Liturgies

This weekend we are listening to a very compelling homily by Kate Ross on Domestic Violence given at St John's Cathedral Brisbane on 18th April 2021. Kate discusses how religion and faith intersect with domestic violence. At the Sunday morning liturgy Gwenneth Roberts has kindly agreed to contribute some commentary to this very important issue.

On this Mother's Day we replay the homily given by Mary Nelson on this day last year. The homily reflects on how we experience wisdom, the feminine face of God through our own mothers, relationship with Mother Earth and our innate feminine wisdom.

The Romero Centre has been operating for over 20 years in Queensland and Northern NSW, providing a sanctuary for people seeking asylum and refugees who need support with: basic necessities like food and accommodation, legal advice and to develop language and other skills to increase employment opportunities.

The act of remembering is central to the Christian Story and story of our nation. Which is why Anzac Day is such an important day in Australia and why it is important we remember not only the valiant men and women who gave their lives and fought in overseas wars but also the brave Aboriginal Warriors who gave their lives and fought for their country in the 140 year Frontier War.

This week we will be listening to a homily by Fr. Richard Rohr via video entitled "Resurrection: Not a one-time miracle". Richard speaks of how Christ preceded Jesus. He goes on to explain how Christ is that divine presence that existed before the beginning of time. And that presence is available to each of us in every moment of our lives offering peace, love and new hope.

Liz Little talks about how Jesus empowered the disciples to take over the ministry. He inspired them to challenge structural and institutional control and take responsibility for creating a better world. We can learn much from this about listening and giving voice and self determination to our own indigenous people.

As the First Nations people gathered at Uluru to draft a Statement from the Heart, they were like the prophets of old who went into the desert to listen to that deep voice of wisdom from the depths of the land... And from the desert sprang new life, a new way forward. A Statement from the Heart. It is the Easter story. Like Yahweh speaking to the prophet Isaiah, "I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Is 4; 3-19)

As Jesus invited his disciples to die to themselves like the grain of wheat in order for new life to emerge, so the majority of Australians are invited into this death.

The story of the Lord’s Supper illustrates how Jesus empowered the disciples to take over the ministry. He inspired them to challenge structural and institutional control and take responsibility for creating a better world. We can learn much from this about listening and giving voice and self determination to our own indigenous people.