Homily Third Sunday of Advent. Year A - Sunday, December 15, 2019
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
Psalm: 145:6-10. "Lord, come and save us"
Second Reading: James 5:7-10
Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Image Credit: By Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Third Sunday of Advent. Year A - Sunday, December 15, 2019, by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/advent-3a-faith-hope-and-love-ep-193/s-nELs0 (EPISODE: 193)
+++++
Prologue:
This weekend is also known as Gaudete Sunday... which means rejoice...although we are still in waiting and preparation for the Arrival of the LORD, his comIng is ever nearer and our hearts are lifted in joy and expectation for the Lord is near... the following hymn words inspire me in this joy and hope...
HYMN
Suggested tune: qua 76 76 D Aurelia.
Wait when the seed is planted,
Wait for the rain to fall;
Wait for the restless green sprout,
Wait while the plant grows tall.
Wait for the coming Saviour,
Wait through the heart's slow race;
Wait for the kingdom's dawning,
Wait till we see his face!
Hope when the sun is setting,
Hope through the dark of night;
Hope though the moon is waning,
Hope as we long for light.
Hope for the coming Saviour,
Hope through the heart's slow race;
Hope for the kingdom's dawning,
Hope till we see his face!
Trust in the new spring's promise,
Trust through the summer's heat;
Trust in the dying autumn,
Trust through the winter sleet.
Trust in the coming Saviour,
Trust in the heart's slow race;
Trust in the kingdom's dawning,
Trust till we see his face!
(P204. Magnificat DEC 2019: vol 10; no.2).
+++++++
The letter from Saint James, (second reading this weekend), has the beautiful image of Patience being like a farmer planting and tending to their crop. The crop grows in its own time. It cannot be hurried… Well, perhaps a bit of encouragement by the right amount of watering, the correct soil and fertilizer… but still, they grow at their own rate… The seasons, times and conditions affect it greatly. We do the work we can, but then we have to wait for as long as it takes. And be ready to get to work when the time for harvest eventually does come.
This image is rather poignant at the moment because so many areas of Australia are terribly Drought-stricken. Farmers and communities across the nation are really suffering due to the many effects of a prolonged and severe drought. Added to this, many areas have been battling huge bush-fires and destruction. Our Lord was very familiar with images of the land and of farming and other images. His heart is surely with those who are doing it tough and he would certainly want our hearts and actions to be with these communities too.
The preaching and the message style of John the Baptist are so different from that of Our Lord's. John preached God's imminent judgement and the uprooting of the weeds… and then Our Lord came along proclaiming a time of God's favour and inclusion and mercy…. Even John had to ask.. "are you the one who is to come, or ought we to wait for another?" But both visions of God's Messiah or King are found in different parts of the Holy Scriptures. There was a bit of varying vision going on: Jesus was clearly fulfilling the image of the Lord's anointed one in Isaiah 35:5-6, The blind shall see, the lame shall walk, the deaf shall hear… whereas, Saint John seemed to be focusing on passages like Psalm 17 (also known as psalm 18 in the Catholic numbering system): eg vv39-40 "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes."
The Lord in beautiful humility answered the question without boasting but simply referring to the evidence of the truth around him.
The Lord is indeed the King, the Messiah. He ushers in God's Kingdom with his gospel.
"the gospel is proclaimed to the poor by way of concrete actions. – by giving life to others… practically assisting the poor, the injured, the suffering, the blind the lame. The Kingdom and all who belong to it will primarily proclaim the Kingdom by their practical actions, bringing peace, compassion, mercy and love.
Even though John's message was challenging. John the Baptist must have been an extremely likeable and charismatic figure. We are even told that King Herod who imprisoned him for his outspoken criticism of him, nevertheless liked him and was enthralled to hear what John had to teach and say.
Our Lord is truly the Messiah but he wants us to let go of expectations of him and his Kingdom that are more about earthly power; rather than God's mysterious and gracious ways.
Us humans must really try the patience of God. Here come The Messiah and some people say to him…. "you aren't doing and saying what WE expected the Messiah to do and say….. so we are not sure if you fit the bill……."….. Our Lord, with infinite patience and grace, replies, (in effect), to all who hesitate… "I am indeed the messiah… now let me show you who the messiah is and what he does. Let ME show you just what the Kingdom of God and its values are really like…. Put aside your pre-suppositions about how you think things SHOULD be, and see how they really are…..
(Sadly, many who had spent their lives and careers building their world according to their own self-serving vision, were not prepared to receive this challenging shift towards God's ways of seeing and acting….)… To his credit, John the Baptist and countless followers of the Lord after him did indeed open their minds and hearts to Christ's message. Of course, if God wants to save us by Mercy and Grace, instead of by Judgement and vengeance; so be it! Who are we to question Christ? Surely God knows best.
The qualities of the disciple of Christ are the qualities of God's Kingdom… which must be about giving justice to those who are burdened, compassion to those in need, and helping the poor and needy in real and practical ways. The Kingdom is about sheltering and including the stranger, the outsider, and showing real mercy, patience, respect, and care….… Showing true care, compassion and active assistance.
All who follow Christ are urged to be patient, diligent and open. In the mean-time, we are to live and practise the values of God's kingdom… Patience, reverence, hope, service, and harmony - avoiding complaining about one-another; not getting caught up in factions and rivalries and disputes...
Waiting and working for the coming of the Lord who comes to save us.
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
Image Credit: Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.
+++
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, A time of Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
Psalm: 145:6-10. "Lord, come and save us"
Second Reading: James 5:7-10
Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Image Credit: By Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Third Sunday of Advent. Year A - Sunday, December 15, 2019, by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/advent-3a-faith-hope-and-love-ep-193/s-nELs0 (EPISODE: 193)
+++++
Prologue:
This weekend is also known as Gaudete Sunday... which means rejoice...although we are still in waiting and preparation for the Arrival of the LORD, his comIng is ever nearer and our hearts are lifted in joy and expectation for the Lord is near... the following hymn words inspire me in this joy and hope...
HYMN
Suggested tune: qua 76 76 D Aurelia.
Wait when the seed is planted,
Wait for the rain to fall;
Wait for the restless green sprout,
Wait while the plant grows tall.
Wait for the coming Saviour,
Wait through the heart's slow race;
Wait for the kingdom's dawning,
Wait till we see his face!
Hope when the sun is setting,
Hope through the dark of night;
Hope though the moon is waning,
Hope as we long for light.
Hope for the coming Saviour,
Hope through the heart's slow race;
Hope for the kingdom's dawning,
Hope till we see his face!
Trust in the new spring's promise,
Trust through the summer's heat;
Trust in the dying autumn,
Trust through the winter sleet.
Trust in the coming Saviour,
Trust in the heart's slow race;
Trust in the kingdom's dawning,
Trust till we see his face!
(P204. Magnificat DEC 2019: vol 10; no.2).
+++++++
The letter from Saint James, (second reading this weekend), has the beautiful image of Patience being like a farmer planting and tending to their crop. The crop grows in its own time. It cannot be hurried… Well, perhaps a bit of encouragement by the right amount of watering, the correct soil and fertilizer… but still, they grow at their own rate… The seasons, times and conditions affect it greatly. We do the work we can, but then we have to wait for as long as it takes. And be ready to get to work when the time for harvest eventually does come.
This image is rather poignant at the moment because so many areas of Australia are terribly Drought-stricken. Farmers and communities across the nation are really suffering due to the many effects of a prolonged and severe drought. Added to this, many areas have been battling huge bush-fires and destruction. Our Lord was very familiar with images of the land and of farming and other images. His heart is surely with those who are doing it tough and he would certainly want our hearts and actions to be with these communities too.
The preaching and the message style of John the Baptist are so different from that of Our Lord's. John preached God's imminent judgement and the uprooting of the weeds… and then Our Lord came along proclaiming a time of God's favour and inclusion and mercy…. Even John had to ask.. "are you the one who is to come, or ought we to wait for another?" But both visions of God's Messiah or King are found in different parts of the Holy Scriptures. There was a bit of varying vision going on: Jesus was clearly fulfilling the image of the Lord's anointed one in Isaiah 35:5-6, The blind shall see, the lame shall walk, the deaf shall hear… whereas, Saint John seemed to be focusing on passages like Psalm 17 (also known as psalm 18 in the Catholic numbering system): eg vv39-40 "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes."
The Lord in beautiful humility answered the question without boasting but simply referring to the evidence of the truth around him.
The Lord is indeed the King, the Messiah. He ushers in God's Kingdom with his gospel.
"the gospel is proclaimed to the poor by way of concrete actions. – by giving life to others… practically assisting the poor, the injured, the suffering, the blind the lame. The Kingdom and all who belong to it will primarily proclaim the Kingdom by their practical actions, bringing peace, compassion, mercy and love.
Even though John's message was challenging. John the Baptist must have been an extremely likeable and charismatic figure. We are even told that King Herod who imprisoned him for his outspoken criticism of him, nevertheless liked him and was enthralled to hear what John had to teach and say.
Our Lord is truly the Messiah but he wants us to let go of expectations of him and his Kingdom that are more about earthly power; rather than God's mysterious and gracious ways.
Us humans must really try the patience of God. Here come The Messiah and some people say to him…. "you aren't doing and saying what WE expected the Messiah to do and say….. so we are not sure if you fit the bill……."….. Our Lord, with infinite patience and grace, replies, (in effect), to all who hesitate… "I am indeed the messiah… now let me show you who the messiah is and what he does. Let ME show you just what the Kingdom of God and its values are really like…. Put aside your pre-suppositions about how you think things SHOULD be, and see how they really are…..
(Sadly, many who had spent their lives and careers building their world according to their own self-serving vision, were not prepared to receive this challenging shift towards God's ways of seeing and acting….)… To his credit, John the Baptist and countless followers of the Lord after him did indeed open their minds and hearts to Christ's message. Of course, if God wants to save us by Mercy and Grace, instead of by Judgement and vengeance; so be it! Who are we to question Christ? Surely God knows best.
The qualities of the disciple of Christ are the qualities of God's Kingdom… which must be about giving justice to those who are burdened, compassion to those in need, and helping the poor and needy in real and practical ways. The Kingdom is about sheltering and including the stranger, the outsider, and showing real mercy, patience, respect, and care….… Showing true care, compassion and active assistance.
All who follow Christ are urged to be patient, diligent and open. In the mean-time, we are to live and practise the values of God's kingdom… Patience, reverence, hope, service, and harmony - avoiding complaining about one-another; not getting caught up in factions and rivalries and disputes...
Waiting and working for the coming of the Lord who comes to save us.
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.
Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
Image Credit: Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.
+++
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, A time of Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
[{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins.. **]
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn: Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.
For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au/
Contact us at paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Production by Kelly Enterprises Resources.
May God bless and keep you.
Third Sunday of Advent. Year A
(Sunday, December 15, 2019)
(EPISODE: 193 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and understanding abide in you. }}
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR A –
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of the Father (+) and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
We continue on our Advent journey. We now light the third Advent candle. The "Shepherd's Candle" reminding 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.
(no Gloria in Advent)
COLLECT:
O God, who see how your people
faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity,
enable us, we pray,
to attain the joys of so great a salvation
and to celebrate them always
with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
++
Prayer after Communion
We implore your mercy, Lord,
that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults
and prepare us for the coming feasts.
Through Christ our Lord.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Advent 2
Euch prayer III
Communion side. pwk: RH
++++
{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflection upon God's goodness and care.}
Go in peace.
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn: Words, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, set to original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.
For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au/
Contact us at paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Production by Kelly Enterprises Resources.
May God bless and keep you.
Third Sunday of Advent. Year A
(Sunday, December 15, 2019)
(EPISODE: 193 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and understanding abide in you. }}
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR A –
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of the Father (+) and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
We continue on our Advent journey. We now light the third Advent candle. The "Shepherd's Candle" reminding 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.
COLLECT:
O God, who see how your people
faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity,
enable us, we pray,
to attain the joys of so great a salvation
and to celebrate them always
with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
++
Prayer after Communion
We implore your mercy, Lord,
that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults
and prepare us for the coming feasts.
Through Christ our Lord.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Advent 2
Euch prayer III
Communion side. pwk: RH
++++
{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflection upon God's goodness and care.}
Go in peace.
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