Homily: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 25 August 2024 - (EPISODE:493)

Homily: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 25 August 2024 - (EPISODE:493)

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 2446001941 -Jesus Christ Priest holding the Host and Chalice Colored Vector Illustration — Vector Contributor: Luis Fraga

 

GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND

Homily: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 25 August 2024 - (EPISODE:493)

 

Readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B

FIRST READING: Josh 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Ps 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21. "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

SECOND READING: Eph 5: 21-32

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 6: 63c+68c). Alleluia, alleluia! Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of everlasting life.

GOSPEL: John 6: 60-69

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B  - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-21st-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-493/s-0cW09BkKBDT

- (EPISODE:493)

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* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)

Trust in Our Lord, especially in trying times. 

 

This weekend's readings remind us that God is faithful to us and we should not let challenges stop us from trusting in God's care and protection. 

 

In the first reading, the people wisely choose to continue to trust in their God rather than chase after false idols. They REMEMBER the care and protection God gave them in the past, and continue to trust in God.

 

The psalm also reminds us that we should continue to sing of God's praises and God's gifts. God has made a covenant with us like a husband and wife make a covenant with each other in marriage. It is one of equality and looking out for the needs of the other because they are truly a part of each other.

 

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the people with his revolutionary teaching on the Eucharist. Some of his followers are horrified and turn away - refusing to follow him anymore. The Apostles refuse to stop following him because they rightly say, "Where else could we go? YOU have the words of everlasting life."

 

It is so important, especially in times of difficulty, challenge and change, that we all continue to remember the graces, give thanks for God's gifts and keep trusting in God's wisdom and guidance. For Jesus does indeed have the answers, even though he leads us through a new and often challenging territory.

 

Homily - 

In the first reading, the people are faced with a decisive question. Will we keep following the Lord, or will we go after other priorities and values and chase after false gods?

 

The people's response is very good, and it's very telling. We have no intention of deserting the Lord our God because God brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, and God worked great wonders before our eyes and preserved us along the way.

 

This is yet another example of the people remembering. The people are calling to mind very clearly the blessings and graces of the past. If we don't keep remembering the gifts of the past, we will almost certainly fall by the wayside.

 

We must keep thanking God, and remembering the countless blessings and graces that God has already given us along our life's journey. Then we too can say to the Lord, "we have no intention of deserting you."

 

And this leads us to the psalm as it says, "Bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips."

 

The second reading is meant to be understood as acknowledging the equality and dignity of a man and a woman, and encouraging people to put each other first, the way one would treat one's own self and one's own needs. It seems to me that when this is practiced, the needs of both are respected as if they were one's own needs, a recipe for a very respectful and loving marriage.

 

The gospel affirms Jesus as the source of all inspiration and all grace.

In the midst of very challenging new concepts and ideas that really challenge the would-be disciple, there's this simple reply, Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life and we believe, and know that you are the Holy One of God.

 

This foundational belief in Jesus being our source of eternal life and of truth, allows us to keep trusting, keep believing and keep going deeper into our heart and soul; so that we will truly follow Jesus, even in times of challenge, especially in times of challenge. It's easy to be a disciple and follower of God when things are going right, and everything's good, but it's much more challenging when the path is very, very rough.

 

In this life, we must constantly be alert to keep our faith alive; and this requires a daily decision to abide deeply in God's word, to let God's word form us and fill us up, and to allow the word to convert everything that's not consistent with the Lord's values. This means daily prayer, daily spiritual reading, reflection on the scriptures and an openness to the formation and challenges of our Lord's eternal, life-giving word, words which challenge and impel us ever more forward, and often take us well out of our comfort zones.

 

Naturally, there are many good things about the society and the world we live in, but there are some strong values and philosophies that are so dominant and so powerful in our society that if we were to accept them, it could make our lives really miserable.

 

Some values in our world are clearly not consistent with the gospel, and can send us down a path of futility. For example, the way the secular world assesses the value of the person. 

 

The world is stuck only in the flesh and puts too much importance on appearances. It doesn't understand the differences between "doing" and "being."  It only takes a little to see that if you scratch the surface of modern society, some very worrying values in our society are quite inconsistent with Christ's message. 

 

For example, there's a concerning attitude where a person might say, my whole value is in my job. Now our jobs are important, but to say my value is so much caught up in my job that without my job, I am nothing, that's not consistent with Jesus' message or actions. Also, if I were to say my true value is in my abilities to be able to do certain things, so if I can't do those things anymore, I am worthless. That's also misleading.

 

That's not of Christ. Christ has given each of us intrinsic value within ourselves. We are valuable.

 

We are precious. We are sacred in and of ourselves, irrespective of what we do or what we're able to do or what job we have or where we stand in society. We are precious and valuable in ourselves – simply and completely because we are beloved children of God.

 

So when people say my value is in what I own, or I'm valuable because of where I stand on the ladder of society, what happens if I lose my possessions or lose my reputation or social standing? Am I of no value at all? The world may say that. People may say that. Christ definitely does not say that!! – And Christ's view is decisive and always true!

 

Jesus shows us clearly where our true value lies. Our value is in being eternally beloved sons and daughters of a loving God. That reality NEVER changes, no matter what the changes of time and circumstances brings.

 

But Jesus' words are too hard for many people and they stop following him, which is really tragic because although Christ's worldview is challenging and new and requires a real change of heart and mind, it is freeing and very helpful, especially when so many other passing things, that  we depend upon fail us, or cease to be accesible.

 

Christ's values never end. Thank goodness, Jesus doesn't water down his teachings or his message when people find it a bit hard to accept.

 

In fact, he steps up the strength of his message even more, in the face of resistance and  rejection.

 

He will not back down.  Jesus even turns to his disciples and says, "are you going to leave too?" And, (inspired by the Holy Spirit), Saint Peter replies, bravely and truthfully, "where else could we go? There's nowhere else to go. You have the words of everlasting life. You have the truth."

 

Why would we turn away from the truth, no matter how challenging it is?

 

Lord, help us to keep following your ways, even when they're most challenging, and help us to reject anything that is contrary to your values. May your life transform our hearts, and may your gospel transform our lives.

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References:

Homily –Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of John Part I. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press.

 

Abbot's Homilies - Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. . [online] Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. Available at: https://christdesert.org/updates/abbots-homilies/

 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B   (Sunday, August 22, 2021)  (EPISODE:317 )
The Lord be with you.
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{{Good day, everyone}} Welcome everyone; we gather -  Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament.

As we prepare to celebrate the tremendous Sacramental feast of God's love, let us pause, recall our sins, and trust God's infinite 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
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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Ps 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 . "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. John 6: 63c+68c). Alleluia, alleluia! Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of everlasting life.
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PREFACE: Sundays iii
ep ii

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{I am very grateful for you joining in at this special time of prayer and reflection. }

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 our weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

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 (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) -  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.

 

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

 

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

 

v Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software

 

v NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

 

v Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.

 

 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B - Sunday, 18 August 2024 (EPISODE:492)

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B -  Sunday, 18 August 2024 (EPISODE:492)

Readings for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year B
FIRST READING: Prov 9:1-6
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (diff). "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."
SECOND READING: Eph 5:15-20
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:56). Alleluia, alleluia! All who eat my flesh and drink my blood. Live in me and I in them, says the Lord.
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2234077357 - Pelican feeding its young with its own blood by piercing its body. Jesus Christ sacrificing himself for mankind religion symbol concept. - Photo Formats- Photo Contributor: funstarts33
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 18 August 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-20th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-492/s-9KFGN2WaW2y  
(EPISODE:492)
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Homily: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Year B - Sunday, 18 August 2024

 

Prologue: It is that wonderful time to come together and listen to God's word, to praise God and offer prayers to the Lord.  This weekend, the readings speak of eating and drinking. There are clearly different types of food that we can eat, some are very good for us, and some are very unhealthy for us. Jesus is clearly speaking about receiving him in the Eucharist - in his Body and Blood.   Our Lord is strongly teaching us to take in only that which is truly nourishing for our lives. Jesus offers us everything that is truly good and life-giving. His presence in the Eucharist, transforms, nourishes and strengthens us in our daily mission. His Gospel message and the values contained in his Word give us nourishment in our Spirit and our attitudes. Jesus offers us a diet of only the very best.  Also, did you know there is an old Latin Hymn, "Adore Te Devote" by the Great theologian Thomas Aquinas, in which Our Lord Jesus is addressed (among other titles) as:  "O Pelicanus"  -  (O Pelican !)-  There is a beautiful symbolic reason for this, which I will explain in the homily... 

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In the readings this weekend, we hear of our Lord telling the crowd, in no uncertain terms, that he is offering himself to them in the Eucharist, so that as they eat the bread and drink the chalice of Eucharist, they are truly taking in the presence and person of Jesus into their hearts, into their bodies, and becoming united with Christ and his mission. Jesus wanted to make it quite clear that he wanted us to become living, cooperating, and free instruments of his grace, and that this included receiving Eucharist, so that we could be as closely united to Jesus in our lives and in our work as could ever be imagined. What a profound and amazing gift that Jesus is giving to us.

 

I've got a little everyday example of God's grace, and something interesting. I was looking around a few years back online for some piano music, and I came across some albums by the great American composer George Gershwin, 1898 to 1937. He was a brilliant American composer and pianist.

 

This album I came across was called Gershwin Plays Gershwin, and I was intrigued since these recordings of his music were made between 1916 and 1933, and of course sound recordings were very, very not high-tech back then. I thought, well I'll be scratchy and very hard to hear, even allowing for modern digital restoration and enhancement techniques. These recordings turned out to be something quite different and extraordinary, and they were as clear as a bell to listen to, just as if we were sitting there listening to him playing the piano now.

 

And I asked myself, how is that possible? How can this be perfectly clear but claim to be the playing of the actual Gershwin? The answer is because Gershwin recorded in a technique arguably the forerunner for digital technology. Yes, even way back then in the 20s. You see, he recorded his music on piano rolls, that is, paper rolls with little slots cut into them that exactly replicated his playing as he played, and they were designed to be played back on a real piano, a pianola or the type.

 

So these are effectively modern recordings of his own playing, amazingly experienced, just as if he was playing the music here and now. I mention this example because the activity of God's Holy Spirit through us, his humble mortals, has often been compared to the human breath being breathed into a finely tuned musical instrument. When the Holy Spirit fills us up and inspires our actions effectively, it's not like a scratchy faded old record of a bygone event, not just a pale reproduction, but rather it's truly God's gracious action here and now, experienced in its fullness, in its touchable way, in and through his cooperating human instruments.

 

For real, clear and effective, quite extraordinary. In some ways, the sacraments are God's perfect digital music. God is really and truly touching us in and through his presence in the sacraments, not just a pale symbol or a sign that harks back to a long-gone event, but a perfect and real representation of God's actual presence and action in and through the sacramental encounter.

 

So when Jesus gives us the Eucharist, the bread broken and the chalice poured out for us, this is truly the presence of Jesus in his body and blood, not merely a scratchy copy, but the real thing presented to us. We are asked to take in his body and blood in the Eucharist, to be united with him, body and soul, and to take in the words of scripture and to become finely tuned instruments through which God's grace can be experienced, here and now, in this world and in this community. It's a true miracle, better than any human technology could ever achieve.

 

Here's another thought. When I was at seminary, we had an option to learn a little bit of Latin, and a few of us felt that since it was a very important part of our tradition of the Church, we should at least have an opportunity to have a grasp of Latin. I'm glad of this, but really how I learned any Latin is a mystery of religion, it was so difficult, there were so many irregular verbs and declensions, my mind boggled, and I would come to classes feeling I hadn't put enough preparation into the next classes, so I'd worry that I'd not be able to answer any questions about it.

 

Mysteriously though, several things did seem to sink into my brain, as if by a form of osmosis, that is, just by being immersed in the language of Latin, some things did stay with me, and they stay to this day. For example, pronunciation stuck with me, and the general structure and basic vocabulary stayed with me, and also a few phrases really stuck with me, some for various reasons. Our lecturer, Father Michael McClure, who is from Toowoomba Diocese, would present us with old Latin hymns and get us to pronounce the Latin contained in these beautiful hymns, and it was a really great way of teaching, by singing in Latin, it seemed to get in better.

 

I was intrigued one day when we were reciting an old hymn set to the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great doctor of the Church, it was a hymn to Jesus, and the mysterious Latin words echoed out, O Pelicanus. I thought to myself, that's odd, that sounds like Aquinas is saying to Jesus, O Pelican, very odd, surely this is a mistranslation, but no, it wasn't. But why was St. Thomas Aquinas calling Jesus O Pelican, why would a pelican be a symbol of Jesus? And here lies an interesting story.

 

The symbolism of a mother pelican feeding her little baby pelicans is rooted in ancient legend. In ancient thinking, the humble pelican was believed to be very self-sacrificing to its young, especially in times of famine. The mother pelican was seen to wound herself, to vuln herself, another Latin word that comes from the same derivation as the word vulnerable, that means being able to be pierced, being able to be wounded.

 

So the pelican was seen to strike her breast with her beak, and she would feed her young from her own blood to prevent starvation. Another version of this legend was that the mother fed her dying young her own blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life. This legend, as I mentioned, comes from a slight observational confusion.

 

A pelican feeds her young, not by piercing its own chest and having blood come out, but by regurgitating food that is stored in its upper throat. This occurs by the bird lowering and raising its neck repeatedly onto its breast, hence its action looks like it's piercing its own chest, and the reddish fluid, which is actually food, flows out, which the young then feed upon. So even though it's a misunderstanding, the symbolism is quite clear and beautiful, and you can see how it's been used as an image of Christ, whose own blood saved us all, and he died for us, but then rose again.

 

Given this tradition, one can easily see why the early Christians adopted it to symbolise our Lord Jesus Christ. The pelican symbolises Jesus, our Redeemer, who truly gave his life for our redemption and the victory over sin and death he made through his passion and death. We were dead to sin and have found new life through the blood of Christ.

 

Moreover, Jesus continues to feed us with his body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. I remember seeing a beautiful tabernacle, I think it was Rosalie Church, and I think maybe even Ipswich Church, and it had the image of a mother pelican piercing its breast and feeding its young chicks. So that symbolism is beautiful and quite widespread.

 

The Gospel today reminds me about all of this because Jesus is using very clear, very dramatic, and quite stark words to explain how he intends to be made present to us, to allow us to draw life from him by partaking in the Eucharist, which is clearly a sharing in the body and blood of Christ, so that we might be united in Christ's life. Jesus had the problem of conveying the meaning of Eucharist to his followers, and as you can imagine it was very, very difficult. It was quite clear that he meant them to understand the dramatic reality of the action of the Eucharist, whilst at the same time not wanting them to be so repelled by the idea of eating flesh and blood.

 

Christ truly meant us to understand that in Eucharist we truly receive him in his body and blood, and become united to him in his life. All that matters, and I'm grateful to my long-suffering Latin lecturer for this, is that Christ gives his life and body and blood for all of us. Jesus wants us to enter into that relationship of faith of life with him that's so close that we are to be truly united with Christ.

 

And what we celebrate here in Eucharist is the real and touchable, tangible expression of the life that we share with God made flesh, for the life of the world. The Pelicanus, whose chest was pierced, and his own life force flowed out so that we might have life.

 

And verse six of that wonderful hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas,

"Adoro Te Devote"

Verse 6.

Lord Jesus, Good Pelican,

wash my squalidness and clean me with your blood,

One drop of which can free

the entire world of all its sins.

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References:

 

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

https://btk.ppke.hu/uploads/articles/8528/file/6-1-10.pdf

 

Audio-CD. Gershwin Plays Gershwin. The Piano Rolls: Volume 1. "Rhapsody in Blue" By George Gershwin.  Publisher: Nonesuch. (November 5, 1993). ASIN: B000005J1I. Reference Link: http://a.co/2fR2tCc  - Portions used for the purposes of Review.

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 2234077357 - Pelican feeding its young with its own blood by piercing its body. Jesus Christ sacrificing himself for mankind religion symbol concept. - Photo Formats- Photo Contributor: funstarts33

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Year B  -(Sunday, 18 August 2024)  (EPISODE:492)
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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{{Greetings}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Reflection upon God's word, and encounter Christ's presence. On this Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Our Gods love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.
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
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (diff). "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:56). ). Alleluia, alleluia! All who eat my flesh and drink my blood. Live in me and I in them, says the Lord.
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PREFACE: Ordinary 8
Eucharistic Prayer various 1
(theme variation: theme 2 )

 

(post version: v2-long)

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{8. Bless you all and May God's grace guide you each and every day of this week.}

2. 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 the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:

https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 

Details 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 (1942-2017) - 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.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

Editing equipment:    -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

[Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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Weekday Solemnity - The Solemnity of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary –15th August 2024. (ep 491-B special)

Weekday Solemnity - The Solemnity of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary –15th August 2024. (ep 491-B special)

Shutterstock Licensed Image Credit: Photo Description - Stock Photo ID: 473077459 -  FATIMA, PORTUGAL - JULY 23, 2016: Painting of the Coronation of Mother Mary by the Holy Trinity at the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor-jorisvo

 

Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish - Weekly Parish Mass - podcast of Eucharist, including readings, prayers, homily) Greetings from Surfers Catholic parish!

Please find linked below the latest edition of the Parish weekly Homily and link to the (audio) podcast of the mass, especially produced for those who are unable to be with us at mass.

https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/fhl-weekday-solemnity-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-yearabc-episode-491b-special/s-6R7QsMwVDKj  
The Solemnity of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary –15th August

Readings
FIRST READING: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm: Ps 44:10-12, 16. "The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (Alleluia, alleluia! Mary is taken up to heaven, and the angels of God shout for joy. Alleluia!).
GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-56

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Prologue: This feast originated in Jerusalem before the fifth century as the "Falling-Asleep of the Mother of God." It was adopted in Rome in the mid-seventh century and was renamed the "Assumption" in the eighth century. It celebrates Mary's passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son. The foretaste and forerunner of what will be the reward of all the faithful at the fullness of the resurrection on the last day.

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Look at the wonders the Holy Spirit of God can achieve when we are open, obedient, humble and cooperative with God's plan in our lives…. Just as the blessed virgin Mary, Mother of God, and Mother of the church,  is an ideal example of someone who cooperated with God's plans… and as a result, allowed God to do great things through her life and actions

Look at the incredible grace, love and fruit that is produced from saying an emphatic and unreserved - "YES" to what God wants to achieve through us in the world…..

 

as it so wonderfully says in today's Preface -  "today the Virgin Mother of God

was assumed into heaven, as the beginning and image, of your Church's coming to perfection, and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people. 

 

From the sixth century, we have Gregory of Tours speaking about the Dormition, and then some time later, the Assumption:

The course of this life having been completed by Blessed Mary, when now she would be called from the world, all the Apostles came together from their various regions to her house. And when they had heard that she was about to be taken from the world, they kept watch together with her. And behold, the Lord Jesus came with His angels, and taking her soul, He gave it over to angel Michael and withdrew. 

At daybreak, however, the Apostles took up her body on a bier and placed it in a tomb; and they guarded it, expecting the Lord to come. And behold, again the Lord stood by them; and the holy body having been received, he commanded that it be taken in a cloud into paradise: where now, rejoined to the soul, [Mary] rejoices with the Lord's chosen ones, and is the enjoyment of the good of an eternity that will never end." (Saint Gregory of Tours, Bishop; A. D.595-A.D. 594); Eight Books of Miracles; A.D. 575-593)

One key distinction to keep in mind: The Ascension of Jesus was accomplished through Jesus' own power as God. The Assumption of the Blessed Mother was done for her by the Power of God, not under her own power.

And so /….Our Blessed Mother was taken into heaven, body and soul, passing from this life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church adds (CCC 967):

By her complete adherence to the Father's will, to His Son's redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the model of faith and charity. Thus she is a "preeminent and wholly unique member of the Church"; indeed, she is the "exemplary realization" of the Church.

And so,   Mary became the first to be resurrected into heaven body and soul…   and this is the hope of all the church for each of us, when on the last day, we will be body and soul in heaven with God.

May Mary, who shows us an openness and generosity to God…. and pre-figures the destiny of all who hope in Jesus' promises, continue to inspire us to make a difference…. and say "yes" to God's values in all we do, (at home, at work, in the classrooms and workplaces.. in formal and social situations, and in the community….)

Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed body and soul into heaven, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the sure promises of Christ.
Amen.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

https://aleteia.org/2019/08/14/beautiful-thoughts-from-the-saints-on-marys-death-and-assumption 

also see-  https://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-assumption-of-mary-12-things-to-know-and-share-27jd571n?amp

Shutterstock Licensed Image Credit: Photo Description - Stock Photo ID: 473077459 -  FATIMA, PORTUGAL - JULY 23, 2016: Painting of the Coronation of Mother Mary by the Holy Trinity at the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor-jorisvo
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
{{Good wishes to you all.}}

On this special (Solemnity of) The Assumption Of Mary
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Lord Jesus, you glorified your mother; the ark of God. Lord have mercy.

You raised the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heavenly glory. Christ have mercy.

Mary's assumption is the first fruits of the victory you won for the human race. 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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PREFACE: Glory of Mary assumed into heaven (solemnity)
Euch.Prayer: 3

Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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{thanks, everyone. And may God sustain you with his grace and love.}


Dismissal:

Go in peace
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks


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.

Hymn – "Rainfall – Mother of Mercy." Music by Paul W. Kelly. 1994, 2021. Words adapted by Paul W. Kelly, based on the Traditional Salve Regina Hymn. Arranged & with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

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

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

Magnificat (Praise and sing to God) - Music by Paul W. Kelly. (1985, 2010, 2021), Lyrics inspired by Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). Music arranged, with adapted lyrics by Stefan de Freyne Kelk. [https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk] July 1, 2021.

[ Production - KER - 2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B - Sunday, 11 August 2024 (EPISODE: 491)

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. -Year B -  Sunday, 11 August 2024 (EPISODE: 491)

Readings for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.- Year B
FIRST READING: 1 Kgs 19:4-8
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9. "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord."
SECOND READING: Eph 4:30—5:2
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 6:51). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: John 6:41-51

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1275986371 - Vienna, Austria, 2016/11/26. The icon of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ in Saint Hripsime Church (Armenian Apostolic Church). -Important information - Editorial Use Only. - Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily) for Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 11 August 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-19th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-491/s-LlBPhB0kkgk  
(EPISODE:491)
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GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND

Homily: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B - Sunday, 11 August 2024

Prologue: It's important to believe that God is continually at work, trying to sustain us in all our needs. For example, we look at the way God sent an angel to Elijah to touch him and give him a simple scone and some water in order to sustain him on his difficult journey to the mountain of God. I believe that in so many simple and everyday ways, God sends us angels.

In the people and events and opportunities of life, which are meant to sustain us and nurture us and encourage us on our way, especially when we're struggling along that journey. And God gives us the Eucharist as the perfect food for our spiritual journey as disciples of Jesus. It's not an easy path to follow, but it is the path of life.
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In the readings this weekend, we see more examples of people losing hope and starting to complain and giving up. Whilst the Lord is continuously shown offering new strength and feeding the starving, encouraging those who are downcast, challenging us and willing us to keep trusting, keep walking humbly in God's abundant care and providence.

To sustain us, God gives us his life-giving word, as well as his very self. In the Eucharist, God showers us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to be the people of God that God is calling us to be and to become what God intends. God even sends us angels, in the broadest sense of that word, agents of God's grace, instruments of God's love, to encourage us, to nourish us, to refresh us in times of struggle and doubt.

This weekend's readings are inspiring and beautiful and they continue that clear Eucharistic theme from the Gospel. Without any doubt, our Lord is being very clear, Jesus is the true bread that has come down from heaven. He is the bread of life.

Anyone who eats this bread from heaven will have eternal life. Jesus gives us true nourishment to continue the path of life as disciples. There's a line in the first reading that really strikes me.

The prophet Elijah is physically, spiritually and emotionally exhausted. He's ready to give up. It all seems too much, too hard.

So God sends an angel to help him. The angel gently wakes him up and twice says to him, get up and eat or the journey will be too long for you. I think that's very telling.

Following God is a difficult and challenging path. It's not a very easy path, even if it is the path of life. It is possible with God's help to complete this journey of discipleship and follow that path that God has set for us.

But it needs the training of an athlete, and it needs nourishment and strength from God along that way. What this is saying is you will not be strong enough. You will certainly not be resilient enough and nourished enough unless you take the support and nourishment that God asks you and offers you.

This is our task as well as God's gift. Our Lord said a similar thing to his apostles when he was teaching them. Pray, fast, stay watchful or you will come into the time of trial.

Even they didn't fully listen to him and some of them stumbled badly. But our Lord helped them back up again. Even the night before Jesus died, he said, pray that you may be given the strength to face this trial.

But they fell asleep and didn't take his advice. If we think we can be effective disciples of Jesus who do what Jesus wants and not merely what we might want and if we think we can do the task of discipleship that Jesus has set, each and every one of us, without making use of the nourishment that Jesus gives us, we're kidding ourselves. The nourishment our Lord gives us is regular Eucharist and regular nourishment and challenge from listening to God's living word in the scriptures.

This is the nourishment we need to take, that we have regular prayer life too, both in the community and also privately. Both are essential. Private prayer, public worship, lest one or the other become stagnant and cut off from the wider picture.

The food we need to take, lest the journey will certainly be too arduous for us, is the support and challenge of the community of faith and also the nourishment from Christ's word and sacrament and also the nourishment and example of his values, personality and actions. The second reading from Saint Paul to the Ephesians is very special. It really encourages us to become a people who've been transformed as disciples of Christ, in our actions, attitudes, as well as in name.

The quality of our discipleship will show itself in the way we act, Saint Paul encourages his community. Never have grudges against each other. Don't lose your temper or raise your voice to anybody.

Don't call other people names or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgives us in Christ. Try then to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, by giving himself up in our place.

That's that beautiful passage from Ephesians 4, 30 to chapter 5, verse 2. What a wonderful life-giving community we are called into. And it is attained not by sheer willpower and determination, but rather regular nourishment and refreshment from God's grace. We drink from God's fountain.

That's found and given to us in the sacraments and in God's word. This allows God's grace to grow deep within our hearts and also has the wonderful added and important effect of crowding out anything that is not consistent with his gospel.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed.Stock Photo ID: 1275986371 - Vienna, Austria, 2016/11/26. The icon of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ in Saint Hripsime Church (Armenian Apostolic Church). -Important information. Editorial Use Only. - Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel
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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  
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Nineteenth Sunday of the Year B
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation

Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

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Sundays Ordinary II

Various Needs and Occasions I

Communion side. pwk: LH
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Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by visting here:
https://surfersparadiseparish.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85b9ddd594b242276d423bfe9&id=002282d9e0 

Details 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 (1942-2017) - 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.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser. And (2024+) Rode Nt-1 + AI-1 Sound Mixer.

Editing equipment:    -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

[Production -  KER -  2024]

May God bless and keep you.
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