Milk & Honey–Trish McCarthy–Renew Your Mind (A powerful scripture in Trish’s life has been “Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world but let the renewing of your mind transform you.” The capacity to renew your mind and how you perceive things comes from developing an ever-growing relationship with God. The more time you spend with God, the more you will see things from God's perspective. What you look for you will find, if you look for the negative in people and life’s events then that’s what you will find. If you transform your thinking and commit to looking for the positive, you will find evidence to support this too. This week you might look for evidence in your own life to support the truth that you are a loved son or daughter of God. Surprise yourself and see yourself as God sees you.)

Gospel Reflection–Fr Richard Healy–Contrasting Two Events (Fr Richard Healy says that Bishop Tom Wright is correct when he invites us to meditate upon the transfiguration scene by holding and contrasting in your mind the scene of Calvary and the crucifixion of Jesus with this transfiguration event. Here on a mountain top in Galilee, Jesus is revealed in glory, there on a hill outside Jerusalem, Jesus is revealed in shame. Here he is flanked by Moses and Elijah as two of Israel's greatest heroes, there he is, flanked by two brigands. Here the voice of God booms from the cloud declaring that Jesus is my beloved son. There, it's left to a Pagan Roman soldier to declare in surprise that this really was God's son. Perhaps this moment of glory can only be appreciated and understood, when we can also see the glory of the cross.)

The Bush Deacon–Josh Clayton–Basketball (While attending a recent juniors basketball game for his youngest son, Josh was struck by the difference a small amount of coaching was appreciated by the young boys. It made Deacon Josh think about how important it is for each one of us to reflect on who are the people that we have in our life that help coach us, help guide us, give us ideas as to how we can live our life in a better way so that we can be who we're meant to be. Jesus is an amazing coach, but it's also coming alongside other people in our everyday life, mentors, people that can work with us to help us to grow and develop. Maybe it's your local church. Maybe it's part of a community group. There's plenty of people out there willing to help. We just have to be willing to put our hand up and ask for that assistance.)

Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda–Your Eyes (Mother Hilda recalls a story by Fr Ed Farrell when he was a seminarian, being fascinated by the fact that his eyes were exactly like his mother’s eyes. Mother Hilda says it’s the same with God. When you and I finally get to meet God, we’ll find something terribly familiar about his eyes as well. Wouldn't you like to see two eyes that look at you the way nobody else does? Wouldn't you like to read in those eyes Incredible understanding and compassion? Close your eyes and tell God that you love him and keep doing it off and on for the rest of the day, and tomorrow, and the next day. And when your days are finished on this Earth You will indeed look into that dear, dear face and recognise the eyes that are your own.)

The Word –Fr Tony Percy–Taken (Fr Tony Percy says that Austin Cooper, an Australian theologian maintains that the essence of Christian spirituality is found in the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him and they let themselves be taken by the Lord Jesus. They don't choose the encounter. They don't will the experience, rather they willingly, that is, freely allow themselves to be attracted by Jesus. Our humanity is deepened when we let our freedom be engaged by the radiance and the beauty of Christ. In other words, we let ourselves be taken by Christ. Freedom is perfected, not threatened by truth, love and beauty. We too allow ourselves to be taken by the Lord Jesus alone with him on the mountain.)

The Word –Fr Tony Percy–Prudence Not Prudish (Fr Tony Percy reflects on the difference between prudent and prudish. He says King Solomon in today’s first reading from 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 are a great example of being prudent. Solomon does not ask for anything for his own advantage, but just for the skills he needs to rule his people well. We would be wise to emulate that most prudent man, King Solomon, but remember it all started with a divine dream.)

God in the Everyday–Fr Mike Delaney–Parish Vision (Fr Mike has also been thinking about people wanting to get things done faster. Recently he used the Working Genius Assessment to develop a Vision for the Parish, re-form the Parish Pastoral Council and creating a Senior Leadership Team. The results showed a strong bias towards wanting to help people. almost a third of the group, have both Enablement and Tenacity as their dual skills. This suggests that they want to get things done and some of them are, as they’ve told me, a little frustrated that the process is not moving as quickly as they would like. Fr Mike now knows that he has people who are desperate for something to do but he needs help from others to help him fill the gaps in his skills.)

Hearts on Fire-Feet on the Move–Mark Raue –Hearts on Fire (There are many ways to be of service today, endeavouring to improve the lives of people near and far. Jesus modelled for us a life of selflessness, never counting the cost, rising above his immediate comfort or security, reaching out to others in compassion, solidarity, and love. Jesus was not just a person of action with his feet on the move, but also because his heart was on fire. The same at Pentecost, the disciples act with hearts on fire and feet on the move through the power of the Holy Spirit. Real sustainable movement, real change, real action, can only take place if our hearts are truly on fire. The movement of God's spirit within us is that sustainable fire that will burn endlessly and propel our feet in the right direction, even in the face of challenge and adversity, to bring life to the full for everyone.)

On The Journey This Week Fr Rob Galea tells how to find the field and get the pearl of great price that is in it. Mother Hilda says we can change the way we think about and handle the fast pace of life by enjoying the seasons of the day. Plus, Fr Tony Percy on Prudence Not Prudish and what we can learn from King Solomon, Mark Raue with hearts on fire-and feet on the move, and Fr Mike Delaney shares his experiences when developing a new Parish Vision.

Gospel Reflection–Fr Rob Galea–The Pearl of Great Price (Have you found the pearl of great price? Fr Rob says to proclaim the word of God requires an encounter with this field and its treasure. It requires you to see and experience that treasure, because you cannot describe to the world the beauty of God's Pearl, the beauty of God's treasure, if you have not seen and experienced it yourself. Many of us speak about the field that someone else told us about, about the pearls that they spoke about, but we haven't actually seen it for ourselves. This is why you need to keep coming back to the field, spend time with Jesus, spend time in that field, discover the pearl so that you may have the passion, the fire to share this love to the ends of the earth.)