The Solemnity of the Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary – SUNDAY 15th August, 2021. (episode: 316)

The Solemnity of the Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary – SUNDAY 15th August 2021. 

(episode: 316)

Readings
FIRST READING: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm: Ps 44:10-12, 16. "The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (Alleluia, alleluia! Mary is taken up to heaven, and the angels of God shout for joy. Alleluia!).
GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-56
 
Shutterstock Licensed Image Credit:   stock vector ID: 270796268 -Blessed Virgin Mary Queen in triangle style - By mashabr

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To listen to an audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please click this link here: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-sun-15th-august-21-broadcast-version-e-316   (episode: 316)
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
{{Good wishes to you all.}}

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


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

You raised the blessed virgin mary, body and soul, into heavenly glory. Christ have mercy.


Mary's assumption is the first fruits of the victory you won for the human race. Lord have mercy.
 
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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PREFACE: Glory of Mary assumed into heaven (solemnity)
Euch.Prayer: 3
 
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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


Dismissal:

Go in peace
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Prologue:  This feast originated in Jerusalem before the fifth century as the "Falling-Asleep of the Mother of God." It was adopted in Rome in the mid-seventh century and was renamed the "Assumption" in the eighth century. It celebrates Mary's passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son. The foretaste and forerunner of what will be the reward of all the faithful at the fullness of the resurrection on the last day.
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Fr Peter Dillon - Homily - Feast of the Assumption of Mary – 15 August 2021
We have something a little different this Sunday because what is normally a weekday feast honouring the assumption of Mary replaces the Sunday Masses with its own proper songs and prayers and texts. Let me point out just a few interesting and, in fact, I think surprising things about this feast and then, a fascinating story about the gospel that we just read

The doctrine of Mary's assumption into heaven is very, very new. Although devotion and prayer and celebrations around the welcome of Mary into heaven go back certainly as early as the sixth century, with, at times, enormous popularity among all believing Christians, with sermons and hymns and decades of the rosary. Still, it was only November 1st, 1950, that Pope Pius XII officially declared as part of Catholic belief, declared infallibly, "that when the course of her earthly life was finished Mary was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven." 1950, the first surprise!

 "Body and soul"- When the Church uses that language, as it does of Christ in the Eucharist, it means the whole person. It means the real person. Here it is used to describe Mary's unique historical personality and to say that Mary, who she was and who she is now, is safe with God.

Most of the time when we hear the phrase "The Pope is infallible" or "Papal infallibility" we don't figure he is using that infallibility all the time. (He gets up in the morning and he says, "It's going to be a beautiful day," and then it rains! Oh, my goodness! Where did infallibility go?!) But, rather, we figure it is frequent enough whenever he comes out with a major edict, proclamation, encyclical, and that he must gather the information somehow mystically, almost as if by magic. Well, the 1950 declaration by the Pope about the assumption of Mary suggests something very different, in fact, just the opposite.

Guess how the Pope went about making this declaration. He contacted every bishop in the world and all the major universities and schools of theology and their faculties, and said, "Is this what you and your community believe as Catholic Christians?" ....He checked it out with the People of God. That's what he did.

Since the Church has officially declared and announced that the Pope can exercise infallibility, how often has it happened? In the many, many years, how often has it happened? .... Once! This is it! Once and once only. This is it.

Why did he decide to make this declaration and underline this feast? We know because, in the declaration, Pope Pius XII said explicitly why he was doing it. He said clearly and explicitly because the previous fifty years had included the slaughter and genocide of the Armenian people, the loss of ten million lives in World War I, the loss of forty million lives in the Russian Revolution, the loss of six million Jewish lives in the Holocaust, the loss of fifty-million lives in World War II, and the invention and use of a new weapon of mass destruction called the atomic bomb. Pope Pius XII referred explicitly to this history. He deplored the destruction of human life, the desecration of human bodies right and left, and the increasing loss of reverence and respect for the God-given identity of every human being. And he said, "What I intend, I intend that the celebration of the Assumption of Mary might make clear the sacredness and the high destiny of every single human person."

Well, I read the newspaper every morning. The loss of life from terrorism and organized assault is, if anything, increasing. We still very much need this feast. By honouring the destiny of a poor young girl from Nazareth, we might remember to honour one another, all our brothers and sisters on earth, as well.

Now, the gospel designated to be read at this Mass each year on August 15th has a fascinating story connected with it. Two decades ago, Pope John Paul II visited Latin America and including all the then military dictatorships. And he found his visit carefully censored by government officials. One text was removed from his planned visit. It was never allowed to be read, never allowed to be heard. The forbidden text is today's gospel. "Our God has shown the strength of his arm and has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts. God casts down the powerful from their thrones and he lifts up the lowly. God fills the hungry with good things and the rich he sends off empty-handed." That was forbidden.

I want to suggest that I think there is a need for ourselves to be careful, not to censor that out of our lives either. There are two driving forces that come up again and again in our lives and in our society. One is sheer self-interest and the other is the use of power to get our own way. And that needs to be challenged again and again in our society and in our own hearts. The common good seemed to be the standard for making decisions, and not all, but many major corporations saw as their constituency their customers and their employees. Things like a living wage, decent working conditions, health coverage and job security were seen either as their responsibility or, at least, as an acceptable price for doing business in this land. We might lament that today for many major corporations stockholders are the constituency, and the profit margin is a major concern and every other possible concern is a distant, distant second.

Now, I know business and economy and politics and our personal lives are enormously complicated. They are not simple. And all of us may well argue and disagree and debate over the wisdom of specific plans or proposals and ways of doing things. And that's fine. But we need to keep ourselves in tune with the values and vision of the gospel. That's got to be a starting point. And we need to keep ourselves in harmony with the song of Mary, who celebrated and became an instrument of a God Who raises up the lowly and is faithful to all people. May our lives magnify the Lord. May our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior. Amen.
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References:

Prologue -Fr Paul W. Kelly
Homily – fr Peter Dillon

Shutterstock Licensed Image Credit:   stock vector ID: 270796268 -Blessed Virgin Mary Queen in a triangle style - By mashabr

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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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: 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

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria. Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

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

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

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

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

[ Production - KER - 2021]

May God bless and keep you.
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Acknowledgement of Country - This is Kombumerri Country - The Traditional Custodians of this region. 
We respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of this country. We pay our respects to the Kombumerri people, who are the traditional custodians of the land we live and work upon, throughout this parish of Surfers Paradise. We acknowledge Elders, past and present and emerging, as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people. We pay tribute to those who have contributed in many ways to the life of the community. We affirm our commitment to justice,  healing, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) (Solemnity in Australia) - Sunday, August 8, 2021 (EPISODE: 315)

Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) (Solemnity in Australia) - Sunday, August 8, 2021
(EPISODE:315 )

Readings for Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) (Solemnity in Australia)
FIRST READING: 1 Kings 17: 8-16
Psalm 62: 1-8. "My soul clings to you; your right-hand holds me fast."
SECOND READING: Colossians 3: 12-17
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mt 27: 55). Alleluia, Alleluia. Many women were there by the cross, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus and looked after him, Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 6: 25-34

Image Credit: Image Credit: Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, - Paint and Tapestry Artwork (c.2009-10) by Mr. Terence Michael (Terry) Lynch, (d. 12/1/2014). (And the Maryborough Parish ladies- Tapestry located in Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Maryborough, Queensland, where Saint Mary visited and set up a convent and school.
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) (Solemnity in Australia) - Sunday, August 8, 2021 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-315-solemnity-of-mary-of-the-cross-mackillop-australia-and-new-zealand-2022/s-IG8aKpcstHw
(EPISODE: 315)
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* (Prologue: Fr Paul Kelly)
As Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop once wrote:

"Remember we are all but travellers here."
In Australia(solemnity) and New Zealand (feast Day) . . St Mary of the Cross, Mary of the Cross is a national Patron and also Patron of the Brisbane Archdiocese here).

Mary Helen Mackillop, was born in Melbourne (Australia) on 15th January 1842. And entered eternal life in Sydney on this day (8th August) in 1909. Mary took the religious name "Mary of the Cross." Mary responded to the isolation of colonial families by pioneering a new form of religious life to provide education for their children. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. Remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of lies, and for her abiding trust in God's providence. [ having been born in Melbourne, I am sure Saint Mary Mackillop will be interceding for us here in Australia, and the whole world as it continues to work towards recovery from the great trials being caused by the ongoing covid-pandemic).
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(Homily: Fr Peter Dillon).
Homily – Feast of Mary McKillop 2021

When he came to Australia to beatify Mary MacKillop, Pope
John Paul spoke of Mary as embodying "all that is best in your nation
and in its people …" He spoke of Australians as being marked by:
· a genuine openness to others;
· a generous hospitality to strangers and to the needy;
· a strong sense of justice to those unfairly treated;
· a rich kindness and compassion for the suffering; and
· an ability and willingness to persevere in the face of adversity.
He expressed the hope that Mary Mackillop's example would inspire
Australians to take pride in their Christian heritage and to work for a
better society for all.

During this time of reflecting on the canonization of Mary and its meaning for
us, I find myself asking: Are we really that people, that nation who
holds such hospitality and openness, such generosity and perseverance,
such justice and compassion as our deepest values? For better or worse
Australia has seen many changes in these past 20 years:
Are we still that people of whom John Paul spoke – hospitable to
strangers and generous to those in adversity?

Twenty years ago our INDIGENOUS PEOPLE could have held on to
the hope that with the Bringing Them Home Report, Sorry Days
and Bridge Walks some sort of attitude change was taking place
among us. What do they think now that political disinterest and
the opposition has just about ground the Reconciliation movement
to a halt? Now that opinion has been tamed to the point that
public conversation and discourse have been silenced? It isn't so
easy to recognise ourselves as that person who in John Paul's
words, "Do justice to those unfairly treated".

 Twenty years ago, political leaders and concerned Australians
actually talked about NARROWING THE GAP between the very
rich and the very poor. Today not even a Vincent de Paul report
exposing shoddy statistics and showing that the tax reforms of the
last budget widen rather than narrow the gap – not even this can
get the conversation restarted. It is an unfortunate example for a
people who persevere in the face of adversity.


 And what of the ASYLUM SEEKERS who, twenty years ago, may
have believed that they had the right to flee oppressive regimes,
war and torture? Asylum seekers who, twenty years ago, may have
believed that we would uphold the UN Charter on Human Rights?
What do they think now after years of detention, after the
ongoing exposure of human rights denied, wrongful deportation
and the incarceration of mothers and their children? In John
Paul's words we are supposed to be a people with a strong sense
of justice for those unjustly treated.

 Twenty years ago the reality of terrorism had not yet
dawned on us here in this land. In just a few years we seem to have been willing to alienate our own responsibility in favour of powerful leaders of our
own and other nations; It may not be long before we allow ourselves to become so
threatened by our brothers and sisters that we begin to see
each other as potential enemies against whom we require
protection. It seems that we have lost our confidence in the values we
held as basic to who we are, and pride in our Christian
heritage has turned into defensiveness and suspicion against
those of other faiths.

 Today's Gospel, however, puts before us a very different vision of
how life might be. "Do not worry about your life", Jesus says "Is not
life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
Is not life more than the mindless gathering of possessions, the undue
desire to be surrounded by all that the heart desires, whether we need it or not? More than the hapless use of the earth's resources to ensure our own comfort and security – as if it were not there to be shared among all, both rich and poor and our children of generations yet to come? More than protecting ourselves, our property and our lifestyles at the expense of those who have nothing? More than appropriating the riches of another's land, of another's culture and story as if we had it by right of
domination? more than the creation of unequal power structures and the
submission of those less powerful?

Today's gospel puts before us the question:
Can we not be satisfied with what is basic to our human need so
that there may be life with dignity for all – in which all our
brothers and sisters are invited and able to participate?
Can we not trust in the good ness of a God who names himself in
today's gospel as Father – and names us as daughters and sons – a
God whose loving Providence will supply all our needs?
And the answer which the gospel gives:

Life IS about more than what we are to eat, what we are to drink,
what we are to wear. "Seek FIRST", Jesus says, "the KINGDOM OF
GOD and GOD'S JUSTICE WHERE do we seek this KINGDOM and its JUSTICE? Matthew's gospel, from which we read today, is at pains to assure us that it is
already among us; we need only stay awake and be attentive. Given the
experience in our country over the past ten years we may want to claim
that this Kingdom of God and its justice is very difficult to recognise!
But have not our eyes been opened and our ears unstopped by God's
gift to us – in the person of Mary MacKillop, and in the lives of all who
share her spirit?

We know her story and we recognise in it the depths of her love for God and humanity, expressed in her life of service, especially of the powerless, the needy and those on the margins; we hear the all-pervading certainty that what she was doing was God's work, and her unfailing trust was that God would provide. We are heartened and encouraged by the very humanness of her seeking the Kingdom and its justice, of her failures and the weight of her burdens at times, of her courage and determination that whatever the opposition God's will would be done in her.+++++
References:

Homily – Fr Peter Dillon

Prologue - Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Image Credit: Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, - Paint and Tapestry Artwork (c.2009-10) by Mr. Terence Michael (Terry) Lynch, (8/5/1932-12/1/2014). (And the Maryborough Parish ladies- Tapestry located in Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Maryborough, Queensland, where Saint Mary visited and set up a convent and school.



Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) (Solemnity in Australia) (Sunday, August 8, 2021) (EPISODE: 315 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Hi}} welcome everyone, we gather - Praise, Worship of God

My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.

Lord jesus, you are god who gives generously to all. Lord, have mercy

You are our sure helper in time of need. Christ, have mercy.

You are are loving and faithful to your people to the end of time. 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
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Psalm 62: 1-8. "My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mt 27: 55). Alleluia, Alleluia. Many women were there by the cross, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus and looked after him, Alleluia.
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PREFACE: Preface I or II of saints
Various Occasions 1
(theme variation: 1 )

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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise, worship and reflection upon our God's infinite love.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

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

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

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.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.


Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

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

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production - KER - 2021]

May God bless and keep you.
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First Saturday Mass online - Votive Mass for Mary – Health of the Sick 6th August 2021.

Masses of the BVM: 44 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick

First Saturday Mass online -  Votive Mass for Mary – Health of the Sick

First Reading - Isaiah  53:1-5, 7-10

RESPONSORIAL –Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8 and 10- --R. (1a, 3b) My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL: See Luke 1:45.   R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for firmly believing that the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled.  Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 1:39-56 

To listen, please Click here:   https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-first-saturday-mass-august-6th-2021-mary-health-of-the-sick/s-p2KDhgsEmzC

 

Shutterstock photo ID: 1215510244 --Stained Glass image of Mary visiting Elizabeth taken at St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS on Oct 27, 2018- By Dan Oberly

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We know that our bodies were created with love, by God, our loving Father. 

The importance of the body in earthly life, is we are an instrument for doing good. The body needs health
It is known that there are countless diseases that can affect the human body. How many people do we know of personally, or know of from others and from around the world, who suffer terribly in body, mind, and spirit….  And recently the covid-pandemic has been an enormous and worldwide source of suffering for people everywhere…    People suffering physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially from the effects of illness and from its consequences……

We know that the world can be "a valley of tears."  Faith and giving ourselves over entirely to Our Lord gives light to us in the midst of the mystery of pain.

Sadly the suffering and pain and loss that many suffer can be made so much worse by the lack of practical assistance, and from the selfishness or apathy of others….   Pain and illness can be greatly lessened when the assistance and care and compassion and love of others supports those in need…  

The Church calls The Blessed Virgin Mary: "Salus infirmorum" (Health of the Sick), and exhorts the faithful to resort to Her for the health of the body.

We know that countless people in the midst of illness and disease…  have asked …..How can a parent feed their children if they are not well enough to work??   Thanks be to God many nations have a national free health service, but many, many more do not. 

How would a person meet their worthy commitments, including help to others in need …. If they did not have good health?
Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, knew all these practicalities…     We see in the gospel Mary rushing to the aid of her elderly cousin in her need, without a thought for her own position and worries….    This Blessed Virgin, our heavenly mother, is happy to implore on our behalf, her blessed Son, for the health of the body to those who invoke Her. People who experience the goodness of the Virgin are countless.

In every sickness, let us, therefore, turn to the Queen of Heaven!
If the health of the body will be useful to the soul or for achieving God's will in the world,  this will be obtained;
if the illness will be more useful spiritually, (and only God sees and understands the whole picture) then the prayer will be answered but differently…   The Madonna will obtain the grace of holy courage and spiritual strength and uplift the ill by supporting them in so many ways in their sickness and pain.

Our Lady, health of the Sick…   pray for us….

(reflection,  from Fr. John Francesco Maria Lim, MAY, THE MONTH OF MARY (MAY 4) – MARY, HEALTH OF THE SICK., May 4, 2018).l
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

Cf. Psalm 35: 3; Jonah 2: 3

 

I am the Savior of my people.

Whatever their troubles I will answer their cry.

 COLLECT

Grant, Lord God, that we, your servants,

may rejoice in unfailing health of mind and body,

and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, may we be set free from present sorrow

and come to enjoy eternal happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

 

FIRST READING

(Isaiah  53:1-5, 7-10)

 

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

 Who would believe what we have heard?

To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? The servant grew up like a sapling before him,

like a shoot from the parched earth;

there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him.

He was spurned and avoided by people,

a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,

one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

 

Yet it was our infirmities that the servant bore, our sufferings that he endured,

while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our offenses,

crushed for our sins,

upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth;          as a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away,

and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living,

and smitten for the sin of his people,

a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers,

though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.

But the LORD was pleased

to crush his servant in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,

he shall see his descendants in a long life,

and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8 and 10

 

R. (1a, 3b) My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

 

Bless the LORD, my soul;

all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, my soul;

do not forget all the gifts of God.

 

R. My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

 

Who pardons all your sins  heals all your ills,

delivers your life from the pit,

surrounds you with love and compassion.

 

R. My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

 

The LORD does righteous deeds brings justice to all the oppressed.

God's ways were revealed to Moses, mighty deeds to the people of Israel.

 

R. My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

 

Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.

God has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our deeds deserve.

 

R. My soul, bless the Lord, who heals all your ills.

 

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

See Lk 1:45.   R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for firmly believing that the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled.  Alleluia, alleluia.

 

GOSPEL Lk 1:39-56

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

 

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,

where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my savior."

For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

The Lord's mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.

The Lord has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,

according to his promise to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Mary remained with Elizabeth, about three months and then returned to her home.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus

 

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS

 

Look, O Lord, upon the prayers and offerings of your faithful, presented in the commemoration of Blessed Mary, the Mother of God, that they may be pleasing to you and may confer on us your help and forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

PREFACE: Mary, Health of the Sick

 

{The Blessed Virgin Is a Sign of Salvation for the Sick}.

 

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

 

V. Lift up your hearts.

R. We lift them up to the Lord.

 

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is truly right and just.

 

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

 

For in a wonderful way you gave the Blessed Virgin Mary a special share in the mystery of pain.

She now shines radiantly

as a sign of health, of healing, and of divine hope for the sick who call on her patronage.

 

To all who look up to her in prayer

she is the model of perfect acceptance of your will and of wholehearted conformity with Christ,

who, out of love for us,

endured our weakness and bore our sufferings.

 

Through Christ, the Angels of heaven offer their prayer of adoration

as they rejoice in your presence forever.

May our voices be one with theirs in their triumphant hymn of praise:

 

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

 

Psalm 118: 14. The Lord, my strength and my song, has become my Savior. \

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord our God,

on this memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus,

we have received with joyful hearts the healing Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your only Son; may this Sacrament bring us blessings in this life and in the world to come.  Through Christ our Lord.

 

SOLEMN BLESSING

 

The following Solemn Blessing may be used:

 

The Lord be with you./   

And with your spirit.

 

Bow down for the blessing.

May the Father of all mercy,

through the love with which he cherished the Mother of his Son, bless you with health of mind and body. Amen.

 

May Jesus Christ, the blessed fruit of Mary's womb, adorn you with the virtues

that will make you more pleasing to him. Amen.

 

May the Holy Spirit,

whose power overshadowed the Blessed Virgin, give you serenity and peace, that you may live as one in mind and heart in the household of the Church. Amen.

 

And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever. Amen.   

 

Ordinary Time II

 

May God, who through the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary willed in his great kindness to redeem the human race,

be pleased to enrich you with his blessing.

R. Amen.

 

May you know always and everywhere the protection of her,

through whom you have been found worthy to receive the author of life.

R. Amen.

 

May you, who have devoutly gathered to celebrate this memorial of our Lady, carry away with you the gifts of spiritual joys and heavenly rewards.

R. Amen.

 

And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever.

R. Amen.

 

Ordinary Time III

 

May the Father of mercies bless you

through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin

through whom he chose to remedy the fall of our first parents.

R. Amen.

 

May Jesus Christ, who in the womb of the Blessed Virgin became our brother and our Savior,

free your hearts from every trace of sin.

R. Amen.

 

May the Holy Spirit

increase in you the grace of true faith and of hope for heaven, that you may walk-in the ways of the Gospel

and so reach your eternal home.

R. Amen.

 

And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever.

R. Amen.

 

Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Or:

 

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Or:

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

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

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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).

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

 

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

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -       and  Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

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

 

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

 

v Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[ Production -  KER -  2021]

May God bless and keep you.
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