal life. Lord have mercy.

You are the eternal light, who shines in the darkness. Christ have mercy.

You are the word made flesh, to make us all children of the light. Lord have mercy. 

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

GLORIA - SUNG   
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COLLECT- (The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord)

Let us pray,
O God, who have made this most sacred (night/day) radiant with the splendour of the true light, grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.

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Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 11-12, 13. "Today is born our saviour, Christ the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 2:10-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Good news and great joy to all the world. Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.
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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Nativity I

Eucharistic Prayer II

(pre+post variation: v1-long)

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Prayer after Communion- (The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord)

Let us pray.
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, that we, who are gladdened by participation in the feast of our Redeemer's Nativity,
may through an honourable way of life become worthy of union with him, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
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I pray that you have a truly blessed and joyous Christmas and that Our Lord's love and peace will completely fill your hearts and minds, //and safe travelling to and from your destinations …
 
God bless.


(Solemn Blessing)
The Lord be with you.

(Let us bow our heads and pray for God's blessing)

May the God of infinite goodness,
who by the Incarnation of his Son has driven darkness from the world, and by that glorious Birth has illumined this most holy (night/day),
drive far from you the darkness of vice
and illumine your hearts with the light of virtue.
Amen.

May God, who willed that the great joy
of his Son's saving Birth be announced to shepherds by the Angel,
fill your minds with the gladness he gives
and make you heralds of his Gospel. Amen.
And may God, who by the Incarnation,
brought together the earthly and heavenly realm,
fill you with the gift of his peace and favour
and make you sharers with the Church in heaven.
Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit
come down on you and remain with you forever.
Amen.

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 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

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).

St. Ralph Sherwin Gloria  - written and sung By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski.  2011 ccwatershed.org.

Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14,  1 John 4:9, & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7. (Written on 1988, 8/5/20; 10/9/20).  Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics.  2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Traditional hymns:
O Holy Night (Vocal Duet),
Joy to the World (Choir),
Away in a Manger (Choir), performed by the Bobby Cole Chamber Choir, licensed via Shockwave-Sound.com
(https://www.shockwave-sound.com)

 [ Production - KER - 2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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Mass – Readings, prayers and homily, for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year C - Sunday, December 22, 2024, (Episode 510)

Mass – Readings, prayers and homily, for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year C - Sunday, December 22, 2024, (Episode 510)

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/YfADCBmLQxU50eGDo2f5?ru=Paul-Evangelion

  

GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND. (Episode 510)

 

Readings for Sunday, December 22, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year C

FIRST READING: Micah  5:2-5a

Psalm 80:1ab+2, 14-15, 17-18. "Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved"

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10:5-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 1:39-45). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord. May his will for me be done.

GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-45

 

Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/YfADCBmLQxU50eGDo2f5?ru=Paul-Evangelion

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Please listen to the audio recording of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year C - Sunday, December 22, 2024, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-advent-3/s-PlMiVzVnbPt  - (Episode 510)

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Homily: Fourth Sunday Advent. Year C - Sunday, 22 December 2024

*Prologue
"Yes, truly blessed is she who believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled" – And blessed are we, when we hope and trust and believe that the lord will be faithful to us and fulfil the promises, he made to us.

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Mary and Elizabeth meet with an unspoken bond, born of their shared condition. They're each expecting a baby. They know they cannot face this alone.

 

And they also know that God has no intention of letting them face this alone. God is with them, really with them. This yes from these two ladies will need an ongoing commitment.

 

It will need care, time, and of course, God's sustaining grace. They know they are God's partners in bringing to birth hope and life in a very real way. This beautiful gospel today illustrates the importance of giving thanks and expressly naming our blessings.

 

I remember hearing a story about a man who would always write down the significant things that happened to him. He had two methods of writing these things that happened to him in his life. He said he would write in the sand, all the list of hurts that he had received.

 

But he also would carve in stone, all the blessings he received. When he was asked, why do you do this? And why do it differently? He said, I inscribed the hurts and wrongs in sand, so that the winds of forgiveness and love can eventually erase them after a time. But just as importantly, I remember to carve all my blessings and graces in stone, so that time, busyness, or even misfortune or circumstance will be unable to erase those memories.

 

Carving our blessings in stone. What a wonderful thing!

It serves as a constant reminder to all of us of the things for which we are eternally grateful and ought to remember always.

 

Why do I suspect that for many of us, including myself, we do things the other way around. We write the countless acts of kindness, love, generosity and grace and blessedness on shifting sands of memories, whilst carving in stone all the hurts and grudges and bad memories and misfortunes and the list of our own and others' sins and weaknesses. And that doesn't do us any good at all.

 

The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Elizabeth are wonderful examples of faithful discipleship. They notice the graciousness of God happening all around them and within them. They both delight in praising God and in thanksgiving.

 

They make a deliberate and vocal decision to name those blessings of God and to give voice to the presence of God. It is truly an inspiring moment, a moment of true and abiding praise and thanksgiving. The other thing that strikes me about this well-known passage today is the importance of family, including extended family, our family of faith, our parish, our friends, our colleagues and the wider community as well.

 

The Virgin Mother must have been daunted and filled with awe by what she knew was happening to her and what her future would be. Not everyone would understand what God was doing in her life. Not everyone would be happy and certainly not everyone would have goodwill towards her and assume that the Holy Spirit was at work in this extraordinary event.

 

Mary went to visit Elizabeth. Together they meet in great joy and affection. They gain enormous support from each other.

 

How very important is the support and encouragement we give to one another in times of joy and times of trial. This weekend, as Advent comes very quickly to a close, let's take some time to carve a few things in stone. Let's look back.

 

Who are some of the people we need to give thanks for from this past year and all past years for that matter? Let's recall in our hearts and minds every act of kindness and love that we could possibly think of. So many people have shown us these acts of kindness and love daily and let's remember the people, the many people, through whom we have experienced Christ's graced presence, his love, compassion and mercy, his kindness. Let us remember and give thanks for all these people and all the blessings in our hearts and minds and show this gratitude in our words and in our actions.

 

And let us take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn each year and each day in the Bethlehem of our homes and in our daily lives and in our hearts. Let us take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the divine mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is so wonderfully present. Let's seek out people like Elizabeth and the Blessed Virgin Mary who have grateful remembering hearts, who focus on the positives and show us the world in all its goodness for us to build our lives upon. People who don't dwell on negatives and who do not get us more and more upset or downcast by focusing on everything that is wrong.

 

Let's be attentive to the ways in which God is present to us, especially God's abiding presence in action in the people with whom we socialise, work and live.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

(A)    Alice Camille, 2009:  A Book of Grace-filled Days).

 

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/YfADCBmLQxU50eGDo2f5?ru=Paul-Evangelion

   

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Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year C  (Sunday, December 22, 2024)  (Episode 510)
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 greetings to you all.}}
INTRODUCTION

 

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.

 

We continue our Advent journey. We now light the fourth Advent Candle. The "Angel's Candle" Reminding us of the message of the angels: "Peace on earth, to people of goodwill. .

 

(The Presider/helper, lights the fourth candle)

 

O Rising Sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who yearn for you. Lord Have mercy.

 

O King of all, Come and save humanity, whom you formed from the clay. Christ Have mercy.

 

O Emmanuel, Lord our God, Come and save us. Lord Have mercy.

 

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(no Gloria in Advent)

 

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Psalm 80:1ab+2, 14-15, 17-18. "Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 1:39-45). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord. May his will for me be done.

Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Advent II
EP II
Communion side.  pwk:  RH

(theme variation: v3 )

(pre+post variation: v2-lonjg)
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

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Archive of homilies and reflections: 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: 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 - 2024]

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) }

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - SHURE MOTIV MV5

Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production - KER - 2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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