First Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, February 26, 2023 (EPISODE: 408)

First Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, February 26, 2023
(EPISODE: 408)

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Readings for Sunday, 26 February 2023
FIRST READING: Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17. "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
SECOND READING: Rom 5:12-19
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 4:4b). Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless Glory. No one lives on bread alone. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GOSPEL: Matt 4:1-11 – Temptation

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for First Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, February 26, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-first-sunday-of-lent-year-a-episode-408/s-h4zfAXdm2KB
(EPISODE:408 )
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Our Lenten journey has well and truly begun. It is a beautiful time of extra prayer, reflection and penance - to re-focus our sights on Christ and his gospel. This weekend we hear of the temptation of Our Lord in the desert.

I had always seen this time as a preparation for Christ's public ministry - and in a sense, that is perfectly true. But it's more than that. It turns out that this is his first and definitive battle (and victory) in God's war against the derailing effects of temptation (to ignore the Father's will in a distorted and self-justified attempt to follow our own will). This has wracked the human condition since the beginning. In the desert, Christ strikes the first blow against humanity's alienation from God. This is faith, hope and love.

Our Lord wastes no time going straight to work of achieving his Heavenly Father's mission. Jesus is God-made-human, the new Adam. And he quickly sets about reversing the failures to the temptation that has been around since the beginnings of humanity and which we still face today.

Although Jesus is God, he is also completely human like us, so in his humanity, he faces temptation and defeats it.

We can see these forty days in the desert as a massive battle between for forces of God's Kingdom and the forces of evil. Our Lord shows us how to take on temptation and not succumb to its distortion of the truth.

Our Lord uses prayer, fasting and intense focus on the will of the Father to cut through the lies of the evil one.

We also notice that Satan turns up to assail him near the end of his forty days. Our Lord would have been tired, extremely hungry and at his physical and emotional weakest. and this is when Satan begins his cowardly attacks. It's good to remember that we are often attacked by temptation when we are at our lowest and most vulnerable. The powers and values that oppose the kingdom of heaven do not fight fair, but we must be prepared.

What is also fascinating is that God turns even an evil temptation by the enemy to strengthen and reinforce the steely resolve of his faithful ones. Jesus passed through the trial with flying colours. Where Adam and his ancestors failed, Jesus succeeded and schooled us on how to deal with temptation ourselves.

We learn that temptation is deceitful. it often comes in the form of taking a good thing and luring us to use a good motive or a good thing for a bad or excessive reason.

1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version (NIV). God never lets us face more than we can handle and gives us help to escape its clutches.

There are two areas of temptation:
 temptations to people in leadership positions
and
personal temptation.

First, Satan appeals to Our Lord as a leader. The temptation to show, to prove and to be 'relevant' to an audience. Tempted to be famous and spectacular. The temptation to use "power" over others.

And see how Jesus counters it:
- "temptation to be relevant" and prove oneself is countered by prayer and discernment of The Father's will.
- The temptation to be spectacular - to convince. v. obedience and humility.
- The temptation to power v. vulnerability. Trust in God's providence and grace is sufficient. Temptations in our personal needs and actions to meet our physical needs. Not trusting that we receive our actual needs without recourse to extreme or controlling behaviour.

- Temptation to keep Confirming/testing God's love and care. Both extremes - doubting it or presuming on it. Especially when God shows us constantly – this love and care in so many ways, our Lord knew his Father's confident trust and his clear commissioning of him to his ministry! To test that or to ask for more confirmation would have been a mere self-indulgence. And Our Lord knew that!  
 
- Pride and power. The Devil wants to trick us into thinking that God has abandoned us and that we are left to handle temptation on our own.

But, Our Lord shows us that the real question we need to focus upon is: "Is this what God the Father wants for me? Can I do this thing and truly love God and delight in God…." ?? Is this choice putting God as the source and destination of my delight and goals?

It's very telling that after this fierce tussle in the wilderness - Christ commands satan to be off, and he goes. Jesus has succeeded in fending off the prideful and misleading lies of the tempter, and afterwards, we are told Angels come to tend to him and give him what he needs.

There is more than a sense that his army came to support him in this first of many victories and give him what he needs, which he KNEW would be provided by his Father and not from rash acts of wilfulness, force or pride.

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To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
 Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; from Wilkins, M. (2004). Matthew: NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan. E-edition. November 2014. Around p 153-164.

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 148333646 - VIENNA - JULY 27: Fresco of Temptation of Jesus scene in side nave of Altlerchenfelder church from 19. cent. on July 27, 2013, in Vienna. Important information: Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: -Renata Sedmakova

First Sunday of Lent. Year A (Sunday, February 26, 2023) (EPISODE: 408)
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 Fidelity strengthen you.}} welcome everyone; we gather - To offer up praise, prayers and intercessions to God. On this First Sunday of Lent. Year A

Coming together as God's family, let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: 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
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17. "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 4:4b). Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless Glory. No one lives on bread alone. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
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PREFACE: Temptation of the Lord
Euch Prayer II
Communion side. pwk:
(theme variation: 2 )

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{Bless you all, and May God's grace guide you each and every day.}

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: 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).

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

Lenten Hymn: "Have Mercy" Inspired by Psalm 50(51). Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2020.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

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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Ash Wednesday Mass (2023) Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish

Ash Wed MASS 

Readings for Ash Wednesday Mass -
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
Psalm: Ps 50:3-6. 12-14. 17. "Be Merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2
Gospel Acclamation: cf Ps 94:8  "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!"
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18
Homily
Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
       Distribution of Ashes
       Song
Prayer of the Faithful

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Photo ID: 1615569214 - Ash Wednesday, crucifix made of ash, to dust as in the Christian religion. Lent beginning- Photo Contributor: vetre
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for Ash Wed, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ash-wednesday-mass-abc/s-UhyzOMLWdTv.
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Prologue:  Welcome as we gather to mark the beginning of the season of Lent…   40 days of prayer, penance and self-denial (reminding us of Our Lord's forty days in the wilderness),  and to prepare us for the renewal and new life celebrated in the  Easter season. –

Ashes, a symbol of destruction and death, are an ancient Judeo-Christian symbol of our journey to new life…. 

We use the ashes from old burnt palm branches used in the Palm Sunday Masses last year. 

When we think about Lent, we generally think of giving something up - a kind of 'dying' to self. But the readings for this day suggest that Lent is about beginnings: coming to new life, deepening our relationship with God and others, and transforming who we are and how we live. (2)
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Homily:
Lent is a time of Prayer, Penance and Good Works, Which are three aspects of one thing.

From ancient times this Lenten observance reflects the three central concerns we have in life: Our duty to God (prayer), our duty to our bodies (fasting) and our duty to others (almsgiving). 

The purpose of fasting and abstinence is not to punish ourselves, nor is it a time of testing our willpower and personal strength, but rather, it is to create in us a detachment from whatever may keep us from an ever-closer connection to God. 

In self-denial and in giving of our time to more prayer and good works, our hearts move even closer to God.  Distractions like excess food or any other things that take up our time and energy are avoided, helping us become more focused, attentive and charitable. 

In this Lenten fasting, we also remember and imitate the example of Jesus, who fasted 40 days in the wilderness as he prepared to begin his life-giving ministry. 

For us also, its also a recognition that sin has not only personal consequences but also sin has communal dimensions - and so Lent provides us as a community a means of expressing our common repentance. #

Lent is a six-week gift to the church from God….  As a time of nurturing positive habits of prayer, self-denial and giving of our time and resources for worthy causes… to build up our spiritual health…. and build up good spiritual habits and attitudes that become so automatic and natural to us that we do them without hesitation, and for no other reason than our love for God,  so that as the reading says today....our left-hand does not know what our right hand is doing.

We have been given such treasures and gifts by God and they are priceless.  We are sorry that sometimes we don't recognise the treasure from God and confuse it with the rubbish and static of OTHER things that distract our attention./ 

The only gifts worth having are actually the ones we give away./ The kind of gifts that are useless if locked away and unused. /Gifts like love, given freely without expectation, kindness and forgiveness without hoping for something in return….    acts of charity, not for recognition or approval, but from the love of God welling up inside us. Random acts of kindness and compassion, which no one will ever know we are responsible for. 

The gospel has a lot of wisdom in it… those things are done for no other reason but the love of God and not for anything else; call us to a deep inner movement of the heart towards God because it does not get any other reward but to serve and love God in each other… actions for the glory and praise of God alone…
So, let's make this time of lent the wonderful, Joy-filled gift it really is. A time of peaceful self-denial and of making space for God… fostering positive habits that will last well beyond forty days.....and may God, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to perfection… in the secret of our own hearts…
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

#Elizabeth Harrington – Liturgy Brisbane  © Liturgybrisbane. 

William Barclay – St Matthew - commentary

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Photo ID: 1615569214 - Ash Wednesday, crucifix made of ash, dust as in the Christian religion. Lent beginning- Photo Contributor: vetre

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and Awe abide in you.}}

(no penitential rite, as the ashes – given later – are the penitential act on this day).
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After the Homily - 
(as placed on the forehead.. the minister says: - ):  
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."
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Memorial Acclamation
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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Preface: Lent III
Eucharist Prayer II
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{my heartfelt thanks for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}
Dismissal:

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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To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks


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).

-Lenten Hymn: "Have Mercy," inspired by Psalm 50(51). Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2020

 [ Production - KER - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023 (EPISODE-407 )

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023 (EPISODE-407 )

Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2023 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Lev 19:1-2, 17-18
Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "The Lord is kind and merciful."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 3:16-23
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 2:5). Alleluia, alleluia! Whoever keeps the word of Christ, grows perfect in the love of God.
GOSPEL: Matt 5:38-48

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 722119933 - Jesus christ crucifix cross on heaven sunrise - Christianity -Mercy - Forgiveness -  Love -  Giving -   Photo Contributor: Art Stocker
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-seventh-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-a-episode-407/s-cHMn9P87V1m  (EPISODE- 407)
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continuing from last week....   the source and the goal of discipleship is to share in the heart of God....   to dwell in God's love and reflect God's love....   love is at the heart of everything. to become truly Christ-like; not only in our appearances but in essence...  which is to BE love...   // this changes everything...   we focus not on perfecting external actions...  but put all our energies into allowing God's love and compassion to grow in our hearts and flow out into our attitudes and actions...   

Saint Paul uses a wonderful image to show us that God is building us up into a worthy dwelling place for him to live in us. But he says that we are not being formed into any old home for God,…… "We are invited to become not just an occasional holiday shack for God, but a permanent home and, (even more so...), a "Temple" for God to live in.  And the Greek word for "temple" used here implies not just the facade of the Temple of Jerusalem but the inner sanctuary - the "Holy of Holies" (where only one priest could enter at a time. Apparently, the priest on duty had a rope tied around them so if they fainted or died while in this inner sanctuary, they could be hauled out by the rope without anyone else entering!)   
 
So, each of us is invited to become, body, soul and mind,  an extremely holy place for God to dwell. 
 
What renovations do we need God's grace to create in us to make us a worthy place?  (a temple)? 
 
A temple is a building that is "purpose-built". Every room and every item in that place is there for the purpose of worshipping God (who abides in that temple) and for doing God's works. …… 
 
So, our lives, and everything about us, are similarly put to the use of God; We become willing instruments of God's Kingdom…  We are God's temple, says Saint Paul, and this is an amazing thought. 
 
This weekend, with the Gospel, two words bear deeper reflection; and need a bit of clarification.  
 
Firstly we are told by Jesus:  "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect" – 
This is not an invitation to perfectionism (which is quite a different thing).  
In fact, we actually see in Our Lord's life and ministry that he was the opposite of a "nit-picking" legalist, who was prickly around other people because they didn't do everything "just right." The Greek word "perfect," here, actually means "Telios" that is (like the word 'telescope')/ an unfolding to achieve its maximum potential/  achieving full capacity/ Reaching maturity/ Becoming whole or complete…  "To be best suited for its purpose"…. (For example.. a 'tailored suit' is Telios – that is, it is designed to fit the wearer's proportions perfectly).
….
So, we are invited to allow God's Kingdom to fit us like a designer Baptismal garment/.. matching just right !/ …. But, we are the ones who are being shaped to fit God's ways, and not the opposite... of us trying to cut down God's Kingdom to suit our convenience.   
 
The second problematic saying is "love your enemies"… 
This is extremely difficult to teach. "Pray for those who hurt you"…… 
Firstly the Greek word used here is not like the love of husband and wife. Also, this word is (understandably) nothing like the love that one has for a family member or a close friend…. It is 'agape" - That is, the different kind of love that wishes well to the other, show basic human respect and indicates an act of reason. It is not so much a love coming from the heart, but (surprisingly, in this situation) it is a decision (made by the head and enabled by a conscious, considered resolution). It is a deliberate choice to SHOW respect/kindness, restraint, and regard to all people, irrespective of their actions and irrespective of our feelings towards them. 
 
Doing this mirrors how God treats us all. 
 
(This does NOT mean that we become doormats or punching bags for Christ! That would be unjust and unacceptable. And in any case, Jesus is giving this teaching to disciples, most of whom would have been quite capable of knocking the head off someone who slapped them even once!  Christ's new followers would have needed to use their willpower not to strike back! Christ is teaching us that, Abiding in God's love, we don't have to lower our response or attitude to that of those who seek to harm us. We do not need to return evil for evil – which would simply continue the vicious cycle of violence and hate.  
 
This is asking us something that does not come naturally. The bonds of natural affection and friendship are in some ways easier, but this is about the call of God's love - not the limits of the "bare minimum" God might expect. 
 
To the demands of the law, there are always limitations and exceptions …./ But to the claims of love, there are limits or exceptions/  And such a concept as "limits" makes no sense to one who loves.
 
"A basic mistake in earthly wisdom is to think of life in terms of the law, instead of love. If we love a person deeply, passionately, humbly and selflessly, we will be quite sure that (in a poetic sense) if we were to give that person all we possessed, we would still be in default; if we gave that person the sun, the moon and the stars, we would still be in debt, (a willing debt of love, that is !)/ 'One who is in love is always in debt'; The last thing that enters their mind is that they have earned a reward or can demand a response. If a person has a legalistic view of life, they may constantly think in terms of the reward that has been won and what is "owed" to them;/ But, if a person has a loving view of life, the idea of reward would be jarring. …. (Again, here I think of parents… They love their children unconditionally… They give because they love… If they were doing it for reward or expecting the balance sheet one day to be truly "evened up"…., they will most certainly be waiting a long time !…… but that is not how a loving parent acts… and God does not think that way either… 
 
(Jesus invites us to enter into this mindset deeper and deeper each day). 
 
How much is sufficient? how much is enough? when given to one's beloved?…..
(how long is a piece of string?) …. It is a different way of seeing the world…"# 
 
So, Are we ready for this astounding invitation from today's Gospel?"A person will be perfect ('Telios') (GSN5046) …. (or to put it more precisely… "mature and fit for the purpose for which we were created)," when we reflect the image and likeness of God, (for that is what God intended from the beginning of creation) (The Book of Genesis).
 
God's qualities are universal benevolence and kindness, unconquerable goodwill, 
and Constant seeking of the highest good of every person. 
God is love and shows love (to the saint and to the sinner alike). 
No matter what people do in response, God seeks nothing but their highest good. 
 
Jesus is laying down three great rules—(which I feel anxious to lay down without watering it down or explaining it away, even though it calls us to go deeper than is comfortable or familiar)….The Christian avoids resentment or retaliation for insults 
(no matter how deliberate), returning kindness and reverence in the face of injury. 
 
The Christian does not stand or fall upon their legal rights or on any other rights they may believe themselves to possess; The Christian thinks not about their right to do as they like but rather always think of our duty to be of help and to do good work with all our ability for the glory of God. We cannot achieve this alone. This can ONLY be achieved when the grace and love of God abide in us and flows outwards into actions of kindness, mercy and compassion. "When we love, we are a sign and sacrament of the Kingdom of God… And, Jesus says to us:  'Love !, (not as others love but as I love), and BE that SIGN!"   
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

Strong's Biblical Concordance: HelpsBible.com. copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc;

# Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of MATTHEW. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press; 

Cronin, G. (2003). Celebrating the Gospels. 1st ed. Liguori, Mo.: Liguori; 

DeBona, G. (2013). Between the Ambo and the altar. 1st ed. Minnesota: Liturgical Press; 

Hodge, Vincent.  Note on the Greek word for "Temple," used in 1 Corinthians 3:17; also see http://www.godrules.net/library/strongs2b/gre3485.htm  

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 722119933 - Jesus christ crucifix cross on heaven sunrise - Christianity -Mercy - Forgiveness -  Love -  Giving -   Photo Contributor: Art Stocker


Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, February 19, 2023) (EPISODE- 407)

The Lord be with you.
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{{thank you so much for taking this time with me to listen to God's word and for praising God for his goodness and care.}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins:Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: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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Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "The Lord is kind and merciful."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 2:5). Alleluia, alleluia! Whoever keeps the word of Christ, grows perfect in the love of God.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary VI
Eucharistic Prayer III

(theme variation:  1)

(welcome cycle-   (welcome 7) Good evening/morning. It is wonderful to gather together as members of God's family. Parishioners and visitors alike. We are all united as Our lord's family. We hope you feel very welcome. 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: "__________" *)

(pre+post variation: v1-long)
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{thank you so much for taking this time with me to listen to God's word and for praising God for his goodness and care.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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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 -  2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 12, 2023 (EPISODE- 406)

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 12, 2023 (EPISODE- 406)

Readings for Sunday, February 12, 2023 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Sir 15:16-21 (diff)
Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34. "Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 2:6-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 11:25). Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth. You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
GOSPEL: Matt 5:17-37 or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37

 
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 2105703446.  Judaic - prophet - faith -church - Talmud law space.  Photo Contributor: ArtMari
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 12, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sixth-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-a-episode-406  (EPISODE-406 )
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Our Lord turns the heat up in this weekend's readings.   He really lays things on the line...   We have been given real freedom, so there are no excuses.  We are called to be children of God, not petty rule-makers or breakers.  The Lord wants to share his heart with us...   wants to implant his love deep in our souls....   and from that, true discipleship flows....  which reaches out, gives, includes and helps.....  

 
While Mahatma Gandhi was a practising Hindu, Christianity intrigued him greatly. In his reading of the Gospels, Gandhi was deeply impressed by Jesus. He wanted to know more about this Jesus that Christians referred to as "the Christ, the Messiah."
 
One Sunday morning, Gandhi decided that he would visit one of the Christian churches in Calcutta. Upon seeking entrance to the church, he was stopped at the door by the ushers.
 
He was told he was not welcome, nor would he be permitted to attend this particular church as it was for either "high-caste Indians or  whites only." He fitted neither of those narrow descriptions. Because of the rejection, the Mahatma turned his back on Christianity, saying:  'If it weren't for Christians, I'd be a Christian?' (%%)
 
Sadly, this is another in the list of history's all-too-many examples of Christians becoming a stumbling block for those trying to approach Christ.  An unspeakable tragedy that repeats itself far too often.  Even to this day, we have to be so vigilant against being unchristian Christians.
 
This can happen in considerable ways, and also in small but still quite devastating...  and the results can be the same...  the contradiction witnessed by observers; between the love from God (on the one hand) and the legalism and the harshness of some of God's disciples (on the other), can be a real "turn-off."
 
  (I am sure many of us can blush when we recall times when we modelled the complete opposite of Christ's loving message in our own actions and reactions. These contradictions are a trap into which any one of us can fall. The Lord doesn't want us to lose heart or give up but warns us to be very wary and constantly on our guard against our contradictions and to repent and work with God's grace to reshape our attitudes without delay). And save us, Lord, from acting opposite to your ways and not even seeing the contradiction!  Christ didn't preach, heal, forgive,  suffer, die and rise again for that kind of self-indulgence and lack of self-awareness.
 
Today's Gospel is summed up beautifully in this quote from the British writer Michael Green: "(God's) Law is not the limit of obedience;  rather, it is the springboard from which we dive into the (wonderful, refreshing, life-giving and deep waters of) love and devotion to Our Lord. The Law of God is the "curbing" along the road of love."1.  (paraphrased). We don't spend all our time looking at the sides of the road but by travelling wonderfully down the centre lane of this highway of God's love.
 
The law was never meant to be the end in itself but rather a distillation and expression of God's values. When people only focus on the letter of the law or outward observances, they are completely missing the point.
 
Jesus was warning the Pharisees that this is precisely what they have ended up doing. They had yet to go deeper into the meaning and Spirit behind the law, so they had become hollow. The "Pharisees" are not just those who opposed Jesus 2000 years ago...  Not merely the actual Pharisees living like hypocrites, but this group also represent anyone - even today...  even within our Christian faith tradition, who keeps outward observances whilst their hearts (and attitudes) remain far from the Lord. Our Lord preaches to the Pharisees of this day and even the pharisee that might be lurking away in our own hearts.
 
God's wise saying to us in the first reading is quite powerful. God says, 'Of course, I have given you true freedom. You are free to touch the cool water.. it will feel cool…. And you are free to touch your hand to the flame if you want. but beware… choosing to touch fire will burn you. So choose wisely.. choose the good… avoid the harmful. Use your freedom to choose life and choose God's ways. At the heart of God's desire for us is to walk the paths for our good and avoid any avenues that will prove harmful to us.
 
Jesus is calling his disciples to learn the meaning and purpose of God's law and not merely its outward expressions or legalistic constraints.   We hope that God will grant us the wisdom to discern the loving-kindness and compassion behind the rules and regulations and apply ourselves to that love.
 
Jesus is inviting us to never just settle for the outer shell of observance but rather dive deeply into being loving disciples who live genuinely as a son or a daughter of God amongst many siblings.
 
"love of God and Love of neighbour is the one law that admits no exception!  Furthermore, all other laws must be held against the litmus test of how they apply this overarching law of LOVE."
 
So, it is not good enough to keep the commandments by 'not killing anyone' because we also must strive not to have anger and uncharitable thoughts against our brother or sister. It is not sufficient to say, "I have never actually been unfaithful" when it is possible to break the spirit of this command by being disrespectful in how we look at others — or how it's sadly possible to treat others as objects, devoid of their personhood, what a parody one could make of God's law by limiting it only to extremes l, or diluting it with endless lists of curious observances.
 
It is not good enough to do everything in the "name of Jesus" if our everyday 'yes' is unreliable or our 'no' does not mean what it says. _this particular passage really interests me more than ever...  a simple yes or no is powerful, but a yes or a no with additional extra added explanations, reasons or comments.... are quite often little more than excuses, fibs, self-justifications or gripes. So truly, our yes needs to be yes, and our no, no...  No more, no less.
 
And, even more challenging, the readings today remind us that we should never blame God for our own failings: "Do not say it is the Lord's doing that I fell away." These are merely excuses that try to remove our own adult, free responsibility. Whilst we have real freedom, we are reminded quite sharply by this weekend's scriptures: The Lord never permitted people to sin or to ignore his laws.
 
Yes, God has given us true freedom, but this is a freedom to live God's law and to act responsibly, maturely,  and lovingly.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

(%%) [ By LAMA CHUCK STANFORD and ARVIND KHETIA.  Article - APRIL 17, 2015 07:00 AM:  from https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.kansascity.com/living/religion/article18756585.html   ];   Also referenced in Link, M. (1992). Vision.  Year A. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub; 

My Daily Visitor (Our Sunday Visitor); 

Break Open the Word
 
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 2105703446.  Judaic - prophet - faith -church - Talmud law space.  Photo Contributor: ArtMari


To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) -  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
 
Also found at -   https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk


Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, February 12, 2023) (EPISODE- 406)

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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{{my heartfelt thanks for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: 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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Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34. "Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 11:25). Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth. You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary V
Euch Prayer II

(theme variation:  4)

(welcome cycle-   (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: "__________" *)

(pre+post variation: v2-long)
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{my heartfelt thanks for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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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 -  2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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