42. The Soul

Halfway through Term One and there is much to reflect on in this Lenten edition of The Soul. Building on the theme of ‘Everything’ from last edition, this week we focus on the simple yet powerful theme of being ‘Wholehearted’. Meanwhile, our fortnightly cycle and an array of online offerings during Lent has allowed us to curate the variety of resources shared below. Remember, you are free to share any or all of this newsletter with your school and wider communities. Please enjoy.

In exploring the theme ‘Wholehearted’ we will apply this practice across two different relationship planes: the vertical (with God) and the horizontal (with human beings).

We begin on the vertical plane with the first commandment:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” It is quite tempting to label this scripture as a simple platitude and move on; God cannot be serious in this expectation. And if God is serious, then what does it mean for us? 

But perhaps the commandment is exactly what it claims to be: an honest invitation to a much deeper trust in, and vulnerability with, God. As human beings we do pretty well with control, advance notice, and probable outcomes. We like balancing equations. Years of disappointments may have taught us to safeguard and hold back the soft and vulnerable parts of ourselves, those most prone to pain. Perhaps it is all part of the programming we have cultivated to protect ourselves throughout our lives - giving and loving in measured amounts. And yet the invitation is there, God wants the whole messy affair that is the human heart. All of it. God wants our unspoken dreams, our daring creativity, our bold decisions, our shaky steps forward, our moments of distrust and our trust in the uncertain and in the hidden; isn’t that truly what faith is? 

Interestingly, it is not much different on the horizontal plane. The invitation is once again to approach life from a place of living ‘Wholehearted’ - not holding back for fear of disappointment. Instead it is living with trust, courage and vulnerability. To live in a way that we allow ourselves to truly show up, in all our passion, in our daring expectation and in our hope. To invest in others. To risk being heartbroken. To pour everything we have into those around us. And to risk the uncertainty and pain when it all goes off script. 

To be ‘Wholehearted’ does not mean we have somehow arrived at a destination. To be ‘Wholehearted’ means we slowly dare more greatly each day, with the Spirit of God empowering us to be sincere, to be authentic, to be connected, to be seen, to feel, to give and to risk love. 

“There are only two things in the world God and fear; love and fear are the only two things.” [1] Since we have Love living inside of us we can dare to push past fear into the ‘Wholehearted’. Living this way will slowly transform everything in us and around us. 

[1] Awareness.Anthony De Mello, S.J.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;  before the gods I sing your praise.

- Psalm 138:1 -

Click the image above for the Staff Prayer PDF.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Reflection on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, MGR Graham Schmitzer, reflects upon the significance of the Gospel and what it can mean for us in our everyday lives.

Breathing Through Lent - Second Sunday with Matt Maher. This week explores God’s faithfulness, two mountains, and two stories.

• Whole Heart (Hillsong Worship) - The more we seek God’s grace, the more God’s gifts are revealed to us. Let us use this beautiful worship hymn as a way to reflect and unpack the theme 'Wholehearted'.

• Here I Am Lord (Cover) - As we continue to fast during Lent, this classic hymn is a welcome gift to those of us missing music at Mass. 

• 24 (Jonathan Ogden) is a modern Christian album of palettes that paint the soundtrack of a day. Jonathan Ogden is passionate about telling stories through music and images, combining the two forms to create a beautiful piece of art.

• Echo Holy (Red Rocks Worship) - In Mass we recite “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts...” but do we really understand what we’re saying? This worship hymn paints a powerful image of the Sanctus/Holy, Holy.

Lenten Resources

There is a range of resources for Lent available online, including the selection below:

• The St Mary’s Parish, Casino website is a great source of Lenten material. These three sessions are offered: 
• Session One - Holy Thursday
• Session Two - Good Friday
• Session Three - Easter Vigil and Resurrection

• The  Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney website Go Make Disciples offers a downloadable resource and online groups for Lent.

• Parusia Media has developed an online pilgrimage for the last two weeks of Lent. Register for free here.

Online Conference

Awaken the Dream Within is a live virtual Catholic women’s event to be hosted on 5 - 6th March 2021, by The Genius Project and Sisterhood. More than just another Zoom, this event will be highly engaging, cutting edge, dynamic and interactive. You will come away with practical tools, strategies and wisdom that will not only feed your soul but transforms the way you live. Register at https://geniusproject.co/events/

Prayer Resource

Lismore Diocese Teacher Elise Gallagher has recently published a Prayer Book - 'Our Prayers'. This easy to use, contemporary prayer book will support both children and adults in prayer. It incorporates appropriate topics – including friends, family, special occasions and school, seasons of the Church, praying the rosary, practicing Christian meditation, gratitude journaling and short biographies of some notable Christian saints. It is available through publisher Explore & Succeed.

Podcast

The Bible in a Year Podcast - Join Fr. Mike Schmitz as he walks us through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. This podcast follows a reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, a ground-breaking approach to understanding salvation history developed by renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins.