We thank God for the idler with pinked spicy hands, at ease with us, with wide mouth that has practised the name of each of us whether telling us not to cling or inviting us to place our hand in his side.  On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, we recall Pope Francis’ reflection: ‘The peace of Jesus made the disciples pass from remorse to mission. The peace of Jesus awakens mission.  It entails not ease and comfort, but the challenge to break out of ourselves. The peace of Jesus frees from the self-absorption that paralyzes; it shatters the bonds that keep the heart imprisoned.’   Let’s walk free in this Easter season.  Let’s embrace the new possibilities for us as Church emerging from the pandemic and preparing for the next phase of our Plenary Council.  Let’s be free enough to follow the prohibition not to cling and the injunction to walk free.

Homily 24.4.22

It’s the first Sunday of Advent.  We enter into a month of waiting.  But it’s not the passive waiting for a bus or a plane.  We are waiting with great expectation of a better world, a better life, and better relationships with the coming of the Christ child at Christmas.  We’ve all got work to do.  This new heaven and new earth isn’t going to be simply laid in our lap.  The first injunction is: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.’  What is it that we’re waiting for?

Today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah comes from that third part of Isaiah ‘which reflects a time period sometime after 520BCE (the end of the exile) and just prior to the rebuilding of the temple.  By this time, the community has returned to its homeland.  These last chapters are God’s vision and instruction for a reconstituted people’. 

Praying that Patrick Dodson will be restored to good health, committing ourselves to a reconstituted people, and praying for a renewed spirit of reconciliation in our land this Advent we join the psalmist:

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Homily 3.12.23

Happy Christmas.  On Thursday one of my nieces gave birth to her first born.  Both are well and thriving.  What better Christmas present could there be.  What better pointer to the real meaning of Christmas.  I was a grand uncle for the 28th time.  My niece texted me on the morning of the birth: ‘Thank you for all the prayers.  They were much needed and appreciated.  Can’t wait to introduce you.’  Like the shepherds, I felt I should set out as soon as possible to meet the newborn.  We will meet in Queensland early in the new year.

Christmas Homily 2023

Today is Social Justice Sunday.  Our bishops have issued a statement entitled To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health in Australia Today.  They urge each of us to take three practical steps:

1.	Reject stigmatisation of those with mental illness
2.	Work for the transformation of social determinants of mental ill-health
3.	Call for policies and service provision that meet the needs of the poorest, most marginalised and recognise in them the face of Christ Jesus.

At a loss how to put flesh on these bones, I consulted an experienced psychiatrist.  I asked, ‘What can a lay person like me do to support people with mental illness?’  Answer: ‘Once someone is mentally ill, there’s not much you will be able to do.  The emphasis must be on prevention first up.’  On one level, it’s very simple.  Your mental well-being is more likely to be assured if you have a roof over your head, if you’re warm enough, if you have food in your belly, if you have someone to talk to, and if you are spared domestic violence or abuse.  Better still if you’ve got gainful employment and good education.  In a time of pandemic, your physical and mental well-being will be enhanced if you have a regular routine, regular exercise, healthy food, hobbies, and mindfulness exercises or meditation.  And don’t keep looking at the 24/7 COVID news reports which are sure to make you lose perspective.  The determinants of mental illness are biological, psychological, social, and cultural.

Homily 3.12.23

Frank Brennan 6

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