One Father, One Family
Dear Parishioners,
There are two strong spiritual points among quite a few that I took from the Patriarch during His Beatitude's visit to Australia that are so important for all of us as we journey as a Church Community and as members of our particular human families with all the ups and downs of life in our broken world.
The first was from the Homily at St Joseph’s Croydon where the Patriarch spoke of “Communion and Love” – the Theme His Beatitude chose for His Patriarchal Ministry when elected Patriarch. The Patriarch was preaching on Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel of John 17:1-8 and spoke how we are called to be in communion with the Father just like Jesus and from that people will change and believe in Jesus. His Beatitude reminded us that “we cannot love if we are not in communion with God in prayer”. The Patriarch was really so animated when expressing this point in the homily to all - the Clergy, Religious, Parents, Husbands and Wives, Youth and the Political leaders here and in Lebanon. He said we cannot make decisions that are loving and proclaim the Truth if we are not in communion with the God of Love. In the busy, pride-filled and materialistic atmosphere of daily living, our ‘self-made agendas’ can cause us to struggle to have time for our relationship with God to experience His Love and Truth in Jesus. We then struggle to hear his call to live Love in a humble, repenting, serving, and truthful spirit. On this Renewal of the Church Sunday let us hear the call to be renewed in our commitment to make time for daily personal and family prayer and Communal prayer at Mass on Sunday.
Secondly the theme for the Visit of the Patriarch was “One Shepherd, One Flock.” This while a powerful Scriptural image, can be a little hard for some to directly relate to in todays contemporary world. It calls us to know we belong and are loved by God the Divine Shepherd. The Patriarch for me translated this in His availability and energy to spend time to reach out to all, young and old, where he visited. So one Shepherd one flock he translated into action to “One Father, One Family.” His Beatitude showed as Patriarch (which comes from the word father) in his time and energy to meet so many, that the Church is God’s Family under the One Heavenly Father in His Son Jesus, through the Communion of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s remember this and always do what we can to let others know they are loved and have a place to belong in the Church.
I echo the Patriarch and Bishop’s strong words of thanks and say a loud “WELL, WELL, WELL, DONE” to the DEDICATED Priests, Staff, Committees, Volunteers, and Choir members who did such a fantastic job for the three Events for the Patriarch’s Visit here at Our Lady of Lebanon. The time, hard work and Sacrifice is a witness to “Communion and Love”, to the “One Father and One Family”
