3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 11, 2022 (EPISODE-395 )

3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 11, 2022 (EPISODE-395 )

Readings for Sunday, December 11, 2022 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - A
FIRST READING: Isa 35:1-6a, 10
Ps 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"
SECOND READING: Jas 5:7-10
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Matt 11:2-11

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1568131969. Brussels, Belgium. 2017/10/27. Icon of Saint John the Forerunner (the Baptist, "Angel of the Desert"). Orthodox Chapel at the Brussels Zaventem Airport.Editorial Use Only.

Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for 3rd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 11, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-advent-3a-third-sunday-of-advent-year-a-episode-395/s-HlUtY8DHu0s  (EPISODE- 395)
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 This weekend is also known as Gaudete Sunday...  which means rejoice!.. Although we are still waiting and preparing for the Arrival of the LORD,  his comIng is ever nearer. Our hearts are lifted in joy and expectation for the Lord is near...   the following hymn words inspire me in this joy and hope... 

HYMN
Suggested tune: qua 76 76 D Aurelia.

Wait when the seed is planted, 
Wait for the rain to fall; 
Wait for the restless green sprout, 
Wait while the plant grows tall. 
Wait for the coming Saviour, 
Wait through the heart's slow race; 
Wait for the kingdom's dawning, 
Wait till we see his face! 

Hope when the sun is setting, 
Hope through the dark of night; 
Hope though the moon is waning, 
Hope as we long for light. 
Hope for the coming Saviour, 
Hope through the heart's slow race; 
Hope for the kingdom's dawning, 
Hope till we see his face! 

Trust in the new spring's promise, 
Trust through the summer's heat; 
Trust in the dying autumn, 
Trust through the winter sleet. 
Trust in the coming Saviour, 
Trust in the heart's slow race; 
Trust in the kingdom's dawning, 
Trust till we see his face!

 (P204.  Magnificat DEC 2019: vol 10; no.2).
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The letter from Saint James, (second reading this weekend), has the beautiful image of Patience being like a farmer planting and tending to their crop. The crop grows in its own time. It cannot be hurried…  Well, perhaps a bit of encouragement by the right amount of watering, the correct soil and fertilizer… but still, they grow at their own rate… The seasons, times and conditions affect it greatly. We do the work we can, but then we have to wait for as long as it takes. And be ready to get to work when the time for harvest eventually does come. 

Our Lord was very familiar with images of the land and of farming and other images. His heart is surely with those who are doing it tough and he would certainly want our hearts and actions to offer practical support to these people too - .

The preaching and the message style of John the Baptist are so different from that of Our Lord's.   John preached God's imminent judgement and the uprooting of the weeds…  and then Our Lord came along proclaiming a time of God's favour and inclusion and mercy….    Even John had to ask..  "are you the one who is to come, or ought we to wait for another?" But both visions of God's Messiah or King are found in different parts of the Holy Scriptures.  There was a bit of varying vision going on:  Jesus was clearly fulfilling the image of the Lord's anointed one in Isaiah 35:5-6, The blind shall see, the lame shall walk, the deaf shall hear…  whereas, Saint John seemed to be focusing on passages like Psalm 17 (also known as psalm 18 in the Catholic numbering system): eg vv39-40 "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes."  

The Lord in beautiful humility answered the question without boasting but simply referring to the evidence of the truth around him.

The Lord is indeed the King, the Messiah. He ushers in God's Kingdom with his gospel.

"the gospel is proclaimed to the poor by way of concrete actions. – by giving life to others…  practically assisting the poor, the injured, the suffering, the blind the lame.   The Kingdom and all who belong to it will primarily proclaim the Kingdom by their practical actions, bringing peace, compassion, mercy and love.

Even though John's message was challenging. John the Baptist must have been an extremely likeable and charismatic figure. We are even told that King Herod who imprisoned him for his outspoken criticism of him, nevertheless liked him and was enthralled to hear what John had to teach and say.
 
Our Lord is truly the Messiah but he wants us to let go of expectations of him and his Kingdom that are more about earthly power; rather than God's mysterious and gracious ways.   

Us humans must really try the patience of God.   Here come The Messiah and some people say to him…. "you aren't doing and saying what WE expected the Messiah to do and say…..  so we are not sure if you fit the bill……."…..  Our Lord, with infinite patience and grace, replies, (in effect), to all who hesitate…  "I am indeed the messiah… now let me show you who the messiah is and what he does.  Let ME show you just what the Kingdom of God and its values are really like…. Put aside your pre-suppositions about how you think things SHOULD be, and see how they really are…..

(Sadly, many who had spent their lives and careers building their world according to their own self-serving vision, were not prepared to receive this challenging shift towards God's ways of seeing and acting….)… To his credit, John the Baptist and countless followers of the Lord after him did indeed open their minds and hearts to Christ's message. Of course, if God wants to save us by Mercy and Grace, instead of by Judgement and vengeance; so be it!  Who are we to question Christ? Surely God knows best.

The qualities of the disciple of Christ are the qualities of God's Kingdom…    which must be about giving justice to those who are burdened, compassion to those in need, and helping the poor and needy in real and practical ways. The Kingdom is about sheltering and including the stranger, the outsider,  and showing real mercy, patience,  respect,  and care….… Showing true care, compassion and active assistance. 

All who follow Christ are urged to be patient, diligent and open. In the mean-time, we are to live and practise the values of God's kingdom…   Patience, reverence, hope, service, and harmony -  avoiding complaining about one-another; not getting caught up in factions and rivalries and disputes...

Waiting and working for the coming of the Lord who comes to save us.

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.

Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.

Image Credit: Renata Sedmakova. Shutterstock licensed. stock photo ID: 231054742. SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29, 2014: The carved polychrome relief of St. John the Baptist in prison from church Iglesia de la Anunciacion by Martinez Montanes from 18. cent.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1568131969. Brussels, Belgium. 2017/10/27. Icon of Saint John the Forerunner (the Baptist, "Angel of the Desert"). Orthodox Chapel at the Brussels Zaventem Airport.Editorial Use Only.

Photo Contributor: Adam Jan Figel.


3rd Sunday of Advent - A  (Sunday, December 11, 2022) (EPISODE- 395)

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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{{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}}

My brothers and sisters, trusting in God's mercy and love, let us call to mind our sins.
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 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9b-10. "Lord, come and save us"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Isa 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18)). Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring the Good news to the poor. Alleluia!
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Advent II
Eucharistic Prayer II

(theme variation:  3)

(welcome cycle-   (welcome 6) Good evening/morning. Welcome to this Eucharist as we celebrate the NNN Sunday in SSSSSS. For all who are celebrating special events at this time, may God's blessing and care be deeply experienced for you and your families. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent.  Our Presider tonight/today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)

(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}

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 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:       Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

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

 

"O Come. Lord. (Advent) HYMN" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).

By Paul W. Kelly.  Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent. 

Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.

 

Quiet reflection music and hymn - Original musical composition by William John kelly (1942-2017)

Lyrics based on the Song of Praise by the Three Young Men, The Book of Daniel 3:24-9. By  Paul kelly.

Arranged and sung, and with adapted lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021

 

 [ Production - KER - 2022]

 

May God bless and keep you.

 

Extra Text : unspoken for Advent: -

             Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)

            

             Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. 

            

             "The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.

            

             Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Weekday Mass and Reflection- Thursday - Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th

Weekday - Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th.

Weekday Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception - December 8^th. 

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 97:1-4. "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous deeds."
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Gospel Acclamation: cf Luke 1:28. Alleluia, alleluia! Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 628121756 Blessed Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. Artistic abstract modern colorful design. Digital illustration made without reference image. By Thoom
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for this feast of The Immaculate Conception - December 8th , please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-8th-december-2022/s-MT60c0SHgT3
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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.
{{Joy and peace to everyone}}

On this special (feast of) Feast Of The Immaculate Conception
Coming together as Gods family, let us call to mind our sins.

Lord jesus, you humble the proud and exalt the lowly. Lord have mercy.

You fill the hungry with good things, and The self-sufficient you send away empty. Christ have mercy.

Your mercy reaches from age to age for those who revere you. Lord have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

(Gloria)

Collect (Immaculate Conception)

Let us pray.
(that we too will be admitted to the presence of God)

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son,
grant, we pray,
that, as you preserved her from every stain
by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,
so, through her intercession,
we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Immaculate conception.
Euch .Prayer: 3
(PROPOSED THEME Marian hymns)
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{Thank you, everyone, for participating in this superb feast of the immaculate conception… and for giving generously to god and to our christian community, of your time and prayerfulness.}

Dismissal:
go and announce the gospel of the lord..
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HOMILY:
The Immaculate Conception
(8 December)
Prologue: This feast had its origin in the East as the "Conception of Mary by Saint Anne". It spread through the West during the Middle Ages as the "Immaculate Conception" and was extended to the entire Western Church in the eighteenth century. The feast celebrates Mary, preserved from sin from the moment of conception; she is the first fruits of her Son's redemption and a prophetic model of what the Church is called to be.
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This is a very special feast celebrating Mary's life… from the moment of her conception… This Feast… as all feasts and solemnities, is really about God and what God has achieved, through the wonderful grace and blessings God has showered upon his beloved children… And on this occasion, the superb and wondrous plan of God that envisaged and made a reality through the first moment of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary…. Whenever we pause to turn our attention to contemplate Mary, this "first and most perfect disciple of Christ" always humbly points us in turn towards her beloved son, God's son, who is the reason and cause of all our joy and hope…

Mary, although fully human, was conceived without sin and remained sinless throughout her life.

By this feast we remember the earlies beginnings of Mary's existence and also contemplate our own earliest beginning. And the love at the very heart of our origins.

Ultimately we all belong to God. A God of the most profound and overflowing love. God's plans of love and inclusion for his children began well before time began.
We were imagined by God long before we came to be. We were all lovingly brought into existence, created by God, through God's loving grace…(that same source of love that brought the whole of creation into existence). ..
God's love claims Mary's entire existence. We, too, seek to allow God to envelop our whole selves now and always. (1).

The Immaculate Conception: Is defined like this…..
490 To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. (that is, God gave her the graces and gifts needed to allow God to achieve his plan for the salvation of humanity, through her cooperation). "The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.
491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. as Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed in 1854:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and the privilege from almighty God; --and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.
492 The "splendour of entirely unique holiness" by which Mary is "enriched from the first instant of her conception" comes wholly from Christ: she is "redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son". The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love".(2)

and a nice quote from:
Scripture Scholar and Theologian, Gustavo Gutiérrez:
 "Mary is aware of all the implications of her accepting God's will: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (v. 38). In the Canticle of the Magnificat, Mary will again call herself a servant. Luke has in mind the meaning of the Hebrew word which we translate by "servant." It means completely belonging to God... Servants are those who announce the Lord's message completely, and those who receive a mission (Acts 2:18).

Belonging to God is expressed by our availability, by our welcoming his plan for our lives and our world.

Mary does not ask for a sign from the Angel Gabriel… in the way that Zechariah had demanded and doubted(Lk 1:18). She shows her complete trust and confidence in the will of God. Mary makes God's will her own, in her entire self-hood…. in her whole life and in her body. 

We are called do the same.

The reading from Ephesians shows the deep meaning of our human existence. We have come into this world for the purpose of fully realising our full calling to be daughters and sons of God (vv. . 4-5). Being God's children is not something added from outside the human condition, instead, it is our very reason for being. The grace of God's love is the first and the last word upon everything.
However, we cannot accept God's plan of love and peace if we do not first incarnate God's plan, (that is, to make God's plan a concrete reality)…… to "enflesh" God's word, into the tangible elements of our daily lives. In order to achieve this we first need to get rid of any selfishness or wilfulness, and trust, rely and act upon the grace and vision of God, (as Mary did), and take risks in the strength of this trust and obedience, (again, As Mary did)." (3)

All Praise and blessing to our beautiful and loving God, for the wonderful things God has achieved through his extraordinary plan to utilise the free and full cooperation of the of the Blessed Virgin Mary, flowing through her, for the good of all people. Praise, indeed, be to God whose wonderful and astounding plan of salvation for the whole world, included his loving and freely cooperative plan for Mary's life, which began before her conception, and anticipated the salvation that Christ would later achieve by his Death and Resurrection, to save us all.

O Mary, The Immaculate Conception. Pray for us.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

1. Quote from a pamphlet: "Mary: God's radical daughter." Published by CATHOLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE. Copyright: The Australian Episcopal Conference of the Roman Catholic Church, 1994
2. Vatican.va. (2019). Catechism of the Catholic Church - "Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary". [online] Available at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p122a3p2.htm [Accessed 12 Nov. 2019]).

3. Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books. pp 280-281.

4. Prologue from Liturgy Brisbane Resource.

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed ID: 628121756 Blessed Virgin Mary with baby Jesus. Artistic abstract modern colorful design. Digital illustration made without reference image. By Thoom
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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.
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: 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 .

Marian Hymn –– "Rainfall – Hail Holy Queen." Music by Paul W. Kelly. 1994, 2021. Words by Paul kelly, based on the Traditional Salve Regina Hymn. Arranged & with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk

Reflection Hymn post communion - Salve Regina (tono simple) 450 voces coro virtual Música Católica. https://cantocatolico.org/salve-regina/

Magnificat (Praise and sing to God)- (July 2021) -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 - 2022]

May God bless and keep you.
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2nd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 4, 2022 (EPISODE-394 )

2nd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 4, 2022 (EPISODE-394 )

Readings for Sunday, December 4, 2022 - 2nd Sunday of Advent - A
FIRST READING: Isa 11:1-10
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17. "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever"
SECOND READING: Rom 15:4-9
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Matt 3:1-12

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1460402699  - Paris, France - February 10, 2019: Stained Glass in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, France, depicting a detail of the Tree of Jesse, the ancestors of Jesus Christ - 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 2nd Sunday of Advent - A - Sunday, December 4, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-advent-2a-second-sunday-of-advent-year-a-episode-394/s-lP6ouFBoHFt  (EPISODE-394 )
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Prologue:
John the Baptist went about proclaiming that the Day of the Lord was near and that NOW was the time to repent and change our ways or else! All of a sudden he sees in the distance the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism of repentance. He calls out the equivalent of: "Well well !!.. Look who we have here. If it is not the snakes escaping the Disaster! Who told you what was coming?"  The Pharisees and the Sadducees focused on external things and be seen to be doing the right thing, whether or not they really were. However, this did not fool John the Baptist. Your lives have to change! External rituals are not enough unless your heart is changed, your heart tears in repentance and sorrow, and a change of mindset. God does not judge by what the eye sees or the ear hears but from the heart... with righteousness and equality.
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"Years ago, a man was shocked to read his own obituary in the morning paper. However, what shocked him most was how the obituary described him: as someone who had devoted his life to making weapons of war. That morning he resolved to turn his energies in a new direction: working for world peace and human betterment. That man was Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Peace Prize.#

Alfred Nobel:  Known for inventing dynamite, Nobel also an iron and steel company which he transformed into a major manufacturer of cannon, torpedoes and other armaments.

In 1888, Alfred's brother Ludvig died while visiting Cannes and a French newspaper erroneously published Alfred's obituary. It condemned him for his invention of dynamite. The obituary stated, "The Merchant of Death is Dead!", and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." In actual point of fact, Nobel truly despised war. Of his inventions and patents, he wrote that "there is nothing in the world which cannot be misunderstood or abused." He knew that his creations would forever link him to war and killing as he described it as "the horror of horrors." The shock of reading his own obituary and its condemnation of his life is said to have brought about his decision to leave a better legacy by instituting and bequeathing the Nobel Peace prize and associated awards for human and scientific excellence. **

John the Baptist's warning to us to turn from our sins, and Nobel's decision to turn his energies in a new direction, challenge us to make an inventory of our lives and reassess our own life goals."

John the Baptist is a precursor to Christ. A word that literally means, one who runs ahead of another. SO, John is coming before the Lord, calling, out, get ready, clear the path. The Lord is coming. Make way, he is coming. Get ready. Watch out.

I hadn't noticed before, but with the coming of John the Baptist, there was a battle between humble priests and oppressive priests.  As the Priests and Sadducees came out to see what was happening in the Jordan River, John called them a "brood of vipers." This is really saying, you are sons of snakes, not sons of humans. This is very important.  People were born into noble or humble positions due to their family association. There were rich city priests and then humble and poor priests such as Zechariah, John the Baptist's father. The gap between them was enormous and wrong. John was saying, birthright, alone, means nothing to God. One is a child of God by their actions, their fruits… and being called a son of Abraham won't count much if they don't show it by lives turned to God's justice, because, (as John points out so vividly), If those called to be children of the Kingdom should fail to produce the fruits of their calling, God could raise up new ancestors from Abraham from the rocks that surround them. 

The result of the full establishment of God's Kingdom will be peace.  But true peace is only achieved by ensuring true justice is given to those who are bowed down by the state of things as they are. The powerful signs of repentance and conversion undertaken by John the Baptist have one major qualifier in them – The change he is calling for in people is not achieved merely by undertaking external rituals or outward signs. The change being proclaimed must be made worthy by the fruits that are produced by this conversion. Timely advice indeed.

Conversion, repentance and lives of justice, compassion, practical assistance to the needy and above all LOVE, are the only paths to God's Kingdom.  The Lord is indeed coming. He will not delay. And he
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Fr Paul W. Kelly

Gutiérrez, G. and Dees, C. (1997). Sharing the Word through the liturgical year. 1st ed. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.

#Link, M. (1992). Vision - PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. Year A. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub. P.20. ISBN: 0883474328

Pilch, J. (1995). The Cultural World of Jesus. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY, CYCLE A. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.

**"Alfred Nobel". 2019. En.Wikipedia.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel

**https://www.ozy.com/flashback/the-newspaper-error-that-sparked-the-nobel-prize/40007/

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1460402699  - Paris, France - February 10, 2019: Stained Glass in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, France, depicting a detail of the Tree of Jesse, the ancestors of Jesus Christ - Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: jorisvo



2nd Sunday of Advent - A  (Sunday, December 4, 2022) (EPISODE-394 )

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

We now light the second Advent candle. The "Bethlehem Candle" - symbolizing the journey of Faith. Reminding us of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

The Presider lights the second candle

Lord Jesus. You call us to prepare the way and make straight pathways for God. Lord have mercy.

You invite us to paths of righteousness, faithfulness and justice. Christ Have mercy.

O Wisdom, Come to teach us the way of truth.. Lord Have mercy.

(no Gloria in Advent)

COLLECT:

Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

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Prayer after Communion

Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment,
we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
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Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17. "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 3:4+6). Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
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: Advent I
Euch prayer two

(theme variation:  2)

(pre+post variation: v2-short)
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{May God's grace strengthen your love and hope and faith, and may God's love surprise you even in the trials and challenges of the week.}

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 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:       Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date

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

"O Come. Lord. (Advent) HYMN" - In Memory of Paolo Mario (Paul) Giacomantonio (1968-2020).
By Paul W. Kelly.  Based on the Ancient church "O Antiphons" of Advent. 
Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics, By Stefan Kelk, 2020.

Quiet reflection music and hymn - Original musical composition by William John kelly (1942-2017)
Lyrics based on the Song of Praise by the Three Young Men, The Book of Daniel 3:24-9. By  Paul kelly.
Arranged and sung, and with adapted lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2021

 [ Production - KER - 2022]

May God bless and keep you.

Extra Text : unspoken for Advent: -
             Roman Missal, 3rd edition, 2010, (ICEL)
             Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. 
             "The Psalms" by The Grail - 1963, 2009.
             Prayers of the Faithful - Robert Borg "Together we pray" - (1993) .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++