Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, August 1, 2021
(EPISODE: 313)
Readings for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B
FIRST READING: Exod 16: 2-4, 12-15
Ps 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25+54. "The Lord gave them bread from heaven. "
SECOND READING: Eph 4: 17, 20-24
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 4: 4b). Alleluia, alleluia! No one lives on bread alone. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GOSPEL: John 6: 24-35
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 1502778752. Vranov, Slovakia. 2019/8/22. Icon of the Last Supper. Chapel of the Convent of the Holy Trinity in Lomnica, Vranov nad Toplou, Slovakia.By Adam Jan Figel
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, August 1, 2021, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-18b-episode-313
(EPISODE: 313)
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* (Prologue: Fr Paul Kelly)
In the readings, we hear that the Lord has provided us with abundant gifts and blessings. God knows what we need and aims to give us what we need. The People of Israel, wandering in the desert with Moses become disgruntled and start to lose hope. God tells them they must never stop trusting in his goodness and providence. On that same subject, do you know what big sign Pope Francis placed on his front door? It is wonderful. I will tell you later.
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In the first reading, (and subtly referred to in the gospel as well), we see the dangerous currents created by God's people falling into a culture of negativity and complaint and forgetting the blessings that they have already received. Preferring to count the bad things and forgetting to cherish the good things. Many things which would outweigh the bad.
The experience of the People of Israel stands as a cautionary example for every generation who follow- -. We have to be wary of a culture of complaining and grumbling. Refusing to be satisfied by what we have. And, then what we DO receive, as wonderful as it is, is never quite enough.
Then there is the situation in the gospel where the people start demanding things of God with a sense of entitlement, instead of a grateful, remembering, humble heart. We also can be tempted to demanding that God gives us what we want EXACTLY as we demand it is given, and in the time scale we expect. -
In response to the Israelites demands, God gives them Bread from heaven- a fine dewfall of bread – as much as they can eat- -. But even more amazingly, They can eat all they want but they cannot store it away, they must trust in God's providence day by day. (This is a very good attitude for us to cherish in our hearts).
The second reading echoes this - God's graciousness and generosity is never stingy- It is more than enough-. (But God provides for us in surprising and unexpected ways – that may not be what we had in mind when we express our need).
Pope Francis has spoken about the dangers of excessive complaining many times, including very early in his pontificate when he said that Christians who complain too much (or are melancholic), "have more in common with pickled peppers than the joy of having a beautiful life."
A year later, during one of his daily morning Masses, in Santa Marta, the pope warned that when we are at prayer we ought to avoid exaggerating difficulties, as compared to those undergoing major tragedies.
"Our life is too easy, our complaints are over-dramatized," the pope said at the time.
"Faced with the complaints of so many people, of so many brothers and sisters who are in the dark; people who have lost all memory, almost lost all hope - who are exiled, even from themselves, (our complaints are) nothing!"
Bringing to mind the many who have lost everything or live in exile, the Pope explained that "Jesus walked this path: from sunset on the Mount-of-Olives to the last word from the Cross.
Pope Francis gives two suggestions that can help us in moments of darkness, the first being "to prepare ourselves for when the darkness comes." (Our Lord warned us to keep praying that we will have the strength to face the times of trial – which will come to us all).
Secondly, we should "Pray, pray as the Church prays; pray with the Church for so many brothers and sisters who suffer exile from themselves, who are in darkness and suffering, without hope at hand."
This, he said, "is the prayer of the Church for these Suffering Jesus' who are everywhere."
There is a New sign on the door of Pope Francis' humble rooms at his residence at Domus Santa Martha, where he's lived since the beginning of his pontificate.
"Complaining Not Allowed" (in Italian, Vietato Lamentarsi), reads the sign. Then, In much smaller print, a red warning on the sign defines this as the first law in the protection of one's health and well-being.
The sign also warns transgressors, saying that they're subject to developing a "victim complex" with the subsequent "diminution of their sense of humour and ability to solve problems."
Complaining in the presence of children, (the sign warns), would lead to a double sanction.
A recent addition to Pope Francis's door closes on a more upbeat note, advising readers that "to become the best of yourself, you have to concentrate on your own potential and not on your limits, therefore: Stop complaining, and act to make your life better."
The sign was produced by Italian psychologist and psychotherapist Salvo Noé, who gave it to the pope after a June 14 weekly audience. Noé specializes in psychology in work environments and gives well-being lectures to universities, security forces, and companies.
Pope Francis has also said on another occasion, Complaining too often can distance us from Jesus, says Pope Francis
The Pope says moaning "dashes hope"
Complaining frequently can become an obsession that obscures the presence of Jesus in difficult situations, Pope Francis has said.
Complaining and griping, about others and about things in one's own life, is harmful "because it dashes hope. Don't get into this "game" of a "life of complaints."
Inspired by God's word and God's providence and goodness, let us walk with God in trust - and continue to be people who are positive, constructive, prepared and (come what may) filled with Faith, Hope and Love.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/07/14/pope-franciss-door-now-features-complaining-not-allowed-sign/
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/04/04/complaining-too-often-can-distance-us-from-jesus-warns-pope-francis/
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-dont-overdramatize-your-complaints-to-god-30403
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. ID: 1502778752. Vranov, Slovakia. 2019/8/22. Icon of the Last Supper. Chapel of the Convent of the Holy Trinity in Lomnica, Vranov nad Toplou, Slovakia.By Adam Jan Figel
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B (Sunday, August 1, 2021) (EPISODE: 313 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{Hello}} welcome everyone, we gather - Silence, reflection, prayer and contemplation of our God.
My friends in Christ, to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us first acknowledge our sins.
sung (or Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord have mercy)
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Ps 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25+54. "The Lord gave them bread from heaven. "
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 4: 4b). Alleluia, alleluia! No one lives on bread alone. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
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PREFACE: Sundays V
EP II
(theme variation: 4 )
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God. }
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 our weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by 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.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphone: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.
v Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
v NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
v Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2021]
May God bless and keep you.
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