Let Lent be a time for renewal

One of my favourite stage shows is Les Miserable. This stirring story about a man's fall from grace, and then redemption, is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. It is a timeless story but the author of the book upon which it is based, Victor Hugo, also penned words of wisdom which apply acros the ages.

One of his sayings, which struck a chord with me over this weekend, was: "The future has several names. For the weak it is the impossible. For the faint-hearted, it is the unknown. For the thoughtful and valiant, it is the ideal."

At this time of year, which in the Catholic tradition is the season known as Lent, I am mindful of the need to hold on to, and pursue, the ideal; a better world, a better life, a better me!

With another working week about to begin, I am mindful that Lent is a time to become more attuned to the Lord working in my life. I find myself asking "How - and where - can I make a difference?" "How can I be of service and demonstrative of my faith?" "How am I resistant to the Lord's call on my time, talent and treasure?"

Whether you believe in God or not, whether you practise your faith or not, I pray that the next 30-plus days will be a time of struggle but also breakthrough. And after it all, may the Lord touch your life with joy and contentment.
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Time to consider legacy of our first Saint

The news that the Vatican has set a date for the Mass that will mark the creation of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop, will no doubt cause a huge sigh of relief among travel agents, tour operators and other ancillary services associated with the ‘business side’ of canonisation.

But set aside the actual event in October for a moment and it’s timely to ask just what having a national saint will mean for our country? What will be the long-term legacy of this pioneering woman’s elevation to sainthood?

Call me a wishful thinker but I hope there will be two key areas where we will see a transformation in one another’s hearts, minds and behaviours of Australians, post October. They will include our willingness to share our time, through volunteering, and our desire to offer financial support to those less fortunate.

The need for volunteers has never been greater. Scratch the surface of any community group or charity and you will find a need for people to give of themselves in some small, but practical way. Whether it’s patrolling the beaches as a Lifesaver, being involved in a local church or delivering Meals on Wheels, the opportunities for serving others are widespread. To quote Mary again: “Work on with the means placed at your disposal.”

In my capacity as the Director of a church agency assigned with the task of raising money to support the Catholic Church’s missionary efforts overseas (and in remote parts of Australia), the biggest pay-off I’m hoping for will be increased donations. More donations means that more lives can be changed! After all, to again quote the woman of the moment: “God loves courageous and generous souls.”

Just as Mary MacKilliop set about providing education for young children, and caring for those involved in prostitution, so many of the programs our donors support have similar focus. If people are moved b y her example, to open up their hearts and wallets, the long-term impact will be massive.

Imagine an Australian community where people regularly, and consistently, share a portion of their pay-packet with a charity of their choice? Imagine if every adult Australian took up the opportunity to give a few hours each week to a local charity or community group. You don’t have to be a Catholic to follow in Mary’s saintly footsteps!

This brings me to a third pointer about the impending canonisation of Mary MacKillop. While the ceremonies in Rome, and the ensuing festivities back here, will be joyous occasions for all those involved, there is no doubt that Mary’s life – as an advocate for the poor, a champion for change and her willingness to challenge authority - is one that should inspire us all. This is why the Roman Catholic Church goes to a lot of trouble to identify certain individuals as worthy of being called ‘saint’ – to remind us of what we are truly capable of!

In Brisbane, Mary MacKillop has been nominated by the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, John Bathersby, as the “patron” for the Archdiocese (a geographic region bounded by Hervey Bay in the north, Gatton in the west and Burleigh Heads in the south). Hopefully, this will provoke greater reflection on both the words and deeds of Mary Mackillop, in the months ahead. Most importantly, however, it reminds us that in a world wracked by evil, the challenge is now up to us to do something. For as Mary herself reminds us: “Never see an evil without seeing how you may remedy it.”
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Families provide strength and support

A man donates some money to a charity, as a way of expressing his gratitude for the support his place of employment provided to him and his family, while his wife battled terminal cancer. It may sound complicated but the simplicity of this gesture is truly inspiring.

Earlier today, I had the privilege of addressing some of the colleagues and other people at this particular place of employment. The man - whom I have met previously -was there too. My role was to simply say thanks: thanks to him, for the donation; thanks to those he worked with, for the support they provided; and thanks, on behalf of those who will benefit from such generosity.

In expressing my thanks, I drew on the imagery of family. The place of employment was one family; the husband, wife and son they supported was another; and the people who will benefit from the support were all part of the global family. It's a powerful notion because, like any family, when one person is suffering, all members suffer. When someone is sick, or hungry, or impoverished, or persecuted, we all have to deal with it and carry the load.

But that's the strength of families isn't it? When one is up, others are there to share the joy. When someone is down, others are there to lend support and concern. Whether we are brothers or sisters, parents or children, our strength lies in our unity and being in relationship with one another. As Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's once said: "None of us is as good as all of us."
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In the forgiving, we receive

"Please forgive me, if I act a little strange..." Dave Gray

We are all in need of forgiveness. Whether it's ourselves we need to be gentle with, or someone else that we need to extend mercy too, forgiveness is a precious commodity. When we adopt an attitude of forgiveness, our life becomes so much easier.

Forgiveness is a way of recognising that sometimes, we - or others - stuff up! When we forgive we are acknowledging that indeed, this too shall pass: whether it's the hurt or the anger, the bitterness or the sadness, we remind ourselves that it doesn't have to always be this way.

Forgiveness is a noun but it's actually more of an action. We for-give - we give up, we give out. And when we give - be it mercy, compassion, understanding - we discover that we actually receive a whole lot more in return.
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Light on the Edge of Darkness

Mel Gibson's new film is an interesting beast: he plays a cop (nothing new there) pursuing those responsible for the death of his daughter (this is a new twist). It's a movie that features the violence one has come to expect from a Gibson flick but it also has a heart.

In one exchange, Ray Winstone's character tells Gibson's grieving father character: "I've never had kids but I'm not sure which is worse - to not have children or to have them and see them die." It's the loss of a child that drives Craven (Gibson) and also which underpins this comeback vehicle for the now much maligned actor.

As a father who has buried his daughter, I responded to Edge of Darkness in a way that I didn't expect. To come home and have my wife, Celena, then share about her research into medical options for our son, Brodie, was a challenging juxtaposition.

Like Gibson, I grieve for what I have lost. Unlike his character, who discovers he has little to live for, I look inside the bedroom down the hall and see a whole lot of living to be experienced.

Sometimes, when you live on the edge of darkness, even the smallest light of hope shines brightly.
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