Eighth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C. Sunday, 2 March 2025 (episode 520)

Eighth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C. Sunday, 2 March 2025

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/810aYROTZ592gTkqetkl/the-cross-of-jesus-christ-is-a-tree-that-produces-good-fruit-and-eternal-fruits?ru=Paul-Evangelion

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, 2 March 2025
(EPISODE: 520)
Readings for Sunday, 2 March 2025 - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
FIRST READING: Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm 91: 2-3, 13-16. "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Philippians 2:15d+16a). Alleluia, alleluia! Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Luke 6:39-45
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, 2 March 2025, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-eighth/s-plidqME3aPS  (EPISODE: 520)
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*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)
A Seventeenth-Century French writer with quite an unpronounceable name has some very interesting quotes that fit with this weekend's readings........ 
 
"If we had no faults, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others."
 
"(most) faults (are) more pardonable than the means by which one tries to hide them."
 
"We gain more by letting our real selves be seen than by pretending to be what we are not."   François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, (1613 –1680)
 
Also,
Inspired by the gospel today, I have long felt that "unless one can say something out of love, (motivated by compassion and goodwill), any intended correction that we might be tempted to offer to another will miss the mark." That is to say, "if one cannot say something with love and compassion, don't say it at all."  And so, we have no right to criticize unless we ourselves are free of faults. Which simply means that we have no right to criticize. If we happen to be intent on fixing up faults and weaknesses, we would be much more productive by inviting Christ to pour his healing and challenging grace upon our own sins and omissions, rather than focusing first upon others. There is plenty to work on right within our own heart, mind and soul.
 
Jesus warned that no teacher can lead their students beyond the stage which they themselves have reached.  Our Lord is teaching us that he deeply desires that anyone who follows him, needs to become a true teacher by example first; that is, by being a very attentive and open-hearted student of Him and His ways.   He makes it clear that we cannot be true disciples unless our closeness to his teachings leads to us becoming more and more like him in thought, word, and action.  This is because Christ desires us to be teachers by example; modelling our lives and priorities on his.  This requires us to be really alert, attentive and be self-aware -   open enough and humble so as to notice and address the areas of spiritual blindness that we all can suffer from. Lest we foolishly try to lead people; only for both leader and follower to fall into a hole.
 
Speaking the words of Christ could very well have limited effect if our everyday actions and attitudes contradict them and drown them out.  The loudest, most effective message we send is most often by the unspoken eloquence of our actions and priorities.
 
And surely, the best way to show the truth and primacy of Christianity is to show by our lives that actively following in the footsteps of Jesus, produces outstanding men and women. - compassionate, reverent, generous, loving, gentle, just, inclusive and merciful.
 
The fruits and results of our lives and what we say and where we spend most of our time and energy is a powerful revelation of where our heart truly lies...   Our Lord so wisely pointed out that nothing speaks louder about the truth of a person than what they do and say in unguarded moments.  " few things show the state of a person's heart better than the words SPOKEN, when talking freely, unguardedly, and saying the first things that come into ones' head."
 
When our hearts are very close to Our Lord's, the unguarded and surprising moments in life will still lead to a pouring forth of the fruits of the spirit, lying so close to the surface….love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
 
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References:

Homily by Fr Paul W. Kelly

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press;

Link, Mark J. 1994. Action 2000 Praying Scripture In A Contemporary Way. Year C. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub;

François VI, Duc de La Rochefoucauld, (1613 –1680).   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_La_Rochefoucauld_(write)  ).

Image: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/810aYROTZ592gTkqetkl/the-cross-of-jesus-christ-is-a-tree-that-produces-good-fruit-and-eternal-fruits?ru=Paul-Evangelion




Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C 

(Sunday, 2 March 2025)  (EPISODE:  520)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{May Our Lord's care, comfort you}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord,s supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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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Psalm 91: 2-3, 13-16. "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Philippians 2:15d+16a). Alleluia, alleluia! Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life. 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: Sundays Ordinary II
Eucharistic Prayer II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: v2 )
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{I gratefully acknowledge and give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of prayer and reflection upon 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"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-mini

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 -  2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 23, 2025 (EPISODE: 519)

 

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/eBgM3jmS7MgqPFphIyM8/a-chain-in-a-broken-circle-broken-by-the-cross-of-christ-with-the-words-sin-and-mercy-on-either-side?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

 

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 23, 2025   (EPISODE: 519)

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-25 ++

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "the lord is kind and merciful"

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 ++

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 13:34). Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you.

GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38

 

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/eBgM3jmS7MgqPFphIyM8/a-chain-in-a-broken-circle-broken-by-the-cross-of-christ-with-the-words-sin-and-mercy-on-either-side?ru=Paul-Evangelion  

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 23, 2025 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-seventh/s-9PqyoPAJ9bD   (EPISODE:519 )

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*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)

What does it mean for us to, (as St Paul says so wonderfully in the second reading), "bear the image of the one of Heaven?" Or, as another translation says: "be modelled on the Heavenly man, (Jesus)."

Surely it means, we open ourselves up to the Lord's grace, teaching and values and allow ourselves to be reshaped into an icon of Christ's grace, mercy, and compassion.   It means a deeper union with Christ – to the point of exercising our thinking, abilities, and powers in union with how Christ acts.

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The first reading is quite challenging. David has been persecuted, quite unjustly by King Saul. Saul is suffering terrible delusions, paranoia about David.

 

David has been nothing but loyal to him. War breaks out, but David and his army are given an extraordinary chance to kill Saul, but David refuses to do so. This is not the first time this will happen.

 

It's a striking lesson, just because we've been given the power to lift up and to cast down, and simply because we have it within our ability to kill or to heal, does not mean that we should use our freedom to destroy, to avenge or to harm. God has given us freedom, but it's freedom to do the loving actions that God wants us to do. David unites himself to God's patient, loving forbearance.

 

He does not lower himself to repay the wrongdoing of others with their same behavior. He does not return bad for bad, but rather he uses God's perfect antidote, returning love and kindness for wrongdoing, thus cancelling it out, rather than multiplying the harm. This is a radical and otherworldly solution, but clearly it is divine wisdom, and it's beautiful.

 

As David says so beautifully, today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed. In this instance, David used his ability to be modeled upon the values and actions of God's ways, and not human ways, and the results are refreshing, surprising and wonderful. Once, where it seemed only one solution to the problem of King Saul and David, was one would strike the other down.

 

Now there's a beautiful second option, reconciliation, rebuilding of understanding and trust. We're invited to give from God's gracious and compassionate love within, rather than to mirror or to give back what we receive from selfish, narrow actions from others. Our Lord confirms this heavenly mindset in the gospel.

 

He teaches us a very challenging message that goes against our basic instinct as a human. Do good to those who harm you. Pray for them.

 

Go further than the minimum. Don't repay bad for bad. The word love used by our Lord in this teaching is not the same as the word for family love, or love of friends, or a love of a spouse, but it's the love that wishes the best and only the good for another, irrespective of their actions.

 

Wanting for everyone that dignity and respect, that good that anyone deserves as a child of God, whether they themselves have acted in ways befitting of their status as children of God. Do this and you will be children of the Most High, for God himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be generous, not stingy or selfish.

 

Loving and compassionate, not gossiping and judging. Merciful, not vengeful and precious. The standards by which we will be judged is going to be the standard with which we treat others.

 

Are we tempted to be offended when someone slights us? Are we outraged when someone wrongs us? But then we look at our Lord. He deserved all honour, all obedience and service. At times each of us has offended the Lord, slighted him, in so many different ways.

 

We haven't given God his due. We've deliberately or carelessly chosen to do what is wrong. God would have been in his rights to become furious, to lash out, to punish, to cast us down.

 

But God does not. And thank goodness. So many times I thank God that we humans are not treated the way we would treat others if we were God, because the results would be disastrous and capricious.

 

Rather, our Lord is full of love, mercy and forbearance. Thanks be to God that the Lord does not choose to exercise his rights against us when we've wronged him time and time again, and sometimes almost what we would think is unforgivably. But God is the one who chooses to forgive.

 

If we truly model ourselves on the heavenly person, Jesus, and if we bear the image of the one of heaven, Christ, then we too must have the same attitudes and responses when we're offended, when we're slighted or wronged. How very different would the world be and our local communities be if this was the full reality, if this was practiced regularly by all. Otherwise, as Jesus points out, if our goodness and kindness go no further than our family and friends, those we already have goodwill with, then what difference is that from the pagans or the sinners? They're kind to their kin and friends themselves.

 

So Christ invites us to be fully immersed in his ways, not just dipping our toes into the waters of baptism, but plunging into God's mercy and overflowing love and patience. The golden rule in many ways is a universal rule, even in the secular society we live in. It's also found in other religions, Jewish, Greek, and even Confucian.

 

But in each of these traditions, it's framed negatively and in a limiting way, namely, don't do things to people that you wouldn't like people to do to you. But in Christ, this teaching goes further, and it's expressed in a wonderfully positive light. It's not creating a negative rule, it's creating a positive disposition.

 

That is, not merely refraining from doing what we would not want done to us, but also doing good things for others that we would want people to do for us. Christ's saying itself goes the extra mile. I just want to add another insight from someone who was commentating on these readings this weekend, especially the first reading.

 

The writer says, David is an anointed messiah, and he shows mercy by taking King Saul's sword and his water jug. The writer says, I cannot help seeing foreshadowed the cross, when the sword in the hands of another soldier pierces the side of the King, the son of David, Jesus, to give us the greatest mercy of all. The water and blood flow from Jesus' side in our baptism and in the Eucharist, feeding us until we too enter the deep sleep of the Lord.++++++++++++++++++

-To listen to the whole 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.   

((References: Fr Paul W. Kelly; Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press). 

(Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. 1828646321 Be merciful bible words with the sky over mountain background – Contributor: -Naitham)

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References:

 

 

Homily by Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press

 

Image Credit: 

 

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, February 23, 2025)  (EPISODE:  519)

The Lord be with you.

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{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and understanding abide in you.}}

 

Our God's love and mercy knows no bounds, and so let us recall our sins so as to worthily celebrate this Holy Sacrifice.

(option two on the cards):

 

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

-          For we have sinned against you.

Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

-          And grant us your salvation.

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

-          Lord have mercy

-          Christ have mercy

-          Lord have mercy

 

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Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "the lord is kind and merciful"

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 13:34). Alleluia, alleluia! I give you a new commandment. Love one another as I have loved you.

 

Memorial Acclamation

1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary I

Euch prayer two

 

(theme variation: v1/full )

(pre+post variation: v2-short)

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{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflectying upon God's goodness and care.}

 

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 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 Kelly -     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: -            Shure MV5

 

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 -  2025]

May God bless and keep you.

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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C. Sunday, 16 February 2025

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C. Sunday, 16 February 2025

 

Image Credit- 

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/cjeGDg5RRUMARSQ8MDf9/the-crowd-faces-jesus-jesus-preaches-in-a-level-place-near-the-sea-of-tyre-and-sidon-in-ancient-isra?ru=Paul-Evangelion

FIRST READING: Jer 17:5-8
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4+6. "Happy are they who hope in the Lord."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 6:17, 20-26). Alleluia, alleluia! Rejoice and be glad. Your reward will be great in Heaven.
GOSPEL: Luke 6:17, 20-26

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, Sunday, 16 February 2025  by clicking this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-sixth  
(EPISODE 518)
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* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)
God's beautiful and nourishing word is truly such a blessing and a joy to proclaim and to reflect upon each week. We are truly blessed to be (as the reading says beautifully this weekend) "like trees planted beside the flowing waters").
The poor tree planted beside the running stream is rich indeed! 
That  wonderful line in the readings for this weekend. "like a tree planted near flowing waters…. that thrusts its roots into the stream". 'when the heat comes. It feels no alarm. Its foliage stays green.'
is a truly beautiful and restful image.
 
It is what we all are called to become. People who are focused on God—. Brought into union with the Lord. Finding our centre, our balance, and focus in God. And drawing our life and meaning from The river of Life—. God is the source of all nourishment and refreshment. And staying focused. Knowing what is life-giving and what is a dead-end!!! And living in that knowledge. [fhl]
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This weekend, as we listen to God's word, ( as we plant ourselves too, beside the flowing and renewing water of God's word), The Gospel today says 'happy are those who are spiritually poor. And oppressed' and woe to those who are comfy and cozy. This version of the gospel spells out that God intends to turn earthly standards and values on their head. The poor, the oppressed, the needy; these are the first in God's values and concerns. So God is preparing us for a different way of thinking, in order to engage us in a different way of acting and living.
 
Sometimes modern listeners can miss some of the subtlety of Christ's message. For example, it does at first glance look like anyone who is well off or wealthy is coming in an enormous serve. But we have to remember that Luke's Gospel, (especially), was addressed to influential, wealthy and powerful people in the Gentile community. Luke is not collecting an orderly account of Christ's life and teaching, in order to bash powerful and influential people from here to kingdom come.

 

The whole gospel is an invitation to people, rich or poor, influential or powerless, to become willing members in the Kingdom, where values are reshaped and a new way of relating is formed. Luke is inviting the influential and powerful to have a new mind and heart.  Luke encourages his readers and listeners to use their influence, their position, and their good fortune to keep in mind their brothers and sisters, whom Christ loved so much, and spent his life and ministry helping.
 
There is another beautiful quote I stumbled across. "The one who loses wealth loses much. But the one who loses the spirit loses everything." It is good to adjust and re-calibrate our priorities, resources, and values; -  Keeping them connected to the source of lasting meanin; God. And God's offer of eternal life.
 
The source of all life, all meaning and all lasting value, Is God. 
 
All that is lasting: love, compassion, and connection with God and union with one another, as one family in Christ, these elements of that life-giving stream that sustains us and directs us, in good times and in bad.
 
I was reading a quote from a person who wrote down thoughts about their life, as they faced their final illness. This writer, by the name of Lee Atwater. Died at a very early age from a brain tumour. He was a man who had amassed enormous wealth and power and prestige in his short life. But admitted himself that he felt a deep inner restlessness. And a "poverty of spirit." He writes: "In my illness, I discovered insight into what was missing in society. And it was indeed missing in me too: A little heart; and a lot of brotherhood. We must speak to this 'spiritual vacuum' that lies at the heart of our society."
 
What are some of the dead-end roads we are tempted to drive down in our lives? What 'things' do we put our energy and time into that are not life-giving or lasting, in comparison with the eternal waters offered by Jesus?
 
Let us be aware, and prayerful, about the things that give us lasting life and satisfaction. And the things that sap our energy and leave us empty.
 
Jesus can show us how to put ourselves near the flowing waters. To renew and reconnect us to the true source of life. Christ himself! 
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References:

Homily –Fr Paul W. Kelly

Vision – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR C. BY MARK LINK S.J;

A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY ALICE CAMILLE. 2010;

DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY

Image Credit: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/cjeGDg5RRUMARSQ8MDf9/the-crowd-faces-jesus-jesus-preaches-in-a-level-place-near-the-sea-of-tyre-and-sidon-in-ancient-isra?ru=Paul-Evangelion

 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, Sunday, 16 February 2025)  (EPISODE 518)
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 everyone}} welcome everyone, we gather -  Ponder with reverence, God's word and sacrament. 

My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, - so let us pause and reflect upon our sins, so as to rejoice in Gods loving mercy. 
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom: Lord, have mercy
You come in word and in sacrament to strengthen us and make us holy: Christ, have mercy
You will come again in glory with salvation for your people: 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
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays V
EP II
(theme variation: 4 )
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{May God's love, strength, mercy and kindness guide you all this 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 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: -  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 -  2025]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 9, 2025 (EPISODE 517)

GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND

Homily: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, 9 February 2025

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/4OL8PI8XV9k1M8CqMnIt/jesus-calls-his-disciples-the-fishermen-james-john-and-simon-peter?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

 

 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 9, 2025
(EPISODE 517)

Readings for Sunday, February 9, 2025

FIRST READING: Isa 6:1-2a, 3-8
Ps 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5, 7c-8. "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 5:1-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Come follow me, says the Lord. And I will make you fishers of my people.
GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11

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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, February 9, 2025  by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-fifth/s-ii23S51NbEg

(EPISODE 517)
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* (Prologue:  Fr Paul Kelly)
In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah is called by God, but he looks at himself and says, "I am not worthy"…….and so, in response "God sends an angel to touch Isaiah's lips with a smoking-hot ember and tells him that God has now MADE him worthy… // It is God's judgement to deem him worthy of the task he is being assigned, and it is not for Isaiah second-guess his own usefulness to God.

So, it is not the place of (even) the great prophet Isaiah to tell God what he feels he might be worthy of or not worthy of.

And in any case, there is a lesson here. It is not all about our efforts and will-power, but rather it is primarily about God's grace.

The Prophet Isaiah learns this lesson in the first reading and similarly with Saint Peter in today's Gospel. [FHL]

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Thank goodness for the early disciples. We look up to these wonderful people. But, they are also revealed to be people with weaknesses, foibles, sinfulness, failure, and, (at times), a shocking lack of trust; and hesitancy of faith. And at other times they show fear, and sometimes even cowardice. Because of this list of flawed leaders, it reveals how good and wise God is; and how utterly dependent we ALL are, on God's grace. It is not so much about us, but about God!

Without God's grace, we can do nothing.

God makes use of the humble things we have to offer and transforms them according to God's good purposes.

Jesus is not ever saying to us that we should wallow in our sin, or use it as an excuse to stay stuck in our old ways. We know we should never say: 'this is as good as I can be….' // However, God also wants to remind us that our worthiness is not the issue, because actually- (as many great saints throughout history remind us by their own life-stories); none of us is worthy of ourselves. It is God who makes us worthy. We never earn God's love, it is freely given as a generous act of graciousness. None of us is worthy without God; except that we are all lovingly created by God and are made worthy of God's love by God's action. It is God who calls us. And it is God alone who knows what we are capable of. God calls us to fulfill our capabilities.

The difference between the saint and the sinner is not their worthiness before God, but their determination NOT to stay stuck in their weakness or their own wilfulness or limitations, but to put their trust and all their cooperation and openness into God's hands. We are then transformed into instruments of God's love and grace. Living, cooperating instruments in the hand of God, the perfect artist.

St Peter, Saint Paul, Isaiah, Jeremiah…… King David… Saul…. Moses……. the list goes on and on: Great people. People who did God's will. But, ALSO, these same people were at times, terribly weak and sinful. Who sinned. Sometimes they even betrayed their calling or resented or doubted it. But, nevertheless, it was God who called them. God knew them and what they truly could do, and held them to that. They trusted in God's wisdom, mercy and guidance, and of course, relied on God's grace.

Again we can reflect on our own experiences of weakness and forgiveness, both by the Lord and by others. Being forgiven is a humbling experience, but one that allows us, like Isaiah, to step forward and volunteer for the Lord's work.

All of us are invited to reflect on our own refusals, (big and small), where we at times declined to accept God and His power and His presence. God is not there to frighten us, nor to condemn us to be frozen into inaction by our limitations; but, rather, God loves us into being everything God wants for us.

Whenever we accept forgiveness for our weaknesses and failings and put our reliance and our cooperation into God's grace, then we are able to be given over to the work of the Lord.

As with Saint Peter, we can doubt many times and we can deny but eventually when we believe and trust, our lives can be transformed into a reflection of God's mercy, God's compassion and graciousness.

It would be ridiculous for a pencil to refuse to be taken into the hand of a great artist, claiming that it is not talented enough to draw a masterpiece. And it would also be crazy for a pencil to claim credit for the work that was wrought through its important use. Naturally, we know that we are not inanimate objects, and we are not merely passive objects in God's action. God has lovingly and graciously willed that we will always be conscious, helpers, co-workers, and cooperators… heirs and family, participating in God's work. But we always keep in mind whose work it is we are doing and guard against relying too much on our own efforts or our own virtues and going down dead-end paths, and we also avoid the other extreme, inaction when faced with our limitations. Both extremes (which we are called to avoid carefully), are based on putting ourselves in the centre of things instead of God.

But there is more. Did Jesus learn something from his previous rejection in his hometown? He preached alone and this met with utter rejection. The crowd almost killed him. He narrowly escaped being thrown off a cliff. Now, he goes and calls followers to join him, support him and be companions on the journey; AND, what a hard journey it is. He (as always) calls a community around him.

Simon Peter experiences a great miracle. In the least expected situation, not on a mountain top somewhere, but in the ordinariness of his workplace; he experiences this amazing event because he was humble enough to listen to someone telling him how to do the job he knew so well. Our Lord shows him a new and dramatic and different way… and the results are huge……..

This is a timely reminder to us:

We must connect the gospel to our daily words, actions, and priorities, or it will not make sense.

Secondly…. We …. (Just like the disciples), need to work together… in unity… and in community. Like the disciples who were ALL needed to help haul in the enormous catch of fish…

We must always take our cues, as best we can discern them, from Christ… If it is only about our own individual efforts and priorities, our toil may be heavy and it may be misdirected. We never want to work like slaves on something and find that our struggle was mysteriously fruitless; like the fisherman who laboured all night (and applied all the experience and wisdom of their trade and still caught nothing), but, then Jesus asks them to trust him and follow his ways and do the same activity but under his direction, and they catch more than they can hold.

Jesus' ways are not the most ordinary, and not the most logical. However, they are the way of the gospel, and only by following Our Lord, (which is almost always the road less travelled), can we hope to bear fruit for Jesus good news……

Today let us ask the Lord to deepen our faith and give us the courage to proclaim his marvellous deeds. Let us be able to say: Here I am, Lord. Send me!"
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References:

Homily – Fr Paul W. Kelly

Gustavo Gutierrez, Sharing the Word through the liturgical year

The Abbot, Monastery of Christ in the Desert, http://www.christdesert.org/  ;

Reflection from Madonna Magazine, Jan-Feb 2007.

Image Credit: 

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/4OL8PI8XV9k1M8CqMnIt/jesus-calls-his-disciples-the-fishermen-james-john-and-simon-peter?ru=Paul-Evangelion  

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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, February 9, 2025)  (EPISODE: 517)
The Lord be with you.
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{{Peace and Goodness to you all}} welcome everyone, we gather - Reflection upon God's word, and encounter Christ's presence.

Coming together as brothers and sisters, on this Sunday of the Word of God, let us ask the Fathers forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.

You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5, 7c-8. "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Luke 5:1-11). Alleluia, alleluia! Come follow me, says the Lord. And I will make you fishers of my people.
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PREFACE: Sundays IV
EP I
Communion side. pwk: LH
(theme variation: 3 )
(post communion option - v1-lshort)
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{I pray that you have a wonderful and grace-filled 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 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: -  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 -  2025]

May God bless and keep you.
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Mass podcast for Sunday - the Presentation of the Lord - Sunday, February 2, 2025 (episode 516)

Homily The Presentation of the Lord - Sunday, February 2, 2025 (episode 516)

 

Malachi 3:1-4;

Psalm 23:7-10. "Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord!"

Hebrews 2:14-18;

Gospel Acclamation:  Luke 2:32 Alleluia, alleluia! This is the light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people, Israel. Alleluia!

Luke 2:22-40

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/ATViBBkduCBFTnoXmTqR?ru=Paul-Evangelion  

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Please listen to the  audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The Presentation of the Lord - Sunday, February 2, 2025, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-4/s-Ta4WKiCcaj4   (EPISODE: 516)

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Prologue:  This weekend, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord occurs on a Sunday, and as a Feast day of the Lord it overrides the usual Sunday calendar of readings.  This feast originated in Jerusalem before the fifth century and was adopted in Rome during the seventh century. Celebrated forty days after Christmas, commemorating the ritual as prescribed by the Law of Moses, which the Holy Family fulfilled at this time when they presented the child Jesus, at the temple.  At this time, Luke's Gospel recounts the encounter of Jesus with Simeon and Anna in the temple. This Feast day is also a traditional time in the Christian calendar for the blessing of candles for prayer use, - the blessing of which is found in the introductory rites and the candles are carried in the entrance procession. This is because of the reference by Simeon in his prayerful song....  that Christ is "the light to enlighten all nations".  [FHL]

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All of Israel longed and hoped for Christ. Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and so many more, had longed and waited for the fulfilment of God's promises. Waiting, hoping, and longing for the coming of the Lord and the establishment of God's Kingdom in and through the Christ.

 

We too long and hope that all that God has promised us will one day be completed. Today's feast of the presentation of our Lord reminds us that our hope and deepest longings will be fulfilled by our faithful God. We will be satisfied, for all our longings that match with the values and longings of the Kingdom of God will be fulfilled.

 

The other theme in the scriptures this weekend include freedom from fear and forgiveness of sin. We can trust that God is an unconditionally loving parent, who sent us his only beloved Son Jesus Christ to save us and to show us his mercy. Christ, who is one of us and who atones for our sins on our behalf, and who is compassionate and trustworthy, and who empathises with our struggles and our temptations.

 

Christ reveals the truth and the fullness of God's nature. It is not right for us to see God as scary, capricious, temperamental, inconsistent, or some kind of unpleasant being with whom we do not know where we stand, or we don't know if we ever had a chance to be saved. That's not the God Christ presents.

 

We fear God only in the original sense of that word, of being in awe of God's astounding greatness, his astounding goodness, and astounding mercy. Although we never would dare to act in such a way that we presume on God's forbearance, or take it for granted, or use it as an excuse in advance for doing the wrong thing, we're nevertheless right to trust and hope in humble, penitential confidence for God's care and salvation.

 

Simeon and Anna are wonderful examples of faithful discipleship.

 

Anna was said to be always in the temple, praying, hoping, and watching. Simeon was a wonderful God-fearing man, whom the Holy Spirit rested on. They are wonderful expressions of the hope-filled, faithful, prayerful, and loyal disciples of God, which we all strive to be.

 

Simeon and Anna were representatives of that type of people who are described in the scriptures as the quiet in the land, as in Psalm 35 verse 20. People who lived peaceful, amiable, and religious lives. These peaceful, gentle, and hope-filled people held no desire for a violent or terrible overthrowing of the nation's enemies, nor did they long for a warrior-like Messiah or a dreadful warrior-king arriving to bring down the enemy and subdue them with the force of armies with swords and banners.

 

Rather, they believed in a life of constant prayer and quiet watchfulness until God should come and bring in the fullness of His kingdom of peace, justice, mercy, and abundance. All their lives they waited quietly, patiently, and peacefully upon God. Simeon and Anna were like that in prayer, in worship, in humble and faithful expectation.

 

They were waiting for the day when God would arrive and comfort His people. One also gets the strong impression that they weren't just like wallflowers hanging around the temple doing nothing. They were surely putting their faith and prayer into action, engaging with people who visited on pilgrimage, helping people out and listening to their troubles, praying with them and strengthening them.

 

Being so long in the temple, Anna must have seen countless joys, sorrows, tragedies, and victories of ordinary people's lives and shared with them in their laughter and in their tears.

 

God had promised Simeon through the Holy Spirit that his life would not end before he had seen God's own anointed King in the flesh. (%%)

 

Finally, in his advanced old age, Simeon recognized that the baby Jesus, being presented in the temple by his loving mother Mary and his faithful stepfather Joseph, that this child was indeed coming home in a real sense.  He was arriving in his heavenly father's house by arriving at the temple. Simeon recognized that this was the long-hoped-for Messiah and King. And of course, Simeon was overjoyed. (%%)

 

He got to take the child in his arms. And now he was ready to depart in peace, and his words have become another of the great and precious songs of praise that have been taken up afterwards by generations of believers in the church. At last, all-powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace according to your promise, for my eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord. (%%)

 

Wonderful! Absolutely beautiful!

 

We also see in the Gospel, Anna, the widow. She has surely known sorrow, tragedy, and hardship in her long and humble life, and yet she has never lost hope or joy. (%%)

 

Anna did not let difficulties, sorrows, pain, or advancing age make her hard, bitter, or resentful, or rebellious against God, but rather Anna remained kind, positive, sympathetic, hope-filled, prayerful, faith-filled, and very, very close to God. Anna spent her days in the temple. She sees God as not distant and detached, but rather as intimately connected with her own life and all of our lives, with God having his hand on the helm. (%%)

 

She was delighted and happy to be a servant in God's house. She never ceased to pray and to worship God. She spent her life in God's house with God's people. (%%)

 

God gave us his church to be our mother in faith. We really do rob ourselves of a priceless treasure if we neglect to be one with his worshipping people regularly when we can. Anna never ceased to pray. (%%)

 

Public worship is great, and private worship is also great. As someone once said rather wisely, they pray best together who first pray alone. But these are two aspects of the same thing. Private and public worship are essential. They're complementary aspects of the same thing. The years had left Anna wise and with an unshakable hope because day by day she kept her contact with him who is the source of all strength, and whose strength our weakness is made perfect. %%

 

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 References:

 

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

(%%) - quoted from and adapted from Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Luke. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press.

 

https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/ATViBBkduCBFTnoXmTqR?ru=Paul-Evangelion  

 

 

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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 homily audio podcast, please click thislink 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 Kelly -     Inspired by  1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul Kelly. Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

 

"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly.  By Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged, with additional lyrics and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

 

[ Production - KER 2025]

 

May God bless and keep you.

 

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The Presentation of the Lord

 

(Sunday, February 2, 2025)

 

(EPISODE: 516)

 

The Lord be with you.

 

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{{May Our Lord's gift of hope encourage you.}}

 

My friends in Christ, to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us first acknowledge our sins.?

 

Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: 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

 

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

 

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The Mystery of the Presentation of the Lord

 

Eucharistic Prayer II

 

Communion side. pwk: LH

 

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{Thanks everyone and have a grace-filled and compassion-filled week.}

 

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

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