Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–The Miracle that is God (Mother Hilda says we become the miracle that God is by spending time discovering what God looks like and how he acts.)

God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney–How Can I Support You? (Fr Mike concludes his reflections on his experiences during his Tassy East Coast winery tour, it reminds him of a homily on envy and jealousy. When we act generously towards someone we might envy, something special happens. He sees this in the way each winery works with their competition and the wider hospitality sector to make the Tassy East Coast a destination rather than a journey to individual wineries and venues. He sums it up as live generously and graciously towards others, the way God lives towards you.)

– Living the Gospel–Pete Gilmore–Outlook Alert (Pete reflects on the business of life and in particular the number of alerts we set on our devices. Yet there is one alert that we usually don’t set – time to pray each day, to pause and thank God, and to worship. This week create an alert to pray at least once during the week.)

On The Journey This Week: Fr Anthony Crook says that the question is not whether we should be concerned that we might be happy, well fed, materially comfortable, or that we might be well-known and respected, but whether we put these things ahead of knowing, claiming, proclaiming and following Jesus. Mother Hilda reflects on her life as a nun. Fr Mike Delaney on living generously and graciously, plus Deacon Josh Clayton on re-establishing a regular routine for 2022, and Pete Gilmore living the Gospel with Outlook alerts.

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–A Life with God (Mother Hilda’s short reflection on the influence of her family in her devotion to God, her life as a nun, and the power of prayer in her life since she decided to join the abbey at Jamberoo and the joy she gets by starting her day at 4am every day with prayer for all those she knowns need God’s grace and support as well as those who want her to express their joy and happiness for the way God has responded to their prayer.)

Gospel Reflection– Fr Anthony Crook–Blessings & Woes (In this Gospel Jesus compared the rich and the poor in four parallels: status, possessions, entertainment, and Christian witness as blessings for the poor and woes for the rich. Fr Anthony compares Luke’s account of the Beatitudes which hold a number of differences to Matthew’s account of the same. Jesus turns conventional wisdom upside down. Looking through God's eyes, he contrasted the blessed with the cursed. Luke differentiated the "poor" from the "rich" by the focus of their attention. As we listen to the Gospel today and reflect upon its meaning for us, I do not think that the question is whether we should be concerned that we might be happy, we might be well fed, we may be materially comfortable, or that we might be well-known and respected, but whether we put these things ahead of knowing, claiming, proclaiming and following Jesus.)

The Bush Deacon– Josh Clayton–Ordered Days (As we begin a new work and school year, we have the challenges of re-establishing a regular routine getting a household ready for work and school each day. It also reminds us of our need to create structure and routine for our faith life. What does it look like? One thing we do know is that our prayer life in 2022 will not look the same as prayer life of previous years, both COVID and non-COVID years. We are all different, changed by the events of 2020 & 2021, but it’s essential to create a good prayer routine to continue to build our relationship with God.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Elephant Story (The story of 5 blind men introduced to an elephant and were trying to work out what it is. Each reacts differently and forms a narrow opinion of what it might be. We sometimes relate to God like this. As individuals we’re often sure we know who God is based on other people’s narrow experience. To get to know God ask him who he is, be discerning of others opinions and know that God always brings comfort not distress)

Gospel Reflection–Fr David Catterall–Launch Out into the Deep (Jesus says the same to us as he said to Peter in today’s gospel; launch out into the deep! To take up this task, we may feel like Peter and the other disciples, alone, maybe inadequate, but we’re reminded that he also says to us, do not be afraid! On Word of God Sunday, we are called to step out into the deep and take God’s Word and proclaim it in word and action so that through us, God can have a bountiful harvest)

Milk & Honey–Trish McCarthy–Body Language (We are aware our various postures and expressions as body language express more than words, but there is also Theology of the Body. Certain emotions are stored in corresponding areas of the body, e.g., bones & resentment, ligaments & sense of control, muscles & feelings of guilt, nerves & unbalanced communication, tendons & inflexibility. By tuning into our physical body, we can use our physical ailments to ask God what it is that we need to address to allow life, love, freedom and grace to flow through us.)