Lenten Connection–Fr Chris Sarkis–Truth, What is Truth? (Fr Chris Sarkis leads us into the events of Good Friday with his reflection on Pilot’s question and says that truth is the cross itself. It is the bridge that reunites us with God, and over which we cross with Jesus, our Sacrificial Victim, from sin and death to eternal life with God. Today, so many people run from the Cross looking for truth, meaning and purpose for their lives, only to find themselves on an endless treadmill of worldly pursuits. Fr Chris says if we run from the Cross, we run from Christ; if we embrace the Cross, we find Christ and discover Truth—and ourselves.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Easter Hope (Mother Hilda tells of her conversations with people on their future hopes. There are lots of people who express little hope for their future, no hope of a secure job, no hope of owning a home, no hope of recovering from life’s setbacks. Hilda says Jesus’ death and resurrection changes all that for us. Today we celebrate the truth, not only has Jesus done the impossible, but it is through his defeat of death and his resurrection that he opens the way forward for us to place our hopes and trust in him. It’s as simple as giving your life into his hands, telling him you need him because you cannot see through the fog of life and join him in the resurrection that has your name written on it.)

On The Journey This Week: Fr Mark De Battista and Mother Hilda on the hope and glory of the resurrection. Fr Chris Sarkis and Darren McDowell reflect on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, plus Stewart’s faith testimony on his adult baptism last Easter.

On The Journey This Week: Fr Bernard Gordon and Mother Hilda give powerful reflections on the passion of Jesus. There’s reflections for Holy Week from Fr Mark De Battista and Fr Sean Cullen, plus Huw from Alpha Australia.

Gospel Reflection– Fr Bernard Gordon–A Merciful Saviour (Fr Bernard reflects on what changed for the two criminals crucified with Jesus. He says one of them saw Jesus for who he really is, defends Jesus, takes responsibility for his wrongdoing. In response, Jesus promises him eternal reward. Fr Bernard says that no matter what life has done to us, no matter what mistakes we have made, no matter where we find ourselves, Jesus is our merciful saviour. In this knowledge can we now turn to Jesus with hope and entrust ourselves to him.)

Last Things first–Huw Warmenhoven–Connection, Content, Conversation (Huw explores the “Why” and “What” of Alpha. Alpha’s why is about making a space where you can invite anyone to ask questions of faith, life and meaning. The space can be online, in person or a bit of both. The “What” of Alpha is the connection, content, and conversation. An opportunity to connect with others, to engage in conversation exploring the big issues of life and faith, the chance to share, discuss, and reflect on questions of faith, life and meaning.)

Lenten Connection– Fr Sean Cullen–Judas (Fr Sean ponders what happened to Judas. He joined Jesus with high hopes and expectations, and Jesus saw something attractive in him as well. Somewhere along the journey Judas lost his ideals, controlled by money, resorting to theft and selling out his friend to get it. We face similar challenges and temptations; losing our ideals to climb the ladder of success and wealth, risking being like Judas and allowing ourselves to become a slave to money and ego.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Embracing the Will of God (Hilda draws the link between Thomas Moore in the play “Man for All Seasons” and Jesus. Bot have a deeply ingrained trust in God. No matter how awful the fate that both faced, both publicly express to do the will of the father, no matter how things looked. Therein lies the call to us in this final week of Lent—the call to embrace the will of God in our lives. Start each day with a little prayer such as “Your will nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.” And at each disappointment during the day, simply repeat the prayer. You will come to know that you, too, are eternally in the memory of God as he is eternally in the memory of your heart.)

Lenten Connection–Fr Mark De Battista–Lavish Intimacy (As we begin The Great Week, Holy Week, Fr Mark reflects on lavish intimacy of Mary of Bethany. John’s Gospel incorporates the anointing of Jesus’ body by Mary six days before the Passover in anticipation of what will happen very shortly. Moreover, the Church picks up the chronology of this timeline by reading this Gospel passage on the Monday of Holy Week each year. The sheer value of the ointment both indicates the importance of Jesus to the family at Bethany. Fr mark says, in today’s money, the ointment would be valued at $49,000. If we had to place a value on our love for Jesus, would we be as lavish as Mary of Bethany? )

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–The Stoning of Soraya M. (Mother Hilda uses the true story of Soraya M to show the complex web of prejudice, jealousy, corruption, confusion and ignorance to show that this gospel story is really about the crowd. The gospel calls us, the potential stone throwers to see our own failures. Jesus gives us time to place and see ourselves as the crowd in this story, calling on each of us to work on ourselves to grow in grace and recognise that the one thing we can do for others is to love them.)