We have been seeing the agony of the people in the besieged parts of Ukraine. The people there are traumatised by the war around them and the images of the people locked up in their homes for the fear of the atrocities happening around them is heart breaking. Imagine you walking into one of those rooms, saying “G’day mate!” How will that be taken?
Our new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese boldly said, “Now it is a different Australia”. He was referring to the mandate he had for his policies. Until his election a week ago, he would not have dared to say it. What has changed is the blessing he has had through the recent election mandate. With that blessing he has the power and confidence to imagine and announce a change for Australia.
A parish, as the local Church, can do with good consultors. If the parish priest is to be absent for a prolonged time, the importance of the consultors increases. When there are issues to be addressed, wanting to do the right thing, the parishioners would be wondering how best they can understand the mind of their parish priest who has gone away.
“I love chocolate. It gives me a lot of pleasure eating it. I am not sure what impact it would have on others.” But if I say Mother Teresa loved the abandoned people of Kolkata streets, it is a different story. Her love had tremendous consequence.
Along with Mothers Day thoughts, the upcoming election is also in everyone’s mind. In the case of Mothers, we happily celebrate the love of nurturing women and such other people in families, especially with young ones. In the case of the election, the integrity of the politicians are questioned or affirmed. Integrity and a vision for the future is essential for those who aspire to govern a nation. When you put the loving care of the mothers and the integrity of the visionary leaders together, you become a shepherd or a pastor. Jesus is our ultimate pastor who does not want anyone entrusted to him to be lost.
Reading about the resurrected Christ feeding the disciples makes me reminisce feeding the crowd that attended the funeral of my sister Tomsy. Sharing food is so reassuring when needed. I was in Sacred Heart convent chapel with family and friends commencing a night long vigil for Sr Tomsy. While we were mourning and praying for the repose of the soul of my beloved sister, the nuns comforted us, not just with words, but also with a meal for all attendees.
Once in a homily to children, I described the martyrdom of a saint. At this some parents got up in arms, because they thought it is improper to speak of martyrdom and its horrors to children. They would have their children wool wrapped to protect them from the harsh realities of life. It is done with the good intention of them growing into a healthier and fuller life. Are the parents right?
You remember Pope Francis making headline in 2015 for saying, “Who am I to judge?” Francis’s question occurred in an interview as he was returning from World Youth Day in Rio (2013). In a book by Andrea Tornielli on 12 Januray 2016, Pope Francis explained his comment.
The Holy Father consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation. It is done 105 years after the Fatima apparitions, and 93 years after Sister Lucia had the message from Our Lady confirmed in 1929. The feast of Annunciation is special. God’s angel announcing to Mary the birth of our saviour and she saying “yes” to it was the beginning of our salvation.
The crazy war in Ukraine with all the destruction and killing, you hear people asking, “Why does God allow this to happen?” Innocent people are being killed in the war. Do they deserve to be killed? No. These atrocious killings are in no way God’s punishment for the sinners. But there is evil at play in these recent happenings.
