Mission
When I woke this morning there was a hint of autumn in the air. After a summer of extremes – fire, heat and storm activity - it is a welcome relief to know that the cooler weather is coming. Along with this change in the seasons of the calendar year is the change of season in our liturgical year. Next week Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent. The origins of this Season are not completely clear. The first official reference to the distribution of ashes does not occur until 1091, and the name Ash Wednesday only dates from the sixteenth century, though the Lenten fast began on this day from the 7th century. Regardless of the origins, we know that this is a significant time when we are encouraged to focus on our own lives, refresh and take stock as we lead into the most important time of Easter.
At St Greg’s, our Year 12 students take responsibility for leading liturgies in each of our classrooms from Kindergarten to Year 11. Part of this liturgy is a reflection on the Scripture reading of the day from the Gospel of Matthew:
Make certain you do not perform your religious duties in public so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. When you help a needy person, do it in secret so that even your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter and your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
When you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
When you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. When you go without food, wash your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are fasting – only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
Before receiving the ashes, the reflection requires us to reflect on certain questions and answer them honestly to ourselves. We are then ready to receive the ashes as a reminder that we need to be shaken out of our easy ways; that we need to repent and take positive steps to become better people and to become closer to God.
Do I try to pray every day?
Do I make time to celebrate Mass and receive the Eucharist?
Do I take the time to reflect and think about my faith and my relationship with God?
Am I obedient, respectful and compassionate to others?
Am I honest?
Am I grateful for the many blessings in my life?
Have I forgiven all who have wronged me?
Do I treat my companions, colleagues and fellow students with respect?
Do I listen to God and consider what he wants me to do with my one precious life?
Have I been patient, kind, gentle, and self-controlled?
When my conscience tells me to do something good, do I do it or do I ignore it?
Am I Christ-like in my actions?
Do I help others to be their best selves?
During the Season of Lent, the Church also requires us to be people of penance - by prayer, works of piety and charity, and fast and abstinence on the days commanded. The days of penance are each Friday of the whole year, and the season of Lent. We should select the form of penance which helps us to personally grow as a Christian. This may be prayer (Mass attendance; family prayer; a visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible; making the Stations of the Cross; praying the Rosary), self-denial (not eating meat; not eating sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to spend time with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to the poor of one’s own country), and/or helping others (special attention to someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or overburdened). The days of fasting and abstinence from meat are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
At St Greg’s we encourage the students to add Friday Mass to their prayer commitments, to keep the Lenten promise which they made on Ash Wednesday and to commit to fundraising and acts of community service and social justice. Our Lenten Appeal activities are good examples of these.
Let us pray that with all Christians we may be guided and strengthened through this Lenten season. May we live our lives in gratitude and generosity, open to wherever the Spirit will lead us on our wild and precious journey.
Mrs Cathie Clarke
Director of Mission