I often think that what drives any organization no matter how big or small is the spirit that motivates it.

But what enables the Spirit to be a dominant force?

I believe it’s the people who build the foundation and it’s the Spirit that determines the culture that underpins the sustainability of any organization.

Like the apostles when they started the first church it began with Peter’s speech about the values and beliefs that Jesus stood for that everyone should be loved and accepted. Beliefs that called for a commitment to fellowship, sharing and celebrating together.

I believe the Early Church succeeded because firstly, all people involved felt they belonged and were appreciated. Secondly, they were passionate about their mission. Thirdly, there ideas were listened to, recognized and implemented when they were of value to the whole community. Fourthly, their talents and gifts were utilized to build community and enhance the lives of others. Finally, their achievements were celebrated and gratitude was expressed.

I also believe that the Early Church always reflected its practice and continued to evolve to ensure it didn’t become complacent but relevant to the needs of the people it serve. The apostles achieved this through prayer and the teachings of Jesus that have manifested themselves into the Church today. From a speech outside a temple to thousands of believers worldwide. Hence the message that Peter delivered was is you need the Spirit to drive people to support your beliefs and live them through your actions. Furthermore, it is only the intrinsic motivation of the Spirit that can set you free thus providing your life with meaning and purpose.

When Jesus responds to Thomas’ s reaction about his need to see him to believe he had risen from the dead how many of us could relate to falling into that trap of the need to have proof to know something will be done.

As Jesus says, “Have you believed because you have seen me?” John 21-29Hence the need to see something done to believe that it has actually happened.But why is our thinking determined by observing evidence rather than being filled with trust? I suggest there are several reasons for questioning that the outcome will be achieved.

Firstly, questions arise when the people involved that you are relying on in achieving your outcomes will they actually do what you hope they will do? Often you can make an assessment about the people in your lives and judge if they will enable you to achieve positive outcomes that will not only benefit you but others. Thus it becomes an issue of trust.

Secondly, doubts exist when what is asked to be achieved may not actually be possible. Too many times maybe what we are asking to be achieved requires a number of conditions. The timing might be wrong, the environment inappropriate or what you need to achieve your goals unavailable. Hence are you setting the bar too high?

Thirdly, who decides if the expectations of goals to be reached are at a level that is satisfactory to all stakeholders? So is your goal perceived by everyone has the best possible outcome or is everyone seeking different conclusions that are advantageous to themselves? Hence making the goals not achievable.

Finally, just like Jesus’ message to Thomas the outcomes are a result of our actions. If we doubt or begin to change our goals we are unlikely to succeed.

However if we believe and persist despite the doubts, we are making our opportunity to be successful achievable. Just like Jesus said to Thomas, “happy are those who have believed and have not seen”. I believe focus on the process and hence the doubts are alleviated and furthermore many outcomes are possible. After all isn’t this faith is about not knowing the outcome?

I have often thought during Jesus’s trial before the High Priest and later Pilate why Jesus did not try to defend himself.

The High Priest said, “What is it that they testify against you? But Jesus was silent.” Matthew 26:62-63

 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so the Governor was greatly amazed.

 So why stay silent and not defend yourself? I know if I were accused of something that I didn’t do I would fight to clear my name. So why didn’t Jesus? Did he know that his death was part of God’s plan? Or did he think that there was no point in arguing because the High Priest and Pilate had already decided his future?

It makes me think what would I do in Jesus’ position even if the evidence against me is overwhelming and the witnesses are hostile? I could argue but I know my words won’t be listened to. I could accept my consequences but I know it won’t sit with me comfortably. So what I do is suffer the consequences and live to fight for another day. Most importantly I learn from the experience and build on that for the next time.

Unfortunately, for Jesus there wasn’t a next time as he was crucified on a cross. Fortuitously three days later he rose from the dead and his mission that he challenged his disciples to continue was taken up and lives on in Christian Churches today. What an incredible legacy to die for your beliefs that are now respected by millions of people throughout the world. Furthermore the crucifixion is a message of hope as for all us from pain and suffering you have to believe there will always be a resurrection.

In last week’s gospel, John 2:13-25, Jesus angrily drives the moneychangers and animals out of the temple. The question is what was Jesus’ intent in reacting violently to the activity in the temple?

I think Jesus was trying to change the way activities proceeded in the temple. He saw the temple as sacred belonging to God not for buying and selling in order to line the pockets of the moneychangers.

Often I believe people get angry when they think someone should act in a certain way but they behave in a totally contrary manner. Hence, Jesus by his actions wanted to highlight that when we act purely for our own selfish gain we are ignoring God’s presence and not including others in our life. Furthermore we must have the courage of our convictions so we can live according to our beliefs even if it requires a public stance.

Therefore Jesus was strongly advocating that if our intention is to include God in our lives we must respect the sacred and our motives must be purely selfless and not self-seeking.

Recently, I read a contemporary version of the 10 commandments I would just like to make a short comment about them, as I really like how they relate to the challenges we confront in everyday life.

Make your faith in God the most important thing in your life.

I believe if God were your number one priority the way you live your life would be filled with strong relationships with all of God’s creation. If you value humanity and creation accordingly the benefits will be great.

Use God’s name in the proper way.

By respecting God’s name we appreciate the special and sacred nature of God in our life.

Make Sunday a day to worship God

Reserve a special time for God demonstrates how important God is in our lives.

Love and respect your parents and follow their rules.

This is a great way to show how much you listen, love and appreciate what your parents have done for you.

Be kind to the people and animals God has made and care for the environment.

Caring for our cosmos ensures the world continues to be vibrant for future generations.

Look after and care for your own body.

I believe we are all Made in the Image of God. Hence, you should always regard your body as a temple of the Lord so if you harm it in anyway you are causing damage to God’s creation.

Take care of other peoples’ things – don’t take what doesn’t belong   you.

I would contend that we are called to share our lives and belongings with others and not be self-seeking.

Tell the truth.

Honesty I would claim prevents many problems for everyone down the track.

Keep your thoughts and words respectful.

Always treat people how you would like to be treated is the golden rule that everyone can aspire to.

Be happy with the things you have.

I have thought that when we feel content we are far more capable of giving to others.

I just thought i would give a brief summary about the colours that define the liturgical year  of the Church.

White or Gold

Since it is a festive, joyful colour, is used during the Christmas and Easter seasons,  and on major feast days. Because white symbolises the Resurrection, it is also the colour often used for funerals.

Purple or Violet

 Symbolizes repentance and penance.Vestments of purple or violet are used during Lent or Advent.

Green

Is the colour of growth, life and hope. It is worn during ordinary time.

Red

Is the colour that is used on Passion (Palm) Sunday,Pentecost Sunday, and for celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is also the colour that has traditionally been associated with martyrs those who have shed their blood for their faith and so it is worn on the feast days of martyrs.

Rose

Rose is an optional colour that may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent. On both of these days, the Entrance Antiphon calls us to rejoice, so the rose vestments mark a softening of the penitential tone of the season.

Prayer Table

Prayer

 What is prayer?

Saint Augustine called prayer communication or talking with God.

Prayer is a living relationship with God.

At the heart of this relationship is communication, a sense that we are speaking to God as a friend.

Making time

When we pray to God think of it as a conversation with a friend.

It is important that we take our time and not feel rushed or distracted.

That like a friendship we build a relationship by communicating on a regular basis.

And we share our deepest hopes and desires.

Prayer is Communication with God

It is important to pray so that we can share our lives with God. Just as friends become intertwined in each other’s lives by sharing the stories & events that matter to them, praying helps us that God is active in our lives. We always have the opportunity to engage in conversation with God.

Prayer is Trust in God

 By putting our hopes and fears before God in prayer we are trusting that God will care for us.

Deep sharing on a personal level is the mark of a true friendship.

God seeks an open and trusting relationship in prayer.

Prayer is God Speaking to Us.

 How does God speak to us?

God speaks to us through silence that involves faith.

God answers our prayers it may not always in the way we expect but what prayer does is give us hope.

Ways of Praying

 Liturgical Prayer

 Prayer can be formal, such as prayers of the Mass that are part of the ritual. The Eucharist is the greatest prayer where we meet Christ in a relationship.

All the prayers of the Mass are said the same way at the same time.

For example,

through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours, Almighty Father,

for ever and ever.

 We also say prayers in Mass that we use outside of the ritual. For example the Our Father.

It is called the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus taught it to his disciples when hey asked him how to pray.

Personal Prayer

Personal Prayer is an expression of our relationship with God.

Prayer can also be private and meditative.

Often people seek out a quiet place to be alone and communicate with God without distractions. What is valued in this prayer is silence.

Communal Prayer

 Communal Prayer unites individuals in the community with God.A powerful aspect of community life.

An opportunity for a group to come together and ask for God’s blessing and protection and give thanks.  Examples at school are class and staff prayer.

Types of Prayer

Blessing- recognises the close relationship between God and humanity by acknowledging God’s presence.

Eg. “Dear God, be with us as we enjoy our meal.”

Adoration-Expresses deep love of God, especially to Jesus present in the Eucharist.

Eg. “Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” Eph 3:20

Petition-a prayer for help that comes out of genuine need.

Eg I pray for my family and their needs.

Intercession-When we ask for something on the behalf of someone else.

Eg We pray for our Church leaders give them strength and wisdom.

Thanksgiving– this simply means thanking God.

Eg Thank you God for your wonderful creation.

Praise-recognises the power and majesty of God.

Praise you God for your beatiful sunset.

Traditional Prayer-The Rosary

 One of the most recognisable prayers for Catholics is the Rosary. The Rosary was introduced and developed in the13th Century by the Dominicans it is made up of the

Our Father, Hail Mary and various shorter prayers said in a regular pattern.

The rosary is composed of twenty mysteries that trace the life of Jesus and Mary.

For each mystery ten Hail Marys are said preceded by an Our Father. At the conclusion of each decade a Glory be to the Father is said.

One of the things that makes the rosary so recognisable are rosary beads.

These beads are arranged in a circle and are used during the prayer.

The Apostles’ Creed is said on Crucifix, the Our Father is said on each of the large beads and the Hail Mary on each of the small beads.

The Glory Be is said after the three Hail Marys at the beginning of the Rosary, and after each group of small beads.

Particularly, in the early days when their was no priest they said the Rosary in place of the mass.

“For you do not know when the time will come. “Mark 13:33

When someone dies no one can prepare us for the emotions we experience at the lost. The numbness, the anger and the hurt that culminates with the tears that well up in your eyes.Words cannot express your feelings and all you are left with are the memories and the desire to meet them again in the afterlife.

One thing I am indeed grateful about is that I do not know the time when someone close to me will pass. I think if I knew that I would never let them out of my sight because I couldn’t bear the pain.

However, when someone close to me has passed I have learnt to make the loss manageable by through the memories contained in their articles of clothing, favourite places and TV shows. So when someone dies for me they are only a memory away. This is what always keeps them alive in my heart.

‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’  Matthew 25:37-39

 In this week’s Gospel Matthew implores us all to welcome the stranger. I believe however that it is also important to recognize that there are many who go about their everyday life doing these acts of kindness.

So the question is what prevents everyone from answering this call?  Is it my own prejudices and fears or I just don’t want to be involved I have enough going on in my own life? Or because people are not like me or don’t have what I have do I feel superior and sometimes make a judgment call, “everyone has the same opportunity because they have chosen unwisely now they can suffer the consequences.”

Nevertheless those arguments don’t stand up as Jesus is clearly calling me to live the Gospel and therefore I am required to help others.  So even when I would prefer not to have a conversation with someone or do something I really don’t want to do I know a few kind words or actions can make someone’s day. Subsequently when I see a need through an act of kindness I can make that person feel good about themselves.

 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach”.  Matthew 23:1-3

My interpretation of what Jesus was stating to the crowd was that you need to backup your words with your actions. Sometimes it is all too easy to blame others for how I act but that does not absolve me of the way I engage with them. It is important for me to realize that my actions are a result of my emotions and they also effect how others react.

I suggest the key is forming positive relationships that can cope with negative reactions towards me and assist me in building up resilience. It determines my ability to manage difficult circumstances and not regret the way I act.Furthermore assisting me in demonstrating with people I am consistent and trustworthy and hence people know they can approach me with confidence. Consequently trying to practice what the scriptures teach.

In conclusion I think it is vital for me to critically reflect on what I do everyday. I believe it helps me to focus on the day and how I can do things better while celebrating the successes. Furthermore when reviewing the day I challenge myself to look through another persons lens and acknowledge were my actions compassionate and fair.