“Spring clean this Spring. Make it your resolution today!”

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7 August 2022

A jam-packed set of readings this weekend.

Almost need a full day to unpack; but, as we have all engaged in “spring cleaning” this past week, then we will have a little more time to delve into the Word presented.

On the other hand, can we try to link “faith” and the “apron”; and keep in mind that tomorrow is Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day.

Faith…this concept is being bagged intensively in recent days, and not just religious faith. We need basic faith to make our society run. Red lights are not green. Push the up button and we expect to go up. Flick the switch and we expect light. An inspiration comes and, despite the opposition, schools are set up for the poor. Thanks, Mary!

There are many layers to, and of, faith; each presents challenges, and all meet opposition. It seems that for many people, faith is the greatest challenge to expressions of their so-called order. Hence, opposition to religious faith in so many parts of our world.

Faith needs the weapon of “the apron”. The true response of genuine faith is expressed by the sharing of possessions. I suggest that the symbolism of putting on the apron, sitting the guests down at table and serving them becomes a benchmark for we people of faith and gives us greater authority when speaking about faith.

Too many households have lost the table to gather and eat and many, indeed, have forgotten the truth of wearing the apron. Jesus himself donned the apron at the Last Supper. Mary MacKillop, in so many ways, added the apron to the call of her followers.

We, with lesser authority but with appropriate responsibility, need to wear the apron as well, as we chat about faith.

Mons Frank

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 31 July 2022

Spring cleaning.

Well, Spring is still a month away in Southern Australia but the oft used expression, “time for spring cleaning” is appropriate for this weekend reflection.

Just how many books do I need on the shelves or, for that matter, how many shirts? We southerners have to cope with four seasons so the culling of clothes and footware is perhaps more difficult, let alone tedious, compared to the thongs shorts and tops of the northern climes.

But we all need to do a spring clean every now and then.

The allure of many possessions, the concept that an abundance of possessions will guarantee a safe, long and happy life is promoted with glossy brochures and beautiful landscapes. The current debate over interest rates, inflation and financial policy is driven, in no small way, to protect possessions. All this preoccupation glosses over the truth that life is the greatest gift and events this week, e.g., the brutal hangings in Myanmar, the ongoing destruction of possessions in Ukraine, the desire of one person to scrap the prayer at the beginning of the Parliamentary Sitting of the Senate, demonstrate that possessions do not guarantee happiness, let alone a long life.

Getting the balance is difficult; that’s really the call of the readings this weekend.

We believe that life is a gift given by the source of all reality. Paul reminds us, the baptised, that we have been brought back to true life with Christ. That further gift, true life, takes time and energy to understand and to appreciate. Loads of possessions can get in the way.

Spring clean this Spring. Make it your resolution today!

Mons Frank