Friday, September 28, 2012

Paul's Reflections 371 : Police Remembrance Day 2012 St Mary's Church 10am

We had the honour of hosting National Police Remembrance Day for the local community here in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Maryborough this year at a ten am ecumenical ceremony.

The service and the homily I gave are printed below. It is a long file, so please be aware if trying to print out.

NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY

ORDER OF SERVICE

28th SEPTEMBER 2012

10:00AM

ST MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

269 Adelaide Street,

MARYBOROUGH

The procession

(Congregation to stand for the procession)

Piper plays

Clergy enter

Flag party pageant

(Please remain standing for The National Anthem)

The National Anthem

Australians all let us rejoice

For we are young and free,

We've golden soil and wealth for toil;

Our home is girt by sea.

Our land abounds in nature's gifts

of beauty rich and rare.

In history's page, let every stage

Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing

Advance Australia Fair.

(Remain standing please)

Church welcome

Police Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

The Lord be with you

All respond: And also with you

(All be seated please)

Welcome to all Police and Police staff and your families, and Members of the retired Police associations, Members of Parliament both State and Federal, Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor O’Connell, and council members. Representatives from the Returned Services League sub-branches, Emergency Services groups, fellow religious pastors and representatives from their church communities, school and community groups. And a special and heartfelt welcome and prayers for all Family and friends of Police officers who gone to their eternal rest. Our thoughts are especially with you today.

Welcome to everyone.

Opening prayer

Police Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

(Let us pray:

Almighty God, we acknowledge that you are the giver of all life, and Lord of all that exists. We meet today in your name to remember those men and women who have served in the police services throughout Australia and the South West Pacific Region, and whose lives have been lived and lost in the effort to bring peace, security and justice into society. We pray that in the heart of a grateful people their memory will never fade and that their examples will continue to inspire the cause of selfless goodwill among all people. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. )

Commissioner’s Message

Mr Bruce McNab

Acting Superintendent of Maryborough Police District

Police Commissioner Atkinson highlighted the inherent risks faced by police officers everyday as they provide for the safety and security of Queensland and acknowledged the tireless work of all QPS members, taking into account the diversity of Queensland.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as we honour their memories on National Police Remembrance Day,” Commissioner Atkinson said.

“At the beginning of each shift, every officer faces uncertainty as to what may occur. The QPS operates 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year; and we have at least 15,000 interactions with the public every day.

“No matter how experienced, skilled, equipped, or courageous an officer may be, at times fate and circumstances will conspire resulting in the serious injury or tragic death of an officer,” Commissioner Atkinson said.

“During tragic times that we have faced as a Service, we have seen, and are very grateful for the great support of the Queensland community,” he said.

Commissioner Atkinson acknowledged the loss this year to the Rixon family and New South Wales Police Force of the death of Senior Constable David Rixon, 40 years. He was fatally shot on 2 March in Tamworth, NSW.

2012 also holds great significance for the QPS, with the 25th anniversaries of Senior Constable Peter Graham John Kidd’s death in July 1987, Senior Constable Ashley Anderson in June 1987, the 50th anniversary of Constable Douglas Wrembeck in August 1962 and the 50th anniversary of Constable Gregory Olive in February 1962.

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{Additional information:

(fiftieth anniversary: Constable G.J. Olive 1962; Constable D.W. Wrembeck 1962.

Twenty-fifth anniversary: Senior Constable A.P. Anderson 1987; Senior Constable P.G.J. Kidd 1987; Senior Constable P.A. Wegner 1987)}

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Prayer of Confession

Police Chaplain Rev Brian Hoole

Chaplain: Let us confess our sins to almighty God.

All respond: Lord God, we thank you for your mercy which reaches out to touch us, and for your love that is ever ready to forgive us. We confidently ask for forgiveness for those things that are wrong in our society, and for those things that have distracted us from the duties which are ours. Father forgive and strengthen us to do your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Chaplain: The gospel by which we seek to live, states clearly that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. On the authority of this gospel I declare to all who truly repent: In Jesus you are forgiven! For which we give glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Hymn

Amazing Grace!

John Newton 1725-1807 Public Domain

Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear,

the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come;

‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’d first begun.

(Please be seated)

Ministry of the Word

Acting Inspector Troy Pukallus

Acting Inspector Maryborough Police District

Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle in the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light will become night around me,”

even then the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

(Please stand)

Gospel Reading: Police Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

Chaplain: The Lord be with you.

All respond: And also with you.

Chaplain: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John Chapter 11:17,32-37.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord.” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

This is the word of the Lord.

All Respond: Thanks be to God.

(please be seated)

SERMON

Police Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

In the silence, and with remembering hearts, we mark this special day. The events that we commemorate today, bring up so many thoughts, prayers and memories, - many of them too deep for words. So, I will not speak long today… the moments of respectful silence and silent prayer in our hearts will speak more profoundly than anything today…… and the notes from the music of the piper and the our hymns and readings, express the values that gather us here today…

As we pause today to remember the police who gave their lives in this state, and throughout Australia and Oceania, we also spare a thought and prayer for police officers throughout the world who have died in the service of their community. The list we will hear read out very soon, may our deepest and most heartfelt prayers, feelings and thanksgiving for their abiding memory and peace, reach God’s loving presence…

Their memory lives on… and we believe that their souls live on in eternal life… and 9as scripture says….)….”no greater love has a person than to lay down their life, for their friends”.. even more so, to sacrifice their life in the conduct of their duty to serve and protect..

The tragic loss of any police around the world, resonates with all police everywhere.. so, as we remember the officers of our local and regional memorial roll…. we also call to mind the recent deaths in England… of Constable Nicola HUGHES aged 23 years and Constable Fiona BONE aged 32 years. They were from the Manchester Police and were murdered around the 18^th of September in a gun and grenade ambush at Tameside. And whether it be the recent murder of New South Wales police officer Senior Constable David James Rixon in march this year, or further back in time. The enormity of the sacrifice is not dulled by the passing of time for any of the Police we remember today. Our gratefulness to them, our debt of honour to our fallen, and our thanks to all police who serve or have served in this difficult and challenging vocation, is absolute !

Jesus, is the Lord of the Resurrection, and yet, in the gospel that we just heard, he still wept for his friend Lazarus who had died, even though he knew the truth of eternal life… because Jesus shares our losses and helps us carry our burdens.. and promises ultimate justice to all who call. May this time of remembrance give fitting tribute to the memory of those who have gone into eternal life. And may it give peace and renewal to us who remain, to continue to uphold the values which they kept so bravely.

We will always remember them.

Prayers of Intercession

Police Chaplain Rev Brian Hoole

Chaplain: O Lord our God, you hear our prayers before we speak and answer before we know our need. May your Spirit now inspire us, and draw us to you and to each other.

All: Amen

Chaplain: We pray for the whole of creation: may all things work together for good, and may all human beings act wisely and unselfishly in using the resources which you have provided.

All: Let the whole creation praise you, Lord our God

Chaplain: We pray for peace in the world: Disarm weapons, silence guns, and put out ancient hatreds that smoulder still, or flame in sudden conflict. Create goodwill between every race and nation.

All: Bring peace on earth, O God.

Chaplain: We pray for those who govern us: for those who make and administer our laws. May this country always be a land of free people who welcome truth, righteousness and justice..

All: Govern those who govern us, O God.

Chaplain: We pray for those whose tears are not yet dry, who listen for familiar voices and look for familiar faces: in their loss, may they affirm all that you promise in Jesus, who prepares a place for us within your gracious love..

All: Comfort those who mourn, O God.

(Please Stand)

Chaplain: Conscious that God hears our prayers, let us say together the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom the power and the glory

Forever and ever.

Amen.

(Please be seated)

Act of Remembrance

The Honourable Mention of Queensland Police Staff and Officers

Mr Bruce McNab

Acting Superintendent of Maryborough Police District

The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the contribution of all staff members who have died since National Police Remembrance Day 2011. In doing this we remember them and honour their diligent service. The staff members we remember today are:

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Deborah Eaton

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Paul Colbran

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Jason Geesu

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Chaplain Ernest Lemmon

In silence we remember them.

(Observe 30 seconds of silence)

The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the years of service, commitment and integrity of Retired Police Officers. Their dedicated service over many years has provided safety and justice for the Queensland community.

Together we remember and honour the contribution of retired police officers who have died in the past year.

In silence we remember them. (Observe 30 seconds of silence)

The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the contribution of all serving police officers who have died since National Police Remembrance Day 2011 and whose deaths were not work related. In doing this we remember them and honour the service, courage and integrity with which they served..

The officers we remember today are:

Senior Constable Michael Bryan
Sergeant Nigel McBain
Constable Helen Mitchell
Senior Constable Peter Frith;
Detective Sergeant Kathryn Dorge
Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Salter
Senior Constable Patrick Ring

<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Constable Timothy Lovelock

In silence we remember them.

(Observe 30 seconds of silence)

Reading of the Roll of Honour

Senior Sergeant Paul Behne

(Police officers light a candle at the beginning of the first name and then last name read out reminding us that after physical life there is eternal life.)

In the past 12 months since last National Police Remembrance Day there have been a total of five police officers, from across all Australian jurisdictions and jurisdictions of the South West Pacific Region, who were killed in the line of duty. Joining with police officers and communities around our nation, we honour them.

Roll of Honour 2012

New South Wales

Senior Constable David James Rixon

(Died on 2^nd March 2012, after being fatally shot whilst conducting a traffic stop in Tamworth)

Tasmania

2 historical inclusions

Superintendent Joseph James McCluskey

(drowned in a boating accident on 25^th November 1896)

Chief District Constable William Bennett

(died from a spear wound in the back on 24^th October 1827)

Victoria

1 historical inclusion

First Constable James Norman Brewis

(Died instantly from traffic accident on 28^th November 1954)

Papua New Guinea

First Constable Elmes Travertz

Senior Inspector Charles Parinjo

Sergeant John Negeripa

Constable Justine Wamahombi

Laying of floral tributes

Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

( we now come to the very special time for Laying of Floral tributes, in Remembrance. I invite people and groups to come forward to lay the Floral tributes, as our piper plays a special tribute song)

(PIPER tribute song)

The Police Ode

Senior Sergeant Dan Willett Officer In Charge Hervey Bay Police

(Please Stand)

As the sun surely sets

dawn will see it arise

for service above self

demands its own prize.

You have fought the good fight

life’s race has been run

and peace your reward

for eternity begun.

And we that are left

shall never forget

rest in peace friend and colleague

for the sun has now set.

We will remember.

All: We will remember. Hasten the dawn.

The Requiescant

Music to be played

The Silence

Snr Sgt Willett: They served with honour

All: With honour they served

Reflection and Affirmation

A/Senior Sergeant Hayley Skyring Officer in Charge Maryborough Police

(All say together, please)

Today, we remember and acknowledge the sacrifice of those officers who committed their lives to the safety and security of others.

In recognition of those officers, we affirm our commitment and support to the principles of all those involved in law enforcement - to serve with honour, courage, compassion, integrity and honesty, in the quest to secure a safe environment for all our communities.

Police Chaplain: Rev Brian Hoole

(please stand)

An offering will be taken during this hymn

for the work of Police Legacy

Hymn

How Great Thou Art

Stuart K. Hine 1899-1989

O Lord, my God! When I in awesome wonder

consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:

how great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:

how great thou art! How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

(Please remain standing)

(You are invited to share in light refreshments following the service)

Blessing and Dismissal

Police Chaplain Father Paul Kelly

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; give honour to all; love and serve the Lord; rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.

All: Amen.

Recovery of flags

Recessional

(Clergy, piper, flag party, official guests)

Queensland Remembrance List

Name Year of death

Constable M. Connolly 1861

Constable P.W. Cahill 1867

Constable J.F. Power 1867

Constable A. Wood 1872

Sub-Inspector G. Dyas 1881

Sub-Inspector H.P. Kaye 1881

Cadet Sub-Inspector M. Beresford 1883

Constable W. Dwyer 1883

Constable N. Roberts 1884

Constable J. McMullen 1884

Constable J. Stewart 1885

Senior Constable W. Considine 1887

Constable T.J. Callaghan 1888

Senior Constable A. Wavell 1889

Constable W. Arundell 1890

Constable P.J. Curtin 1891

Constable W.J. Doyle 1891

Constable J. Sangster 1893

Constable E. Lanigan 1894

Constable T.M. Black 1895

Senior Constable W. Conroy 1895

Constable W.G. Clarke 1895

Constable A. Lowe 1896

Constable J. Quinn 1896

Constable R. Roots 1897

Constable P. Cahill 1898

Constable J. Cullen 1901

Constable G. Doyle 1902

Acting Sergeant D. Johnson 1903

Constable C. O'Kearney 1904

Constable A.G. Price 1905

Constable R. Orme 1905

Constable J. Murtagh 1908

Constable P. Ryan 1908

Constable F. Hoge 1908

Sub-Inspector M. Broderick 1909

Constable W.J. Mercer 1910

Constable P.J. McCabe 1913

Constable W. Murray 1913

Constable W. Quinlan 1914

Constable S. Tierney 1914

Constable P.J. Moynihan 1915

Constable D.C. Bourke 1915

Constable W.J. Hughes 1915

Constable J. Johnston 1915

Constable R.N. Ritchie 1915

Constable J.W. Harris 1915

Constable P.C. Vowles 1915

Constable E. Nugent 1915

Constable J. Christiansen 1915

Constable J. Thompson 1916

Constable T. Dedman 1916

Constable G. Dewhurst 1916

Constable W.E. Bishop 1916

Constable P. Mulvie 1917

Constable A.J. Curvey 1917

Constable H. McLean 1917

Constable J. Graham 1917

Constable O.H. Goodrich 1917

Constable P. Devine 1917

Constable J. Warfield 1918

Constable J. Fitzgerald 1918

Constable H. Wells 1918

Constable W.W. Dumbrell 1918

Constable F.A. White 1918

Constable D. O'Donoghue 1918

Constable T. McGillycuddy 1918

Constable C.E. Castree 1918

Constable J. Herbert 1918

Constable D.J. Dodds 1918

Constable E.R. Pastorelli 1918

Constable J.P. Taylor 1918

Constable T. Griffin 1921

Acting Sergeant W. O'Rourke 1924

Constable R.S.R. Alexander 1926

Constable A. Crust 1930

Constable E.J. Dawson 1931

Constable J. Herbert 1931

Constable R. Kyle 1933

Constable G.R. Young 1938

Constable D. Nicol 1947

Sergeant A. Neden 1947

Constable H.F. Bidner 1951

Constable J.R. Ward 1952

Constable M.J. Howard 1953

Constable R. Doyle 1956

Constable K.S. Mason 1956

Senior Constable D. Gregory 1956

Constable B.G. Gabriel 1956

Constable L. Smith 1957

Constable A.R. Muir 1958

Constable G.J. Olive 1962

Constable D.W. Wrembeck 1962

Senior Constable C.R. Bagley 1963

Senior Constable D. Trannore 1964

Constable J. Reid 1966

Senior Constable C.M. Wilson 1966

Senior Sergeant J. O'Hara 1967

Constable D.G. Gordon 1968

Constable L.G. McCosh 1968

Sergeant S.C. Cupples 1968

Senior Constable D.R. Ney 1968

Senior Constable C.W. Brown 1969

Constable N.A. Steele 1969

Constable A.R. Cambage 1969

Senior Constable R.P. Moore 1970

Senior Constable J.Rynne 1971

Senior Constable G. Ball 1972

Constable N.A. Green 1974

Sergeant R.J. Harris 1975

Senior Constable L.M. Hoey 1975

Inspector J.M. Walsh 1977

Constable R.E. Seefeld 1977

Technical Officer J.P. Browning 1979

Constable V.J. Hennelly 1980

Constable T.R. Thompson 1981

Constable R.A. Wilson 1981

Senior Constable R.J. Moody 1982

Constable J.M. Sturrock 1984

Constable M.L. Low 1984

Sergeant J.D. Neideck 1984

Senior Constable A.P. Anderson 1987

Senior Constable P.G.J. Kidd 1987

Senior Constable P.A. Wegner 1987

Constable B.T. Handran 1989

Constable A.L. Greaves 1991

Constable M.L. Goodwin 1991

Constable S.N. Lena 1992

Constable S. W. Gill 1996

Detective Sergeant L.J. Hooper 1997

Senior Constable N.J. Watt 2000

Senior Constable D.A. Shean 2001

Senior Sergeant P.J. Irwin 2003

Constable S.E. Urquhart 2005

Senior Constable C.I. Barwise 2005

Detective Sergeant S.I. Kerlin 2006

Constable B.A. Irwin 2007

Sergeant D.A. Stiller 2010

Detective Senior Constable D. Leeding 2011

With honour they served

Friday, August 10, 2012

Paul's Reflections 363 : 12th August, 2012 . Homily Nineteenth Sunday of the Year - B

Homily Nineteenth Sunday of the Year - B 12th August, 2012

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

This weekend, all parishes throughout Queensland are holding a special appeal to support the men who are preparing for priesthood at Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo. These men will be future priests in Queensland.

* The prayers and financial support of the people of the Catholic Church in Queensland help sustain these men to priesthood.

* We are currently experiencing remarkable growth in the number of men entering the Seminary.

* Today, 31 men are in various stages of formation for priesthood. Of these, 23 men are for Queensland dioceses, and eight are studying for others.

* The seminary is full – (three years ahead of original predictions) - and another six men from the Archdiocese of Brisbane alone, are expected to enter next year. This is great news. However, it comes at a price – more men mean higher costs.

* It costs around $30,000 per man per year to educate, house, feed, and clothe – providing him a reasonable level of comfort and ensuring the best quality formation program affordable.

* Last year the cost to Holy Spirit Seminary Queensland to provide education and formation, and everyday living expenses for our seminarians was around one million dollars. The appeal last year raised just over $390,000 – less than half – towards these costs.

* The archdiocese is asking us, "Will you help us raise more this year?"

* I have been asked to share a personal thanks from Fr Nigel Sequeira, who was a Holy Spirit Seminarian from 2006-2011, and is currently associate pastor at Grovely Parish. He says, "Your prayers and financial support helped me to live and study at the Holy Spirit Seminary and have affirmed me in my vocation. Thank you!"

* On behalf of the Seminary Rector, Monsignor Anthony Randazzo, the Bishops of Queensland, and all of the seminarians, thank you for your gifts of support, your faith, and your prayers.

* We all need to support our seminarians. Please give generously today by using the envelopes in the pews. Or take one home and send your gift in the postage paid envelope.

* Your gift is an investment in the future of the Catholic Church in Queensland. Thank you.

(Gifts over $2 to the Seminary Building Fund are tax deductible. For phone donations please call (07) 3336 9406)

(for more info on vocations to the Priesthood: http://www.catholicpriesthood.com/)

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The readings for this weekend are inspiring and beautiful, and continue the clear Eucharistic themes from the Gospel.

Jesus is the true bread from Heaven. He is the bread of life. Anyone who eats this Bread from Heaven will have eternal life. Jesus gives us true nourishment to continue on the path of life and discipleship.

There is a line in the first reading that really strikes me. The prophet Elijah is physically, spiritually and emotionally exhausted. He is ready to give up. It all seems too much, and too hard. So, God sends an Angel to help him. The Angel wakes him up twice and says " get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you." I think that is a very telling piece of advice. Following God is a difficult and challenging task. It is not an easy path, even if it is the path of life. It is possible, with God's help to complete this journey of discipleship and follow the path that God has set for us, but it needs the training of an athlete. And it needs nourishment and strength from God. What this is saying is You WILL NOT be strong enough, you will certainly NOT be resilient and nourished enough UNLESS you take the support and nourishment that God asks of you and offers you. This is our task, as well as God's gift.

If we think that we can be effective disciples of Jesus who do what JESUS wants and not merely what WE might want;… and if we think we can do the task of discipleship that Jesus has set each and every one of us, WITHOUT making use of the nourishment that Jesus gives us, we are kidding ourselves… The nourishment Jesus gives us is regular Eucharist, and regular nourishment and challenge from listening to God's word in the scriptures. The nourishment we need to take is also regular prayer life, in community and also privately. The food we need to take or the journey will be too long for us, is the support and challenge of the community of faith and also the nourishment from the person, message and values of Jesus.

In addition. The second reading, From Saint Paul to the Ephesians, is very special. It really encourages us to become a people who have been transformed as disciples of Christ, in our actions and attitudes, as well as in name. The quality of our discipleship will show itself in the way we act. Saint Paul encourages the community:

"Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, (forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ).

Try, then, to imitate God, (as children of his that he loves), and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place…." (Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2, Jerusalem Bible).

Oh, what a wonderful, life-giving community we are called into. And it is attained not by sheer willpower and determination, but by regular nourishment and refreshment by God's grace, that is found and given to us in the sacraments and in God's word. This allows God's grace to grow in us, and crowd-out anything that is not consistent with the Gospel.

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REFERENCES:

· FR. PAUL W. KELLY

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Paul's Reflections LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. Christ the King - A

LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. Christ the King - A. (REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY)

I am preaching at ST Paul’s Anglican Church this weekend, and then accompanying Fr Jim to the Uniting Church for their celebration of 130 years of worship. It will be a delightful ecumenical weekend.

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

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Psalm 100 Page 729, BCP. Jubilate Deo1

Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; *
serve the LORD with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The LORD himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, `You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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- It is an honour and a joy to be here again with you and to unite in praising our gracious God, from whom all good things come. Thanks to Fr Jim for your friendship and the whole St Paul’s community for the strong bonds of friendship and prayer that we share.

- You may have heard that my Catholic archbishop of Brisbane, John Bathersby, as had his retirement accepted by the Pope and so he is now retired, effective immediately, and the Catholic archdiocese has a temporary administrator , Bishop Geoffrey Jarratt of Lismore to look after the archdiocese until the pope appoints a new archbishop. The now emeritus Archbishop John has always been a great supporter of ecumenism and it was one of his major priorities. It is the agreement between him and your Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, which formed the template for our local agreement here between St Mary’s and St Paul’s. Please, if you would keep the Catholic archdiocese in our prayers, so that the process discernment for the new archbishop will be continue to be inspired and excellent. May the Holy Spirit choose a leader who will continue to foster the wonderful ties such as we have formed in this region.

- The gospel this weekend is very special. I have always found that it goes to the heart of Jesus’ message and mission. How different the world would be if all people took this gospel on face value. Quite literally. “just as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me”..

I think of a shocking example where this did not happen…. Such as the when an internationally acclaimed opera singer lay helpless at a bus stop for more than five hours after suffering a stroke . Delmae Barton, 66, was ignored by about 1000 people when she collapsed and became violently ill several times at a bus stop at a university campus in February 2006. Although a passer-by twice alerted security officers to her predicament, no one called an ambulance or checked on her wellbeing until a group of Japanese students found her and sought help. Ms Barton was employed as an Aboriginal elder at the same Brisbane university. People thought that she was merely drunk… (which even itself is odd, because people who are collapsed, are also at risk of dying). But the assumption was wrong, and she was not at all drunk, just very ill. // That was virtually Christ lying on the ground, stricken, ignored by 1000 people….. For the words of Christ ring in our ears… “just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me”

- On a much milder example… there is the possibly apocryphal story of Queen Victoria, who when on vacation once took a walk on one of her estates. On the country walk, the Queen was dressed very discretly in walking clothes. A storm blew up and Queen Victoria retreated to a neighbours house and asked if they would kindly lend her an umbrella. The neighbour begrudgingly lent the umbrella, but when the Queen walked off and opened it up it was full of holes and quite useless. The next day, the Queen sent one of her attendants back to return the umbrella, with polite thanks. When the neighbour saw the regal attendant and realised the truth, they were mortified and said. I am so sorry, if I had known it was Her Majesty, I wouldn’t have given her that umbrella.” (well, whether that situation happened or not, the point is a good one.) what did it matter WHO it was, why would you give someone a hole-ey umbrella that was useless ireespective of who they were or not. “That person was virtually Christ … and this gospel calls upon us to treat everyone with the reverence and graciousness we would reserve to God… // why are we at times tempted to make distinctions in the ordinary matters of human dignity and respect which is due to all people.

- Closer to home, a trivial, almost funny situation. I have been a student for priesthood in a parish south of Brisbane, and I have been trying to be more involved in the local parish school, but hadn’t much luck. I did one or two small projects there, but the year was coming to an end. I was invited to the school graduation dinner and I was looking forward to at least being part of that. But as I walked into the place where the dinner was being held…. My glasses fell apart and the lenses rolled into a nearby garden. I was completely helpless.. I couldn’t see a darned thing!! I was bent over with my hands over the ground feeling desperately for the lenses… and calling out politely for help from the guests who were attending the same dinner, asking or help…. And the blurry shapes just kept walking in… no one came to my help… eventually I went inside.. unable to see a thing. I didn’t enjoy the night because (being unable to see made me effectively deaf as well, because I didn’t know who was speaking and if they were talking to me, and so… I was very confused). Being short-sighted, I couldn’t borrow anyone else’s lenses, they didn’t work. Fortunately at the end of the night someone came out with me and helped find the lenses but I couldn’t get them back in, so they also had to drive me home in my car, as I couldn’t see to drive. My mum had told me to keep a spare st of glasses in the car, which I do now always. But the incident at the start of the night, was amusing but also sad… ‘what you do to even the least of these.. you do it to me.”

If the world took this very seriously and literally, we could change the world… All humans would have the dignity and respect befitting our God. Which, I believe is the intention of Our Lord.

- The reading from Ezekiel… is also very fitting. The Lord will be our shepherd, lead us, guide us, heal us, …seek the lost, feed us, and he shall set up a servant (and his successors by implication) who will serve the people on behalf of the shepherd…. (The fat sheep come in for some very negative comment here in this gospel, because in this narrative they have pushed around the others and not let them eat and have pasture. The Well-off ones have scattered the poor needy sheep and the master is very unhappy with this.).…

In that first reading, God recognises that among the people (among every group or people) there are some who are struggling and experiencing weakness, (all of us do in different ways)… and some who are feeling lost and disconnected and injured… as well as strong and satisfied…. And the co-responsibility of people to support and encourage each-other is an expectation of the Kingdom.

- In the epistle today…. From the Ephesians.. I hadn’t noticed before, but the wording of it indicates that St Paul has probably not directly visited the people he is writing to..// He has “heard good reports and is filled with thanksgiving to God for the good news that he has received about them.” It is inspiring, even to us these two thousand and more years later. God is truly great. The gift God has given us is beyond full comprehension. It makes us want to strive to be the best person one could be.. and the church is spurred on to put its best foot forward… The church is called to be a beacon of goodwill, compassion and justice for the inspiration of the world. This is no small responsibility, and we pray to God for forgivness and strength for the times we have failed to be that shining beacon. With God’s help, we persevere and ask for renewal and guidance.

Thank you for inviting me to share some of these thoughts with you today. I join you in proclaiming that we are all God’s people, the sheep of his pasture… (this is a great gift that God offers to all people; with a corresponding and great responsibility of care for others that goes along with it). Together, We give thanks to God.. Anglicans, Catholics, the Uniting church whom Fr Jim and I will be greeting today at St Stephen’s 130^th anniversary celebrations)… and all denominations.. all brothers and sisters in Christ….. and we ask for God’s guidance and grace as we look out for others.. especially the most vulnerable……. We move forward, joyfully remembering always that the Lord is Good… his mercy and faithfulness endures from age to age!!”

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REFERENCES:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY
New Jerome Bible Handbook. Geoffrey Chapman Publishers. 1992.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Paul's Reflections 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time. A

Homily 6th November, 2011 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time. A

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

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The only thing that seems excessive in this story is ……-okay--….. so they weren't prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom!!... They messed up!! So?........... Surely it is a happy occasion when everyone is celebrating and in a good mood?......The bridegroom is a nice guy..... Why lock out the bridesmaids because they were a bit scatty and unprepared????

But firstly…. Their whole purpose is to await the bride and groom and they missed it due to carelessness and foolishness.... They didn't care enough about the Bride and Groom to do their job properly and have let the whole show down. ... Plus... Once the party was started…….. it was too big and noisy to hear those calling out in the dark outside...

And also…. On a wider level….. the parable has at least two universal warnings.

(i) It warns us that there are certain things which cannot be obtained at the last minute. It is far too late for a student to be preparing when the day of the examination has come. It is too late for a person to acquire a skill, or a personal quality or character, if they do not already possess it, when some task offers itself to them. Similarly, it is easy to leave things so late that we can no longer prepare ourselves to respond. And likewise, one can leave things too late to prepare to meet with God. When Mary of Orange was dying, her chaplain sought to tell her of the way of salvation. Her answer was: "I have not left this matter to this hour." Well said! To be too late is always tragedy. And if it is too late, it does not reflect on the goodness of the one who shuts the door.

(ii) It warns us that there are certain things which cannot be borrowed. The foolish bridesmaids found it impossible to borrow oil, when they discovered they needed it. A person cannot borrow a relationship with God; They must possess it for themselves. A person cannot borrow a character; they must be clothed with it. We cannot always be living on the spiritual capital which others have amassed. There are certain things we must gain or acquire for ourselves, for we cannot borrow them from others.

Tennyson took this parable and turned it into verse in the song the little novice sang to Guinevere the queen, when Guinevere had too late discovered the cost of sin:

"Late, late so late! and dark the night and chill!

Late, late so late! but we can enter still.

Too late, too late! ye cannot enter now.

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Have we not heard the bridegroom is so sweet?

O let us in, tho' late, to kiss his feet!

No, no, too late! ye cannot enter now."

There is no too so laden with regret as the sound of the words “too late!”

It takes a lifetime to foster and develop and allow God to transform our attitudes and characters into those consistent with the Gospel of Jesus. It requires constant openness and willingness to change and be transformed by God. It requires an openness and a transformation that simply must not be left to the eleventh hour!.

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REFERENCES:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF Matthew (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.