Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Why Have You Abandoned Me? (Mother Hilda’s story of how the scripture passage “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” brought great comfort to a woman whose life was in extreme disarray. As she sat in the pews crying, she heard God saying to her, you thought I'd abandon you, didn't you? You thought I didn't know. For that woman the word of God did what it's supposed to do, it engaged with her life. She was a changed woman after that. The word of God has power to speak to you this week too. Do yourself a favour this week. At least once, open up the scriptures and take on board whatever message of comfort you find in there.)

Hearts on Fire Feet on the Ground–Mark Raue–Solidarity (When we learn of another person's difficult situation, it hopefully triggers an empathetic response. Empathy is a wonderful human trait that is closely related to the concept of compassion, a word that literally means to suffer with. However, we can be very adept at building walls, enclaves of privilege, or shielding ourselves from unpleasantness. The keyword that underpins all of this is solidarity. It is a key Christian principle which acknowledges we are not just individuals who should only care about our own interests and salvation. Being in solidarity with others means identifying with the experience of another and stand with them. The greatest act of solidarity in human history has been the incarnation. When God chose to become one of us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In this remarkable act, God stands in solidarity with each of us. The Christian response to our human condition is to stand in solidarity with each other. Those near and those far, not a vague feeling of distress at the misfortune of another, but as a deep and enduring compassion that ignites our hearts and drives our feet to be on the move and be people of action.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Fish in Water (Mother Hilda says as truly as water is necessary for fish, just as truly is the life of God necessary for you and I. And marvellously, God has provided the fish with water, He has provided us with himself. The challenge is how to know that, how to access that. You and I are surrounded by his grace, by his love, by his forgiveness and we can talk to people who'll say to us what a lot of rot. Firstly, talk to people who really know him, not the people who know about Him. Next, involve yourself in the things of God, in the groups that speak of God, in works that encourage you to work for God. Thirdly, each day say these few words, Father, I abandon myself into your hands. As truly as that fish abandons itself to the water, abandon yourself, your life, to God. You'll be surprised the comfort those words bring you when a challenge comes your way.)

Living the Gospel–Pete Gilmore–Did You Hear That (In our lives, if only we could sometimes be quiet enough so that we could hear the sound underneath all the noise. Pete asks what would silence sound like in your life right now? What would it be like if we all just stopped and listened? Silence is powerful, uncomfortable, and unnerving. Silence Is that incredible place of humility and vulnerability where we find the end of all our attempts to fill the space, and we just wait on God. This week don't be afraid to make space for silence and to listen. Over time, we will learn to listen with our hearts, and we'll hear God speaking in the still small, quiet voice that calms storms and brings the dead to life.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Dominic Murphy OP–Can you change God's mind? (Fr Dominic Murphy asks can you change God's mind? this very impressive and feisty Canaanite woman, a woman of great faith, whose fierce love for her daughter inspires her, whose faith will not be put off, who won't be discouraged, keeps asking. She is an extraordinary example to us. The face of faith when you are discouraged, that digs deeper, that won't be put off and through her prayer, through her faith, she was able to change God’s mind. Sometimes our answer might be a no, and no for a long time. But just like this Canaanite woman, to not be discouraged, to keep asking, and ultimately to let God stretch your heart that the initial no may become a grow within you.)

The Word–Fr Tony Percy–Intense Spiritual Crisis (Fr Tony Percy saysthat the world is passing through a time of intense spiritual crisis, that is, a crisis of truth and a crisis of love, and we might add as well, a crisis of hope. Identity Ideologues are peddling truth as power, not the truth setting you free, but truth is power over another person, and so, the truth should be rejected. So, it's a caricature of what the truth is. But then we have also a crisis of love. In our time, mercy and forgiveness are certainly in short supply, yet forgiveness is at the heart of our relationships because we are weak, and we are sinful. Then we come to mercy. Mercy is this very unusual thing that God can draw good out of evil. God is so good that in his hands, even evil brings about good. We have a crisis of truth, a crisis of love. Let's not be afraid to acknowledge our sin and then to beg for the grace of Christ. This will be a moment of profound peace for each one of us.)

On The Journey This Week Fr Dominic Murphy tells how you can change God's mind. Mother Hilda says as truly as water is necessary for fish, just as truly the life of God is necessary for you and I. Plus, Fr Tony Percy on the intense spiritual crisis, Pete Gilmore is listening to silence, and Mark Raue on solidarity, identifying with the experience of another and standing with them.

Smart Loving–Byron & Francine Pirola–Argument Myth (Today we challenge a common myth about arguments, the belief that if we argue our marriage is in trouble. Couples who don't argue are actually living detached parallel lives, they simply don't engage on anything. Some couples don't argue because one spouse is too dominant, the submissive spouse is too afraid to advocate for themselves, hardly a healthy situation. Finally, some couples appear not to argue because they have an avoidance style characterised by passive aggression or non-verbal resentment. Let's be clear. We're not advocating for arguments, simply pointing out that the presence or absence of arguments is not a reliable measure of the health of a relationship.)

God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney–The Light That Shines (Fr Mike has been having some conversations about colours, grey skies, shards of light and views. The first happened during a meeting, when we were asked what colour might best describe how we were feeling. Next, a photo of grey skies over Kingston Beach but with a bright shard of light breaking through, making a bright spot in the greyness. Next, simply looking out the window – the sky is grey, darkness is descending but there is still something majestic about the river and all that I can see. Tomorrow it will be different but there will be another beautiful scene in front of me to that will remind that each day, each conversation, is different, but everything offers me another opportunity to experience the presence and wonder of God.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Mark De Battista–God Reveals Himself (In both readings today, we have an example of how God reveals himself. In the Book of Kings, we've got the wind and the fire and the earthquake. But God reveals himself in the gentle breeze. In the gospel Our Lord shows himself and his power to the apostles who were out on the lake. The apostles are terrified as they battle a heavy sea with a headwind. All these signs of the power of nature and Jesus is there inviting Peter to go out to him. Peter takes several steps while he keeps his eyes fixed on Christ, but then he gets distracted by the wind. Jesus does the same for us, calls out to us during life’s storms. The wind is any of those forces in the world, our society, media, whatever seems to be against us, distractions, and at that moment you feel that force of the wind, so keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Go out to him and keep taking those brave steps on the lake.)