Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C - 08-May-22
(EPISODE: 364 )
Readings for 08-May-22 - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C
FIRST READING: Acts 13:14, 43-52
Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5. "We are his people, the sheep of his flock"
SECOND READING: Rev 7:9, 14b-17
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep and mine know me.
GOSPEL: John 10:27-30
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Item ID: 1969049458 – The good shepherd. 3d illustration, 3d rendering. Contributor: - W.S. Coda
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C - 08-May-22 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-4c-2022-ep-364
(EPISODE: 364)
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HAPPY MOTHER’S Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all mums as we here in Australia celebrate Mother's Day. Different parts of the world celebrate Mother's Day on different dates in the year, but whatever date it is celebrated; it is no coincidence that Christ used the image of an unconditionally loving parent to describe an essential characteristic of God's nature. What better example of unconditional love can be witnessed than the love of a Mother or a Father for their cherished child? Christ wants us to know and experience the deep and abiding love that God has for us, in calling us God's daughters and sons. This weekend we pray for all mums, that they may be blessed for their goodness, kindness and self-forgetting love.
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"God has an unshakable delight in what --and whom-- GOD has made. God thinks each of His children is wonderful, whether they're a 'hit' in the eyes of others or not. GOD will always think they're wonderful."
I reckon any parent knows the truth of this story in a profound way… loving each of their children without reserve.
And this brings us to the essential truth about our faith--it is grounded in God's wondrous LOVE for us, just like an unconditionally loving parent.
At times we may not feel very lovable, we may even push that love away at times…--but we cannot keep God from loving us. That is God's very nature. God is a shepherd – (a very, very good one – the best, in fact). God is love.
Today on Good Shepherd Sunday we remember the truth that God always searches for the one who is lost, or who feels unworthy or unloved and carries them in His arms. Anyone who would follow Jesus (the good shepherd) as a disciple must also be prepared to abide in God's compassionate love.
The GOSPEL today is short but straight to the point.. It says so much; in fact, it says everything in these lines….
"no one will ever steal (my sheep) from me."
&…..
"The Father and I are one."
This is so reassuring to us…..
Jesus promises God's complete faithfulness to us, now and forever….. Jesus makes us God's children… and Our Lord will be with us to feed us, shelter us and guide us through life, and into the eternal life of Heaven……
Christ promises to be our shepherd and care for us.. and cherish us through the tragedies and struggles of life… of which there can sadly be many……
We know too well, that in life, there are many obstacles… there are setbacks… There seems, at times, to be unassailable worries and trials, but our God (revealed in Jesus, the Good Shepherd), promises to be with us and guide us through these and all trials and struggles…. This is a source of abiding hope and strength.
Throughout the world and even close to home, we regularly hear of disasters, (whether they be natural disasters or human-made suffering); where many people are experiencing all sorts of hardship and pain….. including those who silently suffer and whose plight is not known to the world. We keep them all in our prayers… and we take strength and consolation from Christ.. who is our good shepherd…. Who is one with the father.. and makes us one with him… who knows each of us by name and who knows every human being by name (including those forgotten and abandoned and considered unimportant by the standards of the world). God never forgets even one of them, and God never forgets us.
The heart of our good shepherd; who cares for and loves each and every human being, must be broken with grief for anyone suffering …… anyone who has been treated without the respect and dignity that all people should be given … as beloved children of God….. irrespective of race, culture or tongue…. For Jesus is the light to all nations… and all peoples…. …
Let us commend all who suffer, to the gentle shepherd's care… and let us recommit ourselves each day, to showing practical care and support to all those we encounter, those in need..,. for (in Christ) they are truly our brothers and sisters, and they are fellow members of the Good Shepherd's flock….
May the world be reshaped, with the peace, care and gentleness that the good shepherd wants for the whole world… and all people in it.
Let us continue to be people of hope, love, justice and compassion….. and may we be instruments in God's hands, of Christ's vision of care; valuing everyone, even those considered by others to be "the least" -May the Lord show us the full meaning of the fact that "God loves each and every person completely."
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Vocations day resources
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Item ID: 1969049458 - Jesus parable about the runaway sheep. 3d illustration, 3d rendering. Contributor: - W.S. Coda
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C (08-May-22) (EPISODE: 364 )
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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{{May Our Lord's empathy abide in you.}}
As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
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.
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Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5. "We are his people, the sheep of his flock"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep and mine know me.
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 Easter 4
Euch Prayer II
Communion side. pwk: RH
(pre+post variation: v2-lonjg)
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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise and reflection upon our loving God.}
A Prayer in Gratitude and Blessing for Our Mothers
Good and Gentle God, Lord of creation, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and nurturing with love, young lives. Jesus, you became human through the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant to all mothers the grace and strength they need to face the uncertain moments that life often brings us all. Give them the ongoing strength to love and to be loved in return. Give them the faithful support of family and friends and the wider community. May they receive peace and joy from their family and friends. Give them joy and delight in their families and friends, to sustain them through joys and sorrows. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Bless all our mothers and grant them an eternal reward for their unconditional love and kindness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Author Unknown (adapted by P. Kelly).
Go 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 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
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure Mark V
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 - 2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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