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Here you will find a range of resources that we have produced and continue to publish.
We now publish weekly Gospel reflections in see-judge-act format on our Cardijn Reflections Substack.
https://reflections.josephcardijn.com
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Well it, 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 footwear 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 cleaning, 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, financial policy, is driven in no small way to protest possessions. All this preoccupation glosses over the truth that Life is the greatest gift and as events this week, e.g. the brutal hangings in Myanmar, the ongoing destruction of possessions in the 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
READINGS
This question was addressed to the former Governor-General, Chief of the Defence Force by Greg Sheridan in his book “Christians“.
The concept of prayer, full stop, has always been under attack…sometimes rightly so, but the desire to be in touch with “the Other” has been a feature of all major Religious Organisations and Faiths. It has withstood countless assaults in the past and will survive the current “hoo-ha” following the recent data release of the Australian Census .
The desire to “pray” is often accompanied by the sentiment of one of the disciples read in todays’ Gospel “Lord, teach us to pray”. [Luke II:1-13]
“I pray for the kids, the grand kids, for the government — I want them to get things right“ was part of Cosgrove’s answer.
In some manner, his answer was similar to that of Jesus …..Jesus outlined areas of life that we should remember, mull over, think about and utter. Even He was a little short of detail on how to do it …..or was He?
Just as all are not called to be another Abraham, let alone one of the great psalmists, or a blessed contemplative, we are all called to raise our mind and voice to “pray for the kids , the grandkids“ and to also petition for the growth of God’s way in our world, for bread for the hungry and the many other needs including the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If we feel able, then there are those gifted by the same Spirit that can lead us into deeper prayer; be it the Ignatian or Benedictine or Franciscan sponsored traditions; be it the centring or contemplative tradition; let alone the now popular meditation process.
All ways ,processes, formularies are good. Each to their own.
But let us all begin and make it a daily habit by just keep saying “ thanks for all that happens each day “.
Mons Frank
READINGS
Driving through a suburban shopping centre last Thursday, I noticed a sign “Martha’s Diner“ and I immediately pondered “did Martha have such a sign in Bethany?” Her observation that she had no-one to help her prepare the food, would be echoed by many owners of hospitality venues today.
What we do know is that this house in Bethany was a place of hospitality.
Our readings ask us to ponder the importance of hospitality in our lives.
Paul picks up the great truth of the gospel:
“the mystery is Christ among you.” [Paul 1; 24-28].
The encounter in Bethany is two-fold. One, the importance of being invited in for the meal . The second, listening to what is happening at the meal.
Abraham prefigured this concept of meal. He prepared the “goodies”. He had help – Sarah. Then he remained standing near the guests under the tree, the great Oak of Mamre! The message he eventually received was of utmost importance to the ancient Patriarchal community and is still the great desire in many societies today ………
“Your wife will then have a son.” [Gen: 18].
Some sections of our society views things a little differently, though some couples still desire greatly to have a child.
Mary wished to hear the message. Years later, she and Martha must have pondered this particular meal and Paul’s statement, the Christ among them.
The meal today, around the table whether filled with home-made or take-away is still the place for the two encounters – receiving human hospitality and waiting the fullness of divine abundance.
How we translate this to Sunday Eucharist is still the big challenge. Judas missed the message, Thomas took some time, the rest started to gather with the other Mary and, slowly but surely, received the WORD.
So too for us.
Let us enter the open door on Sunday – and like Mary, patiently await the revelation of the “rich glory of this Mystery.“
[Paul 1:24-28]
Mons Frank
READINGS
Does the Holy Spirit have a sense of humour?
Consider ………This week the census data was received with great glee by certain sectors of the media. Religion at last is finished as a defining presence in Australia. The implication? God is finished!
Consider……….The second and presumably the final session of the Plenary Council commences in Sydney this Sunday evening.
Consider ………The implications of sending the 72 out in pairs, with the explicit command to greet people with the words “Peace to this House” . [Luke: 10]
In setting the date for this final session, I’ll guess no-one in the planning department anticipated the census data being released, let alone looked at the readings for this particular Sunday. School holidays might have been a prime consideration.
Who knows? But maybe, just MAYBE the Holy Spirit knew!
Luke in recent weeks has given us three accounts of what we may now call in the broad sense “Synodality”.
Other readings today emphasise. Rejoicing. Gladness. Delight.
Paul reminds us that we can (and indeed do) boast about the knowledge of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed a mouthful!
Speculatively …..the Holy Spirit may have brought all this together. It is after all, our duty to read the signs of the times.
Let us pray today that the Plenary Council will be good for Australia .….Religion is meant to enhance goodness in society.
Let us pray that the Plenary Council will enhance the role of the 72 .…….72 are waiting to be called and sent.
Let us pray that the Plenary Council will be productive and enable us to………“cry out with Joy to God all the Earth”. [Psalm 65:1]
Mons Frank
PS. Thanks to all who have sent messages on the occasion of my Diamond Jubilee as a Priest this week and the award of the OAM.
I will reply, but it will take some time .
READINGS
Just by way of background. Liturgically speaking. ……..
We have celebrated the great feasts of the Birth of Jesus …. then his Passion, Death and Resurrection, and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit.
In the past two weeks. The Liturgy, in a sense reinforces the principle truths of our faith that stem from these celebrations:
Now we are plunged back to Ordinary time. Time when we are challenged to live out what we have heard.
We enter Ordinary time with Luke’s Gospel this Sunday at a turning point in the Life of Jesus [Luke 9:51-62]
“Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem“
We enter his journey with what might be described at a time when we say “you can’t please all the people all the time.”
Some may see the incidents related as rather harsh. The image of the Good Shepherd stoically leaving the 99 to find the lost one is confronted by
”leave the dead to bury the dead” or “they went off to another village“.
We need to pray these incidents with a full understanding of the serious nature of this journey. It is not a nice walk around the pleasant field of Galilee. He is off to Jerusalem. Confrontation, condemnation is heading his way because he has proclaimed and continues to proclaim the way of the Kingdom of God. The powers that be in Jerusalem do not wish to hear those words. After all, as he himself said when he wept over the city ”You who murder the Prophets”.
Yet he must of to Jerusalem. He must keep proclaiming the Kingdom.
So there is anxiety in his voice and urgency in his actions.
Basically he is saying “are you with me?”.
So for ourselves, it is a call to get on the road with Jesus, to recognise the importance of the call to be part of the Kingdom and to make sure that we put our shoulder to the plough and ……not turn back.
Let us not be like the Samaritans mentioned today. Always be hospitable!
Mons Frank
READINGS
“He has filled the hungry with good things.”
[Luke 1:53]
I am not sure what Mary was thinking when she spoke these words in the presence of Elizabeth. The general context was praise for the good deeds of the God of Israel towards and for the people of the Covenant. There are many recorded incidents of “food” being available. Just recently in the weekday readings, we recalled the great interaction between the widow preparing the last meal for her son and herself, and the arrival of the grand prophet Elijah.
“Jar of meal shall not be spent
Jug of oil shall not be emptied.”
[1 Kings:17]
The concept of the loving God caring for and providing “food for the journey “ is never lost in the words of the Old Testament. Even in the midst of the awful deeds recorded. Often so similar to what is before us in the Ukraine and in Myanmar at the moment, some understanding of “God will provide“ remains – and indeed shines forth.
A feature of true and complete Christianity is what we Catholics call the Eucharist. This truth raises the concept of food for the journey to an undreamed-of level .It is one thing and laudable to participate in Foodshare or night shelter programmes …….but how do we feed the inner person?
The Eucharist, following the taking, blessing, breaking and giving is our answer. Understanding the significance is a work of a lifetime. Whilst being committed to uttering “My Lord and My God“ each time we receive, none-the-less our lack of understanding does not prevent us from benefiting by the reception.
Reception brings with it a further responsibility as the Twelve discovered in todays incident; they are to do likewise! So too for us.
This unique act to complement fine words sets our faith apart. We humans need food for the body and spirit. Only then will we be on the path to satisfying our quest for union with the Good Lord. We are the people called to be today “the someone who should do something about that“ .
“Give them something to eat yourselves”
[Matthew 14:16]
Mons Frank
READINGS
Here we are already in the fifth and final week of our Lenten reflection program, If today you hear his voice.
The Zoom registration link, which is the same as previous weeks. No need to register again if you registered earlier. Welcome to join, even if you haven’t participated earlier!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-2rrDgjGtfGxG8y7b3z3UhGz586wawL
Readings for the Fifth Week are here:
Or click here to download the program in PDF format.
Please read ahead of time if you get a chance!
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Fourth week of our Lenten reflection program, If today you hear his voice.
Here is the Zoom registration link, which is the same as previous weeks. No need to register again if you registered earlier.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-2rrDgjGtfGxG8y7b3z3UhGz586wawL
Readings for the Fourth Week are here:
Or click here to download the program in PDF format.
Please read ahead of time if you get a chance!
PHOTO
Return of the prodigal son-Clémence Sophie de Sermezy / Wikipedia / Museum of Grenoble
Already the Third Week of our Lenten reflection program, If today you hear his voice.
Here is the Zoom registration link, which is the same as previous weeks. No need to register again if you registered earlier.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-2rrDgjGtfGxG8y7b3z3UhGz586wawL
Readings for the Third Week are here:
Or click here to download the program in PDF format.
Please read ahead of time if you get a chance!
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