Friday, April 10, 2020

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. April 10th 2020.(For you at Home)

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord
April 10th 2020.
(For you at Home).
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy week liturgies which we feature here, are specially approved shortened and adapted liturgies for this time of difficulty. You will notice that some options are not featured this year.  But we are still united in Spirit, in our Lord.

Image: by  Shutterstock photo ID: 44203843. Crown of thorns hung around the Easter cross. By Anneka

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for Good Friday Passion -  by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/good-friday-3pm-passion-of-our-lord-shortened-in-absence-assembly-2020/s-ysgQ3vxhOUc  (EPISODE:220 )
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LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Psalm: Ps 30:2. 6. 12-13. 15-17. 25. "Father, I put my life in your hands"
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel Acclamation: Philippians 2:8-9
Passion: John 18:1 - 19:42
Homily
Solemn Intercessions
Spiritual Veneration of the Cross
Communion
Departure in Silence
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The homily will be given by Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Fr Peter Dillon.

THE LORD'S PASSION - GOOD FRIDAY

Despite what the papers want us to believe, we do live in
a lucky country in a very fortunate era.
So many choices are available to many people.
We may not have all we want but we certainly have all we
need, at least materially.

Even without lots of money, we can still take in our country's beauty and its benefits. And still, we want more.
One of the downsides of such a plentiful society is that we have forgotten the concept of
"enough". We are no longer comfortable with words like sacrifice and discipline.
They are too distressing in a world that says we don't have to put up with the uncomfortable. We have gradually moved away from the idea of putting up with the uncomfortable in order to attain the important things of life.

That is why the idea of Christ's suffering for the sake of others is fast becoming a foreign and unfamiliar concept. It is too jarring and counter-cultural.
In a world that promotes comfort and satisfaction at all costs, why would someone willingly endure suffering if it could be avoided?

Self-sacrifice really only makes sense to people who know what "compassion" feels like. The word means "with passion". To give and receive it.

When words are not enough to express the depth of our love or concern for someone we have to move to action to show the strength of our feelings.
When people refuse to listen to how they can help themselves they need to be shown in the most profound way.
Parents know what I mean, and some children come to understand it.

We see it from time to time in our world, but often fail to recognise it.

It is there in the life of Saint Theresa of Calcutta, in Doctor Fred Hollows, the monks of Tibet.

Jesus came to discover his words were falling on deaf ears. Even his own followers had become immune to the richness of what he was telling them. They had become seduced by their perception of comfort and safety.

We gather today to hear the story of self-sacrifice because we need to be reminded that our world cannot blindly accept that we can have and do what we want without care or responsibility.

While we do not actively seek suffering, we know that is a reality in all lives. Running from it leaves us exhausted and defenceless.
If there was another way to impress upon us the truth of what he wanted us to know don't you think this wise man Jesus would have found a way?
There was only one way for him to press the importance of his message
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This was a necessary loss in order to gain much, a sublime example of how much we needed to know what he knew about the human condition and its possibilities.

And still, we resist - looking for an easier way. If you are looking for an example of unselfish love, an example of how to commit yourselves with passion to what you know to be true, we do not need to die for it, but rather live for it but endurance, perseverance and sometimes to suffer for it.

There is a fresh urgency in our world because people have neglected to connect their personal crosses to the. one Christ died on.

There will always be crosses, sometimes they are almost unbearable. Even Jesus discovered that. But we cannot make the cross unbearable by coming down from it. It becomes bearable when we are crucified with Christ. There is purpose, then there is hope, then there is resurrection.
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References:
Fr Peter Dillon pp.

Image: by  Shutterstock photo ID: 44203843. Crown of thorns hung around the Easter cross. By Anneka
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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.
May God bless and keep you.
  

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