Faith & Mission

REFLECTION

The Gospels through the Sundays in Lent present us with the theme of transformation through encounter. 

Anne Rennie, in a reflection in the Age, wrote of a change in emphasis from ‘giving up treats for Lent’ to the challenge to take up the positive behaviours that are the hallmarks of the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. She referred to a sermon by Pope Francis on Lent.

“When you fast, fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.”

In the Lenten gospels, we have been presented with the story of the temptation of Jesus and His rejection of the trappings and symbols of human power and prestige. There was the story of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well who experiences the transforming power of Jesus through the warmth and humanity of his non-judgmental encounter with her.

In the story of the curing of the blind man, Jesus is open to an encounter with a man whom the community believed to be sinful as a consequence of his ailment. In the story, Jesus wipes the man’s eyes with his hands. It is deeply human image and it is easy to gain a sense of the transformative power that this acceptance by Jesus would have had on the man born blind.

The final gospel that I will reference is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In this story from the Gospel of John, we can observe the deep humanity of Jesus in the love and compassion that he felt for Lazarus and his two sisters Martha and Mary. At the end of the Gospel as Lazarus emerges from his tomb tied up in burial clothes, Jesus commands his disciples to “Untie him and let him go”

As we move towards the Easter Triduum, with its themes of betrayal, despair, death and finally the triumph of the resurrection, it may be a good thing to bear in mind the themes of transformation that have been with us through Lent.

As implied in the challenge of our College theme ‘Many Voices, One Community”, can we fast from the hurting words that label and condemn those who are the outcasts in our society. Can we meet in encounter with the ‘Samaritans’ of our modern era? Can we reach out to the ‘blind’ in our community with warmth and humanity? Can we untie the binds that afflict our neighbours? Can we untie binds such as poverty, homelessness, prejudice that entrap and diminish the lives of so many?

A teacher I worked with used to say ‘May the Peace of Christ disturb you’.

As we reach the end of Term One, I extend my thanks to all in our College community who have worked hard for a productive term of teaching and learning.

A well deserved holiday break awaits. I wish all a happy and holy Easter break. May it renew all in mind and body and spirit.

Yr Level Reflection Days

This term we have had two reflection days. The Year 11s gathered at Holy Cross in Templestowe and the Year 12s travelled to Amberley in Lower Plenty.

The Year 11s experienced a presentation from the Youth Mission Team. Through a program of games, role plays and personal stories the YMT engaged the students in a day of reflection on the place of God and Jesus in our daily lives. It was a fun day for the students with plenty of serious messages for them to take away.

The Year 12 reflection day took as its focal point, the 2023 College theme ‘Many Voices, One Community’.

Sr Cathy Solano offered a challenging presentation on interculturality. Her address was built on the evidence from scientists that beyond the superficial features of appearance, there are no substantial differences between members of the different racial groups that form our human family. What obscures our similarities as a human family are cultural differences. Cultural differences can be striking, but, as we can observe in our rapidly changing world, these differences are not immutable. Importantly, the things that unite diverse cultural groups and are far stronger and far more significant than the things that divide.

Fr Rob Galea, with the support of vocalist and keyboard player, Alyssa Agius, gave a presentation on finding Jesus in the maelstrom of our modern world. Fr Rob and Alyssa are excellent presenters and talented musicians. It was an engaging day in a beautiful setting by the Yarra river. 

I have been working with our wonderful College Student Leaders in the preparation of prayers and readings. It is a privilege for me to be able to gain ideas and inspiration from these positive and enthusiastic students. Friday’s mass will be a wonderful experience.

Mr Mark Hyland

Director of Faith and Mission