We live in a world of words thanks to modern mass media and, particularly, social media. We have seen the extremely harmful way in which words can be used in harsh judgement against other people, and the sheer vitriol of some on social media gives us pause for thought. It begs us to ask the question, ‘What do my words reveal about who I am?’ Like trees that are known by their fruit, so will the disciples be known by their words and actions, their values and attitudes, by who they truly are, by what is in their heart. Read more
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Celebrating At Home 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]
At first glance the words of Jesus seem absurd and almost impossible to follow. Should we really offer the other cheek to someone who strikes us? Are we really meant to give the rest of our clothes to someone who steals our coat? Is this what Jesus really is asking us to do? We are being invited to reflect on how we can respond to unreasonable demands and personal injuries with nothing but generosity and abandoning all claims to retribution and restitution. Read more
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Celebrating At Home 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]
Over the next three Sundays we will listen to almost the whole of Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. The sermon is quite confronting and challenging, especially those verses which form today’s Gospel reading. The Sermon begins with four blessings and four woes. At first glance it is very odd to call people who are poor, hungry, weeping and hated blessed, fortunate or happy. But we have to hear the words of Jesus in the context of the religious teaching and general thinking which belonged to his time. Read more
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Celebrating At Home 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]
As if to balance the rejection Jesus experienced in last week’s Gospel, this week’s episode tells two stories of people who welcome his message. Firstly, an enthusiastic crowd has gathered on the shore of the lake, eagerly pressing forward to hear Jesus’ teaching. He takes the unusual step of teaching from Simon’s boat. Secondly, Luke tells us that Simon and his companions are washing their nets on the shore as Jesus teaches, no doubt listening to what he has to say at the same time. Read more
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]
Join Matthew Tonini, OCarm, for the 1st of our Carmelite conversations for 2022, exploring Discernment on the Carmelite Way. The Carmelite Rule ends with a call to discernment when applying the Rule to practical living: “See that the bounds of common sense are not exceeded, however, for common sense is the guide of the virtues.”
Wednesday 2 February 10.30am-12 midday. More details and bookings here
You can download and save the scripture texts, reflections and prayers for Lectio Divina for each day of this month. Lectio Divina is a traditional way of praying the Scriptures. Visit our Lectio Divina page for more information about how to pray using Lectio Divina. Join our Lectio Online group every Friday at 10am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) to prayerfully reflect on the coming Sunday's Gospel. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Lectio Divina February 2022 for your iPhone/iPad
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Lectio Divina February 2022 PDF
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Lectio Divina February 2022 for your Kindle
Amidst what seems to be the opening of a chaotic year, there is much to concern us, both in our own local sphere and world-wide. As we draw on our faith to bring hope and direction to our lives, we take encouragement from Pope Francis’ words of Peace in his World Peace Day Message. We are not passive observers in this evolutionary story. We are also encouraged to discern and reflect on how we can contribute to world peace and peace in our neighbourhood and communities.
Read our pdf JPIC Newsletter
The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste have been able to continue to successfully run our scholarship program for women and girls during the limitations of COVID in Timor-Leste. This project specifically supports young East Timorese women who come from disadvantaged families. Without access to these scholarships, these young women would not be able to gain a higher education, and in some cases were vulnerable to dropping out of high school. More story
This Sunday’s Gospel continues Luke’s story of Jesus’ visit to his hometown. The warmth, welcome and approval with which Jesus was initially greeted soon turns into an ugly scene. At first astonished by ‘the gracious words that came from his lips’, the people can hardly believe that this message of welcome and acceptance by God could be coming from the boy they watched grow up. He is beginning to sound like a prophet, but, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ Read more
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub]
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments recently approved a new Carmelite Calendar for the Order. There are changes to the grade of various celebrations as well as their dates. In a number of cases some celebrations are now only observed in particular places rather than celebrated by the whole Order.
