There are a few interesting things about Jesus' dialogues with his opponents. The first is that it is a dialogue. Jesus does not refuse to talk with them, even when he is aware that they want to trap him. The second is that he never shouts down his opponents. The third is that when Jesus is confronted with a trap-question that requires a 'yes/no', or 'either/or', answer, his answer is 'both'. We could benefit from these more inclusive approaches in our own lives and certainly in the political and social life of our country. Read more
Early next year Fr Wayne Stanhope will complete his ministry as Prior and Parish Priest at Coorparoo (QLD) and move to Port Melbourne (VIC) to begin studies to become a professional Pastoral Supervisor. At the same time, Fr Martinho Da Costa (Wentworthville, NSW) will move to Coorparoo to be the new Prior of the Carmelite Community and Parish Priest and Fr Januario Pinto (Coorparoo) will move to Wentworthville as Assistant Priest, replacing Martinho. These changes were announced recently by Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial). Best wishes to all 3 brothers in their new roles and ministries in 2021.
Another attempt to trap Jesus is contained in the Gospel this Sunday. Opinions and arguments about which was the greatest commandment were common among the Pharisees and questions about it were frequently asked of rabbis. Clearly, those who asked this question of Jesus were trying to disconcert or ‘wrong foot’ Jesus in an attempt to discredit him with his reply. Once again, Jesus does not cleverly sidestep the question; he goes right to the heart of the matter. Read more & download Lectio Divina for this Sunday.
Celebrating At Home for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF
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Join us via Zoom for this fascinating look at some poems and writings of John Henry Newman. Newman (1801 – 1890) was an English convert to Catholicism, later made a Cardinal. His motto when he became a Roman Catholic was Heart Speaks to Heart. He is the first English person born since the 17th century to be canonised as a saint. It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is no saint – indeed any historical figure – we know so much about. Thousands (literally) of his letters to friends, relatives, the newspapers, are available to read. He was a very ‘public figure’ virtually from his early days at Oxford.
Tuesday 20 October at 4.30pm (AEDT) via Zoom. Read more & register.
As it was in Jesus' day 2,000 years ago, so it is today. Taxes are an integral part of life in society. We have a sense that paying taxes is about providing funds for the common good: bridges, roads, health care, education and so on. Paying taxes is the subject of this Sunday's Gospel. The difference, however, is that in Jesus' day taxes were levied by the Romans, a foreign occupying power, not a democratically elected government. People paid taxes on absolutely everything to do with daily life. The Romans certainly did build bridges, roads, baths and aqueducts in Jerusalem. But the vast bulk of the taxes went back to Rome without bringing any benefit to the people. Read more
What is on display in this story from Matthew’s Gospel is not Jesus’ clever reply, but the image of God he presents. Even knowing the plot of the Pharisees and Herodians, Jesus does not refuse to enter into dialogue with them. He is the Word of God always willing to be in conversation with human beings, even those plotting against him. Read more & download Lectio Divina for this Sunday.
Celebrating At Home for 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF
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Born in Avila in Spain in 1515 Teresa entered the Carmelites and eventually made great progress in her spiritual journey. Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother. She also helped in the reform of the friars with Saint John of the Cross. She wrote books which are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences. She died at Alba de Tormes in 1582. In 1970 Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. Read more
"Prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends." - St Teresa of Jesus.
At a recent Papal Audience, Pope Francis said, "We need the spirit of Elijah" and described him as “one of the most compelling characters in the whole of Sacred Scripture.” Carmelites regard Elijah as our spiritual father, so Pope Francis' words about him resonate deeply with us.
Focusing on Elijah’s prayer life, Pope Francis underlined how prayer and contemplation sustained the Prophet not only in moments of great success but also in the face of adversity and persecution. Read more & see video.
Last Sunday Pope Francis issued a new encyclical letter. It’s a rather long document which calls for a new way of thinking and acting as we approach the task of building a post-COVID world. The document is based on the idea of fraternity. Fraternity is also a common theme in Carmelite spirituality. It isn’t just about the idea of recognising that others are our brothers and sisters. It’s also about actually thinking and acting like a brother or sister to others – to treat them with care and great respect, as though they were equal members of our family. Read more.
The third of the parables addressed to the chief priests and the elders is our Gospel today. Told in the context of a wedding feast given by a great King it’s a parable in three parts. The first part is about God’s gracious invitation and its indifferent and sometimes violent refusal by those invited first (the religious and lay leaders). Second part: God’s invitation having been rejected by the first to whom it was offered, is now offered to others. Third part: the guest without a wedding garment. Read more & download Lectio Divina for this Sunday.
Celebrating At Home for 28 Sunday in Ordinary Time PDF
Celebrating At Home for 28 Sunday in Ordinary Time EPUB
