Homily
First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20
Psalm: 118:1-2. 4-5. 17-18.33-34. Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth. You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37
Image credit: Shutterstock Licensed -stock photo ID: 482177065. TOP-150 Bible Verses about Love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself." By Oleg Golovnev
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 16, 2020 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-206-sixth-sunday-ordinary-time-a/s-wMqRg (EPISODE:206)
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Prologue: Our Lord turns the heat up in this weekend's readings. He really lays things on the line... We have been given real freedom, so no excuses. We are called to be children of God, not petty rule makers or breakers. The Lord wants to share his heart with us... wants to implant his love deep in our souls.... and from that, true discipleship flows.... which reaches out, gives, includes and helps.....
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While Mahatma Gandhi was a practising Hindu, Christianity intrigued him greatly. In his reading of the Gospels, Gandhi was deeply impressed by Jesus. He wanted to know more about this Jesus that Christians referred to as "the Christ, the Messiah."
One Sunday morning Gandhi decided that he would visit one of the Christian churches in Calcutta. Upon seeking entrance to the church, he was stopped at the door by the ushers.
He was told he was not welcome, nor would he be permitted to attend this particular church as it was for either "high-caste Indians or whites only." He fitted neither of those narrow descriptions. Because of the rejection, the Mahatma turned his back on Christianity saying: 'If it weren't for Christians, I'd be a Christian?' (%%)
Sadly, this is another in the list of history's all-too-many examples of Christians becoming a stumbling block for those trying to approach Christ. An unspeakable tragedy that repeats itself far too often. Even to this day, we have to be so vigilant against being unchristian Christians.
This can happen in really big ways, and also in small but still quite devastating... and the results can be the same... the contradiction witnessed by observers; between the love from God (on one hand) and the legalism and the harshness of some of God's disciples (on the other), can be a real "turn-off."
(I am sure many of us can blush when we recall times when we ourselves modelled the complete opposite of Christ's loving message in our own actions and reactions. These contradictions are a trap into which any one of us can fall. The Lord doesn't want us to lose heart or give up but warns us to be very wary and constantly on our guard against our contradictions, and to repent and work with God's grace to reshape our attitudes without delay). And save us, Lord, from acting opposite to your ways and not even seeing the contradiction! Christ didn't preach, heal, forgive, suffer, die and rise again, for that kind of self-indulgence and lack of self-awareness.
Today's Gospel is summed up beautifully in this quote from the British writer, Michael Green: "(God's) Law is not the limit of obedience; rather, it is the springboard from which we dive into the (wonderful, refreshing, life-giving and deep waters of) love and devotion to Our Lord. The Law of God is the "curbing" along the road of love."1. (paraphrased). We don't spend all our time looking at the sides of the road, but by travelling wonderfully down the centre lane of this highway of God's love.
The law was never meant to be the end in itself, but rather a distillation and expression of God's values. When people only focus on the letter of the law or outward observances, they are completely missing the point.
Jesus was warning the Pharisees that this is exactly what they have ended up doing. They had not gone deeper into the meaning and Spirit behind the law, and so they had become hollow. The "Pharisees" are not just those people who opposed Jesus 2000 years ago... Not merely the actual pharisees who were living like hypocrites, but this group also represent anyone - even today... even within our own Christian faith tradition, who keeps outward observances whilst their hearts (and attitudes) remain far from the Lord. Our Lord preaches to the Pharisees of this day and even the pharisee that might be lurking away in our own hearts.
God's wise saying to us in the first reading is quite powerful. God says, 'Of course I have given you true freedom. You are free to touch the cool water.. it will feel cool…. And you are free to touch your hand to the flame if you want. but beware… choosing to touch fire will burn you. So choose wisely.. choose the good… avoid the harmful. Use your freedom to choose life and choose God's ways. At the heart of God's desire for us, is to walk the paths that are for our good and avoid any avenues that will prove nothing but harmful to us.
Jesus is calling as his disciples to learn the meaning purpose of Gods law and not merely its outward expressions or legalistic constraints. We hope that God will grant us the wisdom to discern the loving-kindness and compassion behind the rules and regulations and apply ourselves to that love.
Jesus is inviting us to never just settle for the outward shell of observance, but rather dive deeply into being a loving disciple who lives truly as a son or a daughter of God amongst many siblings.
"love of God and Love of neighbour is the one law that admits of no exception! Furthermore, all other laws must be held against the litmus test of how they apply this overarching law of LOVE."
So, it is not good enough merely to keep the commandments by 'not killing anyone' because we also must strive not to have anger and uncharitable thoughts against our brother or sister. It is not sufficient to say "I have never actually been unfaithful" when it is possible to break the spirit of this command by being disrespectful in the way we look at others — or how it's sadly possible to treat others as objects, devoid of their person-hood. What a parody one could make of God's law by limiting it only to extremes l, or diluting it with endless lists of curious observances.
It is not good enough to do everything in the 'name of Jesus' if our ordinary everyday 'yes' is not reliable, or our 'no' does not mean what it says. _this particular passage really interests me more than ever... a simple yes or no is powerful. but a yes or a no with additional extra added explanations, reasons or comments.... are quite often little more than excuses, fibs, self-justifications or gripes. So truly, our yes needs to be yes, and our no, no... No more, no less.
And, even more challenging; the readings today remind us that we should never blame God for our own failings: "Do not say it is the Lord's doing that I fell away." These are merely excuses that try to remove our own adult, free responsibility. Whilst we have real freedom, we are reminded quite sharply by this weekend's scriptures: The Lord never gave people permission to sin or to ignore his laws.
Yes, God has given us true freedom, but this is a freedom to -// To live God's law and to act responsibly, maturely, and lovingly.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
(%%) [ By LAMA CHUCK STANFORD and ARVIND KHETIA. Article - APRIL 17, 2015 07:00 AM: from https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.kansascity.com/living/religion/article18756585.html ] //
Also referenced in Link, M. (1992). Vision. Year A. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub
My Daily Visitor, (Our Sunday Visitor).
Break Open the Word
Image credit: Shutterstock Licensed -stock photo ID: 482177065. TOP-150 Bible Verses about Love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself." By Oleg Golovnev
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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.
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria, copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }
"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
[ Production - KER - 2020]
May God bless and keep you.
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
(Sunday, February 16, 2020)
(EPISODE: 206 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May Our Lord's Mercy renew us. }}
Our Gods love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.?
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit. Lord, have mercy//You bring pardon and peace to the sinner. Christ, have mercy// You bring light to those in darkness. 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
2. 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 V
Euch prayer two
Communion side. pwk: RH
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God. }
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
