AUSTRALIA DAY - NATIONAL DAY (26TH JANUARY) (EPISODE: 403)
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First
Reading: Isaiah 32:15-18. The effect of justice will be peace.
Psalm: Ps 84:9-14. R. "The Lord speaks of peace to his people."
Second Reading: Rom 12:9-13: Work for
the Lord earnestly.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven
and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
Alleluia! (Cf Mt 11:25)
Gospel: Lk 12:22-32: It has pleased your heavenly Father to give you the
Kingdom.
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and
reflections for the AUSTRALIA DAY NATIONAL DAY (26TH JANUARY) - by clicking
this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-australia-day-isaiah-romans-luke-episode-403
(EPISODE: 403)
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Australia Day -
In so many ways, we truly are a “lucky country.” God has blessed us all
with so many beautiful gifts and graces. We are truly grateful for the
Lord's blessing on our land and ask the Lord to continue to bless and protect
us and grant us true peace and goodwill to all. Certainly, no
country is perfect, and each country and culture has its own blessings, (as
well as its own share of trouble and shame) but it is always nice to know that
our home is a place where there is so much for which to be grateful:
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Our beautiful environment
-
The democratic freedoms,
-
Freedom to practice religious faith....
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Freedom to speak responsibly........
-
Thanks be to God, our land enjoys a high experience
of peace and security; where even those badly struggling are caught by various
safety nets of social support..........
We are grateful for an excellent
standard of living, (especially when compared with man other nations who have
such dire needs, and shockingly minimal support systems), we live in a
land blessed with many and varied natural resources, an excellent climate
......
And any problems we might think we have
in relation to overcrowding and pollution, or other social situations,
positively pale into insignificance when compared with other lands, not to
mention the situation of healthcare and unemployment support we have -
again despite the strains on those systems we have heard of in recent years.
Today, we give thanks to
God for the many gifts we have been given, and we are reminded that we live in
a commonwealth… //and that this commonwealth is for the common good…. the gifts
we have, are gifts to share for the benefit of one other…..
Truly we here can echo the words of Isaiah in the
first reading... "integrity will bring peace, justice give
lasting security. My people will live in a peaceful home, in safe houses, in
quiet dwellings." We commit ourselves to living justly and peacefully
and also acting with justice and peace towards others in need.
And on this day, we hear and respond to
the teaching of the second reading (Paul to the Romans)..... We
must not let love be a pretense, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each
other as much as brothers and sisters should, and have a profound respect for
each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness
of spirit. ......... Do not give up if trials come; ....and keep on praying. If
any of the saints are in need you must share with them, and you should make
hospitality your special care.
This means we as a nation and as a Christian
community commit ourselves to the hospitality of spirit which means,
respect, openness to listening to our others and their experiences...
and respecting each other as brothers and sisters in the one human
family....
Isaiah also beautifully
tells us that the effect of true justice is peace….. Or to put it another way…. One cannot have true peace, without achieving
true justice.
Given that the day has been
celebrated on various dates and under different names in the past 100 years,
-
This National Day was not always called
Australia Day and was not always celebrated on this date.
The commemoration is not without its
different experiences and controversy, which reflects our nation's colonial
past, as with many nations.
There are at least three different groups who have
had a sincere historical difficulty with the name and date of our national
celebration over the last century.. (Some of the groups might surprise some)…..
(not in any specific order)
1.
Catholics......
yes - Australian catholics...... Us Catholics too,
in Australia, had our own problems with a celebration of past National days……. At the time called "Empire Day." In
1911, "Australia Day" was used by the Roman Catholic community for
May 24, which was usually celebrated as Empire Day, in protest at the day's
allegedly Protestant character and the experiences the Catholic community had and was suffering under that sectarian time -
including the suffering and inequCatholicscatholics in practising their faith
in a colony that treated catholicism with suspicion.... . This
slight to a day that was intended to bring the British Empire together was
viewed unfavourably by some.#
2.
People who were brought here initially
as convicts..and their immiediate ancestors….. .. also did not
look upon the landing of the first fleet as the happiest of days,,,,,The passengers upon
the first fleet – were of course a mix of prisoners and military personnel. This date
marks when those ships from Britain, filled with prisoners in a wretched state,
landed to establish a largely convict settlement.... Far too many of
these convicts were sent here for shockingly minor offenses....
Now seen as a way of sending another nation’s
social problems away to a far-off land.....
3.
And finally..... "The
controversy over Australia Day on January 26 for Australia's First
Nations people, the day marks ...(the start of European settlement here that
saw many Indigenous Australians dispossessed of their traditional lands,
countless deaths, and with Aboriginal culture and society forever changed. This
controversy is actually (also) not just recent...... Indeed, as early as
January 26, 1938, a protest called this date a "Day of
Mourning".
There has been an increasing
conversation and awareness that many First Nations people of this land do not
find this date a unifying or inspiring choice.
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
feel that moving the date would be a starting point for creating a new dialogue
and platform for Reconciliation. The National Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Catholic Council agrees and advocates that Australia Day should
be celebrated on May 27 – the day in 1967 that Australians voted by an
overwhelming majority, to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth
to make laws for Aboriginal people, and to include them in the Census.
The Catholic Church in this archdiocese, and around the nation, desires to
foster closer bonds of compassion and reverence and listening. {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtcGkj31eg,I }
Again, in thanksgiving to God we can
thank the Lord that we live in a country where people can share their
experiences and difficulties and be heard and respected and for us to
search for effective ways to move forward into the future with hope, justice
and respect for all.....
The way forward is for us to see ourselves as 'all
in this together.” We are many cultures and traditions and
(acknowledge the mistakes and wrongs of the past), we nevertheless, as
Christian people of hope and compassion, and justice, commit ourselves to truly
walking together and listening respectfully to each other and reverencing our
different heritage and cultures; and committing ourselves to practical steps to
keep improving the welfare of all people.
We pray that people everywhere will
deepen their sense of belonging to a commonwealth for the common good of
all …. That there will be peace, respect, harmony and care for all others in our
society…. That we will respect people as we would like to be treated
ourselves... That we might always spare a thought for the person
less fortunate, whether they be next door or in the next
country…… And today, (as every day) we pray that our nation and its
people develop within ourselves a deeper yearning for the values of Christ's
gospel..... including .. // Humility,//
Gentleness, // compassion, A passionate
and practical commitment to working for Justice, // and to be people of peace—A
people who are single-minded in serving God’s vision for the world…..
On this Day….. It is good for us to stop and give thanks
for God’s many gifts to us, in this blessed Southern land of the Holy Spirit…..
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
An Opportunity to Listen: Exploring 26th January - full interview -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtcGkj31egI
-
In the lead-up to January 26 Archbishop Mark spoke with three First
Nations Peoples from the Archdiocese of Brisbane. This interview explores what
this date has meant to each of them personally throughout their lives and the
historical significance of this date to those within their local
communities. This interview is part of
the Archdiocese of Brisbane's ongoing commitment to truth-telling, historical
acceptance and institutional integrity. All are fundamental elements of the
Archdiocese of Brisbane Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). As Pope Saint John Paul II quoted the prophet
Ezekiel in Alice Springs in 1986, "I am going to... gather you together...
and bring you home to your own land... I shall give you a new heart and put a
new spirit in you... You shall be my people and I will be your God": we
are one people. We pray that opportunities
such as this help us all to listen and develop a deeper understanding of the
experiences of First Nations Peoples in light of our commitment to
reconciliation. To learn more about our RAP - Please visit https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au
https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/event/australia-day-survival-day-2021-01-24-2023-01-22/
Online article from Cairns catholic diocese - 26 January 2022
#Amanda Laugesen. "Australia Day to Invasion Day: A difficult
history." In Sydney Morning Herald, 25 January 2017 6:30pm.
https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/australia-day-to-invasion-day-a-difficult-history-20170125-gty5oq.html
Shutterstock licensed image: Photo ID: 214578130 - Kangaroo traffic sign-
Photo Contributor: Petr Kratochvila
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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)- Australian Edition.
Scriptures – Jerusalem Bible
(1966) - Australian Lectionary
"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
reflection music and hymn - Original musical composition by William John kelly
(1942-2017)
Lyrics based on the Song of Praise by the Three Young Men, The Book of Daniel
3:24-9. By Paul kelly. Arranged and
sung, and with adapted lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021
- “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 - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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AUSTRALIA
DAY NATIONAL DAY (26TH JANUARY)
(EPISODE: 403 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Coming
together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our
sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom:
Lord, have mercy
You come in word and in sacrament to strengthen us and make us holy: Christ,
have mercy
You will come again in glory with salvation for your people: 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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Prayers
Of The Faithful
READER
* For
our nation on this Australia Day. That we renew our determination to work
together for justice, reconciliation and the common good. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:
* For
our indigenous brothers and sisters, the first peoples of Australia: That we
have the grace to listen to their stories, understand their mourning and walk
gently with them on this ancient land. (PAUSE) Lord hear us:
* For
all who are sick…..
* For children and teachers returning to school. that they begin the year with
energy and enthusiasm for the wonderful adventure of learning. (PAUSE) Lord
hear us:
For all who have died… especially all
whose lives have helped build this nation with the gospel values as a sure
foundation…. ….
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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
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Australia Day Preface
Eucharistic Prayer II
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Go in Peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
/
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**First Reading
Isaiah 32:15-18 (JB)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
Once more there will be poured on us
the spirit from above;
then shall the wilderness be fertile land;
and fertile land become forest.
In the wilderness justice will come to live
and integrity in the fertile land;
integrity will bring peace,
justice give lasting security.
My people will live in a peaceful home,
in safe houses,
in quiet dwellings.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
**Responsorial Psalm
Ps 84:9-14 (JB)
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land. R.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth
and justice look down from heaven. R.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps. R.
**Second Reading
Romans 12:9-13 (JB)
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans
Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil.
Love each other as much as brothers and sisters should, and have a profound
respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great
earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not
give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need
you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (JB)
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all
sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts
of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all
of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for
a good purpose. One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the
Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the
same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit; another
again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles;
another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of
tongues and another the ability to interpret them. All these are the work of
one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people
just as he chooses.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
**Gospel Acclamation
cf Matthew 11:25 (JB)
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
Alleluia!
Or Matthew 5:9 (JB)
Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called children of God.
Alleluia!
**Luke 12:22-32 (JB)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Jesus said to his disciples, 'That is why I am telling you not to worry
about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to
clothe it. For life means more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no
barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more are you worth than the birds! Can
any of you, for all his worrying, add a single cubit to his span of life? If
the smallest things, therefore, are outside your control, why worry about the
rest? Think of the flowers; they never have to spin or weave; yet, I assure
you, not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if
that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown
into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, you men of
little faith! But you, you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things
to drink; nor must you worry. It is the pagans of this world who set their
hearts on these things. Your Father well knows you need them. No; set your
hearts on his kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.
'There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to
give you the kingdom.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
or
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12 (JB)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus began to speak to the crowds. This is what he taught them:
'How happy are the poor in spirit:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
'Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of
calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be
great in heaven.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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AUSTRALIA DAY SACRAMENTARY :
Entrance
Procession
Entrance Antiphon (Australia Day)
I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations sing psalms to you,
for your mercy reaches to the heavens,
and your truth to the skies.
Collect
Collect (Australia Day)
Let us pray.
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God,
that as the Cross shines in our southern skies,
so may Christ bring light to our nation,
to its peoples old and new,
and by saving grace, transform our lives.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer over the Offerings
Prayer over the Offerings (Australia Day)
Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.
As we come before you with the fruits of the earth,
tended by our hands, O Lord,
we pray that these offerings
may bring a blessing on our land
and peace to all who dwell here.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Preface (The Eucharistic Prayer)
Preface (Australia Day)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
and to praise, bless, and glorify your name
through Christ our Lord.
For from ancient times you made this land
a home for many peoples,
and became their rock of strength;
when they were hungry, you gave them food,
and when thirsty, water even in the desert.
To all, your providence has proclaimed
the Good News of Jesus Christ, your Son,
sent by you to be the Saviour of all the world,
who has brought peace by his sacrifice on the Cross.
And so, we lift our voices to you this day,
and with the people you have made your own,
from every race and tongue, every place and time,
we join in the song of the Angels in heaven,
as in exultant praise we acclaim:
Communion Antiphon
Communion Antiphon (Australia Day)
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and never forget all his benefits.
Prayer after Communion
Prayer after Communion (Australia Day)
Let us pray.
May our partaking of this sacrificial meal, O Lord,
grant us strength to walk together in the ways of justice,
and behold one day the new heavens and new earth
you prepare for us in Christ your Son.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
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