On The Journey This Week: Bishop Brian Mascord’s Pentecost reflection; the tongues of fire are out there in the congregation. Mother Hilda’s elephant story. Plus, Pat Keady on Barnabas the encourager, Trish McCarthy on freedom & authenticity and Deacon Josh Clayton about proclaiming Jesus today.

Gospel Reflection–Bishop Brian Mascord– The Tongues of Fire Are Out There (The spirit breathed on the disciples in the gospel has also been breathed on us at our baptism at our confirmation and we must be driven out to proclaim the gospel message to the world. Bishop Brian shares an experience that he had when celebrating confirmation in a parish. When asking the children about Pentecost, one child said that each of the disciples spoke their own language, they didn’t suddenly learn a new language, but rather through the power of God, everyone was able to understand what was being said. When Bishop Brian then asked about the tongues of fire, that same child responded with the most powerful answer that he had ever heard. The tongues of fire were out there, and he pointed to the congregation. Everyone sitting in the church, each one of us was a tongue of fire, because the spirit was alive in us and called us to be that identified identifiable sign of God's presence.)

Milk & Honey–Trish McCarthy–Effects of the Son (Trish says that in summertime she comes alive, thanks to being bathed in sunlight that is power for the soul as it warms, strengthens and enlivens the body. Being in the Sun has an effect on us to the extent that people notice and comment or ask questions. So, the question this week surrounds our spiritual life. Does your time in the presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have such an effect on you that you are changed to the point that people, even strangers, stop to comment on the transformation? Just by being in God's presence, the spirit of God works deeply in us, driving transformation from the inside to the outer limits of our being. This transformation becomes visible to others, so, start your journey of transformation through the Son this very day and be awed by God.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–He Knows (Mother Hilda recounts the story of a primary school teacher who wanted to get to know her students better by asking them to complete the sentence, I wish my teacher knew . . . . The answers made a huge difference in the way she treated the children, and in turn it made a huge difference in their levels of tolerance and understanding within the class. Mother Hilda wonders if we all knew what others want us to know if that would change our attitude to them. What if we knew what God knew, would things be different? Of course, when it comes to God, we never have to say: I wish God knew . . ., because he does know. This week do this little exercise, I wish God knew . . ., then sit in silence for a couple of minutes as he whispers to your heart and soul. The mere fact of knowing that God knows can make a difference. Give it a try and leave the rest to him.)

On The Journey This Week: Fr Mark De Battista and the Great Commission: go and make disciples. This is not an optional extra for us as Christians. Mother Hilda on doing a little exercise called: I wish God knew. Plus, Fr Mike Delaney on the celebrations that mark the various aspects of our story, Trish McCarthy and the effects of the Son, and Fr Dave Callaghan on the average due date of the assignment of our life.

God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney– Day of Australia (Fr Mike has been pondering the celebrations that mark the various aspects of our story, as a person, family, community and nation. Fr Mike’s family have a tradition whereby they remember their parents at 8pm on the days of their birthdays, wedding anniversary, Mother’s and Father’s Day and of course the day of their deaths. Making time to mark special events, anniversaries and even a National Day can become special moments when we have the chance to remember all the good things and blessings we have received. Our Christian faith also gives us many opportunities to celebrate throughout the year because we also need to remember and celebrate our faith story.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Mark De Battista–The Great Commission (The Gospel today is the last words of Jesus before ascending into heaven known as the Great Commission because of the final commandment that Jesus gives, go make disciples. In the Greek the actual word disciple is used as a verb. i.e., go and disciple them. Jesus commissions them to do three things, disciple them, then baptise, and then catechize. Teach them to keep all that I have taught you and to observe it all. So, not just my teachings, but how to observe these teachings. Are we going out making disciples, evangelising others because this is not an optional extra for us as Christians?)

The Call–Fr Dave Callaghan–The Average Due Date (Fr Dave says imagine that you have an assignment where the average due date is October the 1st? This means that most people's assignments will be due on the 1st of October. But some will be asked to hand theirs in in late December. And you might be asked to hand your assignment in tomorrow without prior notice. You simply don't know when you'll be asked to hand it in. How would that change the way that you prepare for the assignment? This is a good analogy for understanding life. The sad reality is that some will be asked to give an account, maybe tomorrow. Psalm 90 says make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart. We need to live with that sense of urgency, so that we can be ready by living a life that will truly be a witness to Christ in the world.)

Men Alive–Growing Good Men—Testimony (Four participants, John and Patrick, David and Robbie share their experiences of participating in a Men Alive Growing Good Men weekend. They’re powerful and emotional testimony from these two sets of fathers and sons on how one weekend changed their lives forever. Growing Good Men is a unique opportunity for dads and their teenage sons to embark on a quest of discovery. The most important ingredient in this relationship is time. Taking time out together to get reconnected in an environment which fosters honesty, mutual respect and a hunger for more out of life. There are Growing Good Men weekends coming up in the next few months in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, get more details at menAlive.org.au)

On The Journey This Week: Fr Rob Galea on the way life works through the Holy Spirit. Mother Hilda says we just need to find the good and concentrate on that. Plus, John and Patrick, David and Robbie share their experiences of participating in a MenAlive Growing Good Men weekend, Trish McCarthy says it’s the simplicity of the meals shared by Jesus and his disciples that should influence our food choices, and Deacon Josh Clayton tells how Vanuatu’s local communities were responding in faith-filled support of each other after recent cyclones.