Parish Bulletin
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Recently I’ve appreciated a young father, absolutely tired out with a full and trying day of work, hardly sleeping overnight as he and his wife patiently and lovingly stay awake with a baby who will not sleep. Richard Rohr highlights the positive focus and purpose of “the hardworking happiness of young mothers and fathers. Their young child, their one North Star, and they know very clearly why they are waking up each morning.” (Rohr, R. The Universal Christ p74). Parents know about dying to self; about putting oneself last.
Our gospel this week suggests that this space of servant parenthood is the very place where God is to be found. We find that Jesus visualises himself and “the one who sent him” (Mark 9:30-37) akin to a powerless, vulnerable child rather than the towering influential figures imagined by his followers. Digging down, we discover that God does not want to be served by us; but to serve us. God does not want to be given the highest possible rank and status in our society but to take the lowest place and to be without rank and status. God does not want to be feared and obeyed but to be recognised in the sufferings of the poor and the weak. (Nolan, A. Jesus Before Christianity, p138).
It seems rather that self-effacement, putting oneself last, humility, patience, child-like trust, prioritising others, prioritising the good of the community – this is where we find God. Michael Bowden, great Richmond footballer and later legendary authority in Aboriginal Catholic spirituality and culture, tells us that “God” is found in the way Mystery interacts with material reality, in the care, compassion, patience and self-sacrifice of people who are motivated by Mystery to act with altruism and love.” (Bowden, M. Unbreakable Rock p208).
Deacon Mark Kelly
