Reflecting on this week’s Scriptures
Over the past few months we have been confronted by images and stories of men, women and children fleeing war torn lands across Europe, by land and sea. Desperation, destruction and fear mean like Isaiah, they set their face like flint and embark on a journey of high risk to secure the hope of finding a place of freedom and safety for their families. Despite all, they trust that their God will be with them and that their plight will be recognised by others and not condemned.
In turn we have watched this drama unfold on our screens. Throughout the world, borders are closed, there is a huge loss of life and many refugees live in camps with inhuman conditions. James could be writing to us, challenging both our personal and societal complacency in front of our brothers and sisters who are in need of food, shelter and a place of safety. He reminds us, as does Pope Francis and Cardinal John, that we are called to live our faith through our actions, to open our hearts. What is heart-warming is to see individuals, families, towns and countries stand up to their governments and say this is not about politics, it is about our brothers and sisters who are suffering, we must act, open our hearts and homes to welcome them.
In the Discernment Process many of us have revealed what is important to us about our church communities and how these are places and people who help us belong to God and one another. The changes that are happening in our church communities and in our world invite us to respond to Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?” in a new way. As Peter discovered, Jesus is not interested in us being safe and comfortable. He asks us to take up our cross and follow Him. This means learning ways “to enter into solidarity with those who suffer” (Henri Nouwen). It means going to the places within ourselves and in our world so we learn the compassion we need to be alongside the weak, vulnerable and broken. These encounters will begin to transform our hearts. It is not because life is no longer a struggle but, with our eyes and hearts opened up, we discover how good God is to us and how he loves us in the messiness of our lives. Then we begin to rejoice in our world with our brothers and sisters and want to share Christ’s message with all we meet.
– Maria Noonan
Charting the Course Discernment – Week 8:
“We are Joyful Disciples SHARING CHRIST’S MESSAGE”
As we near the end of our Discernment Process for our new Parish of Wellington South, we focus on the ACTION words of our vision – last week we reflected on Growing Together, this week we discern how as joyful disciples we will Share Christ’s Message.
A few weeks ago we focused on the Communities that exist from the South Coast to the Inner Harbour. As we look out beyond our own Church communities to the wider community:
What is one thing that our new Parish could do to SHARE CHRIST’S MESSAGE?
What is one thing that could stop this happening?
As well as contributing today at Mass, you can send us feedback by posting it in boxes in the churches, or using the contact form at wellingtonsouthcatholic.org.
This is the start—What’s next?
We have a vision and a name for our new Parish. No other decisions have been made.
Our Discernment has been a time of reflecting, praying, naming, and listening to God as we consider how we will live our vision in our new Parish.
In the last weekend of September, we will farewell our discernment teams and entrust all our fears, hopes, ideas, prayers, and feedback to the Transition Team to begin shaping the Plan for the new Parish. Some decisions and parts of the Plan will be presented to Cardinal John by the Feast of Christ the King. Other parts will take longer to develop. We will keep you updated.