Living Faith: Aligning Beliefs with Actions

Julie South [00:00:04]:
Peace be with you. Welcome to your catholic corner. I'm Julie south, your host, and I am so pleased, thrilled that you're able to be with me here today. We're diving into the word of God to see how it speaks to us, to you and me, in our everyday lives. Your catholic corner is all about helping you get ready for Sunday mass starting mid week. Each week you can tune in@yourcatholiccorner.com we have listeners all over the world, and I'd love to hear from you. Please visit yourcatholiccorner.com and say hi to me and share what you enjoy about the show. I promise hand on heart to reply to you as we thank God for all the beautiful spring blossoms here in the southern hemisphere.

Julie South [00:00:57]:
Here in New Zealand. Today we are focusing on the readings for the 24th Sunday in ordinary time in year B. Today's show is going to vary a bit from the usual format because I want to share a wonderful press release that I received from one listener regarding the common good foundation, so make sure you stay tuned for that. Today's readings come from Isaiah, James and Mark. We're going to be exploring the themes of discipleship and faith. These readings were chosen by the Catholic Church for this specific Sunday to help us understand our faith and what it means to follow Jesus. With Isaiah, we have this passage talking about trusting God even when things are tough. I'm sure you can relate.

Julie South [00:01:51]:
I definitely can. And in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus talks about his disciples, and he or he talks, he asks his disciples, who? Who do you say that I am? Peter calls him the Messiah, and Jesus explains what it means to follow him. These readings remind us to live our faith through our actions and to follow Jesus with courage. Remember, when we gather in Jesus name, he is here, right with us right now. And that's what we are doing. The readings for this Sunday are we have in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 50, verses five through nine James Letter, chapter two, verses 14 through 18 and Mark's Gospel, chapter eight, verses 27 through 25. But before that, a quick word about your catholic corner, just in case this is your first time here, regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, whether you've only just heard of that man called Jesus, you're new to Catholicism or you're a cradle catholic. My prayer is that your catholic corner will help bring God's word to life in your heart through insights, reflections, and practical applications that help deepen your relationship with God.

Julie South [00:03:17]:
Every Thursday we'll start preparing for mass by uncovering the richness hidden in each Sunday's Bible readings, from Old Testament prophecies to gospel parables. I invite you to join me and the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, sponsors of your catholic corner so that together we can hear God's word and echo. Samuel, speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Now let's get back to today's show. Typology. If you're new to typology, it's the idea that the Old Testament gives us hints about what's to come in the New Testament. Today we're going to see how Isaiah's message connects with Mark's gospel. So let's have a look a little bit closer.

Julie South [00:04:20]:
In Isaiah, this passage is showing the servant's strong faith in God even when facing challenges. And in Mark's gospel here we have Jesus asking his disciples to recognize him as the messiah. He teaches them about true discipleship. What can we conclude from that? Well, the connection of both passages highlights the importance of faith in following God's will. They encourage us to live out our belief through our actions. Now let's have a look at the metaphors going on in each of these three Bible passages today in Isaiah. So we're looking at chapter 50, verses five through nine. To trust in God is shown here with the the wording Lord God opens my ear that I may hear, and we have confidence in God's help.

Julie South [00:05:32]:
Being depicted with he who vindicates me is near. So listen out for both of those two in the readings later in James, we've got the need for active faith being illustrated with faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But like actions, speaking louder than words, right? And then in Mark's gospel, discipleship is symbolized with take up the cross and follow me. A very famous saying, a well known saying, and recognizing Jesus true identity is shown with Peter's words, you are the messiah. These passages, as I mentioned, are focused on faith and discipleship. They remind us, they give us the nudge to align our actions, that what we do, that they, our actions align with our beliefs, and then that they are embracing the change that comes from us. Following Christ and being Christ like this encourages us, I think, I believe, to look inward and to focus on our inner transformation, to let go of superficial concerns. We have true wisdom and purpose coming from within, which are reflected in how we live.

Julie South [00:06:59]:
And then today we've got these metaphors teaching us the importance of sincerity and action in our spiritual lives. God is reminding us to focus on genuine values. So to I guess, in a way, to put this into 21st century context, to let go of the social media that instagram perfection, to live out our beliefs by showing compassion to others. Let's start praying together now as we reflect on these readings. May you be inspired. May I be inspired by God's call that we are all and both, and each strengthened by his blessings and encouraged to share his love with others. First reading is from the prophet Isaiah. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious.

Julie South [00:08:10]:
I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me, therefore, I have not been disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

Julie South [00:08:44]:
It is the Lord God who helps me, who will declare me guilty. A reading from the letter of James. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works, can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, go in peace, keep warm, and eat your fill, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, dead. But someone will say, you have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works. And I, by my works, will show you my faith. Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he asked his disciples, who do people say that I am? And they answered him.

Julie South [00:10:11]:
John the Baptist and others, Elijah and still others. One of their prophets. He asked them, but who do you say that I am? Peter answered him, you are the messiah. And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the son of God must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed. And after three days, rise again. He said all this quite openly, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, get behind me, Satan, for you are setting your mind not on divine things, but on human things.

Julie South [00:10:58]:
He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it. And those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it. The gospel of the Lord. So what is God saying to you through these passages? Remember, he speaks to each of us in different ways, to trust in God's guidance, to seek his help in tough times when we're on our knees. That's hard. I know. Embrace faith in action.

Julie South [00:11:56]:
May your faith show in everything that you do that you could be found guilty of being called a Christian and to follow Christ's call. Be ready to take up your cross, however that looks and however that feels, and follow him. I hope this episode supports you in your spiritual journey. Wherever you are on that journey, whether you're just beginning, whether you're just exploring this man called Jesus, or whether you're a cradle Catholic, my prayer is that this podcast deepens your understanding of God's word and everything that is beautiful about the catholic faith. Please can I ask you to share this show with your friends and family? It's free and it's a great way to help others grow in their faith. All you have to do is ask them to visit your catholiccorner.com thank you. Inviting others to listen means the world to me. I promised some exciting news from the common Good foundation.

Julie South [00:13:10]:
It was during the week that I received this information, so I want to be able to share it with you here. It's actually from the executive officer, Caroline Collie. This is how it reads, so please listen up because it's good for you. If you are helping people in your community and you need funds, the common Good foundation may be able to help you. They bridge the gap between those who have resources and those who need them most. The heart of the Common Good foundation is in supporting smaller organisations that make a big impact in their communities. Based in Hamilton, New Zealand, but serving a region that stretches as far as Raglan, Gisborne, Whakatane, Taronga Taup, Rotorua and Te Kuwirri, the Common Good foundation has money to give and is accepting applications now. In these challenging times, when the cost of running your home or providing food for your family can be crippling, the Common Good foundation seeks to give to not for profit organisations who are working at the coalface, accompanying and supporting those most in need.

Julie South [00:14:23]:
We fund the unsung heroes in our community, many of whom quietly ago about their mahi, staffed often largely by volunteers reaching out to help the most vulnerable. Examples of the 2023 grant recipients include Orange sky in Hamilton, male support services, Waikato in Hamilton, Parish of Tongariro Catholic in Tapal, Sunshine services in Gisborne, Waiariki women's refuge in Rotorua, Haringa Pie in Gisborne and mums for mums in Tauronga. Orange sky provide people experiencing homelessness and hardship with access to free laundry services, warm showers and genuine non judgmental conversation. You can spot them by their orange vans parked daily at convenient locations across Hamilton. Parish of Tongariro Catholic in Taup. Organise and deliver a weekly lunch for the homeless in their communities and provide firewood to families in need. Male support services Waikato provide advocacy, peer support and a listening ear workshops support with referrals to specialist services all centred around aiming to educate and prevent further abuse. The vision of mums for mums Tauronga is that every peppy born, single, twin or triplet or with unique health needs and their mama and aotearoa are nurtured and supported within their first six to twelve weeks for the best chance of survival and quality of life.

Julie South [00:15:57]:
Sunshine Services Inc. In Gisborne provides transport for those who find it difficult to get to appointments or gatherings. Without the service, many of these people would be unable to leave their homes. Waariki womens refuge in Rotorua received funding for necessary items for the first 24 hours of leaving sexual or domestic violence. The chair of Haringa Pai Fanonga Kihomehali in Gisborne recently shared with the Common Good foundation. This is what they said. I would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the generous grant provided by the Common Good foundation. Your support has been instrumental in our efforts to significantly improve the wellbeing of women and families in Taraifati and the wider Pacific island community.

Julie South [00:16:46]:
End quote. For that, representatives from these organisations can be contacted by executive officer Caroline Collie for comment or an interview about their involvement with the Common Good foundation. Grants are available from $1,500 through to 10,000, which is a lot of money. This is Julie south speaking here. Interested groups are encouraged to visit www. Dot common good.org dot NZ to view the criteria and to apply. Applications close at the end of September, so make sure you move on that. I will put a link to that website@yourcatholiccorner.com for you to check them out.

Julie South [00:17:27]:
As I just said, the clock is ticking as applications close in a couple of weeks as at recording so please make sure if you believe that the common good may be able to help you then your organization, then please move fast and take action wherever you are on your journey and wherever you are in the world I pray that God's love fills your heart and you'll join him at the Eucharist in your local parish. A big shout out to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, for their support. Wherever you are in the world, God bless. This is Julie south signing off until next week. Peace be with you. God bless.