Dear Passionist Family Group members and friends,
I am currently in Broke, NSW preparing for my wife’s nephews wedding and then, onto Melbourne for a PFG meeting with our Aussie Team where we will be hosted by Brian Traynor (my brother) and the Passionists at Holy Cross, Templestowe.
It is good to be in this lovely place with a great view of the rural landscape and the birdsong of the Aussie bush. It has been sad to hear continued news of the Ukraine and also the floods across Brisbane and northern NSW. The heavy rain is forecast for Sydney so it is all round us. The Warragamba Dam is Sydney is at 99% capacity. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayer.
Broke is an old settlement in the Hunter Valley which is north of Sydney and a strong wine region. It was a dairy area but that has gone over the years. I went for a walk and visited the local church and the cemetery where a couple who were originals in the area had this quote on their shared tombstone: I thought with what is going on in the world this simple statement had a lot of wisdom.
“If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nations, there will be peace in the world.”
With what is going on it seems strange that the protests in Christchurch, Wellington. Auckland etc continue! As the saying goes “there are bigger fish to fry”. We have fellow citizens who are living with great anxiety and fear while others are supporting families up and down the country. It seems Covid has and continues to polarise people but let it not divide us. We can have a difference of opinion but that does not mean we cripple the rights of others to get our way. Tolerance and acceptance are required with an arm measured with compassion and forgiveness.
The gospel for this Sunday brings us back to what is fundamental. We are all tempted to have our needs answered but with these temptations we need to heed the call for a reliance and trust, in God. Not always easy in a time of confusion, doubt and selfish pursuit. It is a trust in our ‘belief’ our implicit trust that God is with us, in his time, not ours. As St. Paul says, “Love is patient and kind not proud or conceited” (Corinthians).
Let’s keep our hands on the plough and continue to live and support the aims and goals that will bring us closer to each other and in a place where there is support, encouragement, healing, laughter and song. Let your goodness shine as St Irenaeus said, “The Glory of God is man and woman fully alive”. Let’s live and show others the beauty of “being for others”.
Have a good week – join in our prayer for Ukraine:
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen. (Anglican Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell)
Scripture reflection: If you are the Son of God – First Sunday of Lent Year C, 6 March 2022
As we begin our Lenten journey, we trust in the call of the Spirit.
Lectionary readings
First reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90(91):1-2, 10-15
Second reading: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
Link to readings – click here
As we begin this journey through Lent, we trust in the call of the Spirit who beckons us out into the wilderness, to see more clearly, to love more dearly, and to follow, more nearly, the Lord of Life.
The First Reading shows that faith in the Lord leads to deliverance into life and fullness. It anticipates something of the saving power of Christ which brings fullness of life. St Paul, in his letter to the Romans (Second Reading), reminds us that this salvation is very near, because the Word is alive and active in our hearts and on our lips.
The Psalm speaks of the Lord who is with us in all our distress, and in whom we can trust – while the Gospel sees Jesus himself putting his trust in the Father. Overcoming his testing, he continues to walk in the way of love.
Humour:
What do you call two monkeys who share an Amazon account? Prime mates.
Why did Novak Djokovic pay for his flight to Australia with a Mastercard? Because his Visa didn’t work.
Who is the most lonely billionaire? Alone musk.
I asked 10 people what LGTBQ standed for… Couldn’t get a straight answer!
What is the scariest tree? BamBOO!
My wife and I let astrology get between us. It Taurus apart.
What do you call a coupon-using vampire? Suckers for deals!