Twenty Third Sunday of the Year

Scripture relentlessly reminds us of God’s passionate love for us and of our love for one another, and of our interconnectedness with all people and creation. Yet, with ever increasing polarisation, the space for dialogue, understanding and cooperation for the common good diminishes. Today, we are exhorted to deal with division, restore unity and build mutual understanding, care, and solidarity amongst us. God called Ezekiel to speak out, in an environment where there was little concern for the poor, with a challenging message to those in power. And he calls us to look at ourselves, discover uncomfortable truths that we hide behind, question the status quo, and challenge whatever obstructs God’s plan for humanity. We are called to be our brothers’/sisters’ keepers; to be the voice for the voiceless; and defend the vulnerable.

Today the Prime Minister announced October 14 as the polling date for the Voice referendum. Read the media release from Allies for Uluru, a coalition of nearly 300 social sector organizations, including The Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education. “The announcement represents another crucial step towards a ‘Yes’ vote, which would offer Australia a unique opportunity to progress human rights, justice and equality by ensuring the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are brought into the heart of our national dialogue.”

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year

Both Matthew and Paul call us to a countercultural passion. Jesus shows that being the Messiah is not how the disciples see it. After proclaiming his faith in Jesus, Peter tempts Jesus to use his power to become a security blanket in the event of suffering involved in following him. Jesus has talked about the suffering that may be involved when following him. ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’ Concern for safety can be a vicious circle. It hinders one’s freedom to give of oneself.