Friday, April 19, 2019

Catholic 728: THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Good Friday


THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
(Traditional with Scriptural connections). 

(Image Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)  

Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Good Friday Stations of the Cross-       by clicking this link here: 

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Good Friday

LEADER:   (GOES TO THE LECTERN AND BEGINS)

LEADER:
Let us pray
(that the Lord Jesus will teach us his ways, through this prayer journey to Calvary).
Lord Jesus, as we begin this journey of the Stations of the Cross, help us to see that, for you, it was a journey of love. May we learn from this journey how to follow you more closely. We ask that you help us to accept the love for all people that you bear. Who live and reign forever and ever.



STATION NUMBER: ONE

The First Station: Jesus is condemned to death.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                          
Many gave false testimony against Jesus, and their testimony did not agree. But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, "I am; and
'you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,'
and 'coming with the clouds of heaven.' "
 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them condemned him as deserving death.
[1][2]

(Jesus was unjustly judged. He was innocent.. He was declared innocent even by Pilate. But he was condemned unjustly. There is only one true judge and that is God……… Have there been times that I have rushed to 
judgement against others. Have I acted as judge over others, when God alone is the judge? Have I spoken about others in ways that lead to them being rejected and treated in ways that do not respect their human dignity). 
ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: TWO
THE SECOND  STATION: JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                         
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let them renounce themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save their life will lose it; but anyone who loses their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it".
[3]

(Jesus took up his cross and carried it for us all. How can we carry our burdens and struggles in ways that give hope and encouragement to others. Do we take our burdens and worries to Our Lord. Do we help others by offering encouragement and support, in their times of struggle? How do we ensure that we do not overburden others with our expectations, our own personal demands and needs?  How do we ensure that we do everything to lighten other's load).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: THREE


LEADER:  THE THIRD STATION: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                     
He has broken my teeth with gravel, pressed my face in the dust; My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. [4]
………
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have troubles but be brave: I have conquered the world."
[5]

(Jesus fell from exhaustion. Can we share our failures and struggles with Jesus, because he has shared in our physical frailty and knows our temptations and understands our weakness and pain. Are we gentle around others whose frailty and weakness visible. Are we gentle on ourselves in our own frailty. For all those who experience weakness in body, mind or spirit, may the Lord help them and lift them up. May we be willing to help up those who have fallen in one way or another).
ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: FOUR

LEADER:  The Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.


Reading                                          
As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare."
[6]

(Mary pondered and worried about Jesus all her life. Mary treasured all these events of Jesus life, storing them up in her heart. Mary remained faithful to her beloved Son in good times and bad. Are we prepared to say "yes" to Jesus and what he asks of us, (even if it leads to suffering and pain)?  Can we draw strength from Mary who experienced confusion and wonder during her life, and also suffered the unimaginable pain of accompanying her son along his Passion. Mary suffering emotionally and spiritually at the foot of Our Lord's cross).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross on Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: FIVE

LEADER:  The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading
                                        
As they were leading him away they seized a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.
[7]

(Simon was a traveler who was forced to help carry Jesus' cross. How can we willingly help others in their burdens and struggles, to ease the pain. As a community, no one person is isolated from others. We are one people of God. We need to support and help each other. We are all the body of Christ and individually members of the Body. If one member suffers, all members suffer. Do we acknowledge our responsibility to the church and the wider community, as brothers and sisters in one family of God. Do we voluntarily do what is right and good – are we proactive-  or do we often only respond when asked or when it is demanded of us? Can we be more open to respond willingly to the needs of others and our Christian calling).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: SIX

LEADER:  The Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                       

"Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father."
[8]

"For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to see me. I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me."
[9]

"Even as many were amazed at Him — so marred was His look beyond that of person, and His appearance beyond that of mortals — So shall He startle many nations, because of Him kings shall stand speechless."
[10]

(Veronica wiped the face of Jesus. Can we recognize the face of Jesus in everyone we meet, especially those most in need. Do we serve Jesus by the way we treat those around us? In what ways do we offer comfort and strength to those who are struggling? Veronica means "true face" – do we seek, in our lives and our prayer, the true face of Christ in others and in the world.  Do we live our lives so that others can recognize the face of Christ in us and our actions).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: SEVEN

LEADER:  The Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                       
"Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us."[11]

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped Me.
[12]

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.
[13]

(Jesus fell the second time. We know weakness and struggle in our lives. Can we share our fears and failures with Our Lord? And can we trust in his love, his hope, and his forgiveness and strength. Are we patient with our own infirmities and weaknesses?  Are we patient with the weaknesses of others?  How do we react when others fall – emotionally, morally or spiritually?  Are we there to support and help them up? At times, rather than help and support, do we condemn and let people fall lower in confidence and hope)


ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: EIGHT
LEADER:  The Eighth Station: The women of Jerusalem mourn for Jesus.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. …For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
[14] [15]

(Even in the midst of Jesus' unimaginable suffering and pain, he stops to show concern for the women and their families. He never stops thinking of others even when he is enduring terribly suffering?  Do I focus on the needs of others or do my needs demand most of the attention?   Even in this terrible suffering, Jesus reminds us and the women of Jerusalem that there are many different things to cry about, but he (incredibly) is saying that we shouldn't weep about his suffering but rather all the other things that are in need of change and justice. He wants them to weep for change and for conversion of heart, that would do some good. How can we make sure that our lives help to spread the good news of Jesus? How can we ensure that our attitudes and actions do not prove an obstacle in the path of what God wants to do in the world? We have come here today to commemorate and worship our Lord, who died to save us….   We mourn for his suffering, but Our Lord, again turns to us, and says,  weep not for me…    weep for yourselves and your ways…   make  a change.. change your heart.. your attitudes… your condemnations..  your double standards…  your selfishness..  we can start this new path here and now…)

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.
STATION NUMBER: NINE
LEADER:  The Ninth Station: Jesus falls the third time.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading                                        
Jesus exclaimed, "Come to me, all you who labour and are over-burdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden is light!
[16]

I am like water poured out; all My bones are racked. My heart has become like wax. My throat is dried up like baked clay, My tongue cleaves to My jaws; to the dust of death, you have brought Me down. [17]

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. [18]
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.
[19]
(Jesus was now totally exhausted. His physical energy almost completely gone. Can we imagine the incredible strength needed to keep going after this third fall, and after enduring so much already. It is clear that Jesus gave himself utterly and totally for us. Jesus gave himself to us all without any reservation or holding back in any way. How can we show generosity and love to those around us? How can we give generously of our gifts to help others?)

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: TEN
LEADER:  The Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his Garments

We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading                                      
"They took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, "Instead of tearing it, let's throw dice to decide who is to have it". In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: 'They shared out my clothing among them. They cast lots for my clothes.'"
[20]

You have stripped off your old behaviour, and have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its creator; in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, the circumcised and uncircumcised, the barbarian and Scythian, the slave and free person. There is only one Christ; he is everything and he is in everything.
[21]
(Jesus suffered every indignity out of love for others. He was completely humble and let go of everything because of his gospel message. He let nothing come between him and his total self-gift to the Father and to all people. Are there possessions, attitudes or ways of thinking that we hold on to, that stop us from being totally open to God and open to other people? What do we need to do to "strip away from our lives" all that is false, so we can be completely open to God's good news and to others).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: ELEVEN

LEADER:  The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you
R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading                                     
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said: "Father, forgive them: they do not know what they are doing."
[22]
They have pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. [23]
"I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him Who sent Me."
[24]
"Jesus said to Nicodemus: "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven: and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." [25]
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciples he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then to the disciple, he said, "This is your mother."
[26]
(Jesus suffered terrible pain. Let us pray for and think of those who are suffering pain at this time. For all those suffering from: persecution, from injustice, from prejudice, from being wrongfully accused, from poverty, from illness, from bereavement, from loneliness, from unemployment… //from any thing at all..//    For all who suffer – physical, emotional or spiritual PAIN. (pause)  May God help them, and be with them. May we help them in any way we can. May they know that Jesus is with them in the midst of their suffering).
ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: TWELVE

LEADER:  The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                        
It was now about the sixth hour and with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus cried out in a loud voice, he said, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." With these words, he breathed his last.
[27]
…….. "If we live, we live for the Lord, if we die, we die for the Lord."

(Jesus died so that all might live through him. We pray for all those who are dying, and all those who have died. May they be welcomed into the reward of God's heavenly Kingdom. May we support and strengthen those facing death. (pause).  And, when our earthly life is ended, may we see the glory of God forever and ever in Heaven – reunited with all those we love who have gone before us.   We pray too for all those who face death or who have died alone, unloved, without hope…   unjustly…  or tragically…   May the Lord who died to save them, bring them peace and reward. ).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.


STATION NUMBER: THIRTEEN


LEADER:  The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the Cross.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                       

"After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews - asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away."
[28]

(Before Jesus died, he gave his mother into the care of John. Mary is our inspiration of discipleship. May we be encouraged to imitate her faith, her perseverance in times of trial and utter confusion and unimaginable suffering, and her following of Jesus in good times and in bad. May we also be there for those who are suffering; Ready to give help and strength by our presence and support. May we acknowledge that we belong to one family in the church and are responsible for the welfare and spiritual care of those around us).

ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.

***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.

STATION NUMBER: FOURTEEN


LEADER:  The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the Tomb.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you

R/ Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reading                                  

They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish day of preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.
[29]

Jesus (had earlier) said to his disciples: "I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves their life loses it; anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for the eternal life."
[30]

(Jesus was laid in the tomb. His three days in the tomb makes holy the graves of all who believe in Jesus. We pray for those who have died in the hope of the resurrection. May they be welcomed into God's kingdom. May those who mourn the departed be strengthened by the sure hope of Christ's promise of eternal life. Jesus, by his death, has destroyed death forever. Jesus by his own death and brought salvation to the world).
ALL:  O Jesus, who for love of me, didst bear thy cross to Calvary. In thy sweet mercy grant to me, to suffer and to die with thee.
   ***(sung)   Jesus has given his life for us.
+++
(at the sanctuary)

READER:
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God, but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as humans are; and being as all humans are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him on high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
[31]

+++
Leader:
Let us pray
(that the Gospel may have a deep effect in our daily lives)
Lord Jesus Christ, our risen Saviour, unite us with yourself in redeeming the world. As we walk the way of salvation, turn us away from sin. Help us to be faithful to the Gospel and come to see the fullness of your glory where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.




(all depart silently – no final announcements or blessings)


+++++
References:
Paul W. Kelly

[Adapted by Paul Kelly, with variations from Bill Huebsch "The new Scripture way of the Cross," © 1993.  Also introductory prayer from "The Biblical Way of the Cross" by Michael A. Dubruiel and Amy Welborn, © 1994.

Main texts and reading suggestions taken from: Rev Shane Hoctor, Parish Pries. "MELBOURNE DIOCESE PUBLICATION, SEASONS OF HOPE," © 1997 Jubilee Committee of Melbourne]
Some readings are from Jerusalem version, others from New Revised Standard Version. © 1969, 1989.

This shorter version also includes various sources from Stations of the Cross, including the Stations of the Cross written by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787).
++++
Archive of homilies and reflections is at: http: //homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Leader, 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 Leader's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:
paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com







[1]The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) .
[2] Mark  (14:56,61-64)
[3] Luke 9:23-24
[4] (Lamentations 3: 16-17)
[5] ( John 16:33)
[6] Luke 2:33-35
[7] Mark 15:21
[8] (John 14, 9)
[9] (Matt 25:35-36)
[10] (Isaiah 52:14-15) : 
[11] (Isaiah 53:5-6).
[12] (Psalm 118, 13)


[13] (Hebrews 4, 15)
[14]The New Revised Standard Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) .
[15] Luke 23:27-31
[16] (Matt 11:28-30).

[17] (Psalm 22.15-16)
[18] (Philippians 2.5-7)
[19] (Luke 14.11)
[20] (John 19:23-24)
[21]  (Colossians 3:9-11)
[22] (Luke 23:33-34)

[23] (Psalm 22, 17-18)
[24] (John 6, 38)
[25] (John 3:13-15).  
[26] John 19:25-27
[27] Luke 23:44-46
[28] (John 19:38).

[29] (John 19:40-42)
[30] (John 12:24-25)
[31] From Saint Paul to the Philippians      (2:5-11)

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Catholic 727: Holy Thursday - THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 18th April, 2019

Holy Thursday  - THE MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
18th April, 2019


THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8. 11-14
Psalm: Ps 115: 12-13. 15-18. R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the blood of Christ.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
Gospel Acclamation: John 13: 34
Gospel: John 13: 1-15
Homily
Washing of Feet
++++
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for Holy Thursday  - 18th April, 2019, by clicking this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/holy-thursday-faith-hope-and-love-2019-episode-151/s-iV7zG :   (EPISODE: 151 )
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The prayers of the world go out to the people of France at the shocking fire that tore through the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. 

My heart and thoughts are with the people.  In Holy Week we take heart in the fact that the message of the Suffering, death and Resurrection of Christ promises us God's faithfulness and nearness to his beloved children, no matter what disasters and setbacks befall us.   Ultimately, Christ is our living temple, who lives forever. 
+++++++
This night is the culmination of ancient and most holy events….  In a way that brings them all into unity….

THE ANCIENT AND HOLY GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, TO COMMEMORATE the great event of the PASSOVER…  which Our Lord, as a faithful member of the Jewish faith, also longed to celebrate….  Calls to mind the covenant God made with his people…  that he would be Our God… and we would be his people… and that he would save us…  and guide us…  leading us to PASS-OVER from slavery to freedom… and PASS-OVER from death into new life… 

And then, with his disciples…  in the midst of the Passover meal, at that last supper…  in the upper room specially prepared,  Jesus did a new thing, in the midst of the very ancient actions…   Yet, this NEW THING that Jesus did was perfectly connected to the OLD….  Jesus, connected the Passover, with his life and suffering and death.. and with his eventual resurrection…   Jesus made himself the Passover lamb….  The innocent and spotless offering slaughtered to free the people from sin and re-establish God's covenant….  And so… Jesus perfected and renewed this ancient covenant…  in his own blood.. and gave us a perfect way of accessing this promise and renewing the promise.. every time we gather at Eucharist.. to take and eat..  take and drink..  we proclaim Our Lord's death…  until he comes again…  and this sharing in the one cup and the one bread…  it is a communion in the blood of Christ… as St Paul so wonderfully puts it….

Every time we celebrate Eucharist…  we offer our lives, our hopes and dreams..  our successes and failures…  to our God, through Jesus' perfect offering of himself…  we are joined to Christ as a perfect gift that includes us and all who are dear to us….    And echo Jesus' action, which is to offer his whole self and what he was to suffer, for the salvation of the world….  

And Jesus went further… he washed the feet of his disciples…  it is ironic… on the night when we celebrate Jesus instituting the Eucharist.. and establishing the priesthood… the gospel we recite does not mention the words of institution… but this is no accident…  John's gospel.. the last of the gospels written……(Mark being the earliest…  luke and Matthew later),… but St Paul's letters were the earliest writings of all……  they mention it… by the time John's gospel came to be written, the Eucharist was so revered, recognised as so holy… that he spoke of it in the most profound way, in different parts of his gospel…  in somewhat subtle tones … but at the last supper, John goes to the heart of the meaning of the Eucharist by featuring the incident of the washing of the feet… to show that Eucharist and service… are inseparable…   Eucharist and justice are essentially inter-connected.….   // Eucharist and Jesus giving every drop of his blood…  sacrificing absolutely everything out of love and serviced for us.. to save us…  is the very heart of the meaning of the Mass…  and of the call to serve the people in priesthood.. and in fact in the vocation of each and every disciple…. 

 We have the most excellent and perfect teacher and master in Christ… whose simplicity, poverty, humility and love and charity establishes,  perfects and gives meaning to service, Eucharist, sacrifice and communion….  

We are simply taking Christ as our model. Jesus deserves every possible honour, every privilege, every right, and precedent.. and yet who stripped himself of all that was rightfully his and took on the form of a slave… to save us all…..  he spared NOTHING for himself to GIVE all for others…. 

This most holy night.. at the start of the holiest of THREE days…  let us take (again) as our model, Christ… let us continue to "do this in memory of me"…  as we commit ourselves to service, sacrifice, generosity….   Forgiveness…..  compassion and, let all these actions flow from motivating core of the heart and mind of our master, the Lord, Jesus Christ…  who came in love, served in love, healed in love…  and died in love…..

May we be every faithful to the Eucharist.. and to the priestly call to service…..   and like Christ…  pour ourselves out in love and service for others…. 
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image:
By Thoom illustration ID: 600767603. Shutterstock image used with permission.  Washing of feet - Jesus Christ washing the feet of the apostles on Holy Thursday. Abstract artistic modern religious Christian illustration -

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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope, and Love,  A time of Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
 [{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins.. **]

Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By  E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).

{ "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -published 2011,  Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski 
Featuring the….Gloria,:  
http://www.ccwatershed.org/chabanel/  ]]] ] COPYRIGHT @ 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  www.ccwatershed.org/vatican/Ralph_Sherwin_Videos/  

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme Hymn:   original music © 1996 by Paul W. Kelly.

For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au/
Contact us at
paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Production by Kelly Enterprises Resources. 

May God bless and keep you.

Holy Thursday


(EPISODE: 151 )

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+++++++++++++
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy//
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

++++

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


Preface: Proper of Holy Thursday

Eucharistic prayer I – proper for Holy Thursday
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(No dismissal,  community departs in silent adoration and contemplation, to gather again on Good Friday) 





Tuesday, April 09, 2019

Catholic 726: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year C. - Sunday, April 14, 2019

Homily Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year C.  - Sunday, April 14, 2019

Luke 19: 28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24. My God My God, why have you abandoned me.
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year C.  - Sunday, April 14, 2019 by clicking this link here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/passion-palm-sunday-c-faith-hope-and-love/s-k8DO1  (EPISODE: 150)
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* humility,  self-emptying service, and sacrifice   vs   pride and self-serving-self-interest
* service and leadership by becoming one with, joining in, not being above or beyond.
* Luke's passion account -  Jesus healed and forgave,  he submitted himself humbly, and suffered for this,  and we carry on his name and his work of healing and forgiving.
++++
During this coming week, it would be wonderful to take the long version of Luke's Gospel and read through it prayerfully and reflectively. There is a lot of richness in this most important text.

Something really strikes me about Luke's Passion account that we have just listened to this weekend….

The enemies of Jesus are liars. They hated his message of love, forgiveness, and inclusion and spent all their time trying to trap Jesus and find something against him. In the end, they could find nothing wrong… so…   did they give up?  No, they just made up accusations…   the things they accuse Jesus of in Luke's Gospel are lies….  Jesus was inciting revolt?  No, he wasn't ! he was seeking to avoid it. Opposing payment to Caesar, no he didn't! He was rightfully claiming to be the Christ… but to say he was setting himself up as an earthly King to overthrow the earthly leader of this region.. was a distortion, to make Jesus appear like a criminal and a rebel…    They were lying through their teeth to convict Jesus,.. but even Pilate, the arbiter of earthly law says…  he is not guilty. Roman Law, the secular law of the land, had all the limitations of human law, but even this imperfect legal system found him NOT GUILTY.

When people bring Jesus to the Jewish King Herod, he is completely self-absorbed… he doesn't even listen to what they are saying… he just wants to meet Jesus and get him to do a miracle… it's a shocking sign of leadership that is out of touch, self-serving, and that doesn't even know what the issues are…. King Herod is deserving of the rebuff he receives, when, to his utter amazement, Our Lord replies to his question not one word! He says absolutely nothing in reply to Herod's questions.

Jesus came to forgive, include and welcome… and he is repaid in rejection, dishonesty, and hatred….  He showed the absolute depth of his love by sacrificing everything for us…  and this has saved us.  We give thanks for Jesus' life and saving death.. and we keep vigil this week as we enter the holiest week of the Church's year…  A journey through suffering love… self-forgetting service of others ...   true and inspiring leadership......A leadership of love, that goes through death to newness of life…
+++++


References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image:  By Thoom stock illustration ID: 603513446. Shutterstock. Holy week - The passion of Jesus Christ with Entry into Jerusalem, Eucharist, washing of the feet, rooster and cross. Modern abstract textured digital illustration. - Illustration
+++Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: 
paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address:
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope, and Love,  A time of Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul W. Kelly
Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
 [{selected psalms } - ***Psalm verses are (also) taken from "The Psalms: A New Translation" ©1963, The Grail (England), published by Collins.. **]
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg's 1993 book " Together we pray". Published in Sydney Australia By  E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).

For more details please visit http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au/
Contact us at
paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Production by Kelly Enterprises Resources. 

May God bless and keep you.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Year C.
(
Sunday, April 14, 2019)
(EPISODE: 150 )
The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Preface of the Passion
Eucharistic Prayer II

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