Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023 (EPISODE: 411)

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023
(EPISODE: 411)

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 189092048 - VENICE, ITALY - MARCH 14, 2014: The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind by Antonio Trevisan (1753) in the church San Francesco della Vigna. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

Readings for Sunday, 19 March 2023
FIRST READING: 1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: Eph 5:8-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
GOSPEL: John 9:1-41 – Man Born Blind

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 19, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-411-lent-4-2a-2023/s-fmAMVv0xKnh  
(EPISODE: 411)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
This weekend, we hear the wonderful psalm that has brought so much comfort and strength in times of difficulty…  the Lord is my Shepherd…  I shall not want. He leads me along the right paths; He preserves my soul…". In addition, we have the amazing incident of Our Lord healing the blind man and the experts in the law refusing to accept it. This is a profound call for us to beware of any spiritual blindness our willfulness can cause.  The Lord has come to shine his light of love, truth and healing upon the world and invites us to stand on the right side of history.  
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Many of you might remember the old Royal Brisbane Hospital -  It stood where the new high-tech buildings stand in Brisbane opposite the showgrounds.  I remember visiting relatives at the old Royal Brisbane hospital as they recovered from surgery.  Back in the original days, there was a wonderful long open-balcony where patients could be wheeled out to sit in the sun because the benefits of getting a bit of sun was an important part of healing. The new building dispensed with this pleasing aspect. 

This little bit of history reminds me of the teaching in this weekend's second reading.   The Light of Christ casts away all darkness and not only shows up any flaws and faults but also shines its healing light upon our wounds.  The image is a powerful and positive one. 

Back in the days of Our Lord, the local merchants and their stalls would line the streets. Each one inside a little booth, covered in shade-cloths. A wise customer, when attempting to buy some fine silk or other precious items would take the product outside the entrance of the shop and hold it up to the sunlight, so that any flaws or damage would be easily revealed, which would be invisible to the eye in a darkened booth.  The wisdom of this image of Christ as the divine light who scatters the darkness of sin and death is powerful and deeply reassuring.

We Christians are encouraged by Saint Paul to be like children of light, and put away all the works of darkness. And the SIGN of being a child of light shines through in one's actions -     for he says, "the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness, right living and truth. And are completely inconsistent with the futile works of darkness."   We witness to the light of Christ shining in our hearts, by actions and attitudes which contrast sharply with the ways of secrecy, shame and darkness. The things which are done in secret are things that people are ashamed even to speak of; /  Sunlight exposes flaws…  But, sunlight also has medicinal value too, as we have mentioned. Its healing qualities for "killing off the bad" by opening up the wounds to the sunlight. So, our Christian path is not only about avoiding the exposure of our sins and the condemnation that follows, but more positively, to bring about healing and spiritual and moral resilience.'''

I love that first reading.  It reminds us that God is primarily concerned with what is within -  not merely outward appearances. God judges the heart and not by externals.  Look at that wonderful scene where God asks the Prophet Samuel to anoint the future King as the successor to King Saul. He visits Jesse and looks at each of the brothers.  The older brothers all look strong and tall and imposing, but none of them is acceptable to God. God judges from the heart…  they eventually run out of brothers, until Samuel finds out that the youngest and least likely one is not there. He has been overlooked. He is out looking after the sheep.  He is called in and chosen by God. God, by CHOOSING AND ANOINTING DAVID and not any of his BROTHERS, BY SAMUEL. The Oil is poured over his head, as a sign of God's choice and commissioning. He is not made king there and then. He actually goes back to his shepherding. But God has already chosen and anointed him for his future. Note, too that although God chooses from what is in the heart and not just the outward appearances, nevertheless, we are told that David still has a find bearing.   Being someone who is engaging to others, appealing and can draw people to oneself, this is an important value of a leader, but also, inside are innocence, godliness, righteousness, (later in this same chapter, he is described to King Saul as a "brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him. All these inner qualities are also important. "(1 Sam 16:18, NIV).  

And then, in the wonderful Gospel, there are a FASCINATING SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS… and scenes. Our Lord cures a BLIND MAN ON the SABBATH. This leads to ridiculous arguments and questioning from the religious authorities. They question the once-blind man and when he answers them honestly, they don't want to hear his answer and throw him out saying "why would we listen to you. You are a sinner."  But THEY are the ones asking him the question. They are clearly able to see, but quite obviously spiritually blind and don't even know it. That very fitting saying – "there are none who are so blind as they who will not SEE!"  Meaning, of course – "Understanding cannot be forced on someone who chooses to be ignorant" or also the very similar saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

Again, it is so important for us to realise that this incident is not in the Gospels to tell us how stubborn and willfully blind and stubbornly deaf people were two thousand years ago.  We too are quite capable of hearing without listening and looking without seeing. Refusing to be challenged or to change when the light is shone on our own faults or areas for growth.  

The man who was cured, meets Jesus again, (or actually, Jesus searches for him and finds him again). The cured man has a wonderful OPENNESS OF HEART AND MIND…   and he says to the Lord: "LET ME KNOW who this Son of Man is, so I CAN BELIEVE IN HIM…."  - "I want to believe, just show him to me." And Jesus says, "You are looking at him, it is me! " This man was open and ready. He did not say to our Lord. "look I am old and I have been through enough. I don't want any more. I am too set in my ways to change, so this is as far as I go. No, he was ready and willing.

 "What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so."   ― Mark Twain

 Show us lord and we will believe and we will worship you!   Always open us,  so as to go deeper and immerse ourselves more fully into the light of Christ and the endless depths of Christ, who is THE  water of eternal life.
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

Barclay, W. (2002). The letters to the Galatians and Ephesians. 3rd ed. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, pp.189-191;

Payne, D. (1982). I and II Samuel. Philadelphia: Westminster Press. P 81-83;

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/there_are_none_so_blind_as_those_who_will_not_see; ** Jer. 5:21 (King James version): "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not."        / "There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know. The proverb has been traced back in English to 1546 (John Heywood), and resembles the Biblical verse: Jer. 5:21. In 1738, it was used by Jonathan Swift in his 'Polite Conversation,' and is first attested in the United States in the 1713 'Works of Thomas Chalkley'..."   https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/5/messages/1614.html

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 189092048 - VENICE, ITALY - MARCH 14, 2014: The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind by Antonio Trevisan (1753) in church San Francesco della Vigna. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova.


Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A  (Sunday, March 19, 2023)  ((EPISODE: 411)
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 grace and love abide in you}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Reflection upon God's word. On this Fourth Sunday of Lent. Year A

Our God's love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.
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
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 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
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PREFACE: Man Born Blind
Reconciliation 1
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 1 )

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{I pray that you have a wonderful and grace-filled week.}

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

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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St Patrick, Bishop. 17March. Solemnity (This is a weekday Feast)

 

St Patrick, Bishop. 17March. Solemnity (This is a weekday Feast) 

St Patrick, Bishop. 17 March. Solemnity
(This is a weekday Feast)  

ST PATRICK, bishop (Seasonal colour- white). Mass of the Solemnity.   Gloria, Creed, Preface of Holy Pastors.  (JB Lectionary, vol. 1, p. 979)

Readings:

Jeremiah 1:4-9;

Ps 116. R. "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News."

Acts 13:46-49;

Gospel Acclamation. (Luke 4:18-19). "Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! The Lord sent me to bring Good News to the poor, and freedom to prisoners. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!"

Luke 10:1-12,17-20

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed  stock illustration ID: 385542565 St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Vector illustration. By Thoom
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Saint Patrick's Solemnity by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-284-feast-of-saint-patrick-2021/s-muiVygIpLbV    
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Today we commemorate Saint Patrick of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain around the end of the fourth century. He Died in Ireland about the middle of the fifth century. Faced hardship as a missionary bishop in Ireland, and opposition even from his friends and fellow Christians. Yet worked to unite and reconcile people, to evangelise, and to educate local chieftains and their families. Remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care, for his humble trust in God, and for his fearless preaching of the gospel to those who had enslaved him in his youth. Specially honoured in Australia because the many Irish people who came to settle here brought with them the faith and zeal of St Patrick. fittingly we now hear a hymn inspired by SAINT Patrick's prayer...  today I arise ....  and a happy feast day to my mum Patricia and all whose patron is St Patrick. Faith hope and love —-  
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Qualities:   
Listening - Empathy - Healing - Awareness – He was clearly aware of his own weaknesses and the culture of the Celtic Irish. Persuasion - His ability to convert strong leaders, Chieftains and Kings. Conceptualization – The use of the shamrock to articulate the Trinity. Foresight - The strategy he employed in charting his mission throughout Ireland, carefully choosing each step. Stewardship - He saw the future of Ireland and the care of its people as the core of his mission. Commitment to the growth of people - He trained clergy and so sustained and consolidated each location before moving on to the next.  Building community - The sites he used as Churches were at or near the seats of Chieftains and Kings, many were founded as monastic settlements and became population centres at a time when few existed.
 (taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership) 
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Listening - The time he took to listen, talk and answer questions was a recurring theme.
Empathy - Based the trials of his own life his empathy was displayed when he encountered the trials of others. This was especially clear in his letter to Coroticus.
Healing - At the end of his Letter to Coroticus he offers the opportunity for them to repent, even after what they had done, the chance for healing.
Awareness – He was clearly aware of his own weaknesses and the culture of the Celtic Irish.
Persuasion - His ability to convert strong leaders, Chieftains and Kings.
Conceptualization – The use of the shamrock to articulate the Trinity.
Foresight - The strategy he employed in charting his mission throughout Ireland, carefully choosing each step.
Stewardship - He saw the future of Ireland and the care of its people as the core of his mission.
Commitment to the growth of people - He trained clergy and so sustained and consolidated each location before moving on to the next.
Building community - The sites he used as Churches were at or near the seats of Chieftains and Kings, many were founded as monastic settlements and became population centres at a time when few existed.
 (taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership) 
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QUOTES:   

1.) "So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God, and he looked down on my lowliness and had mercy on my youthful ignorance. He guarded me before I knew him, and before I came to wisdom and could distinguish between good and evil. He protected me and consoled me as a father does for his son." (Confessio, 2)
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2.) "This is how we can repay such blessings when our lives change and we come to know God, to praise and bear witness to his great wonders before every nation under heaven." (Confessio, 3)
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"This is the one we acknowledge and adore – one God in a Trinity of the sacred name." (Confessio, 4)

6.) "In the knowledge of this faith in the Trinity, and without letting the dangers prevent it, it is right to make known the gift of God and his eternal consolation. It is right to spread abroad the name of God faithfully and without fear, so that even after my death I may leave something of value to the many thousands of my brothers and sisters – the children whom I baptized in the Lord." (Confessio, 14)
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7.) "I didn't deserve at all that the Lord would grant such great grace, after hardships and troubles, after the captivity, and after so many years among that people. It was something which, when I was young, I never hoped for or even thought of." (Confessio, 15)
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 9.) "It was in the strength of God that I went – God who turned the direction of my life to good." (Confessio, 17)
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10.) "For that reason, I give thanks to the one who strengthened me in all things, so that he would not impede me in the course I had undertaken and from the works also which I had learned from Christ my Lord." (Confessio, 30)
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8.) "More and more the love of God increased, and my sense of awe before God." (Confessio, 16)
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15.) "So I want to give thanks to God without ceasing." (Confessio, 46)________
Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall.
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I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
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if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God.
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Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
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The Lord discovered to me a sense of my unbelief that, though late, I should remember my transgressions and that I should be converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God.
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I only seek in my old age to perfect that which I had not before thoroughly learned in my youth, because my sins were a hindrance to me.
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I plainly told them, 'Be ye sincerely converted, and with your whole heart, to the Lord our God, for nothing is impossible to Him, that He may today send you food on your road, even until you are satisfied, because He has everywhere abundance.' And, with God's help, it was so done: Behold! A herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes.
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I have a Creator who knew all things, even before they were made - even me, his poor little child.
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I partly know why I have not led a perfect life like other believers. But I avow to my Lord, and I do not lie, that from the time when I first knew him, the love of God and the fear of him has grown in me from my youth so that I have, by the power of God, always till now kept the faith.
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Let who will scoff and revile - I will not remain silent; neither will I conceal the signs and wonders which have been shown to me by the Lord, who knew all things even before the time of this world, many years before, just as they happened.
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Sufficient for me is that honour which is not seen of men but is felt in the heart, as faithful is He who hath promised and who never lies.
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I have had the good fortune through my God that I should never abandon his people whom I have acquired in the extremities of the earth. 
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I most certainly believe that it is the gift of God that I am what I am. And so I dwell amongst barbarians, a proselyte and an exile, for the love of God.
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Believe Avarice is a deadly sin.
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I was freeborn according to the flesh; I am born of a father who was a decurion, (Roman cavalry officer in command of a squadron (turma)), but I sold my noble rank - I blush not to state it, nor am I sorry - for the profit of others. In short, I am a slave in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of the eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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It was not any grace in me, but God that put this earnest care into my heart, that I should be one of the hunters or fishers whom long ago God foreshowed would come in the last days.
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I see that already in this present world I am exalted above measure by the Lord. And I was not worthy nor such a one as that he should grant this to me since I know most surely that poverty and affliction become me better than delights and riches.
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I have vowed to my God to teach the heathen, though I am despised by some.
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 The Lord is greater than all: I have said enough.

(taken from https://epicpew.com/17-breathtaking-quotes-saint-patricks-confessio/  and https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/saint-patrick-quotes)

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

(taken from https://epicpew.com/17-breathtaking-quotes-saint-patricks-confessio/  and https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/saint-patrick-quotes)

(taken from https://www.probuilder.com/blog/st-patrick-10-lessons-leadership   ) 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed  stock illustration ID: 385542565 St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Vector illustration. By Thoom
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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.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  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).

{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. } 

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia 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. 

[ Production -  KER -  2023] 

May God bless and keep you. 
St Patrick, Bishop. 17 March. Solemnity  
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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{{May Our Lord's empathy abide in you.}}

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, - so let us pause and reflect upon our sins, so as to rejoice in Gods loving mercy.

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

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Eucharistic Prayer II

Preface of Holy Pastors

Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Pastors
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Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Third Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 12, 2023 (EPISODE: 410)

Third Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 12, 2023 (EPISODE: 410)

Readings for Sunday, 12 March 2023
FIRST READING: Exod 17:3-7
Ps 95:1-2, 6-7b, 7c-9. "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
SECOND READING: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 4:42+15). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord you are truly the Saviour of the World. Give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
GOSPEL: John 4:5-42 – Samaritan Woman

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1630381168   - OHRID, MACEDONIA - MAY 04, 2019: Jesus and the Samaritan woman, fresco in the Church of Saint Paraskeva of the Balkans near Saint Naum Monastery, Ohrid in Macedonia - Important information - Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Zvonimir Atletic
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Third Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 12, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-third-sunday-of-lent-year-a-episode-410/s-MyvPjaOAc7a
(EPISODE: 410)
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As our Lenten journey continues, We have the wonderful incident of Our Lord meeting and speaking with the Samaritan Woman at the well.  This extraordinary encounter and discussion bring home to us that Jesus came to bring about unity, through the salvation of the entire people of Israel, not just the tribe of Judah, but the whole of Israel. Including the Samaritan people and in fact people of every tribe, nationality or tongue.   Our Lord's sensitivity and care and concern for all people shines through brightly in this meeting. 
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We are very familiar with this delightful meeting of Christ with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Even so, it is important that we always remain open to the many layers and deeper truths that can always be plumbed from God's living word, and approach this incident with minds and hearts open to being further nourished.

There are so many wonderful elements in this scene. We know that even the disciples are described as surprised to see Jesus talking with this woman. It is often assumed that this is because he is speaking with a woman, but actually it is not so unusual that an exhausted and parched traveller might ask for some water from anyone they come across. The biggest surprise was that he was speaking to a Samaritan. And the most astounding thing for this lady is that he seemed to be asking for her to share her water container, as he had none. It was well known that Samaritans and Jews did not associate and certainty didn't share eating or drinking implements, for they thought of each other as heretics.  Despite this, they believed many of the same things and their practices were not so different. They differed massively in where the proper place for worship was, with Jews saying God's temple, and the Samaritans, Mount Gerizim.

Despite this, they had the same spiritual ancestors and were all descended from the different tribes of the originally united Israel, (combining Judah and Israel, the latter which included Samaria).

Over the centuries many assumptions have been made about the woman at the well that are not necessarily borne out by the text. We are fortunate that as we collect more and more perspectives from the Jewish cultural practices and beliefs of the time, a richer window opens up to us.  For example, it has been often assumed that the woman was at the well in the heat of the day, to avoid her fellow Samaritans with the thought that she may have been a woman held in low esteem in the village. But, there is nothing to suggest that this is summertime, it could be the middle of winter. Also, the hottest part of the day would not be midday but 3 pm.

In any case, there are heaps of reasons a person might be avoiding their fellow townsfolk other than sin, including illness, sorrow, depression, and tragedy. She may have withdrawn from others due to what seems like a tragic series of events that had befallen her and her family. We know that the lady had been married several times, but again it is unfairly assumed that she was morally poor or a public sinner. Her husbands may all have died through tragedy. (Perhaps like the awful incident in the Book of Tobit where a woman's newly we husbands - all seven husbands in a row- each died on their wedding night – in that famous biblical scene, the people felt pity for her, and some thought she might be cursed, but they did not cast her out, but the woman in that scene felt shame and distress). Or this Samaritan woman's husbands may have divorced her, with no-fault attributed to herself, as only men could divorce women without any particular reason.

Jesus points out that she is not married, as the man she lives with is not her husband, but again, this man could be a relative or a son. He could well be simply pointing out that with no husband, she was in that culture and time-dependent on the charity of distant relatives.  This lady may have been depressed and downcast, having suffered so much personal tragedy in her life...  The people might have felt that God was not blessing her, and had abandoned her, because of all that had happened in her life.   Our Lord's gentle words can be taken to say, "I know all that you have been through. I know what has happened to you. God's Kingdom is for you too."  This would be very fitting of one who came to heal and to reach out to those bowed down.  

If the lady were truly an outcast, she would not be so readily believed by the townsfolk when she told them she had met the messiah. Why believe the word of a woman of ill repute? We are told they believe her and go to see themselves and then believe no longer because of what she said but because of meeting him.   Astoundingly, we are also told something often missed. HE stays with the Samaritans for three days.  He eats with them, stays in their shelter and talks with them. This is amazing.

The other clue is at the start...  It says..  the well is the one Jacob built...   the bones of the prophet Joseph are buried here.  They are heirs, like the Jews, to the promise of Jacob and Joseph and the forefathers.  Our Lord, in a deep theological discussion with the woman at the well, promises that he is the living water from heaven...  and he offers her and the Samaritans this as well.  He indeed says salvation is from the Jews, but he is the Messiah, who comes to reunite the divided kingdom -- And it is the reunited Jews (from Judah and Samaria), he is preaching and bringing back into the fold.  When Our Lord tells the woman all about herself, she feels welcomed and understood. He is filled with compassion for her suffering. Is he comparing her to the experiences of Joseph, whose suffering at the hands of his brothers and his being sold into slavery in Egypt eventually led to the salvation of his family and his people?  Was Our Lord assuring the lady that her suffering and pain over all these years will be healed by his ministry and inclusion? Through her inexplicable suffering, the Lord, the water of life, was giving not only her but her whole township new and eternal life... and reunion with the one Kingdom of Israel.

The most amazing part of this encounter is when Jesus says to her: "We worship in Jerusalem, and you on this mountain here..." (which sounds initially very inflexible and with no room to move for either "side")... but then he adds something that astounds and amazes everyone:   "but there will come a time when we will worship not on this or that mountain, but will worship God in Spirit and Truth."  That time has already come through Christ, who is the living temple and from whom the waters of life flow to all. Christ, again finds ways of healing, reconnecting and unifying all people, not through compromise, but from a thoroughly liberating wider perspective and way of truth and life where all sides can move forward as God's people.  Jesus' example shows us that the solution to division and disagreement is compassion, respect, listening, healing, and lovingly being open to the fullness of vision that doesn't stand on narrow refusal to have a meeting of heart and mind. 
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly;

The Samaritan Woman Reconsidered. Kindle Edition. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg  (Author), Pinchas Shir (Editor), Ludmila Lizorkina (Editor). ISBN: 1713300362. December 1, 2019;

Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1630381168   - OHRID, MACEDONIA - MAY 04, 2019: Jesus and the Samaritan woman, fresco in the Church of Saint Paraskeva of the Balkans near Saint Naum Monastery, Ohrid in Macedonia - Important information - Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Zvonimir Atletic


Third Sunday of Lent. Year A  (Sunday, March 12, 2023)  (EPISODE: 410)
The Lord be with you.
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{{May Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Praise and Worship of our God. On this Third Sunday of Lent. Year A

My brothers and sisters, trusting in God's mercy and love, let us call to mind our sins.
option two on the cards/ Have mercy on us, O Lord./ For we have sinned against you./ Show us, O Lord, your mercy. 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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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Ps 95:1-2, 6-7b, 7c-9. "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 4:42+15). Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord you are truly the Saviour of the World. Give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
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PREFACE: Samaritan Woman
Euch II
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 4 )

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{thanks everyone. And may God sustain you with his grace and love.}

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: 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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Second Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 5, 2023 (EPISODE: 409)

Second Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 5, 2023 (EPISODE: 409)

Readings for Sunday, 5 March 2023
FIRST READING: Gen 12:1-4a (diff)
Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22. "Lord let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."
SECOND READING: 2 Tim 1:8b-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 17:5). Glory and Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! From the shining cloud the Father's voice was heard.  This is my beloved Son, hear him.
GOSPEL: Matt 17:1-9 – Transfiguration

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1226210515 - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - OCTOBER 13, 2018: The fresco of Transfiguration of the Lord in church Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla na Vyšehrade by S. G. Rudl (1895). Important information- Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily) for the Second Sunday of Lent. Year A - Sunday, March 5, 2023 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-second-sunday-of-lent-year-a-episode-409/s-fnF3w3xCdOg  
(EPISODE: 409)
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The Transfiguration of Our Lord on the mountain is another powerful affirmation that the Messiah, God's Son, truly is intended to walk the path of suffering and give his life on the Cross and, by this means, achieve glory and our salvation.  it was so difficult for both disciples and opponents alike to get rid of their preconceived ideas that the Messiah would come in power and military victory and that God's approval would be shown by showering Jesus with success, spectacle and worldly power.  Already Our Lord has had to correct Peter about the path of Calvary he must take. Glory and affirmation would come through his faithful endurance of so much sacrificing love.  This mountaintop experience is a powerful but brief confirmation that Jesus is on the right path. A difficult path. 
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In the gospel, we are told that Jesus shone like pure light… and the aspect of his face was changed….

In the Old Testament, we hear of Moses' face shining with light after praying to God.

In the case of Jesus, the transfiguration reveals what was the case all the time, but not always obvious…. That Jesus is truly God and truly human. And that his glory as God would be revealed again in and through his suffering, death, resurrection and ascension.

In the case of Moses, his shining face is slightly different from Our Lord's radiant face. Jesus' light shines from within his own divine nature. Whilst Moses' face is "reflected light." (Moses is reflecting that glory which he had experienced in his prayerful encounter with the presence of God and in his worship of God).

The fact is, Jesus wasn't actually momentarily glorified... He was always glorious… He was always "shining brightly"… In every moment of his life… 

He was, at all times, utterly alive with the glory of being both fully God and fully human… However, most of the time, people only perceived an ordinary-looking man, seemingly just another person walking the same dusty roads as everyone else. The disciples only glimpsed this inner glory occasionally. but it was always there… It didn't come and go at different times of his life, even if it was more evident at some high points than at other times. Christ shone with glory in what he did and in, what he said, and his priorities and teachings….. He was glorious in the "everyday and the ordinary," as well as the extraordinary.  The three Apostles' mountaintop glimpse of Christ's abiding glory teaches us to see and hear with the eyes of faith. the apostles were encouraged to keep looking for the recognition of his truth even when they came back down from the mountaintop to the ordinary and the every day as well as the challenging and the awful moments of life. 

In this revelation of Christ, the Heavenly father says…  "this is my son… I am well pleased with him… listen to him!"   -  … This invites us to  a deep, new openness to see and hear the "new" and the "different." Christ is inviting to go much deeper and to see what lies within. 

If we are to accept Jesus' glorification truly, we must also accept the advice that went along with it. We must do what he tells us to do; (and live as he has taught us).

One scripture commentator asks a good question about what the disciples saw on the mountaintop. "Was Jesus transformed, or were his disciples' eyes opened?" That is, on one particular day, for a few precious seconds, they glimpsed fully and astoundingly the glorious truth about their friend and teacher, Jesus - the Truth that was always there to be seen  – Whether realised by others or not

Even though the Transfiguration of our Lord is a rather unique moment of revelation about the divine nature of Christ, we Christians, not unlike Moses, shine with this light of Christ in us.

We have received the light of Christ at our baptism -  we are children of the Light. We carry the light of Christ to all we meet….

We are called to shine that light for all to see so that people can, in turn, worship God, the source of that light…

We have seen, throughout the generations, people whose lives have been truly transfigured by God's love and grace…. They are people we have known who truly shine with God's love and graciousness…. People who certainly do seem to radiate God's love, forgiveness, compassion and kindness…- their faces almost literally shine… And it is not the glow of good health, or a good moisturiser, or the radiance of good fortune.... or even the glow of youth. Since many of these saints have shown that inner glow- A radiating love-  I am sure WE have all met people like this - people who shine out with God's love even though age, extreme ill health and misfortune are very much part of their daily lives… It is nothing short of a miracle- and it is truly God's grace that shines out….

Sadly, we have probably all come across some who do not radiate this light- this grace… and we pray that no matter what is happening in our lives, we can all shine forth that serenity and grace that is implanted in our hearts by our loving and faithful God.

May this lent enlighten all of us so that we may, no matter what our situation, radiate God's love and light to all … / May the light of Christ expose all those dark and false areas of our lives. Things that distract and misdirect us -  leading us away from the light of God's love and self-forgetting service) ……

After all, this is our calling; this is the gift God gives to us…. And this is our final destiny… to be with God, in Jesus, who is light from light!!!

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References:

Homily  Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1226210515 - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - OCTOBER 13, 2018: The fresco of Transfiguration of the Lord in church Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla na Vyšehrade by S. G. Rudl (1895). Important information- Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova


Second Sunday of Lent. Year A  (Sunday, March 5, 2023)  (EPISODE: 409)
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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{{May Our Lord's courage, uphold you.}} welcome everyone, we gather -  To take time to reflect upon the meaning of God's word for our everyday lives. On this Second Sunday of Lent. Year A

My friends in Christ, to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us first acknowledge our sins.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault,* through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
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 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22. "Lord let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 17:5). Glory and Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! From the shining cloud the Father's voice was heard.  This is my beloved Son, hear him.
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PREFACE: Transfiguration of the Lord
Reconciliation II
Communion side.  pwk: 
(theme variation: 3 )

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{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflectying upon God's goodness and care.}

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++