The Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 21, 2023 (EPISODE- 421)

The Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 21, 2023 (EPISODE- 421)

Readings for Sunday, May 21, 2023 - The Ascension of the Lord. Year A
FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9. "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."
SECOND READING: Eph 1:17-23
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 28:19a+20b). Alleluia, alleluia! Go and teach all people my Gospel. I am with you always until the end of the world.
GOSPEL: Matt 28:16-20

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 148013489 - VIENNA - JULY 27: Fresco of Ascension of the Lord in the nave of Altlerchenfelder church from 19. cent. On July 27, 2013, Vienna. -Important information.  Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for The Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 21, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ascension-sunday-of-easter-a-ep-421/s-1OD40kvegbL  (EPISODE- 421)
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Prologue: (Fr Paul).  The disciples receive their mission in Galilee, a marginalized region close to the pagan world and, as a result, an area viewed with contempt by the practising Jews of Judea, where Jerusalem is located. The proclamation of the gospel starts from an insignificant and despised land. This is not just a matter of geography; it is highly significant. It serves as an example. For us today, Galilee is the world of the poor and the marginalised. This is our starting place to proclaim the gospel to everyone without exception. We will do that with the conviction that the Lord will always be with us (Mt 28:20).-  

 

"The Ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth." (William Temple).[i]  That is, Christ is now present and active in the world in a new and even more effective way--  freed from the limitations of being merely in a particular place at a particular time only.

 

(ii)

 

There is a cartoon that I found (above) that really sums up the heart of God's invitation to us all; an invitation for us to participate fully in his life and in his love.(*)  I remember a similar cartoon from the Charles Shultz series, The Peanuts gang" (from many years ago)…   I think it was Linus and Lucy sitting on a hill looking at sunset… and Lucy asks..   "Why did God allow people to be hungry and poor? Why doesn't he do something about it?"  To which Linus replies..  "he DID do something about it.  He asked US to go and help them, and we didn't" !!! 

 

And similarly this story: …  

"A woman saw a little girl in the street playing in the midst of filthy rubbish. The child was poorly dressed and ill-nourished.

The woman became angry and said to God: "Why do you let a thing like that happen in the world you created? Why don't you do something about it?"    -  To this question, God replied: "I did do something about it; I created you."

 

That story invites me to ask myself: How seriously do I take Jesus' command to transform our world into the kind of place God created it to be?"[iii] 

In this gospel we have heard today….. it is Galilee which is the main setting of Jesus' preaching, a subtle touch seeking to emphasise the identity between the historical Jesus and the risen Christ. The encounter is very simple. There are no dramatic elements to make this moment spectacular. It is our Lord and master, continuing to teach and instruct.[iv] 

(The message of Christ and his gospel is spectacular enough in itself).

 

The disciples receive their mission in Galilee, a marginalized region, close to the pagan world and, as a result, an area viewed with contempt by the practising Jews of Judea where Jerusalem is located. The proclamation of the gospel starts from an insignificant and despised land. This is not just a matter of geography; it is highly significant. It serves as an example. For us today, Galilee is the world of the poor and the marginalised. This is our starting place to proclaim the gospel to everyone without exception. We will do that with the conviction that the Lord will always be with us; to the end of the age. (Mt 28:20).[v] - What a beautiful ending that  comes right at the end of the entire gospel of Matthew… and which we hear today in the gospel for the Ascension….     Perfect words from the Son of God as he ascends to his Heavenly Father….    Let us truly hear this message of faithfulness.  Let us take it into our hearts.  And let us live it!  

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

&

[i]  VISION   – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J. P.154

 

[ii]  Cartoon by the late Joel Kauffmann:  https://anabaptistworld.org/tag/pontius-puddle/ 

 

[iii] VISION  – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J.  P.154

 

[iv] SHARING THE WORD THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ. p/107

 

[v] SHARING THE WORD THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ.p. 108

 

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 148013489 - VIENNA - JULY 27: Fresco of Ascension of the Lord in nave of Altlerchenfelder church from 19. cent. on July 27, 2013, Vienna. -Important information.  Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

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The Ascension of the Lord. Year A (Sunday, May 21, 2023) (EPISODE- 421)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Good day, everyone as we gather - Listening to God's Word.}}

My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault,* through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9. "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 28:19a+20b). Alleluia, alleluia! Go and teach all people my Gospel. I am with you always until the end of the world.
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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PREFACE: Preface I or II of Ascension
Eucharistic Prayer II

(theme variation: 2)

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)

 

{Good day everyone as we gather - Listening to God's Word.)

 

(pre+post variation: v2-short)
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}

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 the weekly mass/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: Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date  (https://eepurl.com/hpETjf)

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 MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:

NCH software - MixPad Masters v10.27. Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.42

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor v.6.10.4320

[Production - KER - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 14, 2023 (EPISODE-420 )

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 14, 2023 (EPISODE-420 )

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


Readings for Sunday, May 14, 2023 - Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A
FIRST READING: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20. "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy"
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 3:15-18
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 14:23). Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them.
GOSPEL: John 14:15-21

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 614940788 - TERVUREN,BELGIUM - MARCH 13, 2017: Stained Glass in the Church of Tervuren, Belgium,depicting the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Importantinformation. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: jorisvo
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, May 14, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-6a-sixth-sunday-of-easter-a-ep-420   

 

(EPISODE-420 )
Happy Mother's Day to all mums 
Different parts of the world celebrate Mother's Day on different dates in the year. Still, whatever date it is celebrated, it is no coincidence that Christ used the image of an unconditionally loving mother to describe an essential characteristic of God's eternally loving and nurturing nature. (See Matthew 23:37, ESV: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!). What better example of unconditional love can be witnessed than the love of a Mother or a Father for their cherished child? Christ wants us to know and experience the deep and abiding love that God has for us in calling us God's daughters and sons.  This weekend we pray for all Mothers that they may be blessed for their goodness, kindness and self-forgetting love.

The following countries celebrate Mother's Day on the Second Sunday in May each year. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Whilst Mother's Day is celebrated on the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday) in Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Nigeria, and The United Kingdom.

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THIS WEEKEND’S GOSPEL -  Abiding Love

 

Jesus asked the apostles to love him and to follow his commandments, for this is the way to have life. This is the way to experience the love of the Heavenly Father. There is really only one commandment, the single command to love. If we love Jesus, then we have a love for one another. When we live the values and commands Jesus lived in his own life—humility, joy, peace, compassion, and love —we are doing the will of the Father.   Also the Spirit of Truth helps us to understand the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives even now and always.

 

The readings this weekend speak of the early church communities forming just after Jesus returned to his Heavenly Father…   and sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles and to the church….    The readings also show that the Holy Spirit sends the disciples out on mission..  into new territories…  further afield.. to preach and to spread the word of God further and further…..   

 

Jesus, as we hear in the Gospel this weekend…  prepared the apostles for his leaving (at his Ascension) by telling them that they would never really be left alone. They would never be like orphans; but, rather, the Spirit of Truth would come (at Pentecost). This Spirit helped them to know the presence of Jesus in their lives even when they were no longer able to see him with their eyes.

 

In the coming week..  in some time of quiet and prayer and reflection..   let us reflect prayerfully upon some questions…….

1.     What is your experience of how Jesus continues to reveal himself to us today?

·         Through people and actions that are filled with compassion and care for others….   

·         Unconditional love shown by parents- esp on this mother’s day. 

·         For the united desire for a world that values peace and respect for human dignity

·       Through his powerful and renwing word and sacrament…  

 

2.     What value that Jesus lived do you find the most attractive?

·         Compassion,   mercy,  gentleness,  unselfish giving…….parental love! God is like a mother,  a doting Father,  an unconditionally loving parent. This love God has for his beloved children.

 

3.     When is the promise of the Spirit of Truth most alive in you?

·         The hallmark of the Holy Spirit is self-forgetting kindness and love;  acts done for no other reason but for the good of another- and often at the expense of the giver.

·         When we glimpse the kindness and giving…  without thought of benefit for self.. in the everyday actions and events of people’s lives…..

 

4.     How comforting is it to you to live in the promise that the Holy Spirit will always be with us?  

·         So very comforting…..   such a beautiful and unexpected gift…. From God who loves us all dearly… 

 

And notice, in the gospel.. Jesus speaks about sending the Holy Spirit upon his followers…   the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth…  the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and makes us sons and daughters of God… and joins us to God.. so that we are in communion.. in union with God and with one another..  what a special gift!!!….

 

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and in our church is absolutely vital.  Without the Holy Spirit of God, we cannot do anything effective….

 

The ancient greeting the early Christian communities gave to each other reflected the presence and the truth of the Holy Spirit in their lives…  the priest or bishop would say “the Lord be with you”  and the people would reply.. “and with your Spirit”.,,,   this was a recognition and acknowledgement that the Spirit was present in us….   

 

Rather fittingly.. the church has gone back to this ancient saying….    It actually never changed.. the English response we had been using for forty years before it was changed back to the ancient words again a few years ago)…  but amazingly…  in the master edition produced way back in 1969…   the latin trypical edition from which all other languages translated…. The words actually did not change… they were surprisingly translated weakly…..     the words.. “and also with you”  we're actually a very loose translation; a paraphrase of the Latin master-edition of the Mass….    Understandably a church review of this translation found that this expression, didn’t capture sufficiently the recognition of the Holy Spirit, who is SO very necessary for the life of the church. 

 

Now, since 2010, we Catholics have returned to the ancient words that say so much!!!  And, I must say, although it is an unusual phrase.  I like it.  I like how it acknowledges the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, and how this Spirit of God is with us always, bringing Jesus not only to mind, but also making him present and active in our lives, and in our hearts.

 

 

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A Prayer in Gratitude and Blessing for Our Mothers. 

Good and Gentle God, Lord of creation, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and nurturing, with love, young lives. Jesus, you became human through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant to all mothers the grace and strength they need to face the uncertain moments that life often brings us all. Give them the ongoing strength to love and to be loved in return. Give them the faithful support of family and friends and the wider community. May they receive peace and joy from their family and friends. Give them joy and delight in their families and friends to sustain them through joys and sorrows. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Bless all our mothers and grant them an eternal reward for their unconditional love and kindness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Author Unknown -adapted by P. Kelly). 

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References:

REFERENCES:  FR. PAUL W. KELLY;  Celebrating the Gospels.  By Gaynell Cronin.

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 614940788 - TERVUREN, BELGIUM - MARCH 13, 2017: Stained Glass in the Church of Tervuren, Belgium, depicting the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: jorisvo

To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) -  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
 Also found at -   https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A (Sunday, May 14, 2023) (EPISODE-420 )

The Lord be with you.
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{{Greetings as we gather - Pondering with reverence, God's word.}}

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: 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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Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20. "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 14:23). Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Preface V of Easter
Eucharistic Prayer II

(theme variation: 1)

The Lord be with you.

{Greetings as we gather - Pondering with reverence, God's word.)

(pre+post variation: v1-long)
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{Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection}

A Prayer in Gratitude and Blessing for Our Mothers. 

Good and Gentle God, Lord of creation, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and nurturing, with love, young lives. Jesus, you became human through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant to all mothers the grace and strength they need to face the uncertain moments that life often brings us all. Give them the ongoing strength to love and to be loved in return. Give them the faithful support of family and friends and the wider community. May they receive peace and joy from their family and friends. Give them joy and delight in their families and friends to sustain them through joys and sorrows. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Bless all our mothers and grant them an eternal reward for their unconditional love and kindness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Author Unknown -adapted by P. Kelly). 

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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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 the weekly mass/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: Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date  (https://eepurl.com/hpETjf)

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 MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:
NCH software - MixPad Masters v10.27. Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.42

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor v.6.10.4320

[Production - KER - 2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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