From the REC
1st reading Exodus 20:1-17 The Lord delivers the ten Commandments
2nd reading 1 Cor 1:22-25 Understand the power of Christ crucified
Gospel Jn 2:13-25 Jesus drives out the money-changers from the temple
REFLECTION by Fr Michael Tate
Where does God really dwell?
The Ten Commandments are badly named. Rather, they are the Ten Responses which should characterise a liberated people, freed from slavery by ‘the Lord, your God’.
By the time Jesus came on the scene, the Temple in Jerusalem was no longer a fit dwelling place for a God who desires to free people from oppression and exploitation. To the contrary, Jesus saw the Temple ideology as placing undue burdens and shackles on people.
His anger at this erupted in dramatic street theatre. His overturning of the tables of the money-changers signalled the overturning of the Temple system.
What Our Lord revealed to uncomprehending authorities was that His body was the true sanctuary. The body of Jesus of Nazareth is the dwelling place of God, the habitation of the Lord God who liberates people. In short, God’s sanctuary is not a place, but a person.
We could take a moment to pray, using the Ten Responses to review and guide our reflection and practice as we move towards Easter. This will help us to celebrate the enigmatic saying: ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it again.’
RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THE COLLEGE
Our Mount Carmel Story
Welcome everyone to a new year! Over the next few editions, I am taking the opportunity to explore some of the dimensions of College life. We are a Marist-inspired school on Carmelite land. These two charisms are fundamental in making us who we are.
Two powerful charisms backed by a strong story of people committed to making the world a better place.
What underpins both Charisms is prayer.
Each Monday morning at 8:55 am, the College begins its week with Reflection and Prayer. Two students from different pastoral groups read a reflection about the week - setting up a theme. Then all students and staff recite the College prayer together.
This prayer is very powerful and is our reminder about things that are important to all at the College.
We ask Our Lady who appeared at Mount Carmel in Israel, to look out for us,
Then we ask for the special gifts of the Holy Spirit of courage, wisdom, and guidance.
Then we ask for special encouragement to walk in truth, a challenge in these modern times.
The next part is the wish to be more like St Marcellin Champagnat, who wanted young people to be good Christians and good citizens.
We then end our prayer with
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Pray for us
St Marcellin Champagnat,
Pray for us
St Mary of the Cross (Mary Mackillop)
Pray for us
And let us always remember to
prayer for one another.