Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. World Mission Day -Year B - Sunday, 20 October 2024 (EPISODE:501)
Readings for Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. World Mission Day- Year B
FIRST READING: Isa 53:10-11
Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20+22. "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you"
SECOND READING: Heb 4:14-16
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mark 10:45). Alleluia, alleluia! The Son of Man came to serve. And to give his life as a ransom for all.
GOSPEL: Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/Tv7gd6KUmwav2vqY5j0F?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily) for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. World Mission Day Year B - Sunday, 20 October 2024 - by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-29th-sunday-ordinary-time-year-b-episode-501/s-3U478o6F2ck
(EPISODE:501)
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The readings this weekend speak of God who is not aloof or uninterested, but rather, God who is right there in the midst of us, sharing our suffering and pain, taking on our human condition, and lifting us up and helping people in very practical and compassionate ways…. God who gets his hands dirty and is one of us and among us to help us… to save us….
Jesus reiterates the ways of God - humility, service, self-sacrifice……. - "…Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For the Son of Man, himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' [FHL]
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Jesus, Chris loved us SO much that he gave himself up completely for us. Jesus sacrificed himself to save us. He became like a slave for us.
As the second reading says; We have a God who is able to sympathise with us in our weaknesses, because Jesus has shared our human nature and experienced human weakness, suffering, pain, and temptation just like we all have.
Jesus DOES indeed know what it is like for us to experience difficulties of every kind, and he promises to walk with us and support us in the challenges and suffering of life.
There is a saying, "I am only human," and whilst it is good to acknowledge that we are fallible and that we can all make mistakes, that excuse can sometimes be used to justify us remaining stuck in behaviours that are destructive and in choices that are decidedly not consistent with Christs' gospel message.
Sure, we are human, we are fallible - but, we are also called to share in Christ's divine life….
So, whilst God is understanding, sympathetic and forgiving, this is even more reason why we need to dedicate ourselves to rise above the sinful and destructive behaviours that we find ourselves in.
God's forgiveness and our human weakness is never an invitation to say, 'this is all I am and this is all I can be. I will not change, and will always wallow in my weaknesses.' Rather, we are inspired by God's tender mercy and compassion so that we then take up our cross and keep travelling along the journey of conversion - persevere along the path of holiness, and constantly ask God to foster in us the virtues that will transform our weaknesses and make us more and more like Jesus and his values….
Our weaknesses are a reality that can be a big obstacle in our path to increased holiness. However, it is no excuse for stopping in our tracks! Our weaknesses are real, but are never a reason to stay 'stuck in patterns of sin.' We need the help of God's grace to achieve this.
Jesus is the ultimate example of not only "God made flesh" but also of humanity fully alive and glorified. The saints; (those holy women and men who led lives of service, sacrifice and holiness), remind us that, despite our limitations and infirmities, it is possible and necessary to keep moving forward in the path of holiness. Settling for less is not God's call for us.
The journey we are on is one that is 'walking a fine line.' We live in a way that means we never give up because of the sins and failures we experience in our lives, and we always gratefully accept the new start that God gives us through God's compassion and mercy, but at the same time, we never allow our weaknesses to cause us to presume on God's mercy - thinking we can choose to do wrong because we know God will forgive us afterwards.
The gospel today is very fitting too…..
The disciples (poor disciples!) have got it wrong .......again!!
Here are James and John coming up to Jesus and insisting that he give them places of honour and privilege in his Kingdom. How selfish, how proud, how indulgent!
The other disciples are angry at them, but perhaps because they too wanted those seats, (those privileges), and how dare others to ask for what they wanted! Jesus tries to show them (and us) that they have totally missed the point.
It is not even JESUS who allots everyone's place in Heaven. It is THE HEAVENLY FATHER. And the places will be allotted to people who have given themselves wholly to God's loving ways. Those who have suffered greatly to bring others to the good news of Christ; (those who have sacrificed themselves in loving and self-giving service), and certainly not to those seeking self-indulgence, privilege and prestige. How wrong these disciples are (in this matter at least)! These places cannot be earned without the CROSS, which is encountered in every disciple's life.
Jesus asks us to get rid of any kind of self-satisfaction, self-indulgence and pride. He shows us how to let go of our selfishness and give ourselves fully to others in service.
It is good for us to reflect deeply on this, (each of us individually, in our prayer can ask ourselves) ....." what motivates my actions?" Really, what are my motives and priorities? What are the things that motivate me in what I do in the church and in my daily life?" Do I do things because I expect something back? Do I do it because I want a prestigious place of honour or a personal benefit for myself or those close to me?" The gospel today, and many more like it, challenges us: We must know that this is not what Christ is calling us to.
Service and love, (done with Jesus' gospel values), are their own sweet reward. and with no other expectation of reward or honour. personal accolades, Personal reward, self-satisfaction – none of these are consistent with Jesus' message. Self-surrender, being servants to God and his message, compassion, self-sacrifice, loving service, mercy; this is consistent with Jesus' message.
Let us ask the Lord to lovingly show us our weaknesses, help us to trust in Gods mercy and compassion. Prevent us from ever presuming on your mercy, Lord, or boldly continuing to live wrongly and indulgently. Graciously spur us on, to keep going along the path to holiness. And. Lord, please inspire us to give selflessly and lovingly and to serve others as you did.
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References:
Homily – Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/Tv7gd6KUmwav2vqY5j0F?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. World Mission Day Year B -(Sunday, 20 October 2024) (EPISODE: 501 )
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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{{Hi everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather - Reflection upon God's word, and encounter Christ's presence.
my brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit. Lord, have mercy//You bring pardon and peace to the sinner. Christ, have mercy// You bring light to those in darkness. Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Ps 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20+22. "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mark 10: 45). Alleluia, alleluia! The Son of Man came to serve. And to give his life as a ransom for all.
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Eucharistic Prayer for Various Occasions 3 (OWN PREFACE)
(theme variation: 3 )
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{Cheers and thanks, everyone, for this time of prayer and reflection - I hope you have a blessed week. }
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
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John (Bill) Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. 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.
- "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.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - RODE NT-usb
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 - 2024]
May God bless and keep you.
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