Paul's Reflections Twenty - second Sunday of the Year - A. 28th August, 2011

28th August, 2011      Twenty - second Sunday of the Year - A

 

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Just a reminder that we are now using ALL of the new translation responses for all SPOKEN responses in all parts of the mass.   Please bring along your supplemental missals or make use of the pew cards around the church. 

 

It is really helpful to “watch the texts carefully”.

 

Some texts that seem similar have minor changes to them that can trip the unwary.  If in doubt and you are not sure of the new responses and you aren’t close to a card, it might be advisable to say the responses quietly. If you make a mistake and say the old one, don’t worry..  it take a while to get used to something we have been saying for forty years…    if possible, don’t start again and say the new one, just catch up, or else “go inaudible”  - or else it will trip those around you too… 

 

We are all doing very well, I think. It is just a learning curve….

 

Anyone who is attending our nursing home masses,  it’s too difficult to expect many residents there to change to the new mass, so let’s allow the residents to set the pace there..  we can say our new responses inaudibly..  to save confusion…

 

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The gospel this weekend is very challenging. 

 

St Peter has just declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen one, and the Son of God.  Jesus has rewarded this inspired declaration with the statement that he will build his church on Peter’s rock-solid profession of faith and upon Peter’s leadership.

 

But now, only moments later, Jesus is rebuking Peter. Calling him a stumbling block.

 

This is very, very important.

 

How easy it is to go from being someone who is supporting the vision, to being an unwitting barrier or obstacle to the project!!   Very sobering stuff!!

 

It reminds me of something.  I often joke around that when it is time for me to meet my maker, I want them to put on my headstone these words:  “HE MEANT WELL !” 

 

That tickles me for some reason!    And isn’t it so true.   So often, people do the things they do with the best of intentions. People rarely do actions to be deliberately mean and spiteful nd destructive. They often do things for a good motive, but sometimes that is misguided.    If someone had an epitaph “he meant well’  it kind of makes one raise the eyebrows and say…  ‘oh dear, I wonder what went wrong.”

 

Poor St Peter. HE MEANT WELL.  He pulled Jesus Aside and said to him he MUST not go and be executed in Jerusalem. This MUST NOT HAPPEN.  Peter meant well. He loved and respected his master and wanted to protect him and preserve his life. He was trying to be a good friend, but he unwittingly was becoming an obstacle to Jesus because Peter did not understand that Jesus’ whole mission was to sacrifice his life for the salvation of all. HE MUST go to Jerusalem and be handed over and sacrificed. Peter MUSt NOT get in his way or try to stop him, or he will be nothing but a stumbling block to be gotten over.  

 

I find it very helpful to always keep in mind that good intentions are not the be all and end all. Sometimes meaning well can end up defeating the purpose of what we are here for.

 

I think as Christians, inspired by the situation Peter found himself in today, we have to prayerfully and carefully always contemplate..

What kind of disciple are we?

 

I think that there are two types of disciple…..… the “helpful” disciple… and the (for want of a better word) “overly helpful” disciple.  

 

The helpful disciple watches and listens and learns from our Lord and does anything to serve our master in his mission of building up the Kingdom.

 

Whereas, the ‘overly helpful’ disciple falls into St Peter’s trap of thinking they are helping but aren’t really watching and listening….   And don’t comprehend the mission….. and so, end up doing the exact opposite of what God is actually trying to achieve.

 

Today’s gospel demands of us deep and regular prayer, contemplation and reflection, so that we can be a rock, and not a block…  and that we can not only “mean well” but also “achieve well” when we act according to the Lord’s vision. 

 

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REFERENCES:

 

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

 

 

Paul's Reflections 21st August, 2011 Twenty - first Sunday of the Year - A

21st  August, 2011      Twenty - first Sunday of the Year - A

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Just a reminder that its important that you bring along your mass supplements for the new translation of the mass..  there are published copies and also some photocopied sheets with all the new parts.  From now on; whenever we SPEAK any responses, they will all be the new response.  If we sing any responses, we will take our cues from the musicians and they may for the time being be the old translations.  

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It is nice to have our reconciliation candidates with us this weekend and their families.   They are beginning their classes to prepare to receive their first Reconciliation… //  which itself is the prerequisite to their next year:  making of the sacrament of Confirmation and making their first holy communion.

In the Gospel Jesus gives St Peter, the first amongst the apostles, the keys to the Kingdom..  Jesus says…   “whatever you bind on earth, will be considered bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth, will be considered loosed in Heaven.”  Jesus invests upon St Peter, and his succesors, the popes…   and upon his holy Church, the power to bind and set free..    He does this built upon the solid rock of the confession of faith that St Peter gives and answer to Jesus’ question: “who do people say I am?”    Peter says: You are the “Christ, The Son of the living God”.

So, it is not just Peter, the apostle that Jesus is calling Rock!.  It is not just Peter alone  upon whom Jesus is building his Church upon solid rock. Also, and just as importantly. Jesus builds his church on the solid rock of the truth of the profession of faith that Peter makes and that we all make too. 

The church is BUILT upon the solid foundation of the profession of faith that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the chosen one. Jesus IS the Son of God who shows us what God is like. Jesus is the one who forgives our sins and sacrifices his life so that we may be saved. That we may be restored to God’s house.  Jesus is the one who invites us to share in God’s gifts and promises and if we accept, we become Jesus’ brothers and sisters. We become Jesus’ disciples and children of God - Part of God’s family forever.

There is another time in the Gospel that Jesus says similar words… it is when Jesus first appears to the gathered disciples  and he breathes on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whatever sins you forgive, they are forgiven.”   This is why the church believes and professes that Jesus has given the church the power to forgive sins on his behalf. And assure people of God’s mercy and forgiveness when they do the wrong thing and sin.  This is what we celebrate in first reconciliation, which is a celebration of God’s forgiveness and mercy and that God loves us. God will always love us. When we wander away and sin.. Jesus, the good shepherd searches for us until he finds us and welcomes us home.

I love the second reading. It is a wonderful hymn of praise and wonder to God. St Paul says, basically: “whatever happens to us and to all God’s people,… God’s mercy and faithful love is constant and everlasting.   For this we should never cease to thank and praise God.

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REFERENCES:

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        Break Open the Word. Liturgical Commission. 2011.

Paul's Reflections ST MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH DEBUTANTE BALL

ST MARY’S CATHOLIC PARISH DEBUTANTE BALL. SPEECH BY FR. PAUL KELLY. PARISH PRIEST OF ST MARY’S CATHOLIC PARISH.

 

(I silently dedicated this speech and this year’s 2011 Parish Debutante Ball to the memory of parishioner Len Byrne, who passed away suddenly today. He was in my prayers and thoughts as I gave this speech. I also keep his wife Marj and their family in my prayers and thoughts. PWK).

 

Distinguished Guests, Friends, Debutantes and your partners…   

Congratulations to you on this very special night.

 

The ever-increasing number of debutantes participating in this event, is an ongoing testimony to the importance and relevance of this wonderful night.

 

This is the 82^nd annual St Mary’s Catholic Parish Debutante Ball.   A truly extraordinary milestone. And in this year where the parish celebrates its 150^th anniversary.

I would also like to say a special word of thanks to Mayor Mick Kruger who has been present at our special 150^th anniversary celebrations including the parish, and the college and the primary school. And, this night is another special part of that celebration of 150 years of St Mary’s Parish, Maryborough.

 

Although this is the Catholic Debutante Ball, It’s wonderful that there is a beautiful variety of faith traditions represented in our debutantes, their families and in our many wonderful volunteers…   all working in perfect harmony, friendship and goodwill..  This too is a symbol of what tonight represents: unity in diversity. Celebrating grace and respect.

I know that your families are rightly so proud of you, and we join in giving thanks for you and look forward with enormous hope and optimism to what you will all contribute in your adult lives, for the greater good of the community. 

 

Tonight is an opportunity for an enjoyable night of formality, grace and poise.  

There are not many opportunities such as this where one can engage so beautifully in a formal occasion where style, formality, etiquette, and dance are perfectly combined.

Equally importantly, because this is a Catholic parish event of such long standing, it is a wonderful, annual opportunity for the Catholic community to give a special and formal word of encouragement, support and best wishes to you, (our young participants) and your families. It is an honour and a joy to say to you, (on behalf of the whole Parish and Catholic school community, with principals Joy and Nathan from the St Mary’s College and the St Mary’s Primary) :  CONGRATULATIONS! And you have our best wishes and prayers for you…..now and into your wonderful future. It is all ahead of you!  May your future be blessed. 

 

May Our Lord Jesus, who is the ultimate example of true graciousness – (especially in the way he related to and treated those he met -  With respect, kindness and gentleness), be a wonderful guide for your lives… 

 

And may style and graciousness always be welcome companions throughout your journey of life.

On this, your special night, you stand ready to take your place in adult society: comfortable and engaged in both formal and informal events in society.  This night is a celebration of that!

 

May God bless you always -    and bless everyone who has taken part in and (in so many ways) assisted in making 82 memorable years of graciousness!

 

Paul's Reflections Seniors Week Ecumenical Liturgy 9.30am Friday the 19th August, 2011. St Mary's Catholic Church, Maryborough

SENIORS WEEK ECUMENICAL LITURGY. Homily by Fr Paul.

 

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to fulfil it" (Spanish philosopher, George Santanaya)

 

What our society needs more than ever at this time, is a collective memory….   Remembering the wisdom and the mistakes of the past. Fostering the values and principles and protocols learnt from generations of people, about how to do things and how NOT to do things.

 

There have been many versions of the next saying too….   I have adapted it…

 

A society can be judged by not only how it treats its most vulnerable…  but also how it regards and treats its most senior and junior members…. 

 

Even though this celebration is called seniors week…  it is truly an opportunity of people of every age to celebrate the gift and wisdom and contribution and value of our elder members of the community.  

 

In many cultures and countries, the senior members of the community are revered and deeply respected for their seniority and wisdom ..  and that shows through in the bible .. some passages of which we have shared today….

 

Jesus showed a deep respect for all people of all ages and criticised those who did not follow their duty towards their parents and older people.

 

When we speak of ‘respect’, I suppose there is a danger that in  ‘revering’ and ‘respecting’ our older members, there is a danger that those words and definitions can be used to put people in categories and leave them on a pedestal and not allow them to be themselves… 

 

The celebration today and this week are all about not being restrictive in our definitions or categorisation of people… and to keep fostering a society that never tries to marginalise or minimise the full participation of people of all ages in the community…  and for all ages to be open and listening to the truth of the people around us,…

 

 May God inspire us to respect, cherish, thank and be open to our senior members  ….    And may God bless you with health, happiness, vitality, protection and respect now and always.

 

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SENIORS WEEK LITURGY

Welcome:  (By Ann-Maree Hasselbach. MaDCOTA Project Co-Ordinator.)

Opening Hymn: Praise my Soul the King of Heaven (AOV 78)

Praise my Soul, The King of Heaven

 

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To his feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, re-stored, forgiven, Evermore his praises sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise him for his grace and favour. To his children in distress; Praise him still the same as ever,  Slow to chide and swift to bless:  Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness.

3. Father like he tends and spares us;  Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hand he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet his mercy     flows.

4.      Angels, help us to adore him; You behold  him face to face; Sun and moon bow down          before him,  In his holy dwelling place.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God

         of Grace.

Composer: H. Lyte/J.Goss. Traditional. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Copyright Word of Life Int. Licence 1948E

 

Fr Paul:  Let us together recite these Scripture passages:

·       ¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. ³ “‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.³² “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. <Leviticus (19: 1, 3,12,15-18, 30,32,37>

 

 

·       A psalm.

¹ It is good to praise the LORD 
   and make music to your name, O Most High, 
² proclaiming your love in the morning 
   and your faithfulness at night, 
³ to the music of the ten-stringed lyre 
   and the melody of the harp.

 

⁴ For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; 
   I sing for joy at what your hands have done. 
⁵ How great are your works, LORD, 
   how profound your thoughts! 

 ¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, 
   they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 
¹³ planted in the house of the LORD, 
   they will flourish in the courts of our God. 

¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age, 
   they will stay fresh and green, 
¹⁵ proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; 
   he is my Rock.”

·       “Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.” (Job 32:7)

·       I have created you and cared for you since you were born.  I will be your God through all your lifetime, Yes, even when your hair is white with age.  I made you and I will care for you.” (Isaiah 46:3b-4a LB).

 

 

Opening Prayer: (Fr Paul)

 

Loving God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the alpha and the Omega.

You are the beginning and the end of all things.

Lord God, you have been with us always;

You walk along with us on our pilgrimage of life.

We thank you today for the blessing of the years.

Your grace has been with us from generation to generation.

We thank you for the life and renewal you give us in every decade.

Your love for us knows no bounds.

Graciously hear the prayers we make today, in this Seniors Week ecumenical celebration.

Bless all senior members of our community.

May they receive the respect and friendship and care that they need.

May they always know they are valued members of the community, whose wisdom we respect and for which we seek.

Grant them health, safety, care, vitality and continue to build them up into cherished, participating members of our wider community.

We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

A reading from the first book of Kings (3:3ff). (Read by Barbara Paterson)

                                  .

King Solomon loved the Lord and followed the instructions of his father King David, and he also made many offerings to God on various altars. That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?”

 Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relations with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place.  O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule.  Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted.  So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”

 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this,  and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. But I will give you more than you have asked for. I will make you rich and respected.

You will be the most famous king of your time.

And if you obey me and keep all my laws and commands,

as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

The Word of the Lord.

 

All:  Thanks be to God.

 

 

Psalm:  (Read by Donna Suter)

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.   

 

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my saviour. R.

 

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

In your love remember me,

because of your goodness, O Lord. R.

 

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path;

he teaches his way to the poor. R.

 

 

From the Letter to the Colossians (3:8-16)  (Read by Pat Brown)

 

You have taken off the old self with its habits and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.  As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.   You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.  The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.  Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

The Word of the Lord.

 

All:  Thanks be to God.

 

 

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew (5:14-16) (read by Fr Paul)

 

Jesus said to his disciples: You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lamp-stand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

All:  Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Homily :

 

Reflection Hymn:  The Servant Song GA 487

 

The Servant Song

1. Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

2. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

3. I will hold the Christ light for you in the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out

to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

4.      I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow ‘til we’ve seen this journey through.

Composer: R. Gillard.

 

 

 

Prayers of the Faithful:   (Read by Donna Suter)

·       For all senior members of our community. That they may be respected and valued and feel safe and cherished. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For our older indigenous people in this land and throughout the world. That they may be respected and treasured for their wisdom, their culture and heritage. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For our older members who are experiencing ill health or troubles in their older age. May they be given healing, strength and peace.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For young people everywhere. That they be filled with hope and wisdom by learning from their elders and listening to their wisdom. May people of all ages work in partnership and respect and learn from eachother. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

 

·       Let us pray for all who, after a long life, have now gone to their eternal reward in heaven. May the following generations continue in their good work, inspired by God’s grace. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

 

 

LORD’S PRAYER

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER (FR PAUL).

Lord,

bring to perfection within us the unity and friendship we share in this celebration of seniors week.

Bless all older people and give them health, wisdom, joy and grace.

May our celebration and thanksgiving of your gifts renew our hearts and minds and have an effect in our lives.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

·       Everyone is welcome to come to the Parish hall next door for refreshments.

 

Blessing prayer: (Fr Paul).

May the Lord bless you and keep you:

May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

 

And may almighty God bless us, now and always, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Recessional Hymn: May God Bless & Keep You (AOV 177)

May God bless and keep you.

May God’s face shine on you.

May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

Music by Christopher Walker. © 1988. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Copyright Word of Life Int. Licence 1948E

 

 

 

 

Paul's Reflections ASSUMPTION MASS 9.30AM 15TH AUGUST , 2011. ST MARYS MARYBOROUGH. COMBINED SCHOOLS MASS.

ASSUMPTION MASS  9.30AM 15TH AUGUST , 2011. ST MARYS MARYBOROUGH. COMBINED SCHOOLS MASS.

(FEAST DAY OF ST MARY'S PARISH, MARYBOROUGH).

 

Today's feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven...  is the feast-day of the parish and the schools.....   

Mary, the Mother of God, is a wonderful example for us of Christian discipleship... of being a good follower and friend of Jesus...

It is fitting, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our parish...  that the first parish priest, was Fr Paul Tissot; a priest from the French religious order called the Assumptionists....  so the assumption feast day would be very special for his order...  and here we are 150 years later...  and more than 150 years after the first catholic school was started here in the parish.... continuing the wonderful tradition.

This year, we have had some absolutely wonderful celebrations of what makes our community so special.....

        April 1^st, blessing of the new Sacred Heart Science and Language Block. Bishop Finnigan conducted the blessing. Senator John Hogg

<    AUGUST 12TH, 2011.  JACK MCKAY CENTRE...   BISHOP FINNIGAN AND SENATOR JOHN HOGG

    July 24^th…….THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARISH CELEBRATION...  THANKS TO STUDENTS AND STAFF FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT

 

<!    the parish Debutante Ball (form the past and the one coming up this FRIDAY .

All these events have evoked notable comment on how wonderful they were…  how memorable and truly beautiful………  They all displayed a  WONDERFUL SENSE OF JOY AND GENEROSITY....  AND POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT... IT’S WHAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY...  ST MARY'S SCHOOLS AND PARISH..  REALLY SPECIAL...

 

I BELIEVE IT COMES FROM A CLEAR AND POSITIVE SENSE OF OUR MISSION TO BE INSTRUMENTS OF JESUS' LOVE, AND CARE IN THE COMMUNITY WE LIVE....

 

the gospel today is a little shocking at first hearing......     Jesus' family....   his mother and his brothers come to visit him while he is preaching...   and they can't get inside because of the crowd...  someone tells Jesus his mother and brothers are waiting for him outside and he says...  'who are my mother, my brothers ???? .. they are anyone who hears Jesus' words and follows them....

 

What would Mary's reaction be to that?????

 

(?)

 

I imagine Mary could be offended. What did your son mean? My mother and brothers are anyone who hears my words and believes them, but Mary is a wonderful example to us.  

 

Her reaction was clearly, "Okay, then I shall be his mother and his disciple and his friend....    I will be all...  and she was...  a wonderful mother, a wonderful disciple and friend to Jesus...   

 

and so, at the end of Mary's earthly life, Mary was given by God the immediate reward of being taken into heaven, body and soul ...  as a foretaste of what will be our reward at the end of time....

 

Let us ask Mary on this special feast day.. to continue to pray for us at St Mary's parish and schools.. that we may also be wonderful disciples, friends and brothers and sisters of Jesus..... 

 

 

Paul's Reflections 20th Sunday of the Year. - A

14th August, 2011      20th Sunday of the Year. - A

 

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I invite the collectors to take up the ordinary first collection now. This collection coming around is for the support of the priests of the archdiocese…    , then at the gifts time, the offertory, we will be taking up the special seminary education appeal collection…  and after communion…  the collection will be the ordinary ‘’second collection’’ which is for the running expenses of this parish here and its mission.  

 

As the ordinary first collection is going around, I will just say a few words about the special Seminary appeal collection…..

There are envelopes on the seats, and if you could please pass those envelopes down to others on the pew..    any support you can give for the training of seminarians to the priesthood would be gratefully accepted.  It takes a lot of time and resources to train priests and with such a shortage at the moment..  the prayerful and financial support is as necessary as ever… 

 

There are currently 23 men in various stages of formation at Holy Spirit Seminary. The Holy Spirit Seminary Appeal covers needs such as building maintenance, insurances, cleaning, electricity, food, accommodation, and education.

Please give generously towards investing in the Queensland tradition of training priests for Queensland parishes.

 

All donations of $2- and over to the Seminary Building & Maintenance Fund are tax deductible. 

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The readings this weekend remind us of one of the key teachings and attitudes of Jesus….   Which reveal to us, a central value and attitude in the life of the Holy Trinity:  and that is openness, inclusion and welcome.  Love that reaches out and is always open to the other and to yet one more person being part of the family.  Jesus shows us God’s nature as inclusive, welcoming, compassionate, forgiving and flexible to be able to respond to the other and their need. God’s values are constant, eternal and powerful, and at the same time, God is open and responsive.  Wonderful!  

 

Whenever we come across situations that are restrictive, unlistening, unwelcoming and exclusive, then it is very likely that the value is not resonating with Jesus’ teachings.   The church,  in obedience and in imitation to the Lord, is always striving to be a welcoming, compassionate, open and inclusive community.

 

The faith of that lady who persisted in asking Jesus for what she needed is sadly in stark contrast with the response many of Jesus’ own people were giving him. Many of his own people were rejecting him.  And here was a lady from a different place and a different religion who knows she is taking a risk in even approaching him,  and keeps persisting even when she gets noticeable rebuff from the disciples and even by Jesus’ initial response.  

 

The lady persists because she KNOWS that Jesus is the one who can help. She knows that he is the messiah who will welcome the chosen ones to his table. And she hopes and prays that her faith in him and her proximity to the table will be enough to share in the blessings of the table.   And she is RIGHT.  Jesus does not merely say, you can enjoy the scraps that fall from the chosen one’s table…  you can join that.  What faith, what persistence! 

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REFERENCES:

 

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        MISSION 2000  – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J.

 

 

Paul's Reflections Eighteenth Sunday of the Year - A

31st July, 2011      Eighteenth Sunday of the Year - A

 

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Twelve million people are facing a horrifying hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa, (Somalia and the surrounding countries), and they are in desperate for food, water and safe shelter.

One can't help thinking of the plight of millions of people there and in many other places in the world, when we hear this weekend's gospel.

The disciples come to Jesus to ask what they are going to do about meeting the needs of so many people.

Jesus tells them to do something about it themselves.

But, of course, they cannot achieve such a difficult job unless they stay close to Jesus and do what he tells them.

The gospel reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we must always keep in mind the vision of Jesus: compassion and concern for people around us.

Two thousand years (and more) after Jesus walked the earth and preached the good news, it could be easy to forget that the church is never meant to be merely a sleek, mechanical business, efficiently providing needed services and assitance, (as if it were a carefully packaged product, perfected over the last two thousand years-  and after all that time, - and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, - the catholic church and its members does many (many) things very, very well and very effectively!). But we keep in mind, from today’s Gospel, that the church is, (first and foremost), an instrument of Jesus' love and compassion; which then flows out into practical action; to respond to the needs we see surrounding us.

Jesus was able to change direction and adapt to changing situations by always putting people first and 'processes' second.

What the world needs more than ever, is followers of Jesus who convey the inclusive, compassionate, forgiving love of God to everyone we meet.

It is true that the world has become very civilised in many ways, but you only have to turn on the TV to see examples (here and abroad) of baying crowds calling out for mob justice, based on simplistic, half-baked assumptions. I wonder what Jesus would say about that kind of behaviour?  Jesus' message didn't ever side with hysterical or simplistic mob mentalities. In fact, things were often to have gone right off the rails whenever people did resort to that behaviour in the scriptures.  Nothing has changed these many years later. 

Jesus is still at work in our lives and in the world; inspiring people of goodwill everywhere to respond with compassion and practical action to help the starving, the homeless, the guilty, the dispossessed, the ill.. and so many others in need.

Let us always remember Jesus advice... "YOU give them something to eat, yourselves!"

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REFERENCES:

 

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        Plus, Break Open the Word

 

Paul's Reflections 150th anniversary. (saturday night Mass) Seventeenth Sunday of the Year - A

24th July, 2011      Seventeenth Sunday of the Year - A

 

P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary

 

150^th anniversary of St Mary’s Parish. (Saturday Night Mass: Homily by FR Paul Kelly)

 

On this very day, (the 23^rd day of July, 1861),  the newly arrived Bishop of Brisbane, James Quinn, and two French Priests,  Fr Paul Tissot and Fr Renehan, boarded the steamer named the Clarence en route to Maryborough, and arrived two days later, and stayed several days.  

 

In fact, this weekend celebrates that Fr Paul Tissot remained here from that time on and became on the 25^th July the first permanent Parish Priest of Maryborough.  Here we are 150 years later and what a joyous occasion we celebrate this weekend and in particular tomorrow when Archbishop John will preside at a Mass of thanksgiving.  

 

We thank God for the enormous blessingsn and graces he has poured upon generations of people in this town and the surrounding regions, through God’s action in the church and in the people who form the body of Christ in this place.   We humbly continue on this good work started so long ago.

 

In masses this weekend we give thanks for the countless blessings bestowed on this community and the many people:  parishioners, community members, fellow church denominations and their pastors, civic leaders, priests, religious and friends who have cooperated with what God has been doing in this place.

 

We ask for continued blessings upon our town and the people who live and work here. Lord, grant success to the work of our hands.

 

The readings are perfect for this celebration and ironically they are the ones set for this ordinary season of the year. But they could not be better chosen.  

 

In the first reading, God offers Solomon anything he desires.  We could think of many things we could ask of God if given complete freedom. Yet, al he asks for is an understanding heart: wisdom. And God readily grants it.  In the end, money, long-life, prestige, does not mean a thing if we live our lives in ignorance and without an understanding and lovingheart. Striving to do God’s will in this time and place, as our forebears did before us, with God’s grace.

 

Today, we continue to ask for this gift. Lord, above all, grant us wisdom of heart, so that we may serve you in faithfulness all our days, to your greater glory.

 

I love the gospel… the parable of the treasure buried in the field…     This parish, this church is a treasure planted in a field…   and of course as beautiful as it is, its much more than the beauty of the building… it’s the presence of God that it represents and it’s the symbol od Christian dedication and grace that it proclaims…    James Cleary and his fellow Christians believes so much in the gospel, and in Christian education and in the need for the physical presence of the Church community in the life of the city that they put their time, energy and money into working for God’s glory in establishing this catholic community which we are part of today…  

 

It was worth selling everything to obtain.. and the gospel continues to be priceless and precious and worth all our efforts to this day and beyond…

 

May God, who has so graciously accompanied and given success to our work so often in the past, continue this good work in us and bring it to perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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REFERENCES:

 

·       FR. PAUL W. KELLY