Catholic Reflections 647 : Homily The Baptism of the Lord. Year B. Monday the 8th January, 2018

Homily The Baptism of the Lord. Year B

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7.
Psalm: 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10 The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-9
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the The Baptism of the Lord. Year B.  - by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/baptism-of-the-lord-b-faith-hope-and-love  
 (EPISODE: 69 )


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WATER: This is the main symbol of baptism. Water represents washing clean and re-birth and renewal. Water is a perfect symbol, it contains so many meanings: It is an absolutely essential element of life……    
 
It contains so many meanings within itself………  Health and life, danger and threat (as we have seen in the force and danger of flood waters…. And the power and unexpected force of the frozen glaciers)….. Water represents both enormous power and also soothing, renewing, gentleness, …..a washing and restoring.
 
Water and baptism….. is a wonderful way of showing that by following Jesus we want to ‘immerse” or “plunge” ourselves into Jesus’ way of life. Baptism is a word that literally means “Plunge” and we believe that Baptism is not just a sign of following Jesus, Baptism connects us to Jesus and makes us one with his life and with the life of all other believers in Jesus.

In baptism, we become a beloved and cherished sons and daughters of God. …….   We are Children of the same Heavenly Father … who is so generous, so lavish in love and praise.,… that the gospel today tells us, that the Father, (upon Jesus rising from the waters of John’s baptism)….   tears the heavens apart and pours down the most wonderful praise, confidence and blessing upon his beloved son, Jesus. …

as one commentator says….
We are told that God rends the heavens to lavish praise on his son— a son who, up to that point, had yet to accomplish much of anything.  It must have been indescribably affirming and motivating for Jesus as he was about to begin his most challenging and self-emptying ministry. Although Jesus is God made human, he was also fully human…. and in need of encouragement and affirmation and strength from his beloved father… who was in heaven… and who happened to be the father of all things…..   Jesus was now absolutely assured and commissioned in the loved and confidence of his heavenly father….that God the father was completely pleased with him. (Patrice J. Tuohy)

It is a timely reminder, that it is so important, so human and so affirming to praise one another…….  we live in a culture where it seems easier to voice criticisms…. and it seems that for some, if they are not unhappy with anything it is not so much praise that follows…. but silence…….  so we live in a world where there is either criticism or begrudging silence…….  or else… then we get the other extreme where people compliment others with empty and insincere words…….. that don’t connect with the reality of what is happening… and so do very little good…..       others feel that they shouldn’t praise others for fear that it might give the other a ‘big head’ …….  or that the praise may be taken as mere flattery……….  having said that….. there is no substitute for sincere, heartful and constructive affirmation, encouragement and praise…… which is a form of gratefulness in words…. naming that which we are grateful for,…..,,,

Praise is so important……..  Good managers know this as do teachers, coaches, counsellors, volunteer coordinators, and fundraisers—anyone who is trying to get someone to take the next step, stretch themselves, and constantly strive to reach a higher level of commitment or performance.

For people who live without affirmation and who live with constant criticism…. they get the crippling message that everything they do is not good enough….. nothing they do will really satisfy or meet with approval……   for a person who gets false praise…. they either feel that the words are meaningless….. or else rely on compliments that don’t really give them a good indicator of who they are and what they are doing and how it is affecting others for the better……..    and then there are those who get good, positive feedback and affirmation…..   even when setbacks and the occasional mistake or failure come their way, they are not defeated, because they believe in their value and the strength of their own worth…..  and persevere through the struggles and beyond….

I just want to mention the curious second reading from the first letter of St John. He mentions the rather obscure reference to Jesus being shown to be the Messiah not only by the water but also by the blood. This is a little strange… but what it seems to mean is….  St John was writing this letter at the time when a heresy was taking hold in the church communities… some were saying that Jesus was really just an ordinary human and at his baptism, he was adopted by the Father and the spirit fell upon him… he lived as God’s son and then on the cross… the divine spirit left and the mere human remained…. so God did not really suffer or die…. it was just the human who carried the divine spirit in him for a time….  but no… this is a heresy.. and is not the fullness of our Christian faith… St John reminds us that Jesus suffered and died… and shed real blood upon the cross… so that the true sign that Jesus was the real messiah and the beloved son of God…. Jesus was both truly God and truly human was that he gave his last drop of blood for us… and truly suffered and even gave his life for us…  so not only his baptism in the waters of the river Jordan… shows us his identity… but also his suffering and death….   Baptism and the cross are essential and un-divided elements of the perfect messiah… the two cannot be separated…..
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References:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY. Reflection on Baptism

2009 – A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY Alice Camille

THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF MARK. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.

PATRICE J. TUOHY, PrepareTheWord.com, 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC.

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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. 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

The Baptism of the Lord. Year B

(EPISODE: 69 )

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
+++++++++++++
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of peace. Lord have mercy//  You are Son of God and the Son of Mary. Christ have mercy// You are Word made flesh, the splendour of the Father. 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

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

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Baptismof the Lord own preface

Eucharistic Prayer One

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

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Baptism of Our Lord - A, B or C

WATER: This is the main symbol of baptism. Water represents washing clean and re-birth and renewal. Water is a perfect symbol, it contains so many meanings: It is an absolutely essential element of life……    

It contains so many meanings within itself………  Health and life, danger and threat (as we have seen by recent news….  the force and danger of flood waters…. the power and unexpected force of the frozen glaciers of New Zealand…. where two people recently met with terrible tragedy…..)….. water represents both enormous power and also soothing, renewing, gentleness, …..a washing and restoring.

Water and baptism….. is a wonderful way of showing that by following Jesus we want to ‘immerse” or “plunge” ourselves into Jesus’ way of life. Baptism is a word that literally means “Plunge” and we believe that Baptism is not just a sign of following Jesus, Baptism connects us to Jesus and makes us one with his life and with the life of all other believers in Jesus.

In baptism, we become a beloved and cherished child of God…….   children of the same Father in heaven… who is so generous, so lavish in love and praise.,… that the gospel today tells us, that the Father, upon Jesus rising from the waters of John’s baptism….   literally tears the heavens apart and pours down the most wonderful praise and confidence and blessing upon his beloved son…

as one commentator says….

We are told that God rends the heavens to lavish praise on his son— a son who, up to that point, had yet to accomplish much of anything.  It must have been indescribably affirming and motivating for Jesus as he was about to begin his most challenging and self-emptying ministry. Although Jesus is God made human, he was also fully human…. and in need of encouragement and affirmation and strength from his beloved father… who was in heaven… and who happened to be the father of all things…..   Jesus was now absolutely assured and commissioned in the loved and confidence of his heavenly father….that God the father was completely pleased with him. (Patrice J. Tuohy)

It is a timely reminder, that it is so important, so human and so affirming to praise one another…….  we live in a culture where it seems easier to voice criticisms…. and it seems that for some, if they are not unhappy with anything it is not so much praise that follows…. but silence…….  so we live in a world where there is either criticism or begrudging silence…….  or else… then we get the other extreme where people compliment others with empty and insincere words…….. that don’t connect with the reality of what is happening… and so do very little good…..       others feel that they shouldn’t praise others for fear that it might give the other a ‘big head’ …….  or that the praise may be taken as mere flattery……….  having said that….. there is no substitute for sincere, heartful and constructive affirmation, encouragement and praise…… which is a form of gratefulness in words…. naming that which we are grateful for,…..,,, 

Praise is so important……..  Good managers know this as do teachers, coaches, counsellors, volunteer coordinators, and fundraisers—anyone who is trying to get someone to take the next step, stretch themselves, and constantly strive to reach a higher level of commitment or performance.

For people who live without affirmation and who live with constant criticism…. they get the crippling message that everything they do is not good enough….. nothing they do will really satisfy or meet with approval……   for a person who gets false praise…. they either feel that the words are meaningless….. or else rely on compliments that don’t really give them a good indicator of who they are and what they are doing and how it is affecting others for the better……..    and then there are those who get good, positive feedback and affirmation…..   even when setbacks and the occasional mistake or failure come their way, they are not defeated, because they believe in their value and the strength of their own worth…..  and persevere through the struggles and beyond….

I just want to mention the curious second reading from the first letter of St John. He mentions the rather obscure reference to Jesus being shown to be the Messiah not only by the water but also by the blood. This is a little strange… but what it seems to mean is….  St John was writing this letter at the time when a heresy was taking hold in the church communities… some were saying that Jesus was really just an ordinary human and at his baptism, he was adopted by the Father and the spirit fell upon him… he lived as God’s son and then on the cross… the divine spirit left and the mere human remained…. so God did not really suffer or die…. it was just the human who carried the divine spirit in him for a time….  but no… this is a heresy.. and is not the fullness of our Christian faith… St John reminds us that Jesus suffered and died… and shed real blood upon the cross… so that the true sign that Jesus was the real messiah and the beloved son of God…. Jesus was both truly God and truly human was that he gave his last drop of blood for us… and truly suffered and even gave his life for us…  so not only his baptism in the waters of the river Jordan… shows us his identity… but also his suffering and death….   Baptism and the cross are essential and un-divided elements of the perfect messiah… the two cannot be separated….. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

REFERENCES:

FR. PAUL W. KELLY. Reflection on Baptism 

2009 – A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY Alice Camille

THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF MARK. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY.

PATRICE J. TUOHY, PrepareTheWord.com, 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC.

Catholic Reflections 639 : Homily Second Sunday Advent. Year B – 10th December, 2017

Homily Second Sunday Advent. Year B – 10th December 2017
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11
Psalm: 84:9-14. “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation”
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Second Sunday Advent. Year B 10th of December 2017- by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-advent-2b

(EPISODE: 62 )
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God's vision is much broader and deeper than our own limited perspective. We do not have the benefit of the whole picture. For us, it is just a great honour to help, in some small way, a project infinitely bigger than we could ever see or comprehend..... Life would be very different if, instead of yearning for some distant and, (at present), unattainable goal, we did all that we could here and now to bring that goal even a step or so nearer. Just to be part of God's grand project, is satisfaction enough.

A fitting quote (from Scripture commentator William Barclay), comes to mind........"In youth, because I could not be a singer, I did not even try to write a song; and I planted no little trees along the roadside Because I knew their growth would take so long and I would not see them fully grown. But now from the wisdom that the years have brought me, I know that it may be a blessed thing To plant a tree for someone else to water and enjoy, Or make a song that someone else will sing when I cannot." (William Barclay).

The goal will never be reached unless the labourers unite to make it possible, under the great architect's plan. Each one adds their little bit to a project bigger than any one of us.

In the gospel, we hear that those who were baptised also confessed their sins........ Admitting to our sins and faults is difficult. But when we do this we straighten the path between us and God. Often, the most difficult person to admit a sin to, is actually ourselves…..  For example, when the prodigal son took off with half his father's property, he probably thought very well of himself...   He thought he was a fine and clever young man who will make it big....   but, later, in extreme poverty, as he even longed to eat the scraps of pigs' food and realised his folly, he would first have to admit to himself how pathetically he had acted...  Even before he returned to his father, he had to look at himself honestly and humbly, and it must have been very deflating and difficult…..But he could not have imagined the astounding love and mercy he would receive when he made a straight path back to his father.

We must let the barriers down…  and fill in the valleys of pride and self-satisfaction.  It is not the person who desires to meet God on equal terms who will discover forgiveness, grace and compassion - but rather, the person who falls to their knees, and whispers in mortification, "Lord, I need you! I am a terrible mess without your help. Be merciful to me, for I am a sinner!"

The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks of comfort for God's people. God assures the people that they have ‘done their time’ for their sins. The debt is cancelled. However, one gets a distinct feeling that God is just being kind and generous. We couldn’t have paid off the debt; but God, in his love and mercy has cancelled it and written “paid in full” anyway. Another act of astounding generosity.  Advent reminds us that God IS coming !! 

We are invited to change the way we live! And to change our thinking, so we may truly encounter the living God and understand the truth of God’s different ways.

John the Baptist was out in the desert. This is reminiscent of the People of Israel who fled into the desert and lived in the wilderness for forty years, In that time, they were utterly reliant on God’s providence. they had nothing else but the presence and leadership of God’s guiding hand. The people had to trust totally in God’s wisdom and care. For the most part, they were a humble and grateful people..  (although at times, for those who trudged the desert, pride, distrust and ingratitude got the better of many of them)

In the process of trying to give up sin and live with virtue, we often find how difficult it can be. Even after years of struggle, we can often find ourselves still facing the same sins and defects in our lives. But let us not lose hope...The Lord assures and comforts us…… that He comes to save us, not to condemn us. The secret is to trust completely in Jesus Christ. To surrender to God.  To stop wrangling with, and resisting God with our wilfulness…   We admit our need for God’s grace and mercy.

God does not operate with a conditional mindset….   and the things that show the unconditional love God has for each of us, can never be measured in favours granted or rewards given….  but rather, everything God gives us is a grace -- Gifts and blessings given, completely and unreservedly in love for all people….

By contrast we are tempted to keep score or place conditions on love,  or "trying to live as if we were an island complete of itself," A conditional way of living creates valleys and mountains – making the pathway of communication and friendship between God and ourselves very rocky. The same is true for wilfulness, pride and self-focus…..  These are obstacles to our peace and to our reception of the reality of Christ in our lives, and his unconditional love. We long to appreciate more deeply, the reality of Christ's selfless and generous presence and action amongst us.  

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References:

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

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Leonard, R. (2006). Preaching to the converted. New York: Paulist Press.

Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Abbot's Homily. Advent 2, Year B. 2008.

PrepareTheWord.com © 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC.
+++
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. 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


Second Sunday Advent. Year B
(Sunday, December 10, 2017)

(EPISODE: 62 )

Second Week

In this season of Advent, we feature an Advent Wreath – with its candles and green branches— it is a reminder of God's promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come.

(we light the second Advent Candle ****)


2nd CANDLE – (purple)
THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Saviour who would be born in Bethlehem.

O Key of David, O Flower of Jesse’s stem.... commanding at your will the gates of Heaven: O royal Power of Israel ....Come, break down the prison walls - for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
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O people of Sion, behold,
the Lord will come to save the nations,
and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard.
in the joy of your heart.
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In the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord be with you.
(and with your spirit)

Before hearing the word of God and sharing the bread of life,
sing praise to Christ, the Alpha and Omega......

Kyrie eleison/
Christe eleison/
Kyrie eleison

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting Vlife.
Amen.
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Let us pray
(that nothing may hinder us from receiving Christ with Joy)
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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

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Advent 1

Euch Prayer II

Communion side.  pwk:  RH
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Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near,
wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.

Catholic Reflections 637 : Homily Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe-A - Sunday, November 26, 2017

Homily Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe-A - Sunday, November 26, 2017

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12. 15-17
Psalm: Ps 22:1-3. 5-6. “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want”
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26. 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe-A - Sunday, November 26, 2017 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-60-christ-the-king-a  (EPISODE:60)
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The gospel this weekend is very special.  I have always found that it goes to the heart of Jesus’ message and mission. How different the world would be if all people took this gospel at face value. Quite literally. “just as you did it to one of the least of these…  you did it to me”.
 
There is a story told (not sure if this actually happened but it is still great), of Queen Victoria, who went on a vacation to Scotland, and one day, took a walk on one of her estates.  

On the country walk, the Queen was dressed very discretely in walking clothes. A storm blew up and Queen Victoria retreated to a neighbour’s house and asked if they would kindly lend her an umbrella.  The neighbour, not recognizing this person on the steps in the pouring rain, begrudgingly lent the umbrella, but when the Queen walked off and opened up the umbrella, it was full of holes and quite useless.   The next day, the Queen sent one of her attendants back to return the umbrella, with a polite note of thanks.   When the neighbour saw the regal attendant and realised the truth of who the visitor was, she was mortified and said in explanation:. I am so sorry, if I had known it was Her Majesty, I wouldn’t have given her that umbrella.”   (well, whether that situation happened or not, the point is a good one.)  

What did it matter WHO it was? Why would you give ANYONE  an umbrella with holes in it; which was utterly useless for its purpose? Irrespective of who they were or not!   “Anyone who turns up on our doorsteps is not only possibly royalty in disguise; today’s  gospel calls upon us to treat everyone with the reverence and graciousness we would give to Christ himself  // Why can we humans be tempted to make distinctions in the ordinary matter of respecting human dignity, which is actually due to all people. Whether they be prince or pauper, the Lord says, “what you do to these … you do it to me.”   

If the world took this very seriously and literally, the world would change profoundly… All humans would have the dignity and respect befitting God who lovingly created them. Which, I believe is the intention of Our Lord's parable.
The reading from Ezekiel… is also very fitting. The Lord will be our shepherd, lead us, guide us, heal us, …seek the lost, feed us, (The fat sheep come in for some very negative comment here in this gospel, because in this narrative they have pushed around the others and not let them eat and have pasture. The Well-off sheep have scattered the poor, needy sheep and the master is very unhappy with this.).… 

God recognises that among the people (and among every group of people)  there are some who are struggling and experiencing weakness, (as all of us do at different ways)… and some who are feeling lost, disconnected and injured…    as well as those who are strong and satisfied….   And the co-responsibility of people to support and encourage each-other is an expectation of the Kingdom.
 
Our Lord instructs us that every time you look into the face of one who is hungry, the face of a person who thirsts….  The face of a stranger…..   the face of someone in need, or someone who is ill…..   or a prisoner….   Anytime you look at even those who might be regarded as ‘the least’ (by some)………There…  you are looking and seeing the face of the Lord... //And how we respond to these people is how we are taken to be responding to the Lord himself.
 
Jesus tells us this parable because he wants us to take this message quite literally….     and act upon it……   
 
In the parable…. everyone gets a surprise about this news…..  the ‘sheep’  and the ‘goats’ alike…..  neither realised that when they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, visited the prisoner…. welcomed the stranger… that they were helping Christ himself…..    the wicked certainly didn’t know this…..    but in this parable… even the righteous….  (they helped these people)…but even THEY didn’t realise that by acting in this way, they were serving Christ himself, to these needy people…..
 
The Gospel from Saint Matthew reminds us that we will be judged on how well we loved. It is the way that we love one another that reveals whether we love God or not.  It is this love for one another that will confirm whether we are truly close to God or far from God…
 
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ…..   and we ask for God’s guidance and grace as we look out for others..  especially the most vulnerable…….   We move forward, joyfully remembering always that the Lord is Good…  his mercy and faithfulness endures from age to age!!”
 
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

New Jerome Bible Handbook. Geoffrey Chapman Publishers. 1992.

“2008 – a Book of Grace-filled Days,” by Lavonne Neff; 

 “Monastery of Christ in the Desert,” Abbott’s Homily, http://christdesert.org ; 

“Vision – Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way. Year A”

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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. 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


Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe-A
(Sunday, November 26, 2017)

(EPISODE: 60)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
+++++++++++++
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Let us pray
(that all creation will proclaim Jesus as Lord…….)


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Memorial Acclamation

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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Christ the King  

Eucharistic Prayer I 

Communion side.  pwk:  RH
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Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Catholic Reflections 631 : Homily Thirtieth Sunday of the Year A - Sunday, October 29, 2017

Homily Thirtieth Sunday of the Year A .  - Sunday, October 29, 2017
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26
Psalm: 17:2-4. 47. 51. “I love you Lord, my strength.”
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Thirtieth Sunday of the Year A .  - 10/17/2017 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-30a  (Edition: 54 )
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[Gospel values included in the readings: Love God, Love Neighbour as self. Justice, especially to the stranger and outcast]

“There are many examples of how, even after the busiest of days, Jesus would go up into the hills, to a lonely place, and spend the night in prayer to His heavenly Father.  So, it is fair to say, Jesus’ whole life was to worship and praise the Father. 
There are also many examples of how Jesus spent himself in complete service of others.

His whole life was an act of service and love to his neighbour… all in need around him…..  
These two complete realities must be two sides of the same coin…. And are not in any way in contradiction.
In fact the great saint John Chrysostom once said:  “I cannot believe in the salvation of those people who do not work for the salvation of their neighbours.” 
Another great monk was once heard to say to his brothers: (when they focused too much on rules and not the heart of the gospel message….) -“My friends, you have torn the gospel of Christ in two….//.

There are two great commandments: -  show your Love for God, by how you love your neighbour (just as you would love and care for yourself).  (or perhaps it is more accurate to say there really is only one commandment to love.. which has two facets to it….)

In any case……Splitting up these two commands seriously distorts the gospel……  there are those who would emphasise worship of God to the point where doing anything practical for those in practical need seems to become an optional extra……. this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ……/// 

The other extreme is not right either…. there are people who are so caught up in social justice and practical action that they lose sight of the fact that Christian justice, (Christian charity) always flows out of our relationship with God and that we are all God’s children… and that it is not only our human actions… but God’s will that is important….  so if someone emphasises social response and neglects prayer, worship and a sense of faith in God who is the author and Sustainer of us all……..   as essential as practical care for those in need is, it would lose its focus if we were to ever disconnect it to worship and prayer….. (it would become something merely humanistic….  And it could reflect a faulty sense that humans are their own saviours and can do all things themselves without reference to God…..)

Jesus shows us that both prayer and action are possible and that both are necessary…..   Again… I must say,  I always feel that the Catholic groups of lay people such as St Vincent de Paul society, or Care and Concern, The Catholic Ladies Group, or the Knights,  …..   (to name but a few but not to exclude the countless other groups that do the great work)…  are wonderful examples and expressions of both important aspects: Prayer and Action.

They certainly focus on practical action: - helping those in need, those who are hungry, seeking shelter, needing clothing, and also they visit people….  and also, integral to this, they meet regularly to pray and reflect on Christ’s gospel…  This is absolutely vital – Connection to the person of Christ makes sense of and empowers their care for their neighbour…. 

There are many other groups and individuals who model this,..// and we give thanks for them all.  
In Jesus’ great commandment – which is truly a “masterpiece of summing up thousands of biblical rules and regulations and observances into a few amazing words………to enshrine the very heart of its meaning: …”Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength… and love your neighbour as yourself……..It becomes clear that every other person is truly our neighbour and especially when the person is in need.  We must be loving neighbours to all people who come into our lives.  No one can be excluded from being our neighbour.
Love of neighbour is at the heart of serving God /and being faithful to what God is asking of us.//  Love of neighbour is not simply an optional part of our Christianity.

Saint Paul, in the second reading says it very well…..   We must take Christ as our model……… We must imitate Christ.  In that imitation of Christ, we can find a whole way of living:  gentleness yet strength in our dealings with others, understanding and acceptance of others with a clear vision of what is right and what is wrong.

Jesus did not just accept everything as good, or anything goes.  He clearly pointed out what was not good. However, Jesus managed to do this whilst consistently keeping his eyes on the primary value of the gospel...   love...  received and given. That is a difficult model to imitate.  Our Lord did not focus on righteousness for its own sake...   his emphasis was on love and compassion and the good of all....  anything he did, it was primarily motivated by the love that flowed out of him as God the son.  This is another example of the cross of Jesus, the suffering that comes from living in right relationship with the Father and one another, whilst always keeping front-and-centre the point of this way of living....love, reverence and compassion. because in the end its all about LOVE -  of God, shown in how we love our neighbour. 

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Abbot’s Homily, The Monastery of Christ in the Desert Homily for October 22 2008.

Flor McCarthy. Sundays and Holy Day Liturgies. Year A.

Gutierrez, Sharing the Word through the Liturgical Year.

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Archive of homilies and reflections is at: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
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Thirtieth Sunday of the Year A .
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 came to reconcile us to the Father and to one another: Lord, have mercy//You heal the wounds of our sin and division: Christ, have mercy// You intercede for us with the Father: 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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let us pray (for the grace to do God's will)


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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

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Sundays Ordinary IV p.30

Eucharistic Prayer II p.56

Communion side.  pwk:  RH
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Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.