From the REC
REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart
Peter takes a big risk. Trusting Jesus, he steps out onto the lake in the middle of a storm. But when the wind frightens him, he begins to sink. Jesus is disappointed that Peter’s faith isn’t greater.
When did you ever take a big risk because you trusted someone? Did it work out, or did you get into trouble?
Is it wrong to have doubts and fears when you take a big risk, even when you trust the person you are with? Or is that just a healthy, practical, safe way to live?
Do you think Jesus is being a bit harsh with Peter? After all, Peter did get out of the boat and walk on the water! Or do you think Jesus is justified in his comment, because Peter is already doing the impossible?
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading 1 Kings 19:9,11-13 The Lord passes by Elijah as a whisper
Second Reading Romans 9:1-5 Serving Christ involves some pain
Gospel Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walks on the water
A boat is often used as a symbol of the church. In this story it is easy to understand the symbolism of Jesus coming across the stormy waters and winds of modern times in order to help the church stay afloat.
What do you think are the biggest problems for the church today? What is causing the worst storm?
Are you afraid we will all sink? Do you think we will be rescued? Do you think most concerned people will jump off the boat and weather the storm of life alone or on some other type of craft? What do you think will happen?
Charism, Carmelites and St Mary MacKillop
Tomorrow we celebrate the feast day of St Mary MacKillop.
When we explore her life in a little more detail, we find out that her care and concern for young people and people who experience poverty.
History lesson: Now one of the reasons we have Mackillop as a Patron for a House is because the first Assistant Principal was Sister Maria Casey, a Sister of Saint Joseph.
Sr Maria left us to go and be the main person to help put the case of Mary Mackillop to be beautified and then made a saint. Click here to follow along with the story of Mary Mackillop
So her actions while Josephite, they align to the Carmelite charism.
The Carmelites have 3 features to their Charism - fraternity, service, and contemplation.
Service - The hermits were forced to leave their home on Mount Carmel and settle in Europe. There they changed their style of life from hermits to friars. The major difference is that friars are called to serve the People of God in some active apostolate. Some Religious Congregations were founded for a specific work but the Carmelite Order tries simply to respond to the needs of the Church and the world which differ according to time and place, and so, many friars work in parishes, schools, universities, retreat centres, prisons, hospitals etc. The kind of service which each individual friar is involved in will depend on the needs of the people in whose midst he lives and his own particular talents.
Adapted from http://www.carmelites.ie/