Faith & Mission

Reflection

In last week’s reflection in the Parent Newsletter, I pondered the question “Is Ordinary ordinary?”

As if in response, last Sunday’s gospel offered this parable:

Jesus said,

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,

or what parable can we use for it?  

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,

is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants

and puts forth large branches,

so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

We live in a restless world.  A world where we are drawn to politicians who trumpet plans that will immediately and painlessly make us ‘great again’.  We follow influencers, sports stars and celebrities who appear to achieve overnight wealth and fame.

So, what about the simple mustard seeds of Jesus’ parable?  Do they reach mighty heights?

It turns out that mustard seeds typically grow into small plants, not trees.  There is a black mustard (Brassica nigra) which is a large annual plant that can grow up to 3 metres tall with a woody stem.  Where the Black Mustard is native, the seeds really are an important food source for many small seed eating species of birds, and flocks of birds can sometimes be found all over fields of mustard.

Did this parable tell those who listened to Jesus speak, that the Kingdom of God was not a simple replacement of the might of the Roman Empire with a Holy Jewish Empire, or indeed a Holy Roman Empire? 

Does this parable speak to us about the ‘ordinary’ of true greatness?

Think of those relationships in our lives that have grown to provide us with true sustenance.  Most likely these relationships began like the mustard seed.  Small.  Full of potential but needing the elements of nurture to help them to grow. 

No-one will write an epic novel about these relationships.  Steven Spielberg will not buy the rights.  There will be no Netflix serial garnering millions of viewers.

The relationships that are most dear to us take place in the ordinariness of daily life.  Black mustard plants, not towering mountain ash.  Plants that sustain us.  That are welcoming to all.  That are accessible to all. 

When we pray the Lord’s prayer we say ‘Thy Kingdom come’.  We are not calling for Empires.  We are committing ourselves to relationships with our fellow humans that will grow and grow and grow.

Bon Voyage to Fr Peter Varengo

Fr Peter has supported liturgy at Academy for over 20 years.  There are so many wonderful stories that can be told of Fr Peter’s involvement with the College. 

Through the Covid Lockdowns, Fr Peter worked with us to ensure that key liturgical moments like the Mercy Day Mass and the Year 12 Graduation Mass could be present 

on- line.

Fr Peter would often travel to Italy to visit his mother and family.  On a number of occasions, these visits coincided with an Academy pilgrimage to Rome.  Fr Peter would drive over 200km to say Mass for our Academy pilgrims in St Peter’s Basilica.  Such a highlight.

Fr Peter is now taking an extended visit to his family in Italy.  We wish him all the best for his travels.  He will return to join us for our final College Mass and then our Staff Mass at the end of the year.

Fr Michael McEntee and Fr Kevin McIntosh will say our College Masses through Term 3.

Finally, I want to thank all students, teachers and parents who have supported the faith life of College.

I wish everyone a safe, relaxing and happy holiday. 

Mark Hyland

Director of Faith and Mission