Roman Catholic Reflections and Homilies

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Sacred Heart (episode: 234)

Sacred Heart (episode: 234)

FIRST READING. Deuteronomy 7:6-11

RESPONSORIAL PSALM. Ps 103:1-2,3-4,8,10. R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

SECOND READING. 1 John 4:7-16

ALLELUIA. Matt 11:29ab. Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

GOSPEL Matthew 11:25-30

Image: Photo. Sacre Coeur, Paris, France. By Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash.

Please listen to the audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Sacred Heart - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sacred-heart-a-2020-episode-234/s-WzCoYP5skRK

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

{{May Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you. On this special (feast of) Sacred Heart

Who can fathoms the endless depths of God's love for us.... Our Lord's heart burns with compassion and mercy for the world.

Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

LORD JESUS, YOUR SACRED HEART DESIRES TO RESCUE OUR SOULS FROM DEATH AND KEEP US ALIVE IN FAMINE. LORD HAVE MERCY.

YOUR SACRED HEART, WOUNDED FOR OUR SINS, OVERFLOWS WITH COMPASSION FOR US. CHRIST HAVE MERCY.

THE DESIGNS OF YOUR HEART ARE FROM AGE TO AGE. LORD HAVE MERCY.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Of the Most sacred heart
Euch .Prayer: I

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{ thanks everyone for this time of prayer and reflection - .}

Dismissal:

*(special for feast): ….
or: Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

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Prologue: The devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most widely practiced and well known Catholic devotions, taking Jesus Christ's physical heart as the representation of his divine love for humanity, a love that flows out from an endless source... and which suffered for us, to save us...

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HOMILY:

Devotion to the sacred heart was part of the spirituality of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the twelfth century and of Saint Bonaventure and St. Gertrude the Great in the thirteenth. The beginnings of a devotion toward the love of God as symbolized by the heart of Jesus are found even in the fathers of the Church, including Origen, Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Hippolytus of Rome, Saint Irenaeus, Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Cyprian, who used in this regard John 7:37-39 ("Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" and John 19:33-37.[2]( one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water),

And the devotion of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque .

This feast is also a time of prayer for the sanctification of Priests, to more closely follow after the heart of Jesus

devotion to the Sacred Heart went a long way in breaking down the resistance of the Jansenists, who saw God as a vindictive judge and were reluctant to receive Communion more than once a year.

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"The Sacred Heart is an inexhaustible fountain and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure." In other words, the purpose of devotion to the Sacred Heart is to renew the effects of redemption in our souls,

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St. Margaret Mary in the Office of Readings: "This divine heart is an immeasurable depth of all blessings, and into it the poor should submerge all their needs.

It is an bottomless extent of joy in which all of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an endless depth of lowliness to counteract our foolishness, an eternal wellspring of love to meet our every need."

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Second Reading

A letter by St Margaret Mary Alacoque

We must know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge

From this divine heart three streams flow endlessly. The first is the stream of mercy for sinners; it pours into their hearts sentiments of contrition and repentance. The second is the stream of charity which helps all in need and especially aids those seeking perfection to find the means of surmounting their difficulties. From the third stream flow love and light for the benefit of his friends who have attained perfection; these he wishes to unite to himself so that they may share his knowledge and commandments and, in their individual ways, devote themselves wholly to advancing his glory.

But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure. In order to preserve it there is nothing more useful than renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the divine heart. In this way his will can carry out for us whatever contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and to trust entirely in him.

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St Bonaventure

With you is the source of life

the soldiers opened his sacred side with a spear, so that blood with water might flow out to pay the price of our salvation. This blood, which flowed from its source in the secret recesses of his heart, gave the sacraments of the Church power to confer the life of grace, and for those who already live in Christ was a draught of living water welling up to eternal life.

Arise, then, bride of Christ, .......... place your lips there to draw water from the wells of your Saviour. For this is the spring flowing from the middle of paradise; it divides and becomes four rivers, then spreads through all devout hearts, and waters the whole world and makes it fruitful.

O soul devoted to God, whoever you may be, run to this source of life and light with eager longing. And with the power of your inmost heart cry out to him: 'O indescribable beauty of God most high! O pure radiance of everlasting light! O life that gives life to all life! O light that illuminates every light, ...... ..........

'O water eternal and inaccessible, clear and sweet, flowing from the spring that is hidden from the eyes of all mortal men; the spring whose depths cannot be plumbed, whose height cannot be measured, whose shores cannot be charted, whose purity cannot be muddied.'

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Sacred_Heart

Image: Photo. Sacre Coeur, Paris, France. By Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

[ Production - KER - 2020]

May God bless and keep you.
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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Saints_Catholic_Church_(St._Peters,_Missouri)_-_stained_glass,_sacristy,_Sacred_Heart_detail.jpg

photo by Nheyob

Thursday, June 11, 2020

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020. EPISODE 233

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020 EPISODE 233

Readings for

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

Ps 147:12-15, 19-20 "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The sequence of the Body and Blood of Christ.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (John 6:51-52).Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1041144766. Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper. By Macthia

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Please listen to our audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-body-and-blood-of-christ-a-2020-episode-233 (EPISODE: 233)
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Prologue: "Hungry hearts are all around us. Those mourning the loss of a loved one, those in need of a job, people desperate for solid advice, people unable to curb an addiction, those who are angry and bitter, people who feel unforgiven or unforgiving, …. Those in poor health, or people worried about finances, or unhappy in a relationship, … and people who are unsure of their commitments, or being too hard on themselves, … and people who are afraid of the world around them, …….The list goes on and on. These are the people Jesus offers to feed—-- Jesus offers us himself –real food for our lifelong journey….. and he offers us his word and his vision of the Kingdom… a real nourishment for the values that will completely transform us and satisfy us…. He promises to be with us in the ups and downs of life – he who is with us… our faithful and loving God.
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Homily by Fr. Peter Dillon:

Body and Blood of Christ -Year A 2020

Certainly, one of the great memories I have of the Feast of Corpus Christi (also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, established by Papal decree in 1264) is a reminder of my First Communion day. For many years this was the traditional day for young people to make their first communion. You may be thinking what a good memory I have to remember that far back, but there are significant events in all our lives that we will never forget, and this was certainly one of them. As a curious 7-year-old at the time, I was probably less interested in the theological significance of the transformed elements of bread and wine than I was of the taste of the wafer, the speed with which we were expected to swallow the dry circle of plastic-like substance and the child-like question of 'why couldn't we drink from the chalice?". Back in 1963 that was a privilege only allowed to the priest celebrant.

But in many ways, it was one of those life-changing experiences that made me look around at the reverence of the adults who received the host and the clear atmosphere that something wonderful was happening here and that I was now able to be part of the community that shared in this special way with what was taking place on the altar.

I felt not only included but encouraged. I was worthy now of a place at the table. I had learned and earned what it meant to belong to this group of people who were my faith community. I was no longer alone in the desert but called to share in the food that God was offering to those ready to step up to be a greater part of the journey.

Over the years since then, my understanding of what took place back then has ripened with a more profound understanding and has become a nourishing sustenance that is as much a challenge as it is a comfort.

Encouragement is one of the most precious gifts one can receive. This feast day speaks of food in the desert (First Reading); a deep sense of belonging to others and with others (Second Reading); and a life that lasts for eternity (Gospel)

Today we think of that mysterious presence of the divine in our lives, and the way in which that divine presence leads us forward to the Promised Land. Such imagery evokes much of the history of the exodus.

As we come to the Eucharist on a regular basis we bring with us the desert of our own existence. Each of us knows times of aridness when we seem to be in trackless wastes and have no purpose and little hope. The exodus of the chosen people is a key which can help us unlock the meaning of our own existence. The Christian way is often a desert experience, and the desert image is one that comes from the Old Testament and has played a significant role in Christian centuries in the lives and the wise sayings of the 'Desert Fathers and Mothers'. There are times and places when we seem to be without strength and resources. But still, the divine presence guides and supports us.

Jesus Christ is the divine presence with us. He gives life that we might have life; his self-giving was something done for each of us and for all of us. St Augustine said that 'God loves each of us as though we were the only one and all of us as though we were one'.

That divine self-giving is at once deeply personal and also totally communal. And so today's feast has enriching personal aspects in our traditional devotion to the real presence; it is also a deeply communal celebration as it builds up the body of Christ, the Church. In the Eucharist, we share in the death of Christ and we also share in his resurrection. That risen life is one that we share with others: it introduces us into a communion, a fellowship, a family (Second Reading) WE have responsibilities to others.

This real presence of the divine with us is one that points to eternity. At mass the priest says:

May this mingling of the body and blood of Christ, bring eternal life to us who receive it.

We are already tasting eternal life in Holy Communion. T.S. Eliot once wrote that 'We humans cannot bear too much reality'. But little by little we are being led by this holy food to pass over from a limited, self-centred attitude to one that embraces all people and all time. We have already an eternal dimension.

The great difference between my childhood communion and now is that is used be all about me and what God was doing for me alone, now thanks to prayer, thoughtful conversations and study I have come to understand that "me" only has purpose when connected with "you".

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References:

Fr Peter Dillon

prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1041144766. Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper. By Macthia

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A (Sunday, June 14, 2020) (EPISODE: 233 )
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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{{Love and joy be with everyone}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Eucharist I
Eucharistic Prayer II
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{{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}}

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to 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.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

- "Today I Arise" - For Tricia J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

May God bless and keep you.
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Thursday, June 04, 2020

The Most Holy Trinity.Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2020 EPISODE 231

The Most Holy Trinity. Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2020 EPISODE 231

Readings for The Most Holy Trinity. Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2020

FIRST READING: Ex 34:4-6, 8-9.
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Responsory: Daniel 3:52-56 (JB). "Glory and praise forever!"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (cf Revelation 1:8 ).Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To God who is, who was, and who is to come.
GOSPEL: John 3:16-18

Image: Licensed by Shutterstock ID: 1095159713 Vector illustration of a background for Trinity Sunday. By suns design

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The Most Holy Trinity Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, June 7, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-trinity-sunday-a-2020-episode-232/s-ca2Mh5HapNL (EPISODE: 231)
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prologue: The celebration of God as Trinity also reveals to us the true nature of God and shows us what is in the heart of the One who is at the centre of the universe. That nature of our God is a perfect community of persons, with one divine nature - and within this union is - communion, sharing, harmony, and above all LOVE. If we look at what Jesus did not hunger for, it is very revealing. He did not hunger for money. He warned us to be very wary of its hollow charms. He did not hunger for popularity. In fact, the popularity contest was revoltingly won by a thief and a murderer (namely Barabbas). The TRUE thirst and hunger of Jesus are these:- He longed to share with others. He thirsted for other's faith and participation. He longed to protect and comfort the poor and the struggling. He could hardly wait to usher in the Kingdom of peace, mercy, grace and inclusion. To invite us into the inner life of God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit - The Three in One!

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Homily by Fr. Peter Dillon.

There are some things in life that I will never understand. Things like how a computer works, or how a plane stays up in the sky, or why my line moves slower than everyone else's in the supermarket. I may never come to understand these things so I have just called them "life's great mysteries".

If I did know the reason, would my life be any different? Is it ever a good thing just to accept something and not ask the question of how something works? Maybe it's okay not to know HOW, but I believe it is always important to know WHY.

The early Christians took nearly 400 years to grasp what Jesus meant when he implied that God had three natures or faces but was only one being. That the Father, Son and Spirit were one.

It was finally settled at the Council of Nicaea in 325 that the Trinity's nature was co-equal, co-substantial and co-eternal and at the heart of their relationship was an encounter of love. While this was not an easily understood concept, then or now, it has stood as the theological explanation for the Christian Church since then.

While the "how" of this explanation may continue to give theologians much to write about, the "why" is easier to grasp. That God as Father, Son and Spirit also creates, redeems and sustains us in this loving relationship. There is no sense in God if we are not a reflection of the loving union of this triune God.

This loving relationship gives us our greatest dignity and purpose in life and at the core of God's relationship to us is our relationship to the world. How we care for it, live in it, share its resources and honour its inhabitants.

It's not simply enough that we give thanks back to God, but that we promote the God that we know – not by just saying how good God is, but by living like we believe it.

At the heart of the gospel we hear that God's relationship with the world is rooted in love. It's a radical love that gives the world its importance; it is that same love which gives us our essential dignity.

God's love is all the more significant because it is fully aware of the sin and brokenness and the stupidity that are part of all our lives. It is not a love that protects itself from the negative side of life; it is a love that faces the complexity of the real.

The reason we honour the Trinity today is that we celebrate the awesome stubbornness of God's extravagant love for our world. A love that will not be withdrawn when misfortune comes, a love that sees beyond our frailty and faults because it sets no limits to forgiveness. If only we could emulate that love in our families, our parish our world, what a great start that would be.

Most of us have experienced the depth of that love through the generosity of our parents. They let us know by giving us a sense that we were important and anyone who said otherwise was wrong. Through giving us that dual sense of self and love they were able to fill us with a tremendous confidence that lasts for many of us the rest of our lives. That love allowed us to believe that we could face any hardship, but we were also reminded that we were all responsible for playing our own part: none of us can retire from the task of helping to make our family and community a place where God's love gives shape to what happens. That is why Saint Paul encourages the divided church in Corinth: "Be united: live in peace and the love of God and peace will be with you."

Maybe I will never come to really know how a plane stays up in the sky or how computers work or really know why God loves us unconditionally. Perhaps for the moment, it's just enough to know that He does and it won't ever stop.

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References:

Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image: Licensed by Shutterstock ID: 1095159713 Vector illustration of a background for Trinity Sunday. By suns design

The Most Holy Trinity Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, June 7, 2020) (EPISODE: 231 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Hi everyone}}

Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Trinity

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Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

May God bless and keep you.
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Sunday, May 31, 2020

Mary, Mother Of The Church. Memorial for the Monday immediately after Pentecost Sunday

Mary, Mother Of The Church

(Memorial for the Monday immediately after Pentecost Sunday)

Acts 1:12-14

Responsorial Psalm. Psalm 86: 1-2, 3, 5, 6-7 "Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!"

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ the Lord. Alleluia!

John 19:25-34

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 172756952. ANTWERP, BELGIUM - SEPTEMBER 5, 2013: Paint of Crucifixion as part of Seven Sorrows of Virgin cycle by Josef Janssens from years 1903 - 1910 in the cathedral of Our Lady. By Renata Sedmakova

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for Mary Mother Of The Church – (Monday after Pentecost) by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-a-2020

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

On this special (feast of) Mary Mother Of The Church

my brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

Lord Jesus, you are son of God and the son of Mary Lord, have mercy.

Your mother prays with us for true and lasting peace. Christ, have mercy.

You give to us your mother as mother of the Church. Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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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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PREFACE: Mary, Mother and Model of the church
Euch .Prayer: II
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Go and announce the gospel of the lord. .

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Prologue: The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The Second Vatican Council, (1962-65), spoke eloquently of the Virgin Mary in its document on the Church, and in 1964 proclaimed the title Mother of the Church. Christ on the cross entrusted his mother to Saint John: This is your Mother! This memorial on the day after Pentecost recalls her maternal presence among the Disciples of Christ from the beginning.

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HOMILY:

As Our Lord hung, dying a cruel death on the cross, it would have been totally understandable if he was focused on just breathing… and yet even at this time, in great pain and near the very end, his thoughts and concerns turned to his mother and to his disciples and the good of the mission he came to fulfil. He said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son!" And to John the beloved disciple, "This is your mother!" This action not only ensured the ongoing care of his beloved mother, and first and most perfect disciple, Mary, but also in doing this Our Lord gave his mother to care for all his disciples and the whole church. So, today it is good and right to celebrate Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Mary was there from the very beginning. She was utterly attentive and faithful to the Word of God. She accepted the word God so utterly into her heart and life that she was given the unique privileged of giving birth to the Word made flesh, and caring for him and raising him in love.

Throughout Our Lady's life, she pondered and treasured all the events of her life in her heart. Mary was there to give the opportunity for his first sign as Messiah, when out of love and concern she drew Christ's attention to the wine running out at the wedding in Cana. Her words then apply to so many other acts of discipleship ever since… "do whatever he instructs you."

Our Lady was not at all put off when she and other relatives went to see Jesus when he was preaching and asked to speak with him. His reply was unusual - Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Whoever hears the word of God and keeps it, is my mother, my sister my brother! This, of course, is a wonderful widening of his family to include everyone… Mary's response to this was obvious… Her actions before, during and after this event show that her reply was like this… "then I shall be your mother and your disciple."

Mary was there at all the key moments of Christ's ministry… She was at the foot of the cross when he suffered and died… she is called, for this extraordinary act of valour, a "living-martyr, who stood at the foot of the cross," and surely suffered spiritually everything her son suffered physically.

Mary was again present at the news of the resurrection.

And also again, as shown by today's first reading - Mary was with the apostles in the upper room, after Christ's ascension.. continually at prayer along with the disciples.

And profoundly…..Mary was with the disciples at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended in its fullness and empowered Christ's church.

The Church is blessed and grateful that Mary's care for the church and all its disciples continued in her earthly life, and continues for us these many generations since. The motherly care, intercession, protection and love of Mary is a wonderful blessing given to us by Christ.

And of course, we are very aware of how much we appreciate this motherly care in these present days…

The newly established Australian colonies depended greatly on the motherly care and intercession of Mary in its early years, especially when there were no priests or sacraments available for most of the first thirty years since the First Fleet arrived. The Rosary, Marian devotion and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept the faith alive in those drawn-out decades.

And we are sure that Jesus has given us the motherly care, intercession and prayer of his beloved mother in these present times of uncertainty, pandemic and upheaval. This fills us with hope, peace and a sense of direction.

Our Lady, Mother of the Church. Pray for us.

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 172756952. ANTWERP, BELGIUM - SEPTEMBER 5, 2013: Paint of Crucifixion as part of Seven Sorrows of Virgin cycle by Josef Janssens from years 1903 - 1910 in the cathedral of Our Lady. By Renata Sedmakova

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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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).

Marian Hymn - "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." (Traditional 11^th Century). Melody: Mainz (1712), Hymn #783 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/

Marian Hymn – "Whom Earth and Sea and Sky Proclaim." Traditional 6^th Century Hymn. Melody: Bartholomaus Gesius (d.1613). #376 - Brébeuf Hymnal. From https://www.ccwatershed.org/hymn/

[Production - KER - 2020]
May God bless and keep you.
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