Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 4 August 2024 (EPISODE: 490)
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty - Photo Description - Stock Photo ID: 156967370 - ancient byzantine fresco of Jesus giving communion to Saint Peter. at the church of Saint Nicholas, Demre, Southern Turkey - Photo Contributor - mountainpix
GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 4 August 2024
(EPISODE: 490)
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
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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, 4 August 2024, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-18th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-490/s-ZARaMDqjcfA
(EPISODE: 490)
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* (Prologue: Fr Paul Kelly)
In the readings, the Lord has given us 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 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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*(Homily: Fr Paul Kelly).
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've already received. They prefer to count the bad things and forget and cherish the good things that they have received, and are continuing to receive. They forget, or they refuse to call to mind, many things that are good, and which would well outweigh the bad.
The experience of the people of Israel stands as a cautionary example for every generation who follow them. We have to be wary of a culture of complaining and grumbling, refusing to be satisfied by what we have. And then, when we do receive something, as wonderful as it is, it's never quite enough.
Then there's the situation in the Gospel, where the people start demanding things from God with a sense of entitlement instead of a grateful, remembering, and humble heart. We can also be tempted to start demanding that God give us what we want, exactly as we demand it to be given and in the timescale 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 more amazingly, they can eat all they want, but they cannot store it away. They must trust in God's providence day by day. That's an excellent attitude for us to cherish in our hearts as well.
The second reading echoes this. God's graciousness and generosity is never stingy. It's more than enough.
It's never half-hearted. God provides for us in surprising and unexpected ways, ways that may not be what we had in mind when we expressed our needs. Pope Francis always has a very relatable and wonderful turn of phrase in many things, and he's spoken about the dangers of excessive complaining.
And he's talked about this many times, including very early in his pontificate, where 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. He broached the subject again a year later during his morning daily mass in Santa Marta. The Pope warned that when we're at prayer, we ought to avoid exaggerating difficulties compared to those undergoing major tragedies.
Our life is too easy. Our life is too easy, 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, 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 on 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 trials that 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.
He said this is the prayer of the Church for these suffering Jesuses who are everywhere. Pope Francis put up a new sign on his door a few years back, in his humble rooms at the residence at Domus Santa Marta, where he's lived since the beginning of his pontificate. The sign on the door says, complaining not allowed, in Italian, Vietato Lamentasi, and then in 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 they're subject to developing a victim complex, with the subsequent diminution of their sense of humour and problem-solving ability. Complaining in the presence of children, the sign warns, would lead to a double sanction. The recent addition to Pope Francis' door closes on a more upbeat note, advising readers that to become the best of yourself, you must 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 an Italian psychologist and psychotherapist, Salvo Noe, who gave it to the Pope after a June 14th weekly audience a few years back. Noe specialises in psychology in work environments and gives well-being lectures to universities, security forces and companies.
Pope Francis also said that complaining too often can distance us from Jesus. The Pope says, moaning dashes hope. Moaning and complaining can become a habit.
Complaining frequently can become an obsession that obscures Jesus's presence in difficult situations. Complaining and griping about others and things in one's own life is harmful because it dashes hope. Don't get into this game of a life of complaints, he says.
Inspired by God's word and God's providence and goodness, let us all walk with God in trust, humility and patience and with gratitude. Let's 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
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B (Sunday, 4 August 2024) (EPISODE: 490 )
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
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 - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.
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