Author Archives: livedgospel2013

Educating for the Lived Gospel #105

Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3)

 
This quote flies in the face of our society which urges us to grow up and be responsible and productive members. How can we ‘become like children’? Children exude joy, love and acceptance. Children can be excited by seemingly small things – frequently by the wonders of nature. As Teilhard de Chardin said, ‘Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God’. You know when you are loved by a child – there is no doubt, no holding back, as they wrap their arms around you. ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8). Young people do not see the divisions created by adults – divisions of race or colour – ‘the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ (1 Sam 16:7)
It is our role to slow some young people down from their headlong rush to ‘grow up’. We need to remind them of the importance of joy, love and acceptance – encouraging them to hold on to those qualities – as well as doing our best to model them.
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #104

The Lord says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Is 49:16)

Mistakenly, people categorise the Old Testament as portraying a God of vengeance. Clearly, this passage portrays a God who cares about each person intimately. This is not a distant God, nor a judging God, but a God of love – who loves each of us in a deeply personal way. A God who is fittingly called abba – not ‘father’, so much as ‘daddy’. Our own self-doubts prevent us from fully perceiving this about God. ‘God is love’ – but not for me. We cannot earn God’s love – it is gift, freely and lavishly given! Operating out of our limitations, we can create a God made in our image, a God of fear and judgment; then do greater damage by foisting that on others.
Young people are finding their way – thirsting for meaning. They can search for it in unhelpful places – some are hedonistic places, others can be places that numb their existential ache. It seems to me that if they could more fully grasp the intimate love that their creator has for them, as the quote suggests, this would be a great benefit to them. Our task is to be God’s heart and hands, showing God’s love for them as best we can.
Have a great week!
Patrick

 

Educating for the Lived Gospel #103

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Thus, the Gospel message of justice was continuing a theme that had been part of Judaism for centuries. As humans, we can complicate matters. We can also be paralysed because we’re not sure how to move forward. This passage states clearly and simply what is required of us as people of faith – do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. It is interesting to note that we are required to build relationships and community – through justice and kindness. What might walking humbly with God look like? Someone who is open to God’s presence around them – in people and in what Franciscans refer to as the ‘Book of Nature’. Someone who fosters their relationship with God through prayer. Someone who knows their gifts and talents – and knows they are all God’s grace.
Young people love the doing of justice – but may need our help to see it ‘close to home’. We can guide them by our words and actions towards kindness – for others and themselves. Our greatest task – and challenge – is to help them foster their faith and their relationship with God – through prayer and wonder at creation, including the wonder of their own gifted creation.
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #102

If I say, ‘I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name’,
then within me there is something like a burning fire
shut up in my bones;
I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot. (Jer 20:7)

 
As convinced as each of us may be in our vocation, there are likely to be times when we want to ‘hide away’. We may be tired or disillusioned. It may be a sign we need a break from our ministry. Yet, the first time I heard this passage, 20 years ago, it named my perception of being ‘grabbed’ by God – being ‘on fire’. Does the passage resonate with you?
 
Each of us in our own way is called by God. Our task is to discern that calling. Whether our vocation is religious or lay, we are all members of the body of Christ and we each have our part to play in building up that body. With the myriad of choices on offer, young people can feel uncertain. They may not be ‘on fire’ with a particular calling. Sometimes we need to set out on a journey and it is only when we look backward – and we all have 20-20 hindsight – that we can see God shaping us, drawing us on. But we need enough ‘mountain top’ moments to keep us moving!
 
If you’d like to share how the passage resonates with you – I’d love to hear from you!
Have a great week!
Patrick

 

Educating for the Lived Gospel #101

the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ (1 Sam 16:7)

 
Yet how frequently do we judge, often harshly, based upon how someone looks. In that way, we are like infants, fascinated by wrapping paper, noises and bright lights. I have been stunned and humbled by a comment from someone of whom I wouldn’t have thought it possible – maybe you have too? Yet, in our good moments, we’re able to encourage the young person who may be down or acting out – looking past the externals. There are also the young people who seem to be happy, healthy and thriving, but their reality can be more painful, as this video shows.
 
We owe it to our young people to teach them to look past the externals to glimpse a fuller reality of the people in their lives. One powerful way that we do this is by modelling – by not treating all of the young people in our care the same. Because of their differences, to treat all young people the same would be manifestly unfair. This beautifully explored by De La Salle in this reflection 
 
Have a great week!
Patrick

Educating for the Lived Gospel #100

On reaching this ‘ton’, I thank each of you for your support and encouragement that has made these reflections possible.

And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

This is one of a number of Scripture passages that, to me, are at the heart of the Gospel message. Talk is cheap – what am I doing? How am I treating the people I encounter? Am I paying each person the respect that they are due from their God-given dignity? This fundamental respect of each person flows from our belief in the Incarnation – which is truly Lasallian, truly Franciscan, truly Christian. Another thing that strikes me is that we are all members of the one family.

Most, if not all, schools provide opportunities to ‘open the eyes’ of the young people in their care. Such opportunities include Caritas, Franciscans International, the Lasallian Foundation and other worthwhile charities where both money and awareness can be raised. There are also the many service projects such as soup vans, refugee tutoring and aged care where the young may glimpse the face of Jesus. And there are the remarkable service and immersion programs that involve travel to other countries. Whatever form it takes, young people are thirsting for justice – thirsting to live their faith through living justly – walking the talk.
Have a great week!
Patrick

Joy

Untimely darkness

Leaden skies

Pouring rain

 

Adults and teenagers

Umbrellas up

Duck and weave

Through the downpour

 

Along comes a grim-faced mother

Holding the hand

Of a drenched six year old

Who yells with joy

and delight

At being in the rain

 

Such unbridled joy

Embracing life

Makes me grin

And emphasises

Chardhin’s point

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God”

Educating for the Lived Gospel #99

G’day! After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to strike out in a new direction with the reflections, by reflecting upon pieces of scripture – though always with a Lasallian and Franciscan ‘flavour’. I hope that you find something in them for you!

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)

Such a passage makes me wonder: What does it mean to live life abundantly? What do I need to do to live up to this passage? “Living life to the full” can be an excuse for hedonism. However, this full life is connected to Jesus who is the one speaking in this passage. Think about how Jesus lived his life…selflessly, literally poured out for others. So, I think living life to the full has more to do with making the most of my talents, my opportunities and my relationships. It is my firm belief that a full life is one that is lived for others – one that embraces the Franciscan wisdom of “it is giving that we receive”. A full life is also lived by the Lasallian wisdom of touching hearts – focussing on our relationships. I also believe that a full life entails celebrating the small things that are easily ignored – a flower, a smile, any baby.

It is easy for young people to be seduced into thinking that a full life is centred on “me”. Rather, it is our task to guide them into seeing that the full life is truly centred on “we” – develop and use my talents, so that I can build my community. When we all act in that manner, we might glimpse a Pentecost moment!

Have a great week…and term!

Patrick

 

Whales at Warrnambool

I am awestruck by

This majestic scene

Giant sets of waves

Creating and crashing into the beach

 

The fierce off-shore wind

Makes them perfect for surfing

So my mate tells me

 

But the same wind ensures that

Their tops are blown off

Making mini rainbows

In the brilliant sun

Framed by the bright blue winter sky

 

Somewhat hidden

In the lull between waves

Are some whales

Which can be seen by their occasional spout

 

These large, warm-blooded creatures

Have crossed the vast cold ocean

To this ‘nursery’

To loll and sway in the surf

Off the coast of Warrnambool

Protected by their mother

 

A hardy crew

Of well-rugged-up individuals

Watch this extraordinary tableau

With varying degrees of attention

 

Days later

I am still struck

At this confluence of natural

And ancient energies

 

How appropriate at a place

Named by our ancient people

Berlin

 

Extraordinary city

That has embraced its past

Warts and all

 

Kaisers: Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten and Sans Souci palace

 

Nazis: Gay memorial, Jewish sculptures, memorial and museum

Buildings with bullet holes, 66 years after World War II!!

 

Cold War: remnants and reminders of the Berlin Wall, Church of the Reconciliation and Ampelmann

 

The grandeur of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Cathedral

Magnificent museums like the Pergamon

The gentle beauty of the Spree

Ethereal moonlight

Couples, young and old, ballroom dancing in a day lit park

While all around a vibrant city swirls and does its 21st century thing

Along with dear friends Gui and Daniel

Make Berlin extraordinary

 

So much history, so much pain

‘Failure is not in the falling down but in the staying down’

Thus Berlin is a remarkable success

Of life

Of hope