Faith and Religion

A Warming Light

We began our "Day of Joy" around a warming campfire together. We then headed up to the library to share a time of prayer. As we gathered in the chill of winter, we were warmed by the glow of our campfire and brought the light of our campfire to out prayer represented by our candle. We celebrated the joy of the Holy Spirit burning brightly inside us, bringing love, joy, peace and kindness. We are reminded that we are each a unique creation, God’s masterpiece.

In what ways can we spread light, joy and the warmth of love in our families and communities? 

To recognise, to reconcile, to receive

As part of NAIDOC week St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday. Here is an excerpt from Archbishop Peter Comensoli's homily:

God’s children of this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, both ancient and recent, are planted in this presence of God, who is with us, and always has been. We are, together, generative from God, whose Spirit animates us and gives us his life. Jesus Christ bears this same yoke, guiding us to opening our hearts to the gift of the ancient cultures and traditions that have shaped our land and country for more than 60,000 years. Our country—and our peoples, all of us—is called to be a land of hope and light, of reconciliation and belonging, in a world and at a time desperately in need of respect and peace.

There is work to do, in this regard. Recognition is still to be realised. Walking together remains a challenge. Burdens continue to be carried inequitably. But it is Jesus Christ who can lift for us these burdens, giving us the courage to persevere in faith and hope.

As St John Paul said to our Indigenous people on that remarkable day in November 1986:

The Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.

This remains our common task in Christ’s Spirit: to recognise, to reconcile, to receive.