Paul's Reflections 11th Septmber, 2011. 24TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - A

11th Septmber, 2011      24TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - A

 Just some practicalities…  a quick reminder….   whenever we use a spoken response now, it’s the new translation of mass. It is important that we “keep our eyes on the card” because some of the responses are different... or start the same but end very differently. It’s helpful to grab the card and read along with it……. The card will be needed.

<!    For the Eucharistic prayer that is being used on a Sunday…  and the preface choice, just a reminder, that for several years now I have been putting on the back of the newsletter (where hymns are) and also in the online email version of the newsletter..  (particularly at the end of the document) the various Mass options that I am using for the weekend masses.”

 

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The gospel values revealed in this Weekend’s readings are really central.

 

The principles on which Our Lord’s parable is based have had such a profound effect on not only Christianity, but also legal and ethical systems throughout the world. 

 

In some ways they are common sense and simply about consistency, justice and fairness, and yet, even now the world cries out for this common sense and fairness to be applied evenly…     Even to this day, people suffer because of the hypocrisy of double standards that are actually indefensible.

 

“Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!”  “The Golden rule”, which is so profound that it is an important part of our Western Legal system.

 

And yet, how often do people, inexplicably not follow this sensible and just principle.  People can be masters of justifying loopholes whereby they are entitled to be treated differently (often better) than others. Conversely, some people seem to justify treating others worse than they would like to be treated in the same situation. It is senseless..  

 

Our Lord strengthens this teaching in other lessons where he warns..   ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt 25:40).

 

This gospel is given by Our Lord as a warning that we must be constantly on our guard against not applying the 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 perhaps their closest relatives and friends… 

 

Jesus rejects this approach totally as well..  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 ALL God’s children…

 

The parable of the Unforgiving Servant…   is really appalling. It is very powerful.   The nasty servant has a debt to the master which he would NEVER ever be able to repay. IT is ENORMOUS….    And the master, in compassion forgives the debt entirely.   But then this nasty piece of work goes out and does not do the same to a fellow servant who has a debt to him that is quite payable in time…   maybe a 100 days, but it is manageable given time….   It is pathetic.   This nasty 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 a brothers in similar need.

 

We see this all the time in our society. It is sad and quite frankly bewildering.  This kind of attitude makes the world  a meaner and nastier place.  It is so unnecessary and so opposite to the gospel.

 

This very weekend, is the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Centre Terrorist attacks in New York and in Washington. Ten years later, it is still horrifying and frightening. 

 

The terrorists obviously did not see those they were attacking as their brothers and sisters…  they didn’t spare a thought for how they or their family would feel if someone did that to them or their loved ones?   When retaliation occurred, these terrorists are outraged when their loved ones and friends and colleagues are affected, but don’t seem to identify with the outrage and untold damage done by them.  It is totally senseless and contradictory.  It is the highwatermark of the opposite of the gospel.

 

The gospel seeks to break the cycle of hurt, retaliation and violence that comes from refusing to do unto others as I would have them do unto me…   We have seen the terrible damage done by refusing to see that we are all irreplaceable children of God. 

 

Let us pray for peace.. and healing..  and an end to hatred and violence ..  and the cycle of violence and retribution. Let us pray that the blatantly fair and reasonable message of justice and equality that comes from the golden rule, may find a home in the hearts of all.  May our communities and nations be rid of the hypocrisy of double standards and a lack of empathy and brotherhood and sisterhood…  

 

This gospel applies in big issues and in small issues of everyday life…    the small things of life, while they might not be anything like the horrors of the “911”  events and the other horrific terrorist acts of the last decades, still make life more or less tolerable. 

 

In the small things, I think of so many thoughtless and irksome things that you see people do….  And one prays to not do those or similar things in one’s own behaviour….  

 

A small but interesting example…..   the other day, I was in a long line of traffic lined up at a set of lights… I could see a car was parked at the side and indicating to come out… I knew he or she would be waiting a long time … so I let them in…       they returned the favour by immediately putting their indicators on to turn right into a cul-de-sac.  I thought to myself… what in the world are they doing..  now they have blocked the traffic and I and everyone behind me couldn’t get past. So the lights turned back to red and we were all stuck there…    while I was waiting.. this car used the cul-de-sac to simply turn around and drive in the other direction…   that was so annoying…   I was dumbfounded…  that person, ignorant of everyone behind now blocked traffic just to do an extended.  When all they NEEDED to do was turn left at the intersection, going with the flow of traffic and go around the block…. I was also embarrassed because my act of well-meaning letting them into the line, had unwittingly let this thoughtless person block the traffic, so I was wondering what everyone behind me was making of that!!!   I thought, why are people so thoughtless and ignorant.  It might be a small incident…  but I think some of this thinking shows itself in big and small ways…  

 

Whatever the situation.. I thought … well, I can’t change that person and I have no idea what they were thinking, if at all…  so all I can do is learn from this and use it to be more aware of others and their needs from my own actions and behaviours….   After all this parable today is directed at the listeners, not the unforgiving servant!

Let us continue to foster that awareness that we are all in communion with one another in the One God…   and what we do to others..  we do to God….

 

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REFERENCES:

 

<![if !supportLists]>·        <![endif]>FR. PAUL W. KELLY

 

 

Paul's Reflections St Mary's visits St Paul's: The Anglican Parish of Maryborough

(Here is the Sermon preached by Fr Jim

at the St Paul’s ceremony last Sunday. It was a wonderful morning. Thanks everyone)

 

The Anglican Parish of Maryborough

 

Sermon preached by Fr Jim

 

4 September 2011

 

St Mary’s visits St Paul’s

 

Romans 13.1-10; Matthew 18.10-20

 

Saturday a week ago, my wife Marcia and I were in Canberra for

the first ever reunion of the theological college where I studied for

ordination in the mid 1970s. A special occasion, wonderful to be

able to be there. We were able to catch up with friends, relive old

memories, recall those with whom we had shared this special

formation time, and review the courses of our own lives. Some had

come through smiling; some had died; others had not been able to

stay the distance. A family reunion within the family of God.

 

During my time in theological college, we confronted each other in

some pretty forthright and challenging ways – but this is partly what

“formation” is about. And I remember my delight, one day in the

college library, in discovering one of Israel’s proverbs, which said it

all for me: “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of

another” [NRSV]; “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a

friend” [New Living].1 Not that it was always the clash of steel upon

steel, but that – thrown together by God’s peculiar calling, and

having no say in who might join our exclusive community - we were

good for each other … Exactly like the Christian Church!

 

Notice how relational today’s readings are. “Owe no one anything,

except to love one another.” “Take care that you do not despise

one of these little ones.” “If another member of the church sins

against you …” It is a happy coincidence that today is also Fathers’

Day, when we acknowledge that we are not self-sufficient and that

our fathers (and mothers) have shaped us for good or ill, and that

we are of their genes and share their temperaments; even as we

retain our individual identities and must assert ourselves against our

parents – in mature and appropriate ways - from time to time.

 

This all relates strongly to what we are doing together here today.

In the Reformation, the Church of England strongly asserted itself

against, and eventually separated from, the Catholic Church; each

side persecuted the other, depending on whether Catholic or

Protestant was on the throne; we each have our martyrs from that

period. Now, centuries later, we recognise our family ties in Christ

even though we now dwell in separate houses; we retain our

individual identities, but respect each other and have been working

towards being better sisters to each other.

 

Which is why Fr Paul and I are both delighted to reaffirm the

agreement we signed here two years ago … and I would like to say

again what a pleasure it is work alongside him and all of you,

Catholic and Anglican, in our shared witness to Christ’s gospel here

in Maryborough.

 

“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend”. What are we

doing, to sharpen each other? Certainly, we do together whatever

we can which, sadly, does not extend to our being able to make

Eucharist together; Fr Paul & I preach in each other’s pulpits; we’ve

been able to join in special celebrations together, most recently

your 150th; we share Stations of the Cross on Good Friday; we

pray for each other, and it has been very heartening for me to

know that both St Mary’s and St Paul’s have been upholding my wife

Marcia in prayer.

 

My biggest regret, however, is that our Lenten studies didn’t quite

get off the ground … St Mary’s supported them better than St

Paul’s, but it all tapered off before Holy Week. Well, Fr Paul, we’ll

have to get our heads together on this one! It may just be that Lent

studies is not the best way forward, but perhaps a lengthier daytime

study program … we’ll see … but it’s important that over they

years, we not only keep the agreement alive but strengthen it. As

iron sharpens iron …

 

Our family ties are too strong to let it be otherwise. We are not

self-sufficient; we belong to Christ and through Christ to each other –

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

 

© the Revd James M McPherson

Maryborough Qld 4650

 

www.anglicanmaryborough.org.au

 

 

1 Proverbs 27.17.

 

Paul's Reflections Twenty - third Sunday of the Year - A. 4th September, 2011

4th September, 2011      Twenty - third Sunday of the Year - A

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On this Father’s Day weekend, the readings are rather fitting, by coincidence, because they remind us of how each and every one of us belongs to a family, (a community); ….. and it is from our influential family members and elder mentors that our values are formed and shaped. 

We give thanks to God for our Fathers… and all parents who pass on the values that matter.

To me, the Scriptures this weekend teach us that we are formed and called to be a loving community, in union with God and in goodwill and love and care with one another. That is the core of everything in the law and the prophets. It is the core of the Gospel message.

One of the big problems in our world today, seems to me is that there is this mentality of many people that they are like a solo performer who just happens to be living in a community,  rather than an inter-dependent member who is a part of the community in which he or she lives…   There are too many people who are alienated and often antagonistic to the wider values and significance of the community or family within which they exist.  It causes terrible results, as people with that mindset can act selfishly and thoughtlessly, without regard or respect for the communion good, or the needs of their brother and sister around them. This thinking at its worst would not even acknowledge they the people around them formed ANY sort of brotherhood or sisterhood of humanity.

The Christian message is that one cannot be a solo Christian. God calls and forms us to be a people of God, a chosen people and a member of the BODY of Christ. 

I think of some sayings that are consistent with the concept of belonging to a community in which Christ is present.. and in which the values of the Gospel are taught and learnt.

Sayings such as…..

·         “It Takes A Village to Raise a Child.” Others have challenged that saying, somewhat, and said..   “actually it takes a family to raise a child”…  (noting the differing values that a community can have for better or worse, as compared with a family and the values they pass on…..).

·         No man (or woman) is an island, complete of itself.

·        You start building a good neighbourhood when you yourself decide that you will be a good neighbour.

Then I think of a wonderful reflection that is quite popular…

Children Learn What They Live (1998). by Dorothy Law Nolte (1924 - 2005)

·        If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

·        If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

·        If they live with acceptance, they learn to love.

·        If they live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

·        … with sharing, they learn generosity.

·        ….. with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

·        ….  with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

·        If they live  with criticism, they learn to condemn.

·        ……and so on..  

 

I would add another one…   “If children do the wrong thing and then see their parents siding with them against authorities that are rightly challenging their bad behaviour… then children learn to disrespect authority, and learn not to be accountable for their actions. They learn to be a real pain in the neck and a worry for the community.”

 

One sees that FAR too often in society..   people who have done the wrong thing and are in the wrong…  challenged by the authorities and rules that guide our community…  and their parents, instead of backing up these authorities, and seeing them as instruments of their role in transmitting values and morals, take the side of their children when the issues are actually indefensible.  Its misguided.  That is a distortion to the concept of “unconditional love.” Love is accepting the person, it is not necessarily accepting bad behaviour. In fact it can be very unloving to do so… because its choosing something that is not for their good. 

 

One often hears people say that in the old days…   when they were younger…  if the police for some reason had to drop them home to their parents because of some incident…  because they had somehow got into some problem with the law… no matter how minor… they knew they would be in equally big trouble with their parents!!  But today, all too often, one hears incidents of people being dropped back home to their parents by the authorities only to get a mouthful from the parents…  its all THEIR fault.. their child couldn’t possibly be the problem….   (it must be someone else’s child who is out all night causing trouble…   it just looks like their child….   There is a bad lookalike causing all the trouble……  or they are just being picked on…..   )….   That is really a worrying attitude.. and ultimately will do no good whatsoever.

 

And, of course, for some reason, over the years, even in the church, an erroneous concept has grown up that one can be a fully participating Christian disciple and hardly ever darken a church door…    a bit like joining a footy club and never turning up to training and never playing a game… and never paying the dues…   it is nonsensical…  but it’s a widespread attitude…   but the Scriptures say otherwise… the Christian community gathered has the presence of Christ..  and it is not an optional extra…

 

The Community, Church and wider, is an essential part of a person’s life. The family and the community, and the church community are key instruments in passing on and teaching the values and principles of the things that have abiding value.

 

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REFERENCES:

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        "Children Learn What They Live" © Dorothy Law Nolte. Excerpted from the book CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE.©1998 by Dorothy Law Nolte and Rachel Harris.

Paul's Reflections Twenty - second Sunday of the Year - A. 28th August, 2011

28th August, 2011      Twenty - second Sunday of the Year - A

 

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Just a reminder that we are now using ALL of the new translation responses for all SPOKEN responses in all parts of the mass.   Please bring along your supplemental missals or make use of the pew cards around the church. 

 

It is really helpful to “watch the texts carefully”.

 

Some texts that seem similar have minor changes to them that can trip the unwary.  If in doubt and you are not sure of the new responses and you aren’t close to a card, it might be advisable to say the responses quietly. If you make a mistake and say the old one, don’t worry..  it take a while to get used to something we have been saying for forty years…    if possible, don’t start again and say the new one, just catch up, or else “go inaudible”  - or else it will trip those around you too… 

 

We are all doing very well, I think. It is just a learning curve….

 

Anyone who is attending our nursing home masses,  it’s too difficult to expect many residents there to change to the new mass, so let’s allow the residents to set the pace there..  we can say our new responses inaudibly..  to save confusion…

 

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The gospel this weekend is very challenging. 

 

St Peter has just declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen one, and the Son of God.  Jesus has rewarded this inspired declaration with the statement that he will build his church on Peter’s rock-solid profession of faith and upon Peter’s leadership.

 

But now, only moments later, Jesus is rebuking Peter. Calling him a stumbling block.

 

This is very, very important.

 

How easy it is to go from being someone who is supporting the vision, to being an unwitting barrier or obstacle to the project!!   Very sobering stuff!!

 

It reminds me of something.  I often joke around that when it is time for me to meet my maker, I want them to put on my headstone these words:  “HE MEANT WELL !” 

 

That tickles me for some reason!    And isn’t it so true.   So often, people do the things they do with the best of intentions. People rarely do actions to be deliberately mean and spiteful nd destructive. They often do things for a good motive, but sometimes that is misguided.    If someone had an epitaph “he meant well’  it kind of makes one raise the eyebrows and say…  ‘oh dear, I wonder what went wrong.”

 

Poor St Peter. HE MEANT WELL.  He pulled Jesus Aside and said to him he MUST not go and be executed in Jerusalem. This MUST NOT HAPPEN.  Peter meant well. He loved and respected his master and wanted to protect him and preserve his life. He was trying to be a good friend, but he unwittingly was becoming an obstacle to Jesus because Peter did not understand that Jesus’ whole mission was to sacrifice his life for the salvation of all. HE MUST go to Jerusalem and be handed over and sacrificed. Peter MUSt NOT get in his way or try to stop him, or he will be nothing but a stumbling block to be gotten over.  

 

I find it very helpful to always keep in mind that good intentions are not the be all and end all. Sometimes meaning well can end up defeating the purpose of what we are here for.

 

I think as Christians, inspired by the situation Peter found himself in today, we have to prayerfully and carefully always contemplate..

What kind of disciple are we?

 

I think that there are two types of disciple…..… the “helpful” disciple… and the (for want of a better word) “overly helpful” disciple.  

 

The helpful disciple watches and listens and learns from our Lord and does anything to serve our master in his mission of building up the Kingdom.

 

Whereas, the ‘overly helpful’ disciple falls into St Peter’s trap of thinking they are helping but aren’t really watching and listening….   And don’t comprehend the mission….. and so, end up doing the exact opposite of what God is actually trying to achieve.

 

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 that we can not only “mean well” but also “achieve well” when we act according to the Lord’s vision. 

 

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REFERENCES:

 

FR. PAUL W. KELLY

 

 

Paul's Reflections 21st August, 2011 Twenty - first Sunday of the Year - A

21st  August, 2011      Twenty - first Sunday of the Year - A

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Just a reminder that its important that you bring along your mass supplements for the new translation of the mass..  there are published copies and also some photocopied sheets with all the new parts.  From now on; whenever we SPEAK any responses, they will all be the new response.  If we sing any responses, we will take our cues from the musicians and they may for the time being be the old translations.  

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It is nice to have our reconciliation candidates with us this weekend and their families.   They are beginning their classes to prepare to receive their first Reconciliation… //  which itself is the prerequisite to their next year:  making of the sacrament of Confirmation and making their first holy communion.

In the Gospel Jesus gives St Peter, the first amongst the apostles, the keys to the Kingdom..  Jesus says…   “whatever you bind on earth, will be considered bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth, will be considered loosed in Heaven.”  Jesus invests upon St Peter, and his succesors, the popes…   and upon his holy Church, the power to bind and set free..    He does this built upon the solid rock of the confession of faith that St Peter gives and answer to Jesus’ question: “who do people say I am?”    Peter says: You are the “Christ, The Son of the living God”.

So, it is not just Peter, the apostle that Jesus is calling Rock!.  It is not just Peter alone  upon whom Jesus is building his Church upon solid rock. Also, and just as importantly. Jesus builds his church on the solid rock of the truth of the profession of faith that Peter makes and that we all make too. 

The church is BUILT upon the solid foundation of the profession of faith that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the chosen one. Jesus IS the Son of God who shows us what God is like. Jesus is the one who forgives our sins and sacrifices his life so that we may be saved. That we may be restored to God’s house.  Jesus is the one who invites us to share in God’s gifts and promises and if we accept, we become Jesus’ brothers and sisters. We become Jesus’ disciples and children of God - Part of God’s family forever.

There is another time in the Gospel that Jesus says similar words… it is when Jesus first appears to the gathered disciples  and he breathes on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whatever sins you forgive, they are forgiven.”   This is why the church believes and professes that Jesus has given the church the power to forgive sins on his behalf. And assure people of God’s mercy and forgiveness when they do the wrong thing and sin.  This is what we celebrate in first reconciliation, which is a celebration of God’s forgiveness and mercy and that God loves us. God will always love us. When we wander away and sin.. Jesus, the good shepherd searches for us until he finds us and welcomes us home.

I love the second reading. It is a wonderful hymn of praise and wonder to God. St Paul says, basically: “whatever happens to us and to all God’s people,… God’s mercy and faithful love is constant and everlasting.   For this we should never cease to thank and praise God.

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REFERENCES:

·        FR. PAUL W. KELLY

·        Break Open the Word. Liturgical Commission. 2011.

Paul's Reflections ST MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH DEBUTANTE BALL

ST MARY’S CATHOLIC PARISH DEBUTANTE BALL. SPEECH BY FR. PAUL KELLY. PARISH PRIEST OF ST MARY’S CATHOLIC PARISH.

 

(I silently dedicated this speech and this year’s 2011 Parish Debutante Ball to the memory of parishioner Len Byrne, who passed away suddenly today. He was in my prayers and thoughts as I gave this speech. I also keep his wife Marj and their family in my prayers and thoughts. PWK).

 

Distinguished Guests, Friends, Debutantes and your partners…   

Congratulations to you on this very special night.

 

The ever-increasing number of debutantes participating in this event, is an ongoing testimony to the importance and relevance of this wonderful night.

 

This is the 82^nd annual St Mary’s Catholic Parish Debutante Ball.   A truly extraordinary milestone. And in this year where the parish celebrates its 150^th anniversary.

I would also like to say a special word of thanks to Mayor Mick Kruger who has been present at our special 150^th anniversary celebrations including the parish, and the college and the primary school. And, this night is another special part of that celebration of 150 years of St Mary’s Parish, Maryborough.

 

Although this is the Catholic Debutante Ball, It’s wonderful that there is a beautiful variety of faith traditions represented in our debutantes, their families and in our many wonderful volunteers…   all working in perfect harmony, friendship and goodwill..  This too is a symbol of what tonight represents: unity in diversity. Celebrating grace and respect.

I know that your families are rightly so proud of you, and we join in giving thanks for you and look forward with enormous hope and optimism to what you will all contribute in your adult lives, for the greater good of the community. 

 

Tonight is an opportunity for an enjoyable night of formality, grace and poise.  

There are not many opportunities such as this where one can engage so beautifully in a formal occasion where style, formality, etiquette, and dance are perfectly combined.

Equally importantly, because this is a Catholic parish event of such long standing, it is a wonderful, annual opportunity for the Catholic community to give a special and formal word of encouragement, support and best wishes to you, (our young participants) and your families. It is an honour and a joy to say to you, (on behalf of the whole Parish and Catholic school community, with principals Joy and Nathan from the St Mary’s College and the St Mary’s Primary) :  CONGRATULATIONS! And you have our best wishes and prayers for you…..now and into your wonderful future. It is all ahead of you!  May your future be blessed. 

 

May Our Lord Jesus, who is the ultimate example of true graciousness – (especially in the way he related to and treated those he met -  With respect, kindness and gentleness), be a wonderful guide for your lives… 

 

And may style and graciousness always be welcome companions throughout your journey of life.

On this, your special night, you stand ready to take your place in adult society: comfortable and engaged in both formal and informal events in society.  This night is a celebration of that!

 

May God bless you always -    and bless everyone who has taken part in and (in so many ways) assisted in making 82 memorable years of graciousness!

 

Paul's Reflections Seniors Week Ecumenical Liturgy 9.30am Friday the 19th August, 2011. St Mary's Catholic Church, Maryborough

SENIORS WEEK ECUMENICAL LITURGY. Homily by Fr Paul.

 

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to fulfil it" (Spanish philosopher, George Santanaya)

 

What our society needs more than ever at this time, is a collective memory….   Remembering the wisdom and the mistakes of the past. Fostering the values and principles and protocols learnt from generations of people, about how to do things and how NOT to do things.

 

There have been many versions of the next saying too….   I have adapted it…

 

A society can be judged by not only how it treats its most vulnerable…  but also how it regards and treats its most senior and junior members…. 

 

Even though this celebration is called seniors week…  it is truly an opportunity of people of every age to celebrate the gift and wisdom and contribution and value of our elder members of the community.  

 

In many cultures and countries, the senior members of the community are revered and deeply respected for their seniority and wisdom ..  and that shows through in the bible .. some passages of which we have shared today….

 

Jesus showed a deep respect for all people of all ages and criticised those who did not follow their duty towards their parents and older people.

 

When we speak of ‘respect’, I suppose there is a danger that in  ‘revering’ and ‘respecting’ our older members, there is a danger that those words and definitions can be used to put people in categories and leave them on a pedestal and not allow them to be themselves… 

 

The celebration today and this week are all about not being restrictive in our definitions or categorisation of people… and to keep fostering a society that never tries to marginalise or minimise the full participation of people of all ages in the community…  and for all ages to be open and listening to the truth of the people around us,…

 

 May God inspire us to respect, cherish, thank and be open to our senior members  ….    And may God bless you with health, happiness, vitality, protection and respect now and always.

 

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SENIORS WEEK LITURGY

Welcome:  (By Ann-Maree Hasselbach. MaDCOTA Project Co-Ordinator.)

Opening Hymn: Praise my Soul the King of Heaven (AOV 78)

Praise my Soul, The King of Heaven

 

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To his feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, re-stored, forgiven, Evermore his praises sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise him for his grace and favour. To his children in distress; Praise him still the same as ever,  Slow to chide and swift to bless:  Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness.

3. Father like he tends and spares us;  Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hand he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet his mercy     flows.

4.      Angels, help us to adore him; You behold  him face to face; Sun and moon bow down          before him,  In his holy dwelling place.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God

         of Grace.

Composer: H. Lyte/J.Goss. Traditional. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Copyright Word of Life Int. Licence 1948E

 

Fr Paul:  Let us together recite these Scripture passages:

·       ¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. ³ “‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.³² “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. <Leviticus (19: 1, 3,12,15-18, 30,32,37>

 

 

·       A psalm.

¹ It is good to praise the LORD 
   and make music to your name, O Most High, 
² proclaiming your love in the morning 
   and your faithfulness at night, 
³ to the music of the ten-stringed lyre 
   and the melody of the harp.

 

⁴ For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; 
   I sing for joy at what your hands have done. 
⁵ How great are your works, LORD, 
   how profound your thoughts! 

 ¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, 
   they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 
¹³ planted in the house of the LORD, 
   they will flourish in the courts of our God. 

¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age, 
   they will stay fresh and green, 
¹⁵ proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; 
   he is my Rock.”

·       “Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.” (Job 32:7)

·       I have created you and cared for you since you were born.  I will be your God through all your lifetime, Yes, even when your hair is white with age.  I made you and I will care for you.” (Isaiah 46:3b-4a LB).

 

 

Opening Prayer: (Fr Paul)

 

Loving God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the alpha and the Omega.

You are the beginning and the end of all things.

Lord God, you have been with us always;

You walk along with us on our pilgrimage of life.

We thank you today for the blessing of the years.

Your grace has been with us from generation to generation.

We thank you for the life and renewal you give us in every decade.

Your love for us knows no bounds.

Graciously hear the prayers we make today, in this Seniors Week ecumenical celebration.

Bless all senior members of our community.

May they receive the respect and friendship and care that they need.

May they always know they are valued members of the community, whose wisdom we respect and for which we seek.

Grant them health, safety, care, vitality and continue to build them up into cherished, participating members of our wider community.

We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

A reading from the first book of Kings (3:3ff). (Read by Barbara Paterson)

                                  .

King Solomon loved the Lord and followed the instructions of his father King David, and he also made many offerings to God on various altars. That night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What would you like me to give you?”

 Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relations with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place.  O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule.  Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted.  So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”

 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this,  and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. But I will give you more than you have asked for. I will make you rich and respected.

You will be the most famous king of your time.

And if you obey me and keep all my laws and commands,

as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

The Word of the Lord.

 

All:  Thanks be to God.

 

 

Psalm:  (Read by Donna Suter)

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.   

 

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my saviour. R.

 

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

In your love remember me,

because of your goodness, O Lord. R.

 

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path;

he teaches his way to the poor. R.

 

 

From the Letter to the Colossians (3:8-16)  (Read by Pat Brown)

 

You have taken off the old self with its habits and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.  As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.   You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.  The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.  Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

The Word of the Lord.

 

All:  Thanks be to God.

 

 

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew (5:14-16) (read by Fr Paul)

 

Jesus said to his disciples: You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lamp-stand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

All:  Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Homily :

 

Reflection Hymn:  The Servant Song GA 487

 

The Servant Song

1. Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

2. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

3. I will hold the Christ light for you in the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out

to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

4.      I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow ‘til we’ve seen this journey through.

Composer: R. Gillard.

 

 

 

Prayers of the Faithful:   (Read by Donna Suter)

·       For all senior members of our community. That they may be respected and valued and feel safe and cherished. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For our older indigenous people in this land and throughout the world. That they may be respected and treasured for their wisdom, their culture and heritage. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For our older members who are experiencing ill health or troubles in their older age. May they be given healing, strength and peace.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

·       For young people everywhere. That they be filled with hope and wisdom by learning from their elders and listening to their wisdom. May people of all ages work in partnership and respect and learn from eachother. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

 

·       Let us pray for all who, after a long life, have now gone to their eternal reward in heaven. May the following generations continue in their good work, inspired by God’s grace. Lord hear us.

All:  Lord, Hear our prayer.

 

 

LORD’S PRAYER

 

 

CLOSING PRAYER (FR PAUL).

Lord,

bring to perfection within us the unity and friendship we share in this celebration of seniors week.

Bless all older people and give them health, wisdom, joy and grace.

May our celebration and thanksgiving of your gifts renew our hearts and minds and have an effect in our lives.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

·       Everyone is welcome to come to the Parish hall next door for refreshments.

 

Blessing prayer: (Fr Paul).

May the Lord bless you and keep you:

May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

 

And may almighty God bless us, now and always, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Recessional Hymn: May God Bless & Keep You (AOV 177)

May God bless and keep you.

May God’s face shine on you.

May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

Music by Christopher Walker. © 1988. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Copyright Word of Life Int. Licence 1948E