51. The Soul
This week The Soul invites us to a place of stillness, honesty and courage as we journey together and counteract uncertainty with hope. It might be tempting to understand courage as the absence of fear or even the desire to be fearless amidst our current circumstances. Instead, we take our cue from Jesus who, like us, experienced immense fear but still continued to boldly step forward into the darkness and filled it with light. This week, let us take courage in knowing that we are not alone and that our trust is well placed in the one who has gone before us into the unknown. Take heart, we journey together.
“Listen with the ear of the heart” - the opening words from one of the great classics of Christian spirituality, The Rule of Saint Benedict, challenges us to spend time in reflection. We cannot listen if we are not still. We certainly cannot hear the whisperings of our heart if we are not still. These words invite us to discover truth, beauty and goodness. They also invite us to reflect on how we are called to live each day in the light of the gospel.
In today’s world, we are faced with conflicting ideas which try to make us believe that we are not enough for so many reasons – good enough, smart enough, pretty/handsome enough, happy enough, daring enough, (insert your own) enough. We only have to look to social media and/or advertisements to see this. Therefore, courage is often seen as something for others or the unattainable because the fear of not being enough holds us back. Simply because courage is often associated with having no fear.
American research professor Brené Brown says “Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor - the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant "To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart."
If we take the Rule of Saint Benedict, when we “Listen with the ear of the heart” and Brené's, “speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart” we have a new lens through which to look. This is courage and it is about honesty, integrity and authenticity. If we are honest with ourselves and the world around us, then those things that touch and guide our heart are the things we can and indeed should be courageous about. It is all about listening and speaking out.
This week we look at what Archbishop Miller sees as a starting point in ‘how we are to serve’.
Firstly, Miller quotes Saint Pope John Paul II in underlining the role of Bishops in ensuring formation for service - an ‘object of special attention as shepherds of the People of God’. In addition, Miller informs that the clergy are called to ensure an emphasis on such formation. This enables the laity to take on co-responsibilities in the Catholic parish school.
Secondly, principals, leaders and teachers must then set their service from a platform of good relationships built on ‘valuing, respecting and caring for’ students as good shepherds. In this, Miller describes the student-teaching relationship ‘as always a dialogue rather than a monologue, and the teacher must be convinced that the enrichment in the relationship is mutual,' (Lay Catholics in Schools: Witnesses to Faith). This refers to enabling student voice and agency.
Thirdly, the ‘educator can never forget that students need a companion and guide during their period of growth; they need help from others in order to overcome doubts and disorientation’. This refers to serving through accompaniment. However, this ‘ought to be a prudent combination of familiarity and distance, and adapted to the needs of each individual student’. This refers to knowing our students.
Catholic Schools then serve to safeguard the priority of the whole person through the proper friendship between teachers and students, as ‘an authentic formative process can only be initiated through personal relationships’. As always Christian service always starts with love.
Gary Reen
Assistant Director, School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services
To celebrate the feast of Saint Mary MacKillop in the Year of Saint Joseph, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart offer seven short video reflections. These videos draw together themes from the life of Saint Mary, the seven qualities of Saint Joseph in Pope Francis’ document Patris Corde, and the life experiences of diverse Christians. Watch the first episode below.
This video, featuring Gary Pinto, is a beautiful reflection of the life of Australia's first canonised saint, Saint Mary MacKillop.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Solemnity
Luke 1:39-56
- Speak to the Mountains, Chris McClarney - There is no mountain too high or valley too low for God’s love for us.
- Dancing on the Waves, We the Kingdom - is essentially God writing a love letter to us. Using scripture, this hymn reminds us of who we are and what we could be when we are in a relationship with Him.
- Gratia Plena, Andrea Bocelli - As we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption this Sunday, we ask our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede for us this week as we meditate on the gift of fortitude.
- Herre, Visa Mig Vägen, Taize - Spending time meditating with God can be a holy experience. Praying with peaceful taize music will compliment your prayer intentions and silence.
“Lord, make the way and make me ready to follow it, give peace in my heart.”
This section of The Soul seeks contributions from readers to feature. Submit a piece of art, a photo, a musical recording or some other form of creative expression with an explanatory caption and The Soul will curate and share a selection each edition. Use this form to share your piece.
The artwork is titled ‘Mater Misericordiae’ which is Latin for “Mother of Mercy.” The painting is based on a photograph. When I took this photo, the image was reminiscent of renaissance paintings of the Assumption of Mary. The folds of the petals in the sky are like the folds of Mary’s robes as she is brought to heaven.
The red is a symbol of royalty common in paintings at the time, but also symbolic of Christ’s blood. Christ’s blood poured out completely for us on the cross is God’s great act of mercy for mankind. Christ himself is mercy, hence Mary is the Mother of Mercy.
The tips of the flower reminded me of a crown. Mary’s queenship reminds us that in Christ we are all royals!
Check out the painting at Wauchope Creative Hub while you can!
- Australian Catholics - This week in Catholic Teacher, we look for Jesus among our communities, families and friendships as we prepare for International Youth Day on August 12. Encouraging Australia’s youth to seek Jesus in all places and all people can lead to action that changes lives and spans generations.
- This week is National Homelessness Week, a time to bring awareness to the impact of homelessness throughout our society. Emmanuel City Mission opens its doors and provides service to nearly 6,000 people who experience homelessness in Brisbane. Read and subscribe to their newsletter here.
- This week the NCEC is celebrating families. This image is a link to their weekly newsletter.
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