Fifth Sunday of the Year

God’s vision is revealed in hidden and unexpected places. We are among the unexpected where God’s vision is unveiled. Jesus continually takes us back to the roots of true religion, our true connection with God which has implications for our engagement/encounter with people and creation. Having lifted up the mostly unlikely people represented as the poor in spirit, the meek and the merciful, those who mourn and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted – we see that living the Beatitudes means being ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world for the transformation of the earth.

On 26th January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack and proclaimed British sovereignty over the eastern part of the Australian continent. What historically started as a day to celebrate the founding of the British colony of New South Wales, January 26th has now become a day when many Australians celebrate national identity and unity.

Fourth Sunday of the Year

Jesus gives us a glimpse into God’s heart through his preaching. The gospel and first reading reveal the sentiments of God’s heart towards people. The Beatitudes are a radical inaugural proclamation of Jesus’ ministry. They are fundamental, essential, and far-reaching as well as uncompromising, activist, and revolutionary. Many often try to tame the Beatitudes.  Nearly every time Jesus teaches or heals, the barbs emerge as even “good people” are angered and threatened by Jesus’ broad welcome for the so-called dregs of society and embodied the spaciousness of God’s reign rather than narrow human rules that judge people right and wrong.