Spiritual Bee Hive

Brothers and Sisters,

In this week’s Gospel, our Lord gives us a new commandment: “that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” This new commandment is arguably one of the most famous statements in the Bible. This command is new not only because of its object, but also because of its measure. The measure of love is, “as I have loved you.” In other words, in the same way that Jesus loves us and not as the world loves us. That is, in a sacrificial, humble, and intentional and concrete way. A love that is given without the expectation of anything in return!    

This is the kind of love that reminds us of the love that our mothers have for us. In the example of our Blessed Mother, our mothers continually give of themselves without asking for anything in return. On this special occasion of Mother’s Day, I would like to wish all of our Mother’s a happy and blessed Mother’s Day. Thank you for all that you do for us.  Thank you for your abundant love and compassion.  

Last night our Annual Gala Dinner took place at the La Montage Function Centre and what a night it was. In my speech, I likened Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral Parish to a complex bee-hive of activity. As you know, a beehive’s purpose is to protect the dweller. Its internal structure is a densely packed group of hexagonal cells made from beeswax and in it hundreds and hundreds of bees work together to make honey. If you come to our Lady of Lebanon on any given day, you will see the same thing. You will see hundreds and hundreds of people working and cooperating together not to make honey, but rather to proclaim and live the Word of God. It is through this that its dwellers, the parishioners and friends of Our Lady of Lebanon are truly protected.  

Through over 22 committees and groups, you will find people of all ages and generations working together for people of all ages and generations and off-course for the Glory of God with Christ at the centre and the mantle of Our Lady’s motherly love caressing her children. The Community, Youth and Pastoral Centre facilitates this spirit and the funds that are raised at the Gala go towards the repayments and maintenance of this centre.  

I would like to thank all those who helped make the night a success from the organising committee led by Father Raphael, to the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors, to the Corporate Sponsors, Associations and Committee and to all our beloved parishioners who without them this spiritual bee-hive would have no meaning and no existence. Thank you one and all.