Homily Second Sunday Ordinary time year A - Sunday, January 19, 2020
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Isaiah 49: 3-6 1
Ps 39:2, 4, 7-10. "Here I am Lord; I come to do your will. "
Corinthians 1: 1-3
Alleluia, alleluia! The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted him to become the children of God. Alleluia.
John 1: 29-34
Image. Shutterstock Licensed. Stock photo ID: 518053207 Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016/11/13. Painting of Christ in glory and Holy Spirit descending upon apostles in the form of dove and fire tongues. Found in the chapel in Majcino selo (Mother's village). By Adam Jan Figel
Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Second Sunday Ordinary time year A - Sunday, January 19, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-200-the-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-a-2020/s-9nvIo
(EPISODE: 200)
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The Church Calendar year returns to Ordinary Time. This season takes up over half of the year and its really the time when there are no major seasons such as Christmas and Easter, or their preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent. This is the time when the Kingdom of God quietly and slowly but surely grows in the ordinary and everyday moments and events of life. Since the "ordinary" takes up a big part of our year, its important to appreciate the subtlety of this time. Whilst there might be not many dramatic and exceptional tone to this season, it is nevertheless really important. Except for the occasional feast Day or Saints day or memorial, the Church uses this time to quietly and progressively work its way through the flow of the readings assigned for the year. So, we get time to slow down, stop and breathe and really deepen our appreciation of God's word and God's values in the everyday moments of life. This is a time for hidden treasures to be uncovered ... treasures kept in ordinary clay jars... to use a biblical image...
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Now that Ordinary time has well and truly begun, it is wonderful that the Scriptures speak of "Commissioning" and "sending." It is also good, from the outset of any new season, to recall clearly just WHO we are following and why. Including, what it is about him that is so important. To be clear about our Lord and master and his values and mission so that we can join in fully and with clear-sight.
Like Isaiah, we too have been formed by God; called by God to be a light to ALL nations, not just a few…. We are also called to be open, and particularly to OPEN OUR EARS to God's word and to God's values and ways of seeing and thinking… (which are often refreshingly different from our own ways). We are commissioned to Keep God's word, by NURTURING IT deep in our hearts and cherishing and savouring it…. And also, to unstop our lips and use them to speak of God's goodness….
Meanwhile, in the gospel, John testifies that this is Jesus, the son of God is the sacrificial and spotless lamb who would take away the sins of all the world… The one on whom the spirit rests…. This is also the meaning to which our discipleship testifies, in word and action.
"All who have been baptized in Christ—share that same Holy Spirit, and are called to undertake the same mission—being a light to others, serving others, giving of ourselves in love, compassion and generosity, and to be instruments of God's mercy and kindness and justice." (1)
In the Gospel today three names are used to describe Jesus. (3)
Firstly, he is called the "Lamb of God," / /"a symbol of strength in vulnerability... The Lamb of God (John 1:29), "takes away" the sinful condition of the world. Twenty-one centuries down the track there is still violence and hunger and exploitation on a massive scale. The work of the one strong enough to risk vulnerability so that others may have life, the work of God's Lamb, is never done." (2)
Secondly Our Lord is called "the one on whom the Spirit descends and remains," Utterly filled with the Spirit and capable of giving this Spirit to others, he has the power and the desire to heal, to forgive, to help in practical ways, to work for justice and to show God's love to all. (3)
Thirdly, he is called the "Son of God," (or the Chosen One). …..
We can reflect at great length and deeply upon these "names and descriptions" of Jesus. As Our Lord asks Peter in another part of the Gospels, "But you. Who do you say I am?" So it is really important that we too reflect upon how we name Jesus. Who is Jesus to us? What qualities of Our Lord particularly move us and inspire us. The image we choose at this time will reflect something of our growing understanding of the one whom we have pledged ourselves to follow as disciples." (3)
Such images include, but of course do not exhaust the list, including…. Divine Mercy, Unconditionally loving Sacred Heart, Immeasurable and Inexhaustible Compassion, Complete and Infinite Love, Suffering Servant, Utter Obedience, True Peace….Self-forgetting Rescuer; The "Perfection of Kindness and Justice Embracing." Restorer of Original Innocence. Perfect Empathy, and so much more…
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
(1) Fr Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org. Post by Christopher Heffron: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/2nd-sunday-in-ordinary-time/
(2) Sr Veronica Lawson RSM. https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/_uploads/ppage/files/Pastoral%20Ministry%20Office/19%20Jan%202020%20Reflection%20on%20the%20Gospel.pdf
(3) Sr Patricia Stevenson RSJ. Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Second Week Ordinary Time A. https://www.sosj.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2ndWeekOrdinaryTime-YearA.pdf
Image. Shutterstock Licensed. Stock photo ID: 518053207 Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016/11/13. Painting of Christ in glory and Holy Spirit descending upon apostles in the form of dove and fire tongues. Found in the chapel in Majcino selo (Mother's village). By Adam Jan Figel
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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
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love, - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
{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 ]
May God bless and keep you.
Second Sunday Ordinary time year A
(Sunday, January 19, 2020)
(EPISODE: 200 )
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 Fidelity strengthen us all in our discipleship.}}
Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord,s supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.?
Lord Jesus, you call your people to turn away from sin: Lord, have mercy//
You teach us wisdom and write your truth in our inmost heart: Christ, have mercy//
You forgive sins through the ministry of reconciliation: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Sundays Ordinary I
Eucharistic Prayer One
Communion side. PWK: LH
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer to this special time of savouring God's word}.
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
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