Catholic Identity

Reflection  

Reflection Religious Education Leader – Catholic Identity – Elizabeth Holligan

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On Thursday evening our students taking part in the Sacramental Program for 2023-2024 had their first meeting at St Mel’s Christ the King Church. Their sacramental journey commenced when they were welcomed into the Catholic Christian family through Baptism, and continues with the Sacrament of Penance and First Reconciliation on Thursday November 30. Next year they make their First Eucharist and Confirmation. 

Our readings this Sunday are about God’s forgiveness and reconciliation. 

‘Remember the last things, and stop hating, remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.’ Sirach 28:6-7

Pope Benedict (1986) wrote ‘Thus sin has become a supressed subject, but everywhere we can see that, although it is suppressed, it has nonetheless remained real.’

Reconciliation leads us to recognising truth, ‘that human beings can be healthy only when they are true and when they stop suppressing and destroying the truth.’ In reconciliation we recognise sin, where we have missed the mark in our lives, we stop supressing the truth of the world around us and recognise our part in doing away with sin. We look to seek forgiveness and to forgive others.

Jesus Christ forgave his executioners while he hung dying on the cross. His willingness to forgive is an example to us of God’s saving love. Forgiveness is not always easy, our unwillingness for forgiveness can eat away at us. When we seek forgiveness we recognise truth, the truth of God’s healing love, when we forgive we are opening up ourselves to God’s healing love. 

As our students continue of their sacramental journey we ask for your prayers for them to know the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

- Elizabeth Holligan, Religious Education Leader

Seasons of Creation

Friday, September 1, Bishop Shane is launching the Seasons of Creation at Whipstick Forest for the Sandhurst Diocese. Seasons of Creation begins with a World Day of Prayer for Creation, and concludes on October 4, Feast of St Francis of Assisi. We have been asked to action something every day as a challenge for the Seasons of Creation.