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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This weekend's Liturgy - SPP - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 30, 2020. EPISODE 249

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 30, 2020 EPISODE 249

James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Get Thee Behind Me, Satan (Rétire-toi, Satan), 1886-1896. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 5 11/16 x 8 5/8 in. (14.4 x 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.153 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.153_PS2.jpg)

Readings for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9. "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God"
SECOND READING: Romans 12:1-2
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (cf. Eph 1:17-18).Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of your heart. That we might see how great is the hope to which we are called.
GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-27
 
Image Credit: James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Get Thee Behind Me, Satan (Rétire-toi, Satan), 1886-1896. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 5 11/16 x 8 5/8 in. (14.4 x 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.153 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.153_PS2.jpg)
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 30, 2020 by clicking this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-22a-episode-249  (EPISODE: 249)
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Prologue: St Peter has just declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen one, and the Son of God. Jesus has rewarded this God-inspired declaration with the statement that Peter is the ROCK…on which he will build his church.
 
Our Lord's church is founded on the "rock-solid profession of faith" first uttered by Saint Peter.
 
But now, (astoundingly), only moments later, Jesus is rebuking Peter. Calling him a stumbling block.
 
Peter has gone from "Rock" to "Stumbling block" in seconds… 
How easy it is for any of us to go from one-minute being a person who is supporting the vision of Jesus, to being an unwitting stumbling block, or obstacle to the project!! It is very sobering stuff!!
 
Our Lord's instinctive reaction, even to one of his closest disciples makes sense though. He had been sorely tempted in the desert by the "adversary"…The temptations were persistent but he deflected them powerfully….. Then, time and time again… he had to shrug off the "all too subtle temptations" to "sell-out" or "take the easy path"….. Jesus has time and time again fended off the adversary's temptations…. "give them bread… give them material things they desire and then they will follow you…..'…. "give them sensations… give them wonders…. and they will follow you…."……. "never challenge them…. given them what they ask without questioning… without moving them forward…… and they will follow you….."……. "compromise with the world…. reduce your standards……. sell out…. and they will follow you…."…. and now….here is his friend… his devoted disciple…… his rock……. Peter….. the "rock on whom he will build his church,"  now saying similar things….. No wonder Jesus shot back that retort like an arrow shot from its bow…….. Jesus has been fending off these obstacles to his true mission constantly throughout his ministry… and this would not be the last time…
 
Jesus is saying to Peter.. and to each one of us…. okay… you know I am the Messiah… the Christ… the chosen one…. fine… that is only the beginning…. NOW you must listen and learn from me WHAT the true meaning of the messiah is……
 
To prevent this mistake, it is urgent that we take regular time to read the scriptures and deepen our spiritual and scriptural reading…. And also, these readings we hear each weekend.. are so rich and full of meaning.. It would be wonderful if we read over the coming weekend's readings, at least once or twice during the preceding week,… and perhaps just prior to coming to mass.. even read the texts reflectively again…. Prior to hearing it proclaimed at Mass… to ever deepen our hearing and perceiving of the wonderful message and challenge of God's Word.
 
Today's gospel demands of us deep and regular prayer, contemplation and reflection, so that we can be a rock, and not a block… and so that we can not only "mean well" but also "achieve well" when we act according to the Lord's vision.
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22^nd Sunday-Ord Time-Year A-2020

Even before Jesus suggested that we all need to be cross bearers, Jeremiah knew what it was to suffer daily. He was attacked by the crowds, imprisoned and tortured. He was isolated from his family and friends, he became a laughing stock around the streets of the city, he was hurt and bewildered by how people responded to him. Many people just ignored him. If there was any person who had a reason to give up, then Jeremiah would certainly qualify, yet he doesn't give in because he claims he cannot extinguish the fire burning within him. He carried a cross before Jesus did.
But is the cross the actual suffering or the reason why suffering can be endured?

"Unless you take up your cross daily and follow me, you are not worthy of the kingdom of heaven" is a misinterpreted text. What Jesus is not saying is: 'Look everybody I want you to become a follower of mine and I can promise you a life of humiliation, rejection, pain and suffering'. Who would want to join such a group?

A cross is made up of two cross pieces, it becomes a symbol of decision. You can go one way or the other; you are at a crossroads. The word 'crisis' comes from that exact same sense. People who are suffering crucifixion are people who are anguishing over hard decisions in their lives. Jesus is saying unless you make daily decisions that make a difference, you are not worthy of me. That is the cross we must bear. It is a far harder cross than physical crucifixion. The cross gets even more difficult to carry when we truly know what we should do but we lose the courage, the motivation to actually do it.
It is often about turning "I should" into "I must" or "I will". It becomes a burden if we don't believe in the reason or the cause that compels us to carry it.

  Saint Paul suggests another form of the cross to the Romans telling them that they should be transformed by the renewal of their minds. They should let go of their old ways and learn to think like Jesus. If there is to be a time of relearning, there must be a time of "reteaching". While the image or recognition of God in the world may have been obscured or blurred by competing quests, people are again looking for God but seem unable to recognise the divine presence and so we must be the teachers of who God is and what God expects.

 Psychiatrist Gerard May wrote a book called 'Addiction and Grace' in it he says: 'After 20 years of listening to the yearnings of people's hearts, I'm convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God. Whether they are consciously religious or not, this desire for God is our deepest longing and our most precious treasure. It gives us meaning. 'But something gets in the way of our inborn desire of God. The longing at the centre of our hearts repeatedly disappears from our awareness and its energy is usurped by forces that are not at all loving. Our desires are captured and we give ourselves to things, that in our deepest honesty, we really do not want.'

  It is not that when we teach Christ, we have an unreceptive audience. We are not preaching a message foreign to our human nature. When in our own way we quietly make ethical decisions, even if it costs us money, even if it means that we are not the most important consideration in the decision-making process, when we make the decisions not to cheat, not to steal, not to lie, not to be unfaithful... quietly we become witnesses to the truth in the eyes of others, the truth that is buried deep inside them. When we carry our cross daily we are so many little gongs that strike a great bell, it resonates the deepest desire for God in people, a desire which they cannot even name.

Jesus has spoken already about choice, last Sunday, at Caesarea Philippi, Who do you say I am? Now he invites choice a second time, take up your cross daily. Choose to be evangelisers, the ones who can call forth from people what's already in their hearts, a burning desire for God.
Today's gospel sets before us the starkest reality of Christian faith - the cross. Jesus reminds Peter that this is the condition of discipleship and the only way to salvation.
  Our faith demands something of us, a personal commitment, and a life spent in the service of the Lord. There is no easy way out. Security and complacency are not elements of Christian life. Paradox of earthly loss for heavenly gain

This involved, for Peter and the disciples, so radical a change in their thinking that even Peter was baffled. He had been enlightened by God so that he could recognise the Messiah, he had been given the leadership of the church, yet he had failed to completely understand the message of suffering and was rebuked: 'the way you think is not God's way but man's'.

  This total disregard of self which must characterise Christ's disciple is foreshadowed by the fate of Jeremiah (First reading) the call of God is so insistent - a fire burning within him - that he cannot disregard it, even though his compliance means continual suffering. He is in touch with the pain involved in serving God. In being a witness to values beyond this world. I am a daily laughing-stock, the butt of everyone's jokes.
"The word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision all day long. You have seduced me Lord, tricked me into believing in you. And yet, when I try to forget you a fire starts to burn in my heart, in my bones. I get tired trying to block you out of my life. Life without you is too much to bear."
  Paul describes the change that must take place in the disciple - he must metamorphose - be completely changed and the Greek word used for this is in Romans is the same word Matthew uses when he describes the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain: we must undergo a metamorphosis. We can follow Christ as he wishes us to do only if we are prepared to fashion the whole of our lives on his, to forget ourselves in the loving service of Christ and of others for Christ's sake. Instead of conforming to the standards of society, we must approach life with a mind and heart transfigured.
  True discipleship, taking up the Cross in imitation of Jesus, unleashes the power and love of God which burns in our hearts.

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References:
homily by Fr Peter Dillon

PROLOGUE Fr Paul W. Kelly
 
THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF MATTHEW. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY. Concepts from William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible – Matthew vol 2).

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 779219806. LEPOGLAVA, CROATIA - MARCH 17: Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, sacristy of the church of the Immaculate Conception in Lepoglava, Croatia on March 17, 2017. By Zvonimir Atletic  James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Get Thee Behind Me, Satan (Rétire-toi, Satan), 1886-1896. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 5 11/16 x 8 5/8 in. (14.4 x 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.153 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.153_PS2.jpg)


Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, August 30, 2020) (EPISODE: 249 )
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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{{Joy and peace to everyone}}

As we begin the Holy Eucharist, let us acknowledge our sinfulness, so as to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: 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: Sundays Ordinary IV
Euch Prayer Three
Communion side. pwk: LH
(OPENING THEME VARIATION:  3)
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{{I pray this week brings you an ever deeper expereience of his compassion and love.}}

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 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. 


Production: KER 2020

May God bless and keep you. 
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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 23, 2020. EPISODE 248

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 23, 2020 

EPISODE 248

Readings for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 22:19-23 

Psalm 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6+8. "Lord, your love is eternal, do not forsake the work of your hands."
SECOND READING: Romans 11:33-36

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (Matthew 16:18).Alleluia, alleluia! You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church. The gates of hell will not hold out against it.
GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20

 

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 779219806. LEPOGLAVA, CROATIA - MARCH 17: Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, the picture on a wardrobe in the sacristy of the church of the Immaculate Conception in Lepoglava, Croatia on March 17, 2017. By Zvonimir Atletic  

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 23, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ordinary-21a-episode-248   (EPISODE: 248)
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Prologue. (Fr Paul): In the Gospel, Our Lord gives St Peter, (the first amongst the apostles), the keys to the Kingdom. 

Our Lord builds his church on the solid rock of the profession of faith that Peter makes. This profession of faith is ours as well, these many centuries later.  

"But you….. who do YOU say I am?"

We are in awe of the fact that Our Lord is so protective of each and every one of his Heavenly father's sons and daughters, and so protective that he even says…. "I regard that what you do to even the least of these little ones, it is as if you are doing it to me personally"  ….  And so, over each one of us and all of us….Our Lord throws over a cloak of protection, care and inclusion that is beyond measure ……… Our Lord is the ultimate revelation of not only what God is like.,… but how God acts towards us… and what God feels towards each of us…. and that is very good news… 

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21^st Sunday-Ord. Time- 2020

 

I am frequently asked to write references for people wishing to work within the Catholic Church. I am asked to give a reference about their participation in their faith. This is often a very difficult task since often all I know is that they are baptised and are sometimes seen in Church.

I don't always know if they live their faith outside of the walls of the Church. I don't know what values and standards they live by, and I don't really know if they will bring those standards to the employment they seek. I am often left to ask other people" Who do you say/think this person is?"

"Are they genuinely who they profess to be?" 

Question of who am I? and where am I going does not occur

 

'But you... who do YOU say I am?'

The question that Jesus puts to his disciples is challenging and direct. The most significant words are 'BUT YOU' - they cannot avoid the question, they must make an individual response.

 

The Gospels paint a very honest picture of Peter, a person who is very much human. He makes mistakes, is called, challenged, rebuked, forgiven, given responsibility, and encouraged by Christ. Sometimes he seems almost too human to be given such a tremendous responsibility. It's clear that he had leadership qualities as well as glaring weaknesses. He is brave and cowardly, a rock and jelly. With some reflective prayer, we should all be able to see how very similar our relationship is to Christ as was Peter's.

 

Peter is eloquent in his simplicity. He states clearly that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, God among us. Jesus reminds Peter that his faith is God's-given gift, a gift that promotes his leadership of the college of apostles.

 

Jesus first called Peter because he had potential, yet Peter resisted "Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man", yet Jesus chose to make him a partner in his work since we know that responsibility helps people grow. Jesus challenged him, corrected him and told him off and refused to comprise on matters of principle. The consoling part of their relationship was that Jesus understood Peter's motives more than his actions and did not write him off when he failed, and he did fail frequently. He trusted Peter and did not spoil him. He became who Jesus encouraged him to be. Peter is us; In our strength and our weakness, in our certainty and our doubt.

 

The gospel question is directed to all who claim to be Christians. We have been given the gift of faith. Jesus has been revealed to us. His life confronts us. Will our profession of faith be as quick and as sure as Peter's? Do our lives show forth the faith that we profess in our hearts? Our answer to the question 'Who do you say I am?' is not just cerebral. It affects the totality of our lives, our attitudes, our relationships with others. To recognise Jesus as the Son of God at work in people's lives gives us hope and a clearer vision of God's love for us.

 

Being "part of the Catholic crowd" is hardly the challenge Jesus presents to the disciples. We are commissioned like the disciples to witness to Christ's personal love in the workplace, with our friends, and in our families.

 

 Thomas Merton once said, 'I have learned to rejoice that Jesus is in the world of people who know Him not, that He is at work in them when they think themselves far from Him and it is my joy to tell you to hope, though you think that for you, hope is impossible. Hope not because you think you can be good but because God loves us irrespective of our minds and whatever is good in us comes from His love, not from our own doing'.

  When we profess faith in Jesus, when we lose ourselves in the mystery of God, this is the vision that will sustain us.

 

Our great quest in life is to move from telling people what we believe, to letting them see who we are. In doing so it should be clear what we believe.

I can't genuinely profess a belief in God whom I claim to love and not show a love for those who love with and around me in the world. I can't profess to follow the message of Christ and then avoid showing a sensitive option for the poor.

It is not enough to say "this is who I am as a Christian" unless that is visible in the way that I live.

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References:
homily:  fr peter Dillon

 

prologue: Fr Paul W. Kelly

Break Open the Word. Liturgical Commission. 2011.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 779219806. LEPOGLAVA, CROATIA - MARCH 17: Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, picture on a wardrobe in the sacristy of the church of the Immaculate Conception in Lepoglava, Croatia on March 17, 2017. By Zvonimir Atletic 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, August 23, 2020) (EPISODE: 248 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Love and joy be with everyone}}

 

As we prepare to celebrate the great Sacramental feast of Gods love, let us pause, recall our sins, and trust in Gods infinite mercy.
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
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 III
Euch prayer two

(OPENING THEME VARIATION:  2)
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{{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}}

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.

 

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

- "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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