Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, August 22, 2021

faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-21b-episode-317
(EPISODE:317)
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* (Prologue: Fr Paul Kelly)
Trust in Our Lord, especially in trying times.

The readings this weekend remind us that God is faithful to us and that we should not let challenges stop us from trusting in God's care and protection. In the first reading, the people wisely choose to continue to trust in their God rather than chase after false idols. They REMEMBER the care and protection God gave them in the past and continue to trust in God. The psalm also reminds us that we should continue to sing of God's praises and God's gifts. God has made a covenant with us like a husband and wife make a covenant with each other in marriage. It is one of equality and looking out for the needs of the other because they are truly a part of each other. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the people with his revolutionary teaching on the Eucharist. Some of his followers are horrified by it and turn away - refusing to follow him anymore. The Apostles, though, refuse to stop following him because they rightly say "where else could we go. YOU have the words of everlasting life." It is so important, especially in times of difficulty, challenge and change, that we all continue to remember the graces, give thanks for God's gifts and keep trusting in God's wisdom and guidance. For Jesus does indeed have the answers, even though he leads us through a new and often challenging territory.

Homily -

In the first reading, the people are faced with a decisive question: Will you keep following the Lord, or will you go after other priorities and values and false gods. The response of the people is very telling: 'We have no intention of deserting the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way

This is yet another example of the people REMEMBERING. The people are calling to mind, in a very clear way, the blessings and graces of the past. If we DO NOT keep remembering the gifts of the past, we will almost certainly fall by the wayside. We MUST keep thanking God and remembering the countless blessings and graces that God has already given us along our life journey. Then, we too can say to the Lord, We have no intention of deserting the Lord who has done so much to support and accompany us along the way.

And this leads us to (as the psalm says) …. " bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips"

The second reading is meant to be understood as acknowledging the equality and dignity of man and woman and encouraging people to put each other first, the way one would treat one's own very self. !!!! It seems to me, that when this is practised, the needs of both are respected as if they were one's own. A recipe for a very respectful and loving marriage.

The Gospel affirms Jesus as the source of all inspiration and grace. In the midst of very challenging new concepts and ideas, that really challenge the would-be disciple and follower of Jesus, there is this simple reply: "Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.' This foundational belief in Jesus being our source of eternal life and of truth, allows us to keep trusting, keep believing and keep going deeper into our heart and soul so that we will truly follow Jesus even in times of challenge.

In this life, we must constantly be alert to keep our faith alive. This requires a daily decision to abide in the Word of the Lord, and to let that Word form us and to allow the Word to convert everything that is not consistent with the Lord's values. This means, prayer, spiritual reading, reflection on the scriptures and openness to the formation and challenges of Our Lord's words of eternal life; -- Words which challenge and impel us ever more forward, and often take us well out of our comfort zones.

Naturally, there are many good things about society and our world today, but there are some strong values and philosophies around that are so dominant and so powerful in our society that if we were to accept them, it could make our lives really miserable. Some values in our world can send us down a path of futility.

The way the secular world assesses the value of the person. The world that is stuck only in the flesh, puts too much importance on appearances. It does not understand the difference between DOING and Being. It does not take much to see that if you scratch the surface of modern society, there are some very worrying values in our society. For example: there is a concerning attitude whereby a person says 'my value is in my job and without that job I am nothing." This is not consistent with Jesus' message or actions. Also, if one were to say, " y true value is all about my ability to be able to do certain things. If I cannot do these things anymore I have no value." .... That is also frighteningly misleading. Christ has given each of us intrinsic value within ourselves, irrespective of our abilities. OR,..."my value is in what I own" or in "where I stand on the ladder of society....' - If I lose all my possessions or lose my reputation or social standing, I am of no value." Again - Jesus clearly shows that this is NOT where our true value lies at ALL. Our value is in being eternally beloved sons and daughters of a loving God. But his words are too hard for many people and they stop following him. Which is tragic, because although Christ's world view is challenging and new, it is freeing and very helpful especially when so many things we depend on fail us or cease to be possible.

Jesus, thank goodness, does not water down his teaching in order to keep those who are turning away. In fact, he steps up the strength of his message even more. He will not back down. And thankfully, he turns to his disciples and says... 'Are you going to leave too?" and St Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit replies bravely and truthfully... "where else could we go... there is nowhere else to go....YOU have the words of everlasting life." YOU have the truth Lord, why would we turn away from true meaning.... no matter how challenging....

Lord, help us to keep following your ways, (even when it is most challenging), and help us to reject all that is contrary to your values..... May your life and your Gospel transform our hearts, minds and bodies and our lives.

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References:

Homily –Fr Paul W. Kelly

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

Abbot's Homilies - Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. . [online] Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. Available at: https://christdesert.org/updates/abbots-homilies/

Shutterstock Licensed Image Credit: ID: 1991663219 -Jerusalem – June 26, 2015 – View of Jerusalem's cityscape through the Christian altar and stained-glass window the Sanctuary of Dominus Flevit (Roman Catholic church) at the Mount of Olives. Jerusalem, Israel. By Mltz

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B (Sunday, August 22, 2021) (EPISODE:317 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{Good day everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather - Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament.

As we prepare to celebrate the great Sacramental feast of Gods love, let us pause, recall our sins, and trust in Gods infinite mercy.

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 . "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 6: 63c+68c). Alleluia, alleluia! Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of everlasting life.
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PREFACE: Sundays iii
ep ii

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{I am very grateful for you joining in, at this special time of prayer and reflection. }

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

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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.

Microphones: - 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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Roman Catholic Reflections and Homilies

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, August 22, 2021- (EPISODE: 317)

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