Thursday, July 21, 2022

Reflection and Eucharist for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, July 24

 

Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish - Weekly Parish Mass - podcast of Eucharist, including readings, prayers, homily)

Greetings from Surfers Catholic parish!

Please find linked below the latest edition of the Parish weekly Homily and link to the (audio) podcast of the mass, especially produced for those who are unable to be with us at mass.

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-17c-ordinary-time-2022-episode-375

Many thanks,

The Parish Team

Readings for Sunday, July 24, 2022 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
FIRST READING: 
Gen 18:20-21, 23-32 ++
Ps 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6-7ab, 7c-8. "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me"
SECOND READING:
 Col 2:6-14 ++
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 11:1-13). Alleluia, alleluia! You have received the Spirit which makes us God's children. And in that Spirit we call God our Father.
GOSPEL:
 Luke 11:1-13

Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1100500616 - Biblical vector illustration of Jesus Praying - Vector. Contributor Rudall
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, July 24, 2022, by clicking this link here: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-17c-ordinary-time-2022-episode-375 (EPISODE- 375)
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Reflection this week by guest - Seminarian Bradley Davies:
How do we pray? You'll be happy to know that there are many ways to pray. But what is not negotiable about prayer, is that we must persevere and persist in prayer. Prayer is not passive, it is active. Jesus' disciples had seen Him pray and seen Him perform good acts. But in today's Gospel, one of His disciples asks Him to teach them to pray, just as John had taught his disciples. It was the role of a rabbi in Jewish customs to teach their followers to pray, and Jesus teaches them a very profound way of praying.

Firstly, Jesus instructs His disciples to call God "Father." This is Jesus emphasising the intimacy that exists between God, Himself, and us. This is a parent to child type of relationship. Hallowed be your name tells us to keep God's name holy. "Your kingdom come" helps us to acknowledge that it is not our kingdom or our will that we must focus on, but God's will – not just at the end of time, but also here and now. "Give us our daily bread" means to ask God to provide for our needs, and not wants. When the Israelites received manner from heaven in the Exodus story, they were instructed to take only what they needed. However, they did not conform and wrongfully took more than they needed. To ask for our daily bread is to ask for our needs to be met, but not the added luxuries. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive each other who is in debt to us" - may we forgive others in the same way that God forgives us. Do not put us to the test – may we find God's grace in moments of temptation. While we acknowledge that we sin, we also ask for strength to rise above temptations to sin.

Jesus them emphasises the theme of persisting and persevering in prayer - "Ask, seek, knock." Everyone who prays in this way receives. However, this comes with a challenge. We do not always receive in the way we think we should. Our persistence in prayer must come with persistent trust, and Abraham has this trust in the first reading. He asks God if He will really bring the just punishment on Sodom.

It is a filial (son, daughter) trust in God. "Will you really do this Lord if there are 50 just people?" Abraham even acknowledges that he is bold in speaking this way. And he goes further – what if there were 5 out of the 50 who are unjust? What if there were only 40? 20? 10? This exchange gives reference to middle eastern haggling. However, this time the haggling is not over goods, but God's justice and mercy. But I think that this is not so much Abraham bargaining with God, as much as he is responding to God. It can be easy to think that praying insistently to God is about changing God's mind. God will not change His mind. God does not change His mind due to Abraham's plea, but God has heard the faithful response of Abraham, and offers the appropriate answer.

So how persistent are we in prayer? Do we persevere, or pray once or twice expecting what we want to happen? Perhaps we can, instead, persevere every day in prayer, and allow ourselves to grow closer to God, and accept that God will answer our prayers in the way we need, and not necessarily in the way we want.
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References:

SEMINARIAN BRADLEY DAVIES


Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1100500616 - Biblical vector illustration of Jesus Praying - Vector. Contributor Rudall.


Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C (Sunday, July 24, 2022(EPISODE- 375)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)

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{{May Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you.}}

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
[option two] (OHP Required)/ Presider: Have mercy on us, O Lord./ All: For we have sinned against you./ Presider: Show us, O Lord, your mercy. All: And grant us your salvation.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6-7ab, 7c-8. "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 11:1-13). 
Alleluia, alleluia! You have received the Spirit which makes us God's children. And in that Spirit we call God our Father.

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: Sundays Ordinary VI
Euch Prayer II
Communion side. pwk:
(theme variation: (welcome 6) Good evening/morning. Welcome to this Eucharist as we celebrate the NNN Sunday in SSSSSS. For all who are celebrating special events at this time, may God's blessing and care be deeply experienced for you and your families. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent. Our Presider tonight / today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *v4)
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{Thanks everyone, and have a grace-filled and compassion-filled week.}

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: 
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: 
Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

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 Kelly - 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 MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

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 - 2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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[ Production - KER - 2022]

May God bless and keep you.

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Additional homily - Fr Paul Kelly

The word "parable" means literally that something is "laid alongside" another thing. In other words, a story or an example is put forward in order that the listener or the reader can compare, (or contrast), a matter with something else.

In today's Gospel, it is very likely that the parable used by Our Lord is intended to contrast something with another. Jesus is virtually saying: "Do you really think that God's answer to your heartfelt prayer will only depend upon how effectively you have worn God down by repetition? Do you think God acts begrudgingly and reluctantly, like someone who does not really care but will act if you pester him so much he gives-in; just to get rid of your annoying requests??"

God is a loving, "doting" father. God would give you the world if it was for your own good. God has given us the world, (not without just limitations) for only that which is good. God eternally cares for us and gives us what we need. God ONLY desires our good. God does not do any harm to us, and God does not desire any harm for us. God always answers our prayers, but sometimes as we know all too well, the answer to our prayers is a loving but definite "NO."

We also know that God only ever answers us in love. Even if we do not fully comprehend the reply we receive to our prayers. Even if God's answer to us does not make sense. Even if he gives us what does not appear to be what we asked. The important message is that to God we are beloved children. A parent always knows that a child will sometimes ask for something to which even the most doting but responsible parent would lovingly say "NO." This reply may very well cause distress. But distress is not desired. The desire to is honestly and lovingly speak the truth and answer lovingly.

The Gospel goes on: "Ask, Seek, Knock"… What a wonderful concept. God has truly given us the true freedom of the children of God. We take this freedom seriously. We take full adult responsibility for our decisions and actions. The true meaning of Our Lord's teaching can be highlighted by looking at what he DID NOT say. If we look at what Jesus did NOT teach, we can highlight Christ's true teaching and message by bringing it into sharp contrast. For example, Jesus did NOT say "TAKE, DEMAND, SEIZE, STEAL…" Nor did Our Lord command us to "bash down the door and enter and take what you want." And naturally so, because Jesus' message was about non-violence, grace, and gentleness. So, "Ask, Seek, Knock…" These are indeed "doing words" // … (verbs)…. But they are gentle, gracious, respectful 'action words.'
This captures the true beauty of Jesus' message.

"Ask… Seek … Knock….."

Also, Jesus didn't say:
"Don't ask and you will receive."…… "Don't bother looking and you will find"…
"Don't knock and yet expect people to know that you are standing outside wanting to get in."

God gave us the freedom to engage with him as his children and to use our Christian freedom and responsibility to ask what needs to be asked, and to seek and find that which is hidden, as well as knocking at the door of opportunity. This active seeking and openness allows God's ways to be provided to us.

The gospel today and the first reading remind us of the constant pattern to authentic Christian Prayer.

First and foremost, our prayer is always a recognition of the primacy and greatness of God.

Also, our prayers should always give thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings that God has already given to us.

Prayer is for the purpose of placing God back at the centre of our lives, where God always belongs.

Prayer is intended to allow us to bend our wills to God's will and to shape us more and more into people who follow God's will in the world, and not merely our own will. After all, daily we pray May Thy Kingdom come. not may My kingdom come!

Prayer puts God's will and priorities ahead of the fads and trends of this world.

When we pray, we become aware of how great God is and how far short of God we often fall. Our prayer always contains at least an implied spirit of penitence and sorrow for our sins; as well as a heartfelt request for forgiveness and renewal. And prayer covers all of the events and people of life. True prayer is a connection to God and covers the needs we have,** and the needs of our families, our friends, our fellow parishioners and all people who struggle or hunger throughout the world….

Jesus, by teaching us the Lord's prayer, gives us not only a beautiful but simple prayer but also gives us his "mission statement." Christ shows us the focus of his Gospel, that puts God's ways front and centre in our lives…..

May Jesus (our teacher) lead us deeper and deeper into HIS perfect prayer and into his transforming ways. And through this prayer, may God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

** (this paragraph adapted from _) THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.

Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1100500616 - Biblical vector illustration of Jesus Praying - Vector. Contributor Rudall.




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