61. The Soul
We stand in solidarity with one another across the Diocese of Lismore during our recovery from these devastating floods. Many have experienced trauma, loss and grief. A sense of powerlessness is common to us all. And yet, the spirit that binds us together has seen countless acts of courage, selflessness and sacrifice from our community. What has been witnessed is the joy of the Gospel. There will be further opportunities for almsgiving on a new scale. As we enter the season of Lent when we traditionally consider the three practices to which we are called; prayer, fasting and almsgiving, this edition of The Soul invites us deeper into prayer.
A special edition of The Soul next week will be devoted to pastorally caring for all.
This message from the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is typical of the multitude of messages from across the country this week.
A Message from Bishop Gregory Homeming
Please direct all fund-raising efforts to The Diocese of Lismore Flood Appeal.
You are not alone. You are not abandoned. Your suffering is not ignored.
You can find God in all the moments of your life.
In response to the devastating flooding of our Diocese, we composed a new song to invite Jesus into this difficult time. Moments reminds us to lean on God when our world is turned upside down, and to remember that He is in these challenges with us. This song is our prayer of solidarity as we come together as a Diocese to support each other, and trust that God will heal our pain and sorrow.
During this Season of Lent, there is a lot to pray for; at home those devastated by the flood, Ukraine families, Afghan families, Syria, refugees to name a few. Petition and intercessory prayers ask God to act. Why do we do that? What good does prayer do? If God is good, why doesn’t God just make the ‘good’ thing happen?
We can sometimes fall into the mistaken notion that God is in control of everything. In a general sense, that is kind of true. Everything that exists either comes directly or indirectly from God. We readily acknowledge that God is the ‘ground of Being’; without God, nothing at all would exist. But that is not the same thing as saying that God is ‘in control’ of everything or that everything that happens is a ‘part of God’s plan’. In choosing to create a universe that operates according to certain ‘rules’, God has willed to abdicate his power to a certain extent. This is why we have thieves, liars and dictators. But it is also why we can have doctors, nurses, teachers, rescue workers and volunteers. Human beings are free to choose to act or not to act.
So will our prayers change God? No, they don’t change God. God is good. God doesn’t need to be convinced to be ‘good’. So what good does prayer do? And why do we do it?
We pray because Jesus told us to. Jesus tells us to go to the Father, ask and be persistent in prayer. A parent who never makes their child contribute is more likely to see their child stunted in their development. God shares his strength and power with us. When he calls us to pray we become more than children; we are participating as God’s coworkers.
Prayer doesn’t change God, but it changes us. The primary end of prayer is to have a relationship with God. God can achieve things alone, but He wants us to participate as co-workers. We get to know God better when we work alongside God to will goodness into our world. And that kind of prayer and relationship definitely changes something… it changes us.
So this Lent, let’s become a co-worker with God and pray. After all, there is so much to pray for right now.
Adapted from Fr Mike Schmitz, The Power of Prayer (Ascension Presents)
- Bishop Greg Homeming OCD 2022 Lenten Talk 1 - St John of the Cross - In this first Lenten talk for 2022 – delivered as the people of Lismore Diocese face the aftermath of the floods that have devastated the region – Bishop Greg Homeming draws on the life and writings of St John of the Cross to help us contemplate the possibility of hope in a time of apparent hopelessness.
- A reflection on the Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent from St Mary’s Parish, Casino.
- Subscribe to Catholic Leaders Formation Network - (CLFN) to receive a Weekly Newsletter including ‘Formed in Prayer’; a written reflection on the coming Sunday’s Gospel.
- Sign up for the free Amen App - to receive daily audio readings and reflections.
- Connect@home - to receive a daily email with a link to the readings of the day and a written reflection from the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.
- Digital Prayer Resources - Hallow, Laudate, The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), Amen App and Reimagining the Examen App.
- Prince of Peace (Spotify Playlist) - A mix of worship music curated to guide us to lean on Jesus during times of helplessness.
- If you or your family have been directly impacted by the floods, you may find this helpsheet useful. It provides information and strategies to support your physical, financial and emotional needs at this time.
- Need financial or wellbeing support after the disaster? Check out this list of services.
There are so many good news stories emanating from the flood crisis. Here is just a small sample in the media this week:
- Adding to the good name of the teaching profession. Well done Matt Lynch!
- What is Prayer? (Catholic Central) - What is prayer? How should we pray? Why? Kai and Libby fill you in on the major forms of prayer and how to go beyond just asking for stuff.
- How to Pray (Hallow) - Tips on getting started with prayer and guides on how to pray the Daily Examen, Lectio Divina, The Rosary, with music and so much more.
- Project Compassion Resources - Helping to inspire your school to create lasting change for future generations. Resources are organised into Lower Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary. We highly recommend the Passport Hub.
All staff in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore receive The Soul by email. The link in these emails can be forwarded and shared with family and friends. Alternatively, use this form to subscribe as an additional reader to The Soul mailing list.