Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 27, 2020. (EPISODE: 253)

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 27, 2020
(EPISODE:253)

Readings for Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A

FIRST READING: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. "Remember your mercies, O Lord."
SECOND READING: Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:27). Alleluia, alleluia! My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me.
GOSPEL: Matthew 21:28-32
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. stock illustration ID: 461101012 Parable of the Two Sons: obedient and disobedient.  By askib
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – including readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 27, 2020, by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-26a-episode-253/s-XpmJ9T4JU11  (EPISODE: 253)
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Prologue: (Fr Paul). [Gospel values included in this weekend's readings: Doing the will of the Father is much more important merely giving God lip service. Also, God is not unjust, even if God's ways are unlike ours.]
 
I think that today's gospel, although very short, is really key teaching in Christ's gospel.  It goes to the heart of what Our Lord was doing and saying.
 
Jesus taught on several occasions about the danger of a mere outward observance of religion.
 
Much more important, (and ultimately the only thing that really matters), is that one is faithful to the truth of God's message by DOING God's will, irrespective of whether one SEEMS to be living up to the message or not. 
 
Appearances can (so often) be quite deceiving.
 
 This parable of the two sons – on disobedient and the other obedient, is essential.
 
St Paul picks up on this same theme in his famous and popular first letter to the Corinthians 12:31 "… If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am merely a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the power of prophecy, and understand all mysteries of the universe, and If I had all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
 
This teaching is so central to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux who wrote that she took no comfort from praise, and likewise, experienced little distress from criticism.   She knew, as in the gospel, that a person could be praised for an action that appears charitable, whilst all the time, inwardly, (unknown to others), the person's motive is actually not consistent with God's ways…   And, likewise, a person might be motivated by utter kindness, but their actions are mistaken for selfishness and malice. The message appears clear; we are to do what is right and loving, in imitation of Our Lord's generous kindness, irrespective of how other's might judge it.  We are to act lovingly and justly and humbly even in situations where appearances are deceptive.  We are invited to gently brushing aside both criticisms and compliments, in favour of standing judged by God alone, as to how well and truly we loved. Only God can judge this, no matter how well we pride ourselves in being good judges of character.  Only God can truly see into the heart and mind of his creations and see what truly exists within us. We strive to avoid jumping to conclusions about people's motives.  The motives of others, along with their inner heart, are ultimately only fully known to God alone. We know this intuitively but we often find it hard to put into practice.
 
Let us ask the Lord to help purify our inner life… and make our inner attitudes match our outward words and actions; so that everything we do, in thought, word and action, be motivated by a true love of God. And Love of neighbours as ourselves….   (Fr. Paul Kelly)
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The following is a homily by Fr Peter Dillon:

In 1995 I was privileged to be able to host the then Australian Governor-General, Sir William Deane, for an entire day, visiting many of the welfare centres of Brisbane. Apparently every few months he would travel to various parts of the country in a non-official capacity and meet some of the ordinary people of Australia. At the St Vincent De Paul centre in South Brisbane, he introduced himself to some of life's real characters as "Bill" and he sat and talked with them for ages. Very few knew who they were talking with. At the end of the day, I thanked him for his time to which he replied, "They were the ones who gave up their time to talk with me. They shared with me a valuable gift". He said he couldn't do his job if he didn't know people from all circumstances of life. I remember thinking at the time, "how Christ-like", and thinking now "How Francis-like".

Jesus made it quite clear to his followers that he wasn't just sent to the sensible and comfortable, but rather to the margins of society, where he spent most of his time. He didn't care about who they were, so much as what they needed. He knew people were watching and judging him, but the right people were learning from him. Jesus was highlighting the difference between being seen to be good and doing good things for the right reasons.

The parable of the two sons is as a parable of saying and doing (the difference between sayers and doers is a favourite one in Matthew) Practise what you preach! One son is respectful and polite but does not go. He is a friendly 'She'll be right' do-nothing guy. The other is disrespectful, disobedient but changes his mind and goes. Harassed as all busy people are. If you want something done, give the job to a busy person.

The parable reminds us that the gospel must be preached to sinners and outcasts. A self-confident religious establishment is not the goal of evangelism. This congregation does not want simply to clone itself. The gospel is meant to confront, challenge, change - it demands acceptance or rejection. The public sinners knew about rejection. They wanted acceptance and were prepared to embrace God's unexpected gift of unconditional love and forgiveness.

In his reply to his own question Jesus identifies the two sons. The son who refused but repented stand for the tax collectors and prostitutes who complied with Gods' wishes that they turn away from sin, while the other son stands for the priests and scribes who maintain the outward appearance of piety but without any real devotion to the will of God.

The son whose word was "no" but whose action became "yes" is held out as the one who did he fathers will. The story doesn't tell us why he changed his mind or what the change cost him, only that his generosity of spirit had the last word. In time he caught up with the best of what was in him. He was late in doing his father will, but not too late.

Perhaps the greatest model of saying & doing is Mary. The young uneducated village woman of Nazareth. She is not easily led. Her initial response to the angel is 'How can this be?' Yet she accepts the reassurance of the angel that she would be the Theotokos, the Mother of the Lord. 'I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me as you say.'


God never forces himself on us, never compels us to say yes. God waits for our free-response: 'I am the servant of the Lord' (a free commitment)
What was the grumbling son dealing with when something was asked of him and he finally was moved to action. Guilt?  Fear of reprisal? Duty? Love for his Father remembering all that had been done for him? He allows this difficult process of growth to begin. The other son excludes this journey by a too easy, almost rehearsed response

Let it be done to me: this response always involves a change. Leave where you are and what you are doing and go into the vineyard. And yes, go with your unresolved questions and doubts, your anger even at God, allow the work of Salvation to make things clear.
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References:
HOMILY:  FR PETER DILLON

Prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly

The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. (1898)].

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. stock illustration ID: 461101012 Parable of the Two Sons: obedient and disobedient.  By askib


Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, September 27, 2020)  (EPISODE: 253 )

The Lord be with you.
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{{Goodness and faithfulness to you all}}

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, - so let us pause and reflect upon our sins, so as to rejoice in Gods loving mercy.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners:Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary VIII
Eucharistic Prayer III
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: 3)
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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise and reflection upon our loving 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.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. 
[ Production -  KER -  2020] 

May God bless and keep you. 
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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A – Sunday, September 20, 2020. (EPISODE: 252)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A –
Sunday, September 20, 2020
(EPISODE: 252)

Readings for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 55:6-9
Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18. "The Lord is near to all who call him."
SECOND READING: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Act 16:14b). Alleluia, alleluia! Open our hearts, O Lord. To listen to the words of your Son.
GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16a
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 556563751. the group photographed while picking grapes on the 23 of February 2010 in Robertson, South Africa. By LongJon  
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – including readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 20, 2020 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-25a-episode-252/s-vuHyWSCcEfF  (EPISODE: 252)
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Prologue: [ some of the gospel values that shine out this weekend is the universal brotherhood and sisterhood of all humans;  and also, God is generous and loving and gives people what they need. meanwhile, Envy and resentment are corrosive in any community"].

When people are deciding what activities to put their energies and priorities into, it seems a familiar thing to ask the question....."What's in it for me?" ...... "What will I get out of this?"  However, this doesn't work for everyone.

In our world, there are many people who are severely disadvantaged and in need. And all things are sadly not equal.  In a world where far too many people  only receive something if they can give something of equal value back, there are those who are in a dire situation; because they are so poor;  so disadvantaged, that they cannot benefit anyone else – They have nothing valued by others –(in a monetary sense),  that they can give, and so they miss out.
They do not fit into a system based on near-equal "give and take" - and so are left dangling precariously  on the edge.  

In the midst of the ongoing crisis of the covid-pandemic,  I heard someone on the news the other week

.."After all, we are not merely an economy, we are a community," .... 
That is a very timely reminder!....

Jesus went out to the margins and searched for these people and made special effort to ensure that they too were very much included in his Kingdom.  This is what the generous landowner is doing.   The workers who were left without any day's work, at the eleventh hour, (still a term we use today), these people still needed to eat, and feed their family. If no one employed them that day, they and their families would have gone without a day's food. The landowner knew this and was compassionate and kind. He also knew that his harvest is urgent and plentiful and the labourers few, so he gave them what they needed -- a day's food. Not that they 'earnt' a day's pay, but that they NEEDED a day's pay – living as they were on just enough to get them by, one day at a time.  And in any case, when it comes to God's gifts, none of us have really EARNED God's favour and love, it is freely and generously given and it is offered to all.

Jesus wants us to have that same generosity and welcome to others around us. They too are welcome because God is loving, forgiving and generous to them too, just as God treats us.

What a wonderful and quite revolutionary attitude.  A world-changing attitude.

The grumbling workers have lost sight of the point. The work of the Kingdom is urgent and important, and the labourers are very few, the harvest plentiful… in fact, it's more than plentiful…. The harvest God intends is that everyone (absolutely everyone) be included as part of God's kingdom…. so there is no time for hesitation….  Everyone is needed……... all are called….

How many of life's daily hurts, disappointments and turmoils really come from the fact that we have harboured wrong assumptions, unreal expectations and flawed ways of thinking? ……  How many arguments have resulted from envy and resentment and not from true need?

To summarise this gospel…  a writer once said…. "the world asks, HOW MUCH did the landowner give?   But Jesus invites us to ask a much better and far more important question: "WHY did the landowner give as he did?"

The answer is, because God is generous and caring. Are we, as the parable asks, envious because our God is extremely generous?  Surely, God can deal as he wants with his own. Why cannot give to people what they need, not what they deserve.

God gives us what we NEED, not so much what we WANT, (and often, - to be honest-, there is a huge difference between wants and needs). And Jesus asks us to do the same for others.  This parable invites us to see not with the eyes of a day labourer who, in this example, has no real concern for the project they were working on, but rather to live an invested partner; embracing and owning the vision of the landowner, who wants to achieve a rich harvest and share it with everyone.
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25th - Sunday Ord Time - Year A – Homily by Fr Peter Dillon:

  A Rabbinic story is told of a king who went to his vineyard and was im­pressed by the industri­ous­ness of one of his workers in par­ticular. He gave him the day off after two hours. The other workers who had to complete their 12 hour day complained when he got the same pay at the end of the day. The King an­swered: 'But he did more in 2 hours than you did in 12!

  This story makes sense to us. We see some justifica­tion for it. However, in today's Gospel Jesus tells a different story. His is not about MERIT but about GRACE (God's generous love). This is the hallmark of the kingdom of God.

  The rather challenging message is that we will not enter the kingdom of God by in­sisting on our rights and merits but only by relying on God's free gift of grace. This might appear disappointing to someone who can claim that they have never missed a Sunday Mass and said the Rosary every day. Could it be that God might offer the same reward to those who never darken the door? The issue is with the word "reward". Salvation is not the prize for a good effort, but a gift better appreciated by those who have maintained a close connection with God each day of their lives. Like all relationships; if we don't nurture and encourage it then is offers little or no satisfaction. The reward, if we insist on using that term, is that the faithful worker has had the benefit of the closeness of God throughout their life and not at the last minute.

  This richness of this parable is that it may be read and understood on three different levels.

  1) the words and actions of the historical Jesus - Jesus teaches how God offers the mystery of the kingdom to all freely and not ac­cording to what people de­serve.

  2) the church's life at the time of Matthew's community: Church is dealing with the resentment of some members in the mixed Christian community of southern Syria and Palesti­ne, where Jewish Christians often looked down on the Gentile Christians. (the Johnny-come-latelies, not as deserving)

  3) the framework in which it is placed by the author of the Gospel. Its setting here is the paradoxical re­versal of values that the coming of God's kingdom brings to life. The last, the persecuted, the des­pised, the outcasts, the ones that appear unworthy and without merit, become the first to receive the reward of God, the treasure of heaven.

  The apparent unjust action of the landowner is meant to shock us into a deeper awar­eness of God's goodness - and to effect a change in our own attitudes:

  Albert Camus said: 'Too many people have decided to do without generosity in order to practise charity'.

  The God of surprises: An unpleasant surprise for the workers who were hoping to get more. Pray that we will be able to appreciate the paradoxical reversal of values that the coming of God's kingdom brings to life.
  The standard of natural justice is violated by this parable. Natural to assume that those who work longer hours should be paid more than those who work for shorter hours.

In fact this is the basic principle used in wage fix­ing. However, the parable converts natural justice to generosity on the part of the landowner who decides to pay those who work shorter hours the same pay at the end of the day as those who worked the full day. God's generosity is incomprehen­sible and can create a state of envy in those who claim they have their rights. No one has any right over God's generosity, it is a free gift. It is because of the gratuity of God that all of us are able to be the children of God. Comparisons only lead to competition which in turn prevents us from acknowledging our thanks for even being considered in the first place. In our competitive world, the parable serves as a powerful lesson for us to learn how God does not want us to be towards each other.

  This Parable makes little sense in an age of arbitration, contract labour and industrial awards. It de­stroys the principle of 'A fair day's work for a fair day's pay. Remember this is a parable, a story which is intended to tell us some­thing about the coming reign of God. God is not bound by the quid pro quo rules of recompense. God's gifts are spontaneous, overflowing and unmerited. We cannot earn our salvation; we cannot make a watertight contract which predetermines the conditions of the award. We cannot ex­clude others who do not share our contract. Salvation is a gift from God, given freely, sponta­neously and generously. Per­haps we can see ourselves in the labourers hired at dif­ferent times during the day. At times we are only there 'by the skin of our teeth', aware that God's love and mercy is the only important reality. Our anxiety about our salvation must be re­placed by an attitude of trust and reliance on God's mercy and forgiveness. Isa­iah reminds us of the diffi­culty of challenging the ways of the Lord:

'Yes, the heavens are as high above the earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.'

All that we can do is 'seek the Lord while he is still to be found', dedicating ourselves to living always in his presence.
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References:
Homily: Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly

Mark Link.  Vision. Praying Scripture in a contemporary way. Year a

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 556563751. group photographed while picking grapes on the 23 of february 2010 in Robertson,South Africa. By LongJon 


Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, September 20, 2020)  (EPISODE: 252 )
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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{{Goodness and kindness to you all}}

Coming together as brothers and sisters, with confidence let us ask the Fathers forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion
option two on the cards/ Have mercy on us, O Lord./ For we have sinned against you./ Show us, O Lord, your mercy. And grant us your salvation.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: own preface
Various Needs and Occasions . IV
Communion side.  pwk:  RH
(theme variation: 2)
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
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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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A – Sunday, September 13, 2020. (EPISODE: 251)

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A –
Sunday, September 13, 2020
(EPISODE: 251)

Readings for 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
FIRST READING: Sirach 27:30 28:7
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12. "The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion."
SECOND READING: Romans 14:7-9
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 13:34). Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you.
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:21-35
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1443376325. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JUNE 23, 2018: Forgive us our debts - the parable of the unforgiving servant, relief on the door of the Grossmunster ("great minster") church in Zurich, Switzerland. By Zvonimir Atletic
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – including readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 13, 2020 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-24a-episode-251  (EPISODE: 251)
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Prologue:  The gospel value;  "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!" "The Golden rule," and the principle on which Our Lord's parable is based has had such a profound effect on not only Christianity, but also legal and ethical systems throughout the world.
 
In some ways the Golden rule is common sense and simply about consistency, justice and fairness, and yet, even now the world cries out for this principle to be applied evenly.    

This gospel is given by Our Lord as a warning that we must be constantly on our guard. God has forgiven us completely for things we could not possibly hope to repay; and we are duty-bound in gratitude and compassion, to share that graciousness, forgiveness and charity that God gives to us, to others around us.
 
The other major problem is that some people just don't seem to see those around them as their brothers and sisters in Christ, or (at the very least), fellow citizens in the same commonwealth for common good… so they act with disregard for anyone but themselves and their nearest-and-dearest.
 
Jesus rejects this approach. He reminds us, if we do good to those who love us, what difference does that make, even the pagans and the sinners do that… Our Lord is preaching universal fraternity and goodwill to all…. Because we are truly ALL God's children…
 
In an act of astounding generosity….. the master, in this parable, not only gives the wicked servant time to start to repay the impossible debt, but he forgives the debt entirely, out of compassion and mercy. Based on the value of the debt mentioned in this parable, He wipes 16,000 years or so of debt from the face of the earth. The master is hoping that this act of kindness will sink deep into the heart of the debtor and be passed on in a new way of acting and living. But then this sad and miserable servant, with an astoundingly hard heart, goes out and does not do the same to a fellow servant who has a debt to him that was actually possible to repay. It might take 100 days of pay, but it is manageable given an extended amount of time…. It is pathetic. This servant shows no empathy, no connection to others. He does not identify himself with the feelings and plight of others. He does not see this poor fellow servant as brothers in similar need. He cannot see that he himself was just like the person (actually so much worse), bowing before him, begging for time to repay a debt.
 
It is sad and quite frankly bewildering.  This kind of attitude makes the world a meaner and nastier place, and is the cause of so much suffering. It is so unnecessary and opposite to the essence of the gospel.
 
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is such a central quality in the Kingdom of God, that Our Lord even incorporates it into the Great Prayer he taught his disciples to recite: "Forgive us our sins, according to how we forgive others." (or to put it another way, "Lord, don't forgive us our sins unless we forgive others who hurt us." It is sobering stuff that we pray every day.
 
Saint Paul confirms this in the second reading. We live now for God and not for ourselves. Ego, hurt pride and moral outrage are barriers to reconciliation, understanding, and healing. We must let go of pride and entitlement, and a sense of moral outrage, and open our hearts generously and "self-forgettingly." Then we are beginning to think and feel the love that is God's very nature.
 
Let us continue to foster that awareness that we are all in communion with one another with the One God… and what we do to others, we are taken as doing to God….
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It has been said that a truly rare thing is a voice of common sense in the Church.  We have plenty of scholars who will tell us of rules and rituals, of interpretations and prophecies. But common sense is not so plentiful.  We find it today in our first reading in Jesus Ben Sirach.  A little research tells us he was a married man with a family, well-travelled, familiar with business affairs and administration. A foreign diplomat for Israel. Above all, a person who from childhood had been devoted to the pursuit of wisdom and holiness. A person with no axe to grind, no pet theories to develop, happy to harmonize the best of the old with the best of the new. A person who believed in forgiving enemies and was especially sensitive to the needs of the poor and helpless.

Later on in his life dedicated himself to passing on his acquired wisdom to the young: he said, 'showing no pity for a man like himself, how can he then plead for his own sins '.  

Two centuries earlier than Christ he anticipates the thinking of Christ. His common sense led him to know a loving and merciful God: again he says : God of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, the God who has exalted us since our conception and has always shown us love and mercy.

He believed forgiveness of others as a condition of disposing us to divine forgiveness. He leaps beyond the traditional Jewish law of retaliation (eye for an eye, tooth for tooth) which really meant that you may take no more than an eye for an eye... But they excluded Ben Sirach from their Scriptures because they were not ready to hear this teaching.

His book translated into Greek by his grandson was known as Ecclesiasticus, or the Church's book, because the Christian church accepted it as part of the Scripture but the Jews did not.   Which is a great entrée into Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant.

But let's clarify something before we proceed.

10,000 talents was equivalent to about $10 million in today's money. No small pickings. Yearly tribute to Caesar for the region of Galilee in 4BC was 200 talents = only 2% of the sum owed in the parable.

In the Ancient Near East 10,000 was the highest number used in counting and the talent the largest denomination of currency.

Therefore, the sum owed was like the national debt.

   The second servant, however, owed about $20. Sin is a 'debt' beyond our human capacity to repay. Nothing we can do can ever repay for the transgression of Adam, yet through the sacrifice of Christ. S even though Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So our only response is that our behaviour towards others must be marked by that same generous mercy and forgiveness.   From the heart: the one who forgives has learned the lesson of grace that comes with the forgiveness God bestows. Only real love can forgive. Those in need of forgiveness should not have to come to us. Like Jesus, we are to seek them out. He came to us in our sin.

   Forgiveness is a distinguishing mark of the Christian community. There is no limit to the forgiveness that we can and must show. In this part of the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus instructing his disciples about the relationships that should exist within the Church. The parable reminds us that we have all been forgiven so often by our loving God. We have no right to withhold forgiveness from our sisters and brothers. In fact the point is clearly made; we can lose God's forgiveness if we withhold it from others. God gives it freely, he expects us to share it freely from the heart. FORGIVE is Jesus' great message to his Church.
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References:
Homily:  Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly
 
Bergant, D. and Fragomeni, R. (2001). Preaching the new lectionary. Year A. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press.
 
DeBona, G. (2013). Between the Ambo and the altar. Year A. 1st ed. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, pp.246-249

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1443376325. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JUNE 23, 2018: Forgive us our debts - the parable of the unforgiving servant, relief on the door of the Grossmunster ("great minster") church in Zurich, Switzerland. By Zvonimir Atletic

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, September 13, 2020)  (EPISODE: 251 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Kindness and grace to you all}}

As we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery, let us admit our failings and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault,* through my most grievous fault; therefore
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: Sundays Ordinary VI
Euch prayer III
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(Theme variation: 1)
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{Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
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. 

May God bless and keep you. 
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Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A – Sunday, September 6, 2020. (EPISODE: 250)

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A –
Sunday, September 6, 2020.
(EPISODE: 250)

Father's Day in Australia.

Readings for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7b, 7c-9. "O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts."
SECOND READING: Romans 13:8-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (2 Corinthians 5:19). Alleluia, alleluia! God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself; And the Good News of reconciliation he has entrusted to us.
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:15-20
 
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 30700369. Large group of people seen from above gathered together in the shape of a cross, on white background. (photographed prior to COVID-restrictions). By Arthimedes .  

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – including readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, September 6, 2020 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-23a-episode-250  (EPISODE: 250)
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Prologue: - In Australia, it Father's Day this weekend...-    the first Sunday of September. We give thanks for all Fathers;...  for their love, care and generosity...    We pray that God grants them joy in their family and friends, and health and strength.   \

For all fathers who have passed into eternal life..  may God give them a permanent place at the heavenly feast... for all their goodness and kindness...

All of the readings this weekend are really about the primacy of Love in Christ's vision for the Kingdom of God. Love, as saint Paul says, is the fulfilment of all the law… and love is the motivation for the prophet's words and the driving-force for the Christian community and its members to resolve misunderstandings and conflict. 
 
In the first reading, The Lord says to the great prophet Ezekiel… I have made you a sentinel… a watchman…..This is the true key to the role of the prophet…… forget about the fact that it sounds terrible that the prophet will be punished with death if they do not fulfil God's law… rather… if the prophet is the sentry… the watchman.. their vital role is actually a role of love and protection and concern for the welfare of everyone.. 
 
This image of the watchman reminds me of something I noticed when I visited Rome a few years back… the Firefighters in Rome had a wonderful name… they were called "Vigili del Fuoco"which in English is rather poorly translated as "Firefighters" just as we use here..// But, that is not actually what the word means.. "firefighter" (the word), tends to give the impression of a "responder to fire," reacting once the fire has broken out; whereas the words "Vigili del Fuoco"  literally means "watcher for fire" - a watchman..// a sentry…// actively keeping vigil....   looking out for the danger of fire.. Caring for the community by watching for danger… alerting them as soon as the danger is seen.. and acting immediately to put out the fire… (that is indeed what firefighters do everywhere, of course, and including in this community… they don't just respond to fires.. they also engage in community involvement to look into and point out risks and hazards to minimize the risk of fire… 
 
So too with the prophets of old…  the true Prophets were not self-righteous, superior know-it-alls. They were sentries.. they were showing God's love by watching out for danger and alerting God's beloved people so they could respond immediately and end the danger… they lovingly/ caringly watch for dangers so as to alert people, so they can act swiftly to avoid harm and disaster.  So, this vigilance and faithfulness to God's word is an act of love and care… No wonder God is so strict with his prophets… saying.. if you fail to warn them, you will suffer the same fate… Their role is like a security guard or a military watchman… if they fail to be alert.. if they do not warn people when danger is nigh, they have no regard for the people to protect and serve… and they are guilty of failing to do the very thing they are there for.  Looking at things that way, one can see God's absolute love for his people.. and desire that people have every opportunity to live in the light of God's care and protection.. Walking in God's ways. 
 
God's Law of love…. Asks all of us to be Vigilant not only to outside dangers, but also keep watch within…..…. keep guard and watch over our heart…. To ensure that we love, as God' loves, and that our hearts do not harden into legalism, lack of compassion or mercy…. Or apathy…..… we are all Sentinels… watch-persons.. vigilant for any discord, hatred, or inconsistency with the gospel. And we are vigilant within ourselves, where resentment, jealousy, desire, begins: in the heart… 
 
The essence of discipleship and faithfulness to God is love, this is a love that is formed from within by God's grace.
It fosters loving watchfulness inside and out, and it softens the heart and saves us from ourselves, It turns us back towards each other,
and creates understanding, healing and reconciliation.
Love, not righteousness is the key to all of this.


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23 Sunday A
 (Mt 18:15-20)

   Although being a member of the church often can feel like being in the loneliest game of all, this is not how Jesus intended it. We do not come to the knowledge and love of God alone but with others, 'two or three gathered', in community. We have been taught that Heaven is where God is and that God is in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and that Christ is in the Church, his body, a community of love and reconciliation.

  Today Jesus provides some practical advice on how to be the Church - the community of believers. We all know that problems arise in human relationships. Philosopher Jean Paul Sartre said: 'Hell is other people'. He was often right, if not a little strong in his metaphor. The first teaching from Jesus today is about our response to sin within the church. Notice that it is not the sinner, but the one sinned against, who is called to take the initiative here. That might seem to be the wrong way round

Too many times have I heard stories of people who have turned away from God because of violent and abusive experiences in their lives. People who had preciously relied on God through prayer and attending Church who have lost faith in God because of the evil acts of others. Statements like "Why would God allow that to happen to me?" or "Where was God when I needed help?" There are countless stories of people who have lost the desire to pray or the courage to go back to Church because they felt that God had abandoned them. On a few occasions have I tried to restore some of that lost connection with God, but in most cases the pain was much deeper than I was able to address, and I could do little to break down the sense of abandonment and bitterness that consumed them. In some of these cases these victims have even found it difficult to trust and love another person. The believed themselves to be 'unlovable' people not worthy of the love of another, let alone love of themselves.

  (When I was a young priest, I was assigned as an assistant chaplain to a large hospital. There I met a grumpy old man. ('He's one of yours', the nurses said, pointedly)  The man was not very communicative. He told me he wanted to die but couldn't. I persisted in seeing him and eventually learned more of his story. As a young boy during the Depression he had been placed in the care of a guardian who often beat him and occasionally sexually abused him. He learned to hate that man and nurtured that hatred for the rest of his life. With that hatred came bitterness and cynicism about all relationships and love itself. Though baptised and raised as a Catholic, he had never been able to pray. He could no longer remember a single occasion in his life when he had addressed God. He couldn't bring himself to go near a church. This is not one of those happy ending stories. I could do nothing to break down that hatred and bitterness.)


   As I recall these encounters, it still makes me feel incredibly angry at the abusers who had so utterly destroyed another human being's capacity to love. Yet the Gospel and the life of Jesus himself calls the victim to go another step - for his or her own sake. Jesus was beaten and tortured to the point of death and yet he prayed: 'Father forgive them'. He understood that the only escape from the cycle of hatred and bitterness was forgiveness. He taught his disciples to pray: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do we ever have to strength to do this? Only with the gift of forgiveness (the ability to forgive) comes the perfection of love and union with God.

   Another of his lessons is if your brother or sister does something wrong, go and have it out with that person alone, between your two selves. Too often this attempt at reconciliation leads to even greater disharmony. Yet the burden of these wrongs done to us becomes an even heavier burden when we insist on revisiting the hurt. How can we honestly prayer the Lord's Prayer while harbouring thoughts of hate and revenge?  Are some of us wasting our time here because a hateful relationship is standing between ourselves and God?

   This second teaching is about the nature and power of prayer made together in the church, and with one another. Christ the risen Lord is present always when Christians gather to pray in his name. Prayer is many things. It is the soul's pilgrimage from self to God. It is conversation with God.

He prays best who does not know that he is praying.

 We remember those lines from the 'Ancient Mariner':
He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all. (Colderidge)

Prayer presumes the ability to love, and with it the preparedness to forgive.

 If we cannot love in this way, we cannot pray.

  The Jewish rabbis used to say that where two or three people met together to study the Law, the Shekinah (God's dwelling) is in their midst. In today's Gospel Jesus is doubtless referring to this saying, but substituting his own name for the Torah (Law) and identifying himself with God. He is Emmanuel (God with us) and he will be with his disciples till the end of time. Notice that Jesus always moves the focus away from laws and regulations to interpersonal relationships. It is no longer the Law which guarantees God's presence but you and I gathered in God's name. How we live and relate to one another makes possible the presence of God in the world.

So, to love is to forgive and to love is to be able to pray well. Paul's advice (second reading) is worth taking to heart: 'Avoid getting into debt, (good advice always) but he adds the rider 'except the debt of mutual love'. Our church, our parish will be a place where God is present if we allow ourselves to fall into the debt of mutual love (and forgiveness).

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References:
Homily-  Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly
 
Bergant, D. and Fragomeni, R. (2001). Preaching the new lectionary. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press. P. 340
 
Barclay, W. (2009). The gospel of Matthew. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew.
 
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Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 30700369. Large group of people seen from above gathered together in the shape of a cross, on white background. By Arthimedes . 


Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, September 6, 2020)  (EPISODE: 250 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{Peace and Patience to you all}}
Happy Father's Day to all our Dad's in the community. May God bless you and grant you peace and joy. And we pray for all Dads who have gone before us, that they now are enjoying the peace, joy and mercy of the eternal banquet kingdom.

Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let usprepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by recalling our sins and remembering Christs greater mercy.
sung
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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For our fathers, who have given us life and love, that we may show them respect and love, we pray to the Lord. R. 


For all who have gone into eternal life, especially all fathers who have died. That God may bring them into the joy of his kingdom, we pray to the Lord. R.

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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: Sundays Ordinary III
Euch Prayer II
Communion side.  pwk:  RH
(start variation - 4)
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{Thanks everyone, and have a grace-filled and compassion-filled week.}
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. With give thanks for and ask you to Bless all fathers. Grant then to wisdom and love to always be good fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. 

Grant this through Christ our Lord. 

R. Amen. 

And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.

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 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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